{"id":58,"date":"2015-06-14T17:06:38","date_gmt":"2015-06-15T00:06:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new2022.theazinspector.com\/?page_id=58"},"modified":"2022-08-13T15:17:35","modified_gmt":"2022-08-13T22:17:35","slug":"arizona-standards-of-practice","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/new2022.theazinspector.com\/?page_id=58","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Standards of Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<pre class=\"wp-block-preformatted\"><strong>STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE \nTABLE OF CONTENTS \nSection \tDescription \n1.\tIntroduction \n2.\tPurpose &amp; Scope \n3.\tGeneral Limitations &amp; Exclusions \n4.\tStructural Components \n5.\tExterior \n6.\tRoofing \n7.\tPlumbing \n8.\tElectrical \n9.\tHeating \n10.\tCentral Air Conditioning \n11.\tInteriors \n12.\tInsulation and Ventilation \n\tGlossary \tNOTE: Italicized words are defined in the Glossary \n  \n \n \n1.\tINTRODUCTION \n1.1\tThese Standards define the practice of Home Inspection in the State of <\/strong>   <strong>Arizona. \n1.2\tThese Standards of Practice \nA.\tprovide inspection guidelines. \nB.\tmake public the services provided by private fee-paid inspectors. \n \n2.\tPURPOSE AND SCOPE \n2.1\tInspections performed to these Standards shall provide the client with a better understanding of the property conditions, as observed at the time of the inspection. \n2.2\tInspectors shall: \nA.\tbefore the inspection report is delivered, enter into a written agreement with the  client or their authorized agent that includes: \n1.\tthe purpose of the inspection. \n2.\tthe date of the inspection. \n3.\tthe name address and certification number of the inspector. \n4.\tthe fee for services. \n5.\ta statement that the inspection is performed in accordance with these Standards. \n6.\tlimitations or exclusions of systems or components inspected. \nB.\tObserve readily accessible installed systems and components listed in these Standards. \nC.\tsubmit a written report to the client which shall: \n1.\tDescribe systems and components identified in sections 4-12 of these Standards. \n2.\tstate which systems and components designated for inspection in these Standards have been inspected and any systems and components designated for inspection in these Standards which were present at the time of the inspection and were not inspected and a reason why they were not inspected. \n3.\tstate any systems and components so inspected which were found to be in need of immediate major repair and any recommendations to correct, monitor or evaluate by appropriate persons. \n2.3\tThese Standards are not intended to limit inspectors from: \nA.\treporting observations and conditions in addition to those required in Section 2.2. \nB.\texcluding systems and components from the inspection if requested by the client. \n \n \n3. \tGENERAL LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS \n3.1 \tGeneral limitations: \nA.\tInspections done in accordance with these Standards are visual, not technically  exhaustive and will not identify concealed conditions or latent defects. \nB.\tThese Standards are applicable to buildings with four or less dwelling units and their garages or carports. \n3.2 \tGeneral exclusions: \nA. Inspectors are NOT required to report on: \n1.\tlife expectancy of any component or system. \n2.\tthe causes of the need for a major repair. \n3.\tthe methods, materials and costs of corrections. \n4.\tthe suitability of the property for any specialized use. \n5.\tcompliance or non-compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. \n6.\tthe market value of the property or its marketability. \n7.\tthe advisability or inadvisability of purchase of the property. \n8.\tany component or system which was not observed. \n9.\tthe presence or absence of pests such as wood damaging organisms, rodents, or insects. \n10.\tcosmetic items, underground items, or items not permanently installed. B. Inspectors are NOT required to: \n1.\toffer warranties or guarantees of any kind. \n2.\tcalculate the strength, adequacy, or efficiency of any system or component. \n3.\tenter any area or perform any procedure which may damage the property or its components or be dangerous to the inspector or other persons. \n4.\toperate any system or component which is shut down or otherwise inoperable. \n5.\toperate any system or component which does not respond to normal  operating controls. \n6.