1.1 The Ontario Association of Home
Inspectors (OAHI) is a not-for-profit association established in 1987. In 1994,
it became a self-regulating
professional body when the OAHI Act received royal assent (passage of Bill
Pr158). Membership in OAHI is voluntary and its members include private,
fee-paid home inspectors. OAHI's objectives include
promotion of excellence within the profession and continual improvement of its
members' inspection services to the public. (The OAHI acknowledges The American
Society of Home Inspectors ®, Inc. (ASHI ® for the use of their Standards of
Practice - version
2.1 The purpose of these Standards of
Practice is to establish a minimum and uniform standard for private, fee-paid
home inspectors who are members of the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors.
Home Inspections performed to these Standards of Practice are intended to
provide the client with information regarding the condition of the systems and
components of the home as inspected at the time of the Home Inspection.
2.2 Inspectors shall:
A. inspect
:
1. readily
accessible systems and components of homes listed in these Standards of
Practice.
2. installed systems and components of homes listed in
these Standards of Practice.
B. report :
1. on those systems and components inspected which, in the professional opinion
of the inspector, are significantly deficient or are near the end of their
service lives.
2. a reason why, if not self-evident, the system or
component is significantly deficient or near the end of its service life.
3. the inspector's recommendations to correct or
monitor the reported deficiency.
4. on any systems and components designated for
inspection in these Standards of Practice which were present at the time of the
Home Inspection but were not inspected and a reason they were not inspected.
2.3 These Standards of
Practice are not intended to limit inspectors from:
A. including other inspection services,
systems or components in addition to those required by these Standards of
Practice.
B. specifying repairs, provided the inspector
is appropriately qualified and willing to do so.
C. excluding systems and components from the
inspection if requested by the client.
3.1 The inspector shall
A. inspect
1. the structural components including foundation and
framing.
2. by probing a representative number of structural
components where deterioration is suspected or where clear indications of
possible deterioration exist. Probing is NOT required when probing would damage
any finished surface or where no deterioration is visible.
B. describe
1. the foundation and report the methods used to
inspect the under-floor crawl space
2. the floor structure
3. the wall structure
4, the ceiling structure
5. the roof structure and report the methods used to
inspect the attic.
3.2 The inspector is NOT required to
A. provide any engineering service or
architectural service
B. offer an opinion as to the adequacy of any structural system or
component
4.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect
:
1. the exterior wall covering, flashing and trim.
2. all exterior doors.
3. attached decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches,
and their associated railings.
4. the eaves, soffits, and fascias where accessible
from the ground level.
5. the vegetation, grading, surface drainage, and
retaining walls on the property when any of these are likely to adversely
affect the building.
6. walkways, patios, and driveways leading to dwelling
entrances.
describe the exterior wall covering.
4.2 The inspector is NOT
required to:
A. inspect
:
1. screening, shutters, awnings, and similar seasonal accessories.
fences.
2. geological, geotechnical or hydrological
conditions.
3. recreational facilities.
4. outbuildings.
5. seawalls, break-walls, and docks.
6. erosion control and earth stabilization measures.
5.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect
:
1. the roof covering.
2. the roof drainage systems.
3. the flashings.
4. the skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations.
5. describe the roof covering and report the methods
used to inspect the roof.
5.2 The inspector is NOT
required to:
A. inspect
:
1. antennae.
2. interiors of flues or chimneys which are not
readily accessible.
3. other installed accessories.
6.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect
:
1. the interior water supply and distribution systems including all fixtures
and faucets.
2. the drain, waste and vent systems including all
fixtures.
3. the water heating equipment.
4. the vent systems , flues, and chimneys.
5. the fuel storage and fuel distribution systems.
6. the drainage sumps, sump pumps, and related piping.
B. describe
:
1. the water supply, drain, waste, and vent piping materials.
2. the water heating equipment including the energy
source.
3. the location of main water and main fuel shut-off
valves.
6.2 The inspector is NOT
required to:
A. inspect
:
1. the clothes washing machine connections.
