Standards of Practice

NAARPI Standards of Practice

(1) Standards of Practice. This rule sets forth the minimum standards of practice required of NAARPI Certified Inspectors.
(2) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this rule:
(a) “Central air conditioning” means a system that uses ducts to distribute cooled or dehumidified air to more than one room or uses pipes to distribute chilled water to heat exchangers in more than one room, and that is not plugged into an electrical convenience outlet;
(b) “Component” means a readily accessible and observable aspect of a system, such as a floor, or wall, but not individual pieces such as boards or nails where many similar pieces make up the component;
(c) “Cosmetic damage” means superficial blemishes or defects that do not interfere with the functionality of the component or system;
(d) “Dangerous or adverse situations” means situations that pose a threat of injury to the home inspector, or those situations that require the use of special protective clothing or safety equipment;
(e) “Describe” means report in writing a system or component by its type, or other inspected characteristics, to distinguish it from other systems or components used for the same purpose;
(f) “Dismantle” means to take apart or remove any component, device or piece of equipment that is bolted, screwed, or fastened by other means and that would not be dismantled by a homeowner in the course of normal household maintenance;
(g) “Enter” means to go into an area to inspect all visible components;
(h) “Functional drainage” means a drain is functional when it empties in a reasonable amount of time and does not overflow when another fixture is drained simultaneously;
(i) “Functional flow” means a reasonable flow at the highest fixture in a dwelling when another fixture is operated simultaneously;
(j) “Inspect” means the act of making a visual examination;
(k) “Installed” means attached or connected such that an item requires tools for removal;
(l) “Normal operating controls” means homeowner operated devices such as a thermostat, wall switch, or safety switch;
(m) “Operate” means to cause systems or equipment to function;
(n) “Readily accessible” means approachable or enterable for visual inspection without the risk of damage to any property or alteration of the accessible space, equipment, or opening;
(o) “Readily openable access panel” means a panel provided for homeowner inspection and maintenance that has removable or operable fasteners or latch devices in order to be lifted off, swung open, or otherwise removed by one person; and its edges and fasteners are not painted in place. This definition is limited to those panels within normal reach or from a four-foot stepladder, and that are not blocked by stored items, furniture, or building components;
(p) “Readily visible” means seen by using natural or artificial light without the use of equipment or tools other than a flashlight;
(q) “Representative number” means, for multiple identical components such as windows and electrical outlets, one such component per room; and, for multiple identical exterior components, one such component on each side of the building;
(r) “Roof drainage systems” means gutters, downspouts, leaders, splash blocks, and similar components used to carry water off a roof and away from a building;
(s) “Shut down” means a piece of equipment or a system which cannot be operated by the device or control that a homeowner should normally use to operate it. If its safety switch or circuit breaker is in the “off” position, or its fuse is missing or blown, the home inspector is not required to reestablish the circuit for the purpose of operating the equipment or system;
(t) “Significantly deficient” means unsafe or not functioning;

(3) Purpose and Scope.
(a) Property inspections performed according to this rule shall provide the client with an understanding of the property conditions at the time of the home inspection.
(b) Property inspectors shall: 1. State that the home inspection will be in accordance with the Standards of Practice promulgated by the commissioners of NAARPI;

1. Describe what services shall be provided (type of inspection) and their cost;


2. State that the home inspection is not of the same standards of practice as those performed by professional inspectors.


3. State that the home inspection will cover those items concerning health and safety as well “general maintenance and preventative maintenance issues.


4. State what items are omitted from the inspection process.

2. Inspect readily visible and readily accessible installed systems and components listed in this rule; and
3. Submit a written report to the client that shall at a minimum:

1. (i) Describe those systems and components required to be described in paragraphs (7) through (16) of this rule;


2. (ii) State which systems and components designated for inspection in this rule have been inspected, and state any systems or components designated for inspection that were not inspected, and the reason for not inspecting;


3. (iii) State any systems or components so inspected that do not function as intended, allowing for normal wear and tear, or adversely affect the habitability of the dwelling;


4. (iv) State whether the condition reported requires repair or subsequent observation, or warrants further investigation by a specialist;


5. (v) Provide the appropriate picture count as prescribed for size of dwelling and as outlined by these standards;


6. (vi) State the name, certification number, and date of the person conducting the inspection.

(c) This rule does not limit home inspectors from:
1. Reporting observations and conditions or rendering opinions of items in addition to those required in paragraphs (7) through (16) of this rule; or
2. Excluding systems and components from the inspection if requested by the client, or refused access.