\tdisturb insulation, move personal items, furniture, equipment, plant life, soil, snow, ice, or debris which obstructs access or visibility. \n7.\tdetermine the presence or absence of any suspected hazardous substance including but not limited to toxins, fungus, molds, mold spores, carcinogens, noise, contaminants in soil, water, and air. \n8.\tdetermine the effectiveness of any system installed to control or remove suspected hazardous substances. \n9.\tpredict future conditions, including but not limited to failure of  components. \n10.\tproject operating costs of components. \n11.\tevaluate acoustical characteristics of any system or component. \n \n3.3 Limitations and exclusions specific to individual systems are listed in following sections. \n \n \n4. \tSYSTEM: STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS \n4.1 \tThe inspector shall observe: \nA.\tstructural components including: \n1.\tfoundation. \n2.\tfloors. \n3.\twalls. \n4.\tcolumns. \n5.\tceilings. \n6.\troofs. \n4.2 \tThe Inspector shall: A. describe the type of: \n1.\tfoundation. \n2.\tfloor structure. \n3.\twall structure. \n4.\tcolumns. \n5.\tceiling structure. \n6.\troof structure. \nB.\tprobe structural components where deterioration is suspected. However, probing is NOT required when probing would damage any finished surface. \nC.\tenter underfloor crawl spaces and attic spaces except when access is obstructed, when entry could damage the property, or when dangerous or adverse situations are suspected. \nD.\treport the methods used to inspect underfloor crawl spaces and attics. \nE.\treport signs of water penetration into the building or signs of abnormal or harmful condensation on building components. \n \n5. \tSYSTEM: EXTERIOR \n5.1 \tThe inspector shall observe: \nA.\twall cladding, flashings and trim. \nB.\tentryway doors and representative number of windows. \nC.\tgarage door operators. \nD.\tdecks, balconies, stoops, steps, areaways, and porches including railings. \nE.\teaves, soffits and fascias. \nF.\tvegetation, grading, drainage, driveways, patios, walkways and retaining walls with respect to their effect on the condition of the building. \n5.2 \tThe inspector shall: \nA.\tdescribe wall cladding materials. \nB.\toperate all entryway doors and representative number of windows including garage doors, manually or by using permanently installed controls of any garage door operator. \nC.\treport whether or not any garage door operator will automatically reverse or stop when meeting reasonable resistance during closing. \n5.3 \tThe inspector is NOT required to observe: \nA. storm windows, storm doors, screening, shutters, awnings and similar seasonal accessories. B. fences. \nC.\tsafety glazing. \nD.\tgarage door operator remote control transmitters. \nE.\tgeological conditions. \nF.\tsoil conditions. \nG.\trecreational facilities. \nH.\toutbuildings other than garages and carports. \n \n\t6. \tSYSTEM: ROOFING \n6.1 \tThe inspector shall observe: \nA.\troof coverings. \nB.\troof drainage systems. \nC.\tflashings. \nD.\tskylights, chimneys and roof penetrations. \nE.\tsigns of leaks or abnormal condensation on building components. \n6.2 \tThe inspector shall: \nA.\tdescribe the type of roof covering materials. \nB.\treport the methods used to inspect roofing. \n6.3 \tThe inspector is NOT required to: A. walk on the roofing. \nB. observe attached accessories including but not limited to solar systems, antennae, and lightning arresters. \n \n \n7. \tSYSTEM: PLUMBING \n7.1 \tThe inspector shall observe: \nA. interior water supply and distribution system including: \n1.\tpiping materials, including supports and insulation. \n2.\tfixtures and faucets. \n3.\tfunctional flow. \n4.\tleaks. \n5.\tcross connections. \nB. interior drain, waste and vent system, including: \n1.\ttraps; drain, waste, and vent piping; piping supports and pipe insulation. \n2.\tleaks. \n3.\tfunctional drainage. \nC. hot water systems including: \n1.\twater heating equipment. \n2.\tnormal operating controls. \n3.\tautomatic safety controls. \n4.\tchimneys, flues and vents. \nD. fuel storage and distribution systems including: \n1.\tinterior fuel storage equipment, supply piping, venting and supports. \n2.\tleaks. \nE. sump pumps. \n7.2 The inspector shall: A. describe: \n1.\twater supply and distribution piping materials. \n2.\tdrain, waste and vent piping materials. \n3.\twater heating equipment. \nB.  operate all plumbing fixtures, including their faucets and all exterior faucets attached to the house. \n7.3 \tThe inspector is NOT required to: \nA.