Glossary of Terms
Alarm Systems: Warning devices installed or freestanding including but not limited to smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, flue gas, and other spillage detectors, and security equipment
Automatic Safety Controls: Devices designed and installed to protect systems and components from unsafe conditions
Component: A part of a system
Decorative: Ornamental; not required for the proper operation of the essential systems and components of a home
Describe: To identify (in writing) a system or component by its type or other distinguishing characteristics
Dismantle: To take apart or remove any component, device, or piece of equipment that would not be taken apart or removed by a homeowner in the course of normal maintenance
Engineering: The application of scientific knowledge for the design, control, or use of building structures, equipment, or apparatus
Further Evaluation: Examination and analysis by a qualified professional, tradesman, or service technician beyond that provided by the home inspection
Home Inspection: The process by which an inspector visually examines the readily accessible systems and components of a home and which describes those systems and components in accordance with these Standards of Practice
Household Appliances: Kitchen, laundry, and similar appliances, whether installed or free-standing
Inspect: To examine any system or component of a building in accordance with these Standards of Practice, using normal operating controls and opening readily openable access panels
Inspector: A person hired to examine any system or component of a building in accordance with these Standards of Practice
Installed: Attached such that removal requires tools
Normal Operating Controls: Devices such as thermostats, switches, or valves intended to be operated by the homeowner
Readily Accessible: Available for visual inspection without requiring moving of personal property, dismantling, destructive measures, or any action that will likely involve risk to persons or property
Readily Openable Access Panel: A panel provided for homeowner inspection and maintenance that is readily accessible, within normal reach, can be removed by one person, and is not sealed in place
Recreational Facilities: Spas, saunas, steam baths, swimming pools, exercise, entertainment, athletic, playground or other similar equipment, and associated accessories
Report: Communicate in writing
Representative Number: One component per room for multiple similar interior components such as windows, and electric receptacles; one component on each side of the building for multiple similar exterior components
Roof Drainage Systems: Components used to carry water off a roof and away from a building
Shut Down: A state in which a system or component cannot be operated by normal operating controls
Siding: Exterior wall covering and cladding; such as: aluminum, asphalt, brick, cement/asbestos, EIFS, stone, stucco, veneer, vinyl, wood, etc.
Solid Fuel Burning Appliances: A hearth and fire chamber or similar prepared place in which a fire may be built and that is built in conjunction with a chimney; or a listed assembly of a fire chamber, its chimney, and related factory-made parts designed for unit assembly without requiring field construction
Structural Component: A component that supports non-variable forces or weights (dead loads) and variable forces or weights (live loads)
System: A combination of interacting or interdependent components, assembled to carry out one or more functions.
Technically Exhaustive: An investigation that involves dismantling, the extensive use of advanced techniques, measurements, instruments, testing, calculations, or other means
Under-floor Crawl Space: The area within the confines of the foundation and between the ground and the underside of the floor
Unsafe: A condition in a readily accessible, installed system or component that is judged to be a significant risk of bodily injury during normal, day-to-day use; the risk may be due to damage, deterioration, improper installation, or a change in accepted residential construction standards
Wiring Methods: Identification of electrical conductors or wires by their general type, such as non-metallic sheathed cable, armored cable, or knob and tube, etc.