Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Bob O,
Don't throw out that magnet just yet, it may come in handy if you are planning on buying a used car in the near future! 
Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hmmmmm … ya know I was also thinking that Gerry would comment that if I am only using a screwdriver & flashlight, how is it that I can set the shower temperature and then check it after I flush a bowl …
Man, I hope Gerry doesn't see these posts (duck) ...
-- Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi to all,
Rob, I would love to own a magnet but I do feel that using specialized testing equipment is beyond the scope of a home inspector  
Going back to the inital Functional fow issue, Torro make a real nice combined pressure and flow gauge, but only PE's are taught how to use them
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Gerry,
I bought one of those from Nick while he was ridding NACHI of all its excess inventory. What a dud, don't waste your 100 bucks. Go to grainer and make your own out of good gauges.
Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hey Gerry … I will pass on the Toro equipment. Engineers have much better pressure and flow testing equipment …
But now that ya brought it up ... hmmmm ... lets see now. Do you have that equipment calibrated, and follow all ASTM and AWWA testing procedures? What do the local laws for the public utilities require in terms of pressure and flow? Where do those pressure and flow standards apply, and are you testing that? Do ya want maximum flow with minimum pressure, or something in between? What times of the day, and which days do ya test the pressure and flow? Do ya have to perform the tests more than once at different times and days? How long to ya let that run to get an accurate reading of working residual pressure and flow? Which hose bib do ya hook that up to? Do ya have all the tools and adapters to test all the required fixtures, including the shower fixture? And I'm sure you would have the statistically valid demand data and system readings from the local water supply company to compare your readings to, right ... 
Seems that for anything other than a qualitative flow check, and possibly a simple static pressure test (even be careful there), that you might be on quite a slippery slope my friend ...
(Duck)
-- Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
Originally Posted By: cradan This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
variations in private or public water supply pressures) that the 49 psi / 6.75 gpm measurement noted at the north wall faucet adjacent to the driveway will probably be just fine for “warshing” his beamer and “wartering” his nearby horticultural materials.
Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
cradan wrote:
... On the other hand, there's really nothing wrong (IMHO) with letting the prospective purchaser know (barring uncontrollable and unknowable variations in private or public water supply pressures) that the 49 psi / 6.75 gpm measurement noted at the north wall faucet adjacent to the driveway will probably be just fine for "warshing" his beamer and "wartering" his nearby horticultural materials.
Okay, up until the last part ... I would recommend just comparing the readings to "current standards" and dont go beyond that. Anything other than static water pressure and a check of qualitative flow gets VERY sticky ... and even be careful there with the "minimums" as unacceptable low flow conditions at peak demand is very possible. Actual pressure/flow can vary considerably depending on the municipal system supply history and time of day, and if ya don't know that don't go there. Just Observe and Report ... 
-- Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