\tstate the effectiveness of anti-siphon devices. \nB.\tdetermine whether water supply and waste disposal systems are public or private. \nC.\toperate automatic safety controls. \nD.\toperate any valve except water closet flush valves, fixture faucets and hose faucets. \nE.\tobserve: \n1.\twater conditioning systems. \n2.\tfire and lawn sprinkler systems. \n3.\ton-site water supply quantity and quality. \n4.\ton-site waste disposal systems. \n5.\tfoundation irrigation systems. \n6.\tspas, except as to functional flow and functional drainage. \n \n \n8. \tSYSTEM: ELECTRICAL \n8.1 \tThe inspector shall observe: \nA.\tservice entrance conductors. \nB.\tservice equipment, grounding equipment, main overcurrent device, main and distribution panels. \nC.\tamperage and voltage ratings of the service. \nD.\tbranch circuit conductors, their overcurrent devices, and the compatibility of their ampacities and voltages. \nE.\tthe operation of a representative number of installed lighting fixtures, switches and receptacles located inside the house, garage, and on its exterior walls. \nF.\tthe polarity and grounding of all receptacles within six feet of interior plumbing fixtures and all receptacles in the garage or carport, and on the exterior of inspected structures. \nG.\tthe operation of ground fault circuit interrupters. \n8.2 The inspector shall: A. describe: \n1.\tservice amperage and voltage. \n2.\tservice entry conductor materials. \n3.\tservice type as being overhead or underground. \n4.\tlocation of main and distribution panels. \nB. report any observed aluminum branch circuit wiring. \n8.3 \tThe inspector is NOT required to: \nA.\tinsert any tool, probe or testing device inside the panels. \nB.\ttest or operate any overcurrent device except ground fault interrupters. \nC.\tdismantle any electrical device or control other than to remove covers of the main and auxiliary distribution panels. \nD.\tobserve \n1.\tlow voltage systems. \n2.\tsmoke detectors. \n3.\ttelephone, security, cable TV, intercoms or other ancillary wiring that is not a part of the primary electrical distribution system. \n9. \tSYSTEM: HEATING \n9.1 \tThe inspector shall observe: \nA. permanently installed heating systems including: \n1.\theating equipment. \n2.\tnormal operating controls. \n3.\tautomatic safety controls. \n4.\tchimneys, flues and vents. \n5.\tsolid fuel heating devices. \n6.\theat distribution systems including fans, pumps, ducts and piping, with supports, dampers, insulation, air filters, registers, radiators, fan coil units, convectors. \n7.\tthe presence of an installed heat source in each room. \n9.2 The inspector shall: A. describe: \n1.\tenergy source. \n2.\theating equipment and distribution type. \nB.\toperate the systems using normal operating controls. \nC.\topen readily openable access panels provided by the manufacturer or installer for routine homeowner maintenance. \n \n9.3 \tThe inspector is NOT required to: \nA.\toperate heating systems when weather conditions or other circumstances may cause equipment damage. \nB.\toperate automatic safety controls. \nD.\tignite or extinguish solid fuel fires. \nE.\tobserve: \n1.\tthe interior of flues. \n2.\tfireplace insert flue connections. \n3.\thumidifiers. \n4.\telectronic air filters. \n5.\tthe uniformity or adequacy of heat supply to the various rooms. \n \n10. \tSYSTEM: CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING \n10.1 \tThe inspector shall observe: \nA. central air conditioning including: \n1.\tcooling and air handling equipment. \n2.\tnormal operating controls. \nB. distribution systems including: \n1.\tfans, pumps, ducts and piping, with supports, dampers, insulation, air filters, registers, fan-coil units. \n2.\tthe presence of an installed cooling source in each room. \n10.2 The inspector shall: A. describe: \n1.\tenergy sources. \n2.\tcooling equipment type. \nB.\toperate the systems using normal operating controls. \nC.\topen readily openable access panels provided by the manufacturer or installer for routine homeowner maintenance. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n10.3 \tThe inspector is NOT required to: \nA.\toperate cooling systems when weather conditions or other circumstances may cause equipment damage. \nB.\tobserve non-central air conditioners. \nC.\tobserve the uniformity or adequacy of cool-air supply to the various rooms. \n \n \n11. \tSYSTEM: INTERIORS \n11.1 \tThe inspector shall observe: \nA.\twalls, ceiling and floors. \nB.