Standards & Ethics

Standards of Practice are guidelines for Property Inspectors to follow in the performance of their inspections. They are the most widely accepted property inspection guidelines in use, and include all of the major systems and components found within buildings. The Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics are recognized by many government, professional, and legal authorities and associations as the standard for professional performance by Registered Home Inspectors (RHI). Each Home Reference Book comes complete with a copy of the Canadian and American Standards and Ethics. Below are the Standards of Practice followed by McKenzie-Taylor & Associates Ltd.

1. Introduction
2. Purpose & Scope
3. Structural components
4. Exterior
5. Roofing
6. Plumbing
7. Electrical
8. Heating
9. Central Air Conditioning
10. Interiors
11. Insulation & Ventilation
12. Solid fuel burning appliances
13. General limitations and exclusions

1. Introduction.

McKenzie-Taylor & Associates Ltd. are members in good standing of the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors (OAHI). As such we follow the Standards of Practice as set out by the OAHI as seen below.

2. Purpose and Scope.

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.

Inspectors shall 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.

Inspectors shall 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.

These Standards of Practice are not intended to limit inspectors from:

1. Including other inspection services, systems or components in addition to those required by these Standards of Practice.
2. Specifying repairs, provided the inspector is appropriately qualified and willing to do so.
3. Excluding systems and components from the inspection if requested by the client.

3. Structural Components.

The inspector shall inspect the structural components including foundation and framing:

1. 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.

The inspector shall 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.

The inspector is NOT required to

1. Provide any engineering service or architectural service
2. Offer an opinion as to the adequacy of any structural system or component

4. Exterior

The inspector shall 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.
7. Describe the exterior wall covering.

The inspector is NOT required to inspect:

1. Screening, shutters, awnings, and similar seasonal accessories.
2. Fences.
3. Geological, geotechnical or hydrological conditions.
4. Recreational facilities.
5. Outbuildings.
6. Seawalls, break-walls, and docks.
7. Erosion control and earth stabilization measures.

5. Roofing

The inspector shall 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.

The inspector is NOT required to inspect:

1. Antennae.
2. Interiors of flues or chimneys which are not readily accessible.
3. Other installed accessories.

6. Plumbing

The inspector shall 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.

The inspector shall 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.

The inspector is NOT required to 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 sprinkler systems.
7. Private waste disposal systems.

The inspector shall determine:

1. Whether water supply and waste disposal systems are public or private.
2. The quantity or quality of the water supply.

7. Electrical

The inspector shall 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.

The inspector shall describe:

1. The amperage and voltage rating of the service.
2. The location of main disconnect(s) and sub panels.
3. The wiring methods.

The inspector shall report:

1. On the presence of solid conductor aluminum branch circuit wiring.
2. On the absence of smoke detectors.

The inspector is NOT required to 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. Heating

The inspector shall inspect:

1. The installed heating equipment.
2. The vent systems, flues, and chimneys.

The inspector shall describe:

1. The energy source.
2. The heating method by its distinguishing characteristics.

The inspector is NOT required to 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. Central Air Conditioning

The inspector shall inspect the installed central and through-wall cooling equipment.

The inspector shall describe:

1. The energy source
2. The cooling method by its distinguishing characteristics.

The inspector is NOT required to inspect:

1. Electronic air filters.
2. Determine cooling supply adequacy or distribution balance.

10. Interiors

1. The inspector shall inspect:
2. The walls, ceilings, and floors.
3. The steps, stairways, and railings.
4. The countertops and a representative number of installed cabinets.
5. A representative number of doors and windows.
6. Garage doors and garage door operators.

The inspector is NOT required to 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. Insulation & Ventilation

The inspector shall inspect:

1. The insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces.
2. The ventilation of attics and foundation areas.
3. The mechanical ventilation systems.

The inspector shall describe:

1. The insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces.
2. The absence of insulation in unfinished spaces at conditioned surfaces.

The inspector is NOT required to:

1. Disturb insulation or vapor retarders.
2. Determine indoor air quality.

12. Solid Fuel Burning Appliances

The inspector shall inspect:

1. The system components.
2. The vent systems, flues, and chimneys.

The inspector shall describe:

1. The fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances.
2. The chimneys.

The Inspector is NOT required to 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.
8. Ignite or extinguish fires.
9. Determine draft characteristics.
10. Move fireplace inserts or stoves or firebox contents.

13. General Limitations and Exclusions

General limitations:

Inspections performed in accordance with these Standards of Practice:

1. Are not technically exhaustive.
2. Will not identify concealed conditions or latent defects.

These Standards of Practice are applicable to buildings with four or fewer dwelling units and their garages or carports.

General exclusions:

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.

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. Future conditions including, but not limited to, failure of systems and components.
7. The suitability of the property for any specialized use.
8. Compliance with regulatory requirements (codes, regulations, laws, ordinances, etc.).
9. The market value of the property or its marketability.
10. The advisability of the purchase of the property.
11. The presence of potentially hazardous plants or animals including, but not limited to wood destroying organisms or diseases harmful to humans.
12. The presence of any environmental hazards including, but not limited to toxins, carcinogens, noise, and contaminants in soil, water, and air.
13. The effectiveness of any system installed or methods utilized to control or remove suspected hazardous substances.
14. The operating costs of systems or components.
15. The acoustical properties of any system or component.

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.

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.

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 its systems or components.
2. The under-floor crawl spaces or attics which are not readily accessible.

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.

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.

Ethics

Honesty, justice and courtesy form a moral philosophy which, associated with mutual interest among people constitutes the foundation of ethics. The members should recognize such a standard, not in passive observance, but as a set of dynamic principles guiding their conduct. It is their duty to practice the profession according to this code of ethics.

As the keystone of professional conduct is integrity, the members will discharge their duties with fidelity to the public, their clients, and with fairness and impartiality to all. They should uphold the honour and dignity of their profession and avoid association with any enterprise of questionable charachter, or apparent conflict of interest.

1. The member will express an opinion only when it is based on practical experience and honest conviction.
   
   
   
2. The member will always act in good faith toward each client.
   
   
   
3. The member will not disclose any information concerning the results of the inspection without the approval of the clients or their representatives.
   
   
   
4. The member will not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one interested party for the same service without the consent of all interested parties.
   
   
   
5. The member will not accept nor offer commisions or allowances, directly or indirectly, from other parties dealing with their client in connection with work for which the member is responsible.
   
   
   
6. The member will promptly disclose to his client any interest in a business which may effect the client. The member will not allow any interest in any to effect the quality or reults of their inspection work which they may be called upon to perform. The inspection work may not be used as a vehicle by the home inspector to deliberately obtain additional work in another field.
   
   
   
7. An inspector shall make every effort to uphold, maintain and improve the professional integrity, reputation and practice of the home inspection industry. He will report all such relevant information, including violations of this Code by other members, to the Association for possible remedial action.
   
   
   

Contents copyright © 2005 Ontario Association of Home Inspectors.