2. the interiors of flues or chimneys which are not
readily accessible.
3. wells, well pumps, or water storage related
equipment.
4. water conditioning systems.
5. solar water heating systems.
6. fire and lawn sprinklersystems.
7. private waste disposal systems.
B. determine:
1. whether water supply and waste disposal systems are public or private.
2. the quantity or quality of the water supply.
3. operate safety valves or shut-off valves.
4. operate safety valves or shut-off valves.
7.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect
:
1. the service drop.
2. the service entrance conductors, cables, and
raceways.
3. the service equipment and main disconnects.
4. the service grounding.
5. the interior components of service panels and sub
panels.
6. the conductors.
7. the overcurrent
protection devices.
8. a representative number of installed lighting
fixtures, switches, and receptacles.
9. the ground fault circuit interrupters.
B. describe:
1. the amperage and voltage rating of the service.
2. the location of main disconnect(s) and sub panels.
3. the wiring methods.
C. report:
1. on the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch circuit wiring.
2. on the absence of smoke detectors.
7.2 The inspector is NOT
required to:
A. inspect
:
1. the remote control devices unless the device is the only control device.
2. the alarm systems and components.
3. the low voltage wiring, systems and components.
4. the ancillary wiring, systems and components not a
part of the primary electrical power distribution system.
5. measure amperage, voltage, or impedance
8.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect
:
1. the installed heating equipment.
2. the vent systems, flues, and chimneys.
B. describe:
1. the energy source.
2. the heating method by its distinguishing
characteristics.
8.2 The inspector is NOT
required to:
A. inspect
:
1. the interiors of flues or chimneys which are not readily accessible.
2. the heat exchanger.
3. the humidifier or dehumidifier.
4. the electronic air filter.
5. the solar space heating system.
6. determine heat supply adequacy or distribution
balance.
9.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect the installed central and through-wall
cooling equipment.
B. describe:
1. the energy source
2. the cooling method by its distinguishing
characteristics.
9.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect electronic air filters.
B. determine cooling supply adequacy or distribution balance.
10.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. the walls, ceilings, and floors.
2. the steps, stairways, and railings.
3. the countertops and a representative number of
installed cabinets.
4. a representative number of doors and windows.
5. garage doors and garage door operators.
10.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect:
1. the paint, wallpaper, and other finish treatments.
2. the carpeting.
3. the window treatments.
4. the central vacuum systems.
5. the household appliances.
6. recreational facilities.
11.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. the insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished
spaces.
2. the ventilation of attics and foundation areas.
3. the mechanical ventilation systems.
B. describe:
1. the insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished
spaces.
2. the absence of insulation in unfinished spaces at
conditioned surfaces.
11.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. disturb
insulation or vapor retarders.
B. determine indoor air quality.
12.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. the system components.
2. the vent systems, flues, and chimneys.
B. describe:
1. the fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances.
2. the chimneys.
12.2 The Inspector is NOT
required to:
A. inspect:
1. the interiors of flues or chimneys.
2. the firescreens and
doors.
3. the seals and gaskets.
4. the automatic fuel feed devices.
5. the mantles and fireplace surrounds.
6. the combustion make-up air devices.
7. the heat distribution assists whether gravity
controlled or fan assisted.
B. ignite or extinguish fires.
C. determine draft characteristics.
D. move fireplace inserts or stoves or firebox contents.
13.1 General limitations:
A. Inspections performed in accordance with
these Standards of Practice:
1. are not technically exhaustive.
2. will not identify concealed conditions or latent
defects.
B. These Standards of Practice are
applicable to buildings with four or fewer dwelling units and their garages or
carports.
13.2 General exclusions:
A. The inspector is not required to perform
any action or make any determination unless specifically stated in these
Standards of Practice, except as may be required by lawful authority.
B. Inspectors are NOT required to
determine:
1. the condition of systems or components which are not readily accessible.
2. the remaining life of any system or component.
