rcooke
August 13, 2007, 10:35pm
18
clawrenson:
Irregardless, it is still good to know. It also is good to know about a lot of things that can make an inspector potentially look incompetent, or possibly attract a complaint or ergo lawsuit. Often inspectors offer comments regarding electrical issues that “may” cause hardships for the client. Or possibly the fact that the receptacle for the refrigerator has been around for some time now - albeit maybe not strictly enforced.
As issues like this are brought forward, it adds more information to our skill sets. We have a responsibility to continue in our quest for knowledge of providing a top quality inspection, based on sound information and changes that are being demanded by other “experts” in the inspection field.
Often inspectors shy away from code - but at the same time we use the base of code to define what determines a defect. We also use other standards as well, such as property standards, and or acceptance levels based on sound construction practice.
I am constantly updating my knowledge on code issues. As a designer it is the guide for construction of buildings - be it a home or other larger building structure.
I am not stating that we need to quote code per-se; I am simply noting that many decision made by the home inspector with respect to deficiencies - likely is based on reference to code.
That is why many associations, as well a training providers include code related training as a pre-requisite in their inspection programs.
Yes but where do we draw the line the building code is about three inches thick with lots of different codes in it.