(4)General Limitations.
(a) This rule applies to structures that are intended to be or are in fact used as rental residences, single and multi family dwelling units and their attached garages or carports.

(5)Required Reporting.
(a) The Property inspection report shall include the following:
1. A report on any system or component inspected that, in the opinion of the home inspector, is significantly deficient;
2. A list of any systems or components that were designated for inspection in this rule but that were not inspected;
3. The reason a system or component listed in accordance with part (5)(a)2. was not inspected;
4. A statement that the report does not meet the same standards as those performed by licensed professional inspectors or engineers. 

(6) General Exclusions.
(a) NAARPI inspectors are not required to report on:
1. Life expectancy of any component or system;
2. The cause(s) of the need for a repair;
3. The methods, materials, and costs of corrections;
4. The suitability of the property for any specialized use;
5. Compliance or non-compliance with adopted codes, ordinances, statutes, regulatory requirements or restrictions;
6. The marketability of the property;
7. The advisability or inadvisability of leasing of the property;
8. Any component or system that was not inspected;

(b) NAARPI inspectors are not required to:
1. Offer warranties or guarantees of any kind;
2. Calculate the strength, adequacy, or efficiency of any system or component;
3. Enter any area or perform any procedure that may damage the property or its components or be dangerous to or adversely affect the health or safety of the home inspector or other persons;
4. Operate any system or component that is shut down or otherwise inoperable;
5. Operate any system or component that does not respond to normal operating controls;
6. Move personal items, panels, furniture, equipment, plant life, soil, snow, ice, or debris that obstructs access or visibility;
7. Determine the effectiveness of any system installed to control or remove suspected hazardous substances;
8. Predict future condition, including but not limited to failure of components;
9. Project operating costs of components;

(c) NAARPI inspectors shall not:
1. Offer or perform any act or service contrary to law; or
2. Offer or perform engineering, architectural, plumbing, electrical or any other job function requiring a license in this state for the same client unless the client is advised thereof and consents thereto.

(7) Landscaping
(a) The NAARP inspector shall document with photos and observational notes:
1. Lawn, inspector will render an opinion as to the overall “curb appeal” of rental property being inspected and document with photos all four sides of the property’s lawn.

1. Overall condition of the lawn.


2. Document weeds and bare spots.


3. Document condition of beds and landscaping.


4. Document hedges and bushes that are not trimmed or are touching structure.


5. Document trees that are planted to close to the house or limbs that are touching the structure to include roofing materials.

(b)  The NAARPI inspector is not required to:
1. Identify weeds or plant life.

(8) Roofing
(a) The NAARPI inspector shall document with photos and observational notes:
1. Roof Covering, inspector will render an opinion as to the overall condition and document with photos as to its current condition.

1. Roof covering;


2. Roof exhaust system; (condition of turbines, gable vents, soffit vents)


3. Roof drainage systems;


4. Flashing;


5. Skylights, chimneys, roof penetrations;


6. Roof mountings i.e. satellite dishes, Christmas ornaments; and


7. Signs of leaks or abnormal building components.


8. Guttering system to include downspouts and splash blocks. 

(b) The NAARPI inspector is not required to:
1. Walk on the roofing.
2. Perform flow test on gutters.

(9) Exterior Components.
(a) The NAARPI inspector shall document with photos and observational notes:
Wall cladding, flashings, and trim;
Entryway doors and a representative number of windows;
Garage door operators;
Decks, balconies, stoops, steps, areaways, porches and applicable railings;
Eaves, soffits, and fascias; and
Grading, drainage, driveways, patios, walkways, and retaining walls with respect to their effect on the condition of the building.
(b) The NAARPI inspector shall:
1. Describe wall cladding materials and condition;
2. Operate all entryway doors and document the conditions windows and screens;
3. Condition of Fence and Gate; and
4. Document any signs of pets on the property;
5. Describe and safety or trip hazards.
6. Document stains and cracks on driveways and sidewalks. 
(c) The NAARPI inspector is not required to inspect:
1. For the presence of safety glazing in doors and windows;
2. Garage door operator remote control transmitters;
3. Geological conditions;
4. Soil conditions;
5. Recreational facilities (including spas, saunas, steam baths, swimming pools, tennis courts, playground equipment, and other exercise, entertainment, or athletic facilities), except as otherwise provided in this rule; or
6. Detached buildings or structures.