3. the strength, adequacy, effectiveness, or
efficiency of any system or component.
4. the causes of any condition or deficiency.
5. the methods, materials, or costs of corrections.
6. uture conditions including,
but not limited to, failure of systems and components.
7. the suitability of the property for any specialized
use.
compliance with regulatory requirements (codes,
regulations, laws, ordinances, etc.).
8. the market value of the property or its marketability.
9. the advisability of the purchase of the property.
10. the presence of potentially hazardous plants or
animals including, but not limited to wood destroying organisms or diseases
harmful to humans.
11. the presence of any environmental hazards
including, but not limited to toxins, carcinogens, noise, and contaminants in
soil, water, and air.
12. the effectiveness of any system installed or
methods utilized to control or remove suspected hazardous substances.
13. the operating costs of systems or components.
14. the acoustical properties of any system or
component.
C. Inspectors are NOT required to offer:
1. or perform any act or service contrary to law.
2. or perform engineering services.
3. or perform work in any trade or any professional
service other than home inspection.
4. warranties or guarantees of any kind.
D. Inspectors are NOT required to operate:
1. any system or component which is shut down or otherwise inoperable.
2. any system or component which does not respond to
normal operating controls.
3. shut-off valves.
E. Inspectors are NOT required to enter:
1. any area which will, in the opinion of the inspector, likely be dangerous to
the inspector or other persons or damage the property or 2. its
systems or components.
3. the under-floor crawl spaces or attics which are
not readily accessible.
F. Inspectors are NOT required to inspect:
1. underground items including, but not limited to underground storage tanks or
other underground indications of their presence, whether abandoned or active.
2. systems or components which are not installed.
3. decorative items.
4. systems or components located in areas that are not
entered in accordance with these Standards of Practice.
5. detached structures other than garages and carports.
6.common elements or common areas in multi-unit
housing, such as condominium properties or cooperative housing.
G. Inspectors are NOT required to:
1. perform any procedure or operation which will, in the opinion of the
inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or other persons or damage the
property or it's systems or components.
2. move suspended ceiling tiles, personal property,
furniture, equipment, plants, soil, snow, ice, or debris.
3. dismantle any system or component, except as explicitly required by these
Standards of Practice.
ALARM SYSTEMS
Warning devices, installed or free-standing, including but not limited to:
carbon monoxide detectors, flue gas and other spillage detectors, security
equipment, ejector pumps and smoke alarms.
ARCHITECTURAL SERVICE
Any practice involving the art and science of building design for construction
of any structure or grouping of structures and the use of space within and
surrounding the structures or the design for construction, including but not
specifically limited to, schematic design, design development, preparation of
construction contract documents, and administration of the construction
contract.
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 operation of the essential systems and
components of a home.
DESCRIBE:
To report a system or component by its type or other observed, significant
characteristics to distinguish it from other systems or components.
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 and
routine home owner maintenance.
ENGINEERING SERVICE:
Any professional service or creative work requiring engineering education,
training, and experience and the application of special knowledge of the
mathematical, physical and engineering sciences to such professional service or
creative work as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design and
supervision of construction for the purpose of assuring compliance with the
specifications and design, in conjunction with structures, buildings, machines,
equipment, works or processes.
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 readily accessible systems and components 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 which will likely involve risk
to persons or property.
READILY OPENABLE ACCESS
PANEL:
A panel provided for homeowner inspection and maintenance that is 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:
To communicate in writing.
REPRESENTATIVE NUMBER:
One component per room for multiple similar interior components such as windows
and electric outlets; 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.
SIGNIFICANTLY DEFICIENT:
Unsafe or not functioning.
SHUT DOWN:
A state in which a system or component cannot be operated by normal operating
controls.
SOLID FUEL BURNING
APPLIANCES:
A hearth and fire chamber or similar prepared place in which a fire may be
built and which 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 which 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.
UNDERFLOOR 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 which is
judged to be a significant risk of personal 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" ("Romex"),
"armored cable" ("bx") or
"knob and tube", etc.