According to Res. SOP
2.9. Attic, Ventilation & Insulation I. The inspector shall inspect
B. the ventilation of the attic spaces
C. mechanical ventilation systems;
II. The inspector is not required to:
F. activate thermostatically operated fans.
Is that confusing to anyone?
Because the SOP requires me to inspect the attic ventilation AND the mechanical ventilation systems, a client might say my inspection includes activating the thermostatically operated fan.
In law, if there is any confusion, the consumer wins.
If a consumer thinks that the mechanical ventilation system in an attic includes a roof fan, then there is confusion. And when there’s confusion, the consumer legally is protected (or wins).
I think I’d be pretty ticked off at an inspector that started fooling around with the thermostatic controls on the power vent in my attic and have no problem telling a client that is not my job…
yes Marcel it is a regional thing for sure, different parts of the country they are very handy…mine runs a lot in the summer months…it has a thermostat and a humidistat, but you will never hear it come on between September and may…
Would not having the proper insulation value and the proper 1 sf. of free air ventilation per 300 sf of attic space and a natural balance of eave and soffit vents off-set the cost of the energy usage and maintenance required for those fans to begin with?
I had that same conversation with my roofer two years ago when this one was installed Marcel…and it sure was borderline on this house, but a number of years back i owned a split level with great temperature differences from level to level…and decided to install a couple of power vents…solved the problem in a heart beat and saved a bundle on heating and cooling…I think it greatly depends on the design of the structure…jmo…
I guess going back to checking an exhaust fan in the Attic, I would personally just note that one was observed and not inspected for whatever design it was intended for. The hell with the fan. :mrgreen:
According to Res. SOP
2.9. Attic, Ventilation & Insulation
I. The inspector shall inspect
B. the ventilation of the attic spaces
C. mechanical ventilation systems;
II. However, the inspector is not required to:
F. activate thermostatically operated fans.
With that simple change, I believe the SOP is made more clear and precise. Of course, I don’t know how it applies to Items A through G…and I’m only an old architect trying to help.
I agree with James. The SoP are written in two parts. The requirement is modified by the limitation. I think it would easily hold up in a debate because writting SoP like this is an industry standard be it NAHI, ASHI, et al.
The purpose of splitting the limitations into their own section is because one limitation may apply to many requirements.
According to Res. SOP
2.9. Attic, Ventilation & Insulation I. The inspector shall inspect
B. the ventilation of the attic spaces
C. mechanical ventilation systems;
II. The inspector is not required to:
F. activate thermostatically operated fans.
So, if II.F. is a limitation to the inspection requirements. Then the SOP requires ACTIVATING the mechanical ventilation systems. Yes?
The use of “activate” in the limitation implies that the requirement of “inspecting” includes “activating.”
II.F. limits activating a certain type of fan; it is not limiting the action of the inspector.
Confusing, so the average Joe somo consumer can go back to the dealership and claim they were confused and did not know they were supposed to change the oil or were confused on which hole to pour it in, and now want to know when their new engine will be installed?
I think this one may be getting over thought. JMHO:D
