ASHI New England Glossary
- Alarm Systems
- Architectural Service
- Component
- Decorative
- Describe
- Dismantle
- Engineering Service
- Further Evaluation
- Home Inspection
- Household Appliances
- Inspect
- Inspector
- Installed
- Normal Operating Controls
- Readily Accessible
- Readily Openable Access Panel
- Recreational Facilities
- Report
- Representative Number
- Roof Drainage Systems
- Significantly Deficient
- Shut Down
- Solid Fuel Burning Appliances
- Structural Component
- System
- Technically Exhaustive
- Under-floor Crawl Space
- Unsafe
We've all heard these terms before. Indeed, we use many of them in our everyday speech. But, what do they mean in the context of a home inspection? This glossary is provided to facilitate your understanding of the Standards of Practice subscribed to by your ASHI New England home inspector.
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, sewer and septic pumps, and smoke alarms.
Architectural Service
Any practice involving the art and science of building design for the 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.
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 homeowner 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 describes those systems and components in accordance with these Standards of Practice and all relevant State Standards.
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 that are 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 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 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 “nonmetallic sheathed cable” (“Romex”), “armored cable” (“bx”) or “knob and tube”, etc.
The Glossary