\tsteps, stairways, balconies and railings. \nC.\tcounters and a representative number of cabinets. \nD.\ta representative number of doors and windows. \nE.\tseparation walls, ceilings, and doors between a dwelling unit and an attached garage or another dwelling unit. F. sumps. \n \n11.2 \tThe inspector shall: \nA.\toperate a representative number of primary windows and interior doors. \nB.\treport signs of water penetration into the building or signs of abnormal or harmful condensation on building components. \n11.3 \tThe inspector is NOT required to observe: \nA.\tpaint, wallpaper and other finish treatments on the interior walls, ceilings, and floors. \nB.\tcarpeting. \nC.\tdraperies, blinds or other window treatments. \nD.\thousehold appliances. \nE.\trecreational facilities or another dwelling unit. \n \n \n12. \tSYSTEM: INSULATION &amp; VENTILATION \n12.1 \tThe inspector shall observe: \nA.\tinsulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces. \nB.\tventilation of attics and foundation areas. \nC.\tkitchen, bathroom, and laundry venting systems. \n12.2 \tThe inspector shall describe: \nA.\tinsulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces. \nB.\tabsence of same in unfinished space at conditioned surfaces. \n12.3 \tThe inspector is NOT required to report on: \nA.\tconcealed insulation and vapor retarders. \nB.\tventing equipment which is integral with household appliances. \nGLOSSARY \n \nAutomatic Safety Controls: \nDevices designated and installed to protect systems and components from high or low pressures and temperatures, electrical current, loss of water, loss of ignition, fuel leaks, fire, freezing, or other unsafe conditions. \nCentral Air Conditioning: \nA system which uses ducts to distribute cooled and\/or dehumidified air to more than one room or uses pipes to distribute chilled water to heat exchangers in more than one room, and that is not plugged into an electrical convenience outlet. \nClient: \nA customer who contracts with a home inspector for a home inspection. \nComponent: \nA readily accessible and observable aspect of a system, such as a floor, or wall, but not individual pieces such as boards or nails where many similar pieces make up the system. \nCross Connection: \nAny physical connection or arrangement between potable water and any source of contamination. \nDangerous or Adverse Situations: \nSituations which pose a threat of injury to the inspector, and those situations that require the use of special protective clothing or safety equipment. \nDescribe: \nReport in writing a system or component by its type, or other observed characteristics, to distinguish it from other components used for the same purpose. \nDismantle: \nTo take apart or remove any component, device or piece of equipment that is bolted, screwed, or fastened by other means and that would not be taken apart or removed by a homeowner in the course of normal household maintenance. \nEngineering: \nAny professional service or creative work requiring education, training, and experience and the application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences \nEvaluation by Appropriate Persons: \nExamination and analysis by a qualified professional, tradesman, or service technician beyond that provided by the home inspector. \nFunctional Drainage: \nA drain is functional when it empties in a reasonable amount of time and does not overflow when another fixture is drained simultaneously. \nFunctional Flow: \nA reasonable flow at the highest fixture in a dwelling when another fixture is operated simultaneously. \nImmediate Major Repair: \nA major defect, which if not quickly addressed, will be likely to do any of the following: \n1.\tworsen appreciably \n2.\tcause further damage \n3.\tbe a serious hazard to health and\/or personal safety Inspector: \nA person certified as a home Inspector by the Arizona Board of Technical Registration \nInstalled: \nAttached or connected such that the installed item requires tools for removal. \nMajor Defect: \nA system or component that is unsafe or not functioning \nNormal Operating Controls: \nHomeowner operated devices such as a thermostat, wall switch or safety switch. \nObserve: \nThe act of making a visual examination of a system or component and reporting on its condition. \nOn-site Water Supply Quality: \nWater quality is based on the bacterial, chemical, mineral and solids content of the water. \nOn-site Water Supply Quantity: \nWater quantity is the rate of flow of water. \nPrimary Windows and Doors: \nWindows and\/or exterior doors which are designed to remain in their respective openings year round. \nReadily Accessible: \nAvailable for visual inspection without requiring moving of personal property, dismantling, destructive measures, or any action which will likely involve risk to persons or property. \nReadily Openable Access Panel: \nA panel provided for homeowner inspection and maintenance that has removable or operable fasteners or latch devices in order to be lifted off, swung open, or otherwise removed by one person, and its edges and fasteners are not painted in place. Limited to those panels within normal reach or from a 4-foot stepladder, and which are not blocked by stored items, furniture, or building components. \nRecreational Facilities: \nSpas, saunas, steam baths, swimming pools, tennis courts, playground equipment, and other exercise, entertainment, or athletic facilities. \nRepresentative Number: \nFor multiple identical components such as windows and electrical outlets, the inspection of one such   component per room. For multiple identical exterior components, the inspection of one such component on each side of the building. \nRoof Drainage Systems: \nGutters, downspouts, leaders, splash blocks, and similar components used to carry water off a roof and away from a building. \nSafety Glazing: \nTempered glass, laminated glass, or rigid plastic. \nShut Down: \nA piece of equipment whose safety switch or circuit breaker is in the \u201coff\u201d position, or its fuse is missing or blown, or a system that cannot be operated by the device or control that a home owner should normally use to operate it. \nSolid Fuel Heating Device: \nAny wood, coal, or other similar organic fuel burning device, including but not limited to fireplaces  whether masonry or factory built, fireplace inserts and stoves, woodstoves (room heaters), central furnaces, and combinations of these devices. \nStructural Component: \nA component that supports non-variable forces or weights (dead loads) and variable forces or weights (live loads). For purposes of this definition, a dead load is the fixed weight of a structure or piece of equipment, such as a roof structure on bearing walls, and a live load is a moving variable weight added to the dead load or intrinsic weight of a structure. \nSystem: \nA combination of interacting or interdependent components, assembled to carry out one or more functions. \nTechnically Exhaustive: \nAn inspection is technically exhaustive when it involves the use of measurements, instruments, testing, calculations, and other means to develop scientific or engineering findings, conclusions, and recommendations. \nUnderfloor Crawl Space: \nThe area within the confines of the foundation and between the ground and the underside of the lowest floor structural  . \nUnsafe: \nA condition in a readily accessible, installed system or component which is judged to be a significant risk of personal injury during normal, day to day use. The risk may be due to damage, deterioration, improper installation or changes in adopted residential construction standards.<\/strong>\n<\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Description 1. Introduction 2. Purpose &amp; Scope 3. General Limitations &amp; Exclusions 4. Structural Components 5. Exterior 6. Roofing 7. Plumbing 8. Electrical 9. Heating 10. Central Air Conditioning 11. Interiors 12. Insulation and Ventilation Glossary NOTE: Italicized words are defined in the Glossary 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-58","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new2022.theazinspector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/58","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new2022.theazinspector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new2022.theazinspector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new2022.theazinspector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new2022.theazinspector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=58"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/new2022.theazinspector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/58\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":758,"href":"https:\/\/new2022.theazinspector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/58\/revisions\/758"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new2022.theazinspector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=58"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}