SECTION 8 – Fireplaces and Chimneys

A.  Items to be inspected:

      1. Chimney exterior

      2. Spark arrestor

      3. Firebox

      4. Damper

      5. Hearth extension 

B. The Inspector is not required to:

     1. Inspect chimney interiors

     2. Inspect fireplace inserts, seals, or gaskets

     3. Operate any fireplace or determine if a fireplace can be safely used

 

SECTION 9 – Building Interior  

A. Items to be inspected:

     1. Walls, ceilings, and floors

     2. Doors and windows

     3. Stairways, handrails, and guardrails  

     4. Permanently installed cabinets

     5. Permanently installed cook-tops, mechanical range vents, ovens,

     dishwashers, and food waste disposers

     6. Absence of smoke alarms

     7. Vehicle doors and openers

 

B. The Inspector is not required to:

     1. Inspect window, door, or floor coverings

     2. Determine whether a building is secure from unauthorized entry

     3. Operate or test smoke alarms or vehicle door safety devices

     4. Use a ladder to inspect systems or components

 

          Part III. Limitations, Exceptions, and Exclusions

 

A. The following are excluded from a real estate inspection:

 

  1. Systems or components of a building, or portions thereof, which are not

    readily accessible, not permanently installed, or not inspected due to

    circumstances beyond the control of the Inspector or which the Client has

    agreed or specified are not to be inspected

  2. Site improvements or amenities, including, but not limited to; accessory

    buildings, fences, planters, landscaping, irrigation, swimming pools, spas,

    ponds, waterfalls, fountains or their components or accessories

  3. Auxiliary features of appliances beyond the appliance’s basic function

  4. Systems or components, or portions thereof, which are under ground, under

    water, or where the Inspector must come into contact with water

  5. Common areas as defined in California Civil Code section 1351, et seq., and

    any dwelling unit systems or components located in common areas

  6. Determining compliance with manufacturers’ installation guidelines or

    specifications, building codes, accessibility standards, conservation or

    energy standards, regulations, ordinances, covenants, or other restrictions

  7. Determining adequacy, efficiency, suitability, quality, age, or remaining life

    of any building, system, or component, or marketability or advisability of

    purchase

  8. Structural, architectural, geological, environmental, hydrological, land

    surveying, or soils-related examinations

  9. Acoustical or other nuisance characteristics of any system or component of

     a building, complex, adjoining property, or neighborhood

10. Conditions related to animals, insects, or other organisms, including fungus

    and mold, and any hazardous, illegal, or controlled substance, or the

    damage or health risks arising there from

11. Risks associated with events or conditions of nature including, but not

    limited to; geological, seismic, wildfire, and flood

12. Water testing any building, system, or component or determine leakage in

    shower pans, pools, spas, or any body of water

13. Determining the integrity of hermetic seals at multi-pane glazing 

14. Differentiating between original construction or subsequent additions or

    modifications

15. Reviewing information from any third-party, including but not limited to;

    product defects, recalls, or similar notices

16. Specifying repairs/replacement procedures or estimating cost to correct

17. Communication, computer, security, or low-voltage systems and remote,

    timer, sensor, or similarly controlled systems or components

18. Fire extinguishing and suppression systems and components or determining

    fire resistive qualities of materials or assemblies

19. Elevators, lifts, and dumbwaiters

 

 

 CONTRACT INCLUDES 3 PAGES – PAGE 3 OF 3

 

    

    20. Lighting pilot lights or activating or operating any system, component, or    

           appliance that is shut down, unsafe to operate or does not respond to

           normal user controls

     21. Operating shutoff valves or shutting down any system or component

     22. Dismantling any system, structure, or component or removing access

           panels other than those provided for homeowner maintenance

 

B. The Inspector may, at his or her discretion:

        1. Inspect any building, system, component, appliance, or improvement not

            included or otherwise excluded by these Standards of Practice. Any such

             inspection shall comply with all other provisions of these Standards.

         2. Include photographs in the written report or take photographs for

             Inspector’s reference without inclusion in the written report. Photographs

             may not be used in lieu of written documentation.

 

                                             Part IV. Glossary of Terms

*NOTE: All definitions apply to derivatives of these terms when italicized in the

text.

 

Appliance: An item such as an oven, dishwasher, heater, etc. which performs a

specific function

Building: The subject of the inspection and its primary parking structure

Component: A part of a system, appliance, fixture, or device

Condition: Conspicuous state of being

Determine: Arrive at an opinion or conclusion pursuant to a real estate

inspection

Device: A component designed to perform a particular task or function

Fixture: A plumbing or electrical component with a fixed position and function

Function: The normal and characteristic purpose or action of a system,

component, or device

Functional Drainage: The ability to empty a plumbing fixture in a reasonable

time

Functional Flow: The flow of the water supply at the highest and farthest

fixture from the building supply shutoff valve when another fixture is used

simultaneously

Inspect: Refer to Part I, “Definition and Scope”, Paragraph A

Inspector: One who performs a real estate inspection

Normal User Control: Switch or other device that activates a system or component

and is provided for use by an occupant of a building

Operate: Cause a system, appliance, fixture, or device to function using normal

user controls

Permanently Installed: Fixed in place, e.g. screwed, bolted, nailed, or glued

Primary Building: A building that an Inspector has agreed to inspect

Primary Parking structure: A building for the purpose of vehicle storage

associated with the primary building

Readily Accessible: Can be reached, entered, or viewed without difficulty,

moving obstructions, or requiring any action which may harm persons or

property

Real Estate Inspection: Refer to Part I, “Definitions and Scope”, Paragraph A

Representative Number: Example, an average of one component per area

for multiple similar components such as windows, doors, and electrical

outlets

Safety Hazard: A condition that could result in significant physical injury

Shut Down: Disconnected or turned off in a way so as not to respond to normal

user controls

System: An assemblage of various components designed to function as a whole

Technically Exhaustive: Examination beyond the scope of a real estate

inspection, which may require disassembly, specialized knowledge, special

equipment, measuring, calculating, quantifying, testing, exploratory

probing, research, or analysis

 

 

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 OR ADEQUACY OF ANY PROVISION IN ANY SPECIFIC TRANSACTION.  IF YOU DESIRE

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 IS GRANTED TO QUALIFIED INSPECTOR MEMBERS OF CREIA. TO LOCATE A QUALIFIED

 CREIA INSPECTOR CALL 800/388-8443 OR VISIT US AT WWW.CREIA.ORG CREIASM IS A

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