(10) Interior Components.
(a) The NAARPI inspector shall document with photos and observational notes:

1. Walls, ceiling, and floors in each room.


2. Steps, stairways, balconies, and railings;


3. Counters and a representative number of built-in cabinets; and


4. A representative number of doors and windows.

(b) The NAARPI inspector shall:
1. Operate a representative number of windows and interior doors;
2. Report signs of water penetration into the building or signs of condensation on building components;
3. Report stress cracks and damage to wall covering material;
4. Report illegal activity;
5. Report any signs of pets;
6. Report on unusual smells and odors;
7. Report on condition of flooring;
8. Report on condition of appliances;
9. Report on any safety concerns;
10. Report on Draperies, blinds, or other window treatments. 
(c) The property inspector is not required to inspect:
1.  Access the attic or crawl space.

(11) Built-In Kitchen Appliances.
(a) The NAARPI inspector shall document with photos and observational notes as well as operate the basic functions of the following kitchen appliances:

1. Permanently installed, dishwasher(s);


2. Range(s), cook top(s), and permanently installed oven(s);


3. Trash compactor(s);


4. Garbage disposal(s);


5. Ventilation equipment or range hood(s); and


6. Permanently installed microwave oven(s).

(b) The NAARPI inspector is not required to inspect:
1. Clocks, timers, self-cleaning oven functions, or thermostats for calibration or automatic operation;
2. Non built-in appliances; or
3. Refrigeration units.
(c) The NAARPI inspector is not required to operate:
1. Appliances in use; or
2. Any appliance that is shut down or otherwise inoperable.

(12) Plumbing Systems.
(a) The NAARPI inspector shall document with photos and observational notes: Interior water supply and distribution system, including: piping materials, supports, and insulation; fixtures and faucets; functional flow; leaks; and cross connections;
Interior drain, waste, and vent system;
Shut off valves and condition.
Water heater;
(b) The NAARPI inspector shall describe:
1. Water supply and distribution piping materials condition;
2. Drain and waste conditions; (adequate water flow)
3. Water heating equipment;
4. The location of any main water supply shutoff device.
(c) The NAARPI inspector shall operate all plumbing fixtures, including faucets and all exterior faucets attached to the house, except where the flow end of the faucet is connected to an appliance.
(d) The NAARPI inspector is not required to:
1. State the effectiveness of flow;
2. Determine whether water supply and waste disposal systems are public or private;
3. Operate automatic safety controls;
4. Operate any valve except water closet flush valves, fixture faucets, and hose faucets;
5. Inspect:
(i) Water conditioning systems;
(ii) Fire and lawn sprinkler systems;
(iii) On-site water supply quantity and quality;
(iv) On-site waste disposal systems;
(v) Foundation irrigation systems;
(vi) Bathroom spas, except as to functional flow and functional drainage;
(vii) Swimming pools;
(viii) Solar water heating equipment; or
6. Inspect the system for proper sizing, design, or use of proper materials.

 (13) HVAC.
(a) The NAARPI inspector shall document with photos and observational notes:
1. Central air conditioning and through-the-wall installed cooling systems including:
(i)    Levelness of Condenser Unit.
(ii)  Condition of the condenser coil.
(iii) Condition of coolant lines.
(iv) Condition of evaporator unit.
(v)  Condition of the Air Filter.
(b) The NAARPI inspector shall operate the systems using normal operating controls.
(c) The NAARPI inspector shall open readily openable access panels provided by the manufacturer or installer for routine homeowner maintenance.
(e) The NAARPI inspector is not required to:
1. Operate cooling systems when weather conditions or other circumstances may cause equipment damage;
2. Inspect the uniformity or adequacy of cool-air supply to the various rooms.

(14) Electrical Systems.
(a) The NAARPI inspector shall inspect:
1. The operation of a representative number of installed ceiling fans, lighting fixtures, switches and receptacles located inside the house, garage, and on the dwelling's exterior walls;
2. Report any outlet, wall switch that is not responding.
3. Report any damage, missing, or loose wall plate covers.
4. Report any exposed wires.
5. Report any light that is not responding.
(b) The property inspector shall report on the presence or absence of smoke detectors. If the smoke detector is an individual (stand alone) unit, the home inspector shall operate its test function. If the smoke detector is incorporated into an alarm system, the entity that monitors the alarm system should test the smoke detector.
(e) The NAARPI inspector is not required to:
1. Insert any tool, probe, or testing device inside the panels;
2. Test or operate any over current device;
3. Dismantle any electrical device or control other than to remove the covers of the main and auxiliary distribution panels; or
4. Inspect:
(i) Low voltage systems;
(ii) Security system devices, heat detectors, or carbon monoxide detectors;
(iii) Telephone, security, cable TV, intercoms, or other ancillary wiring that is not a part of the primary electrical distribution system; or (iv) Built-in vacuum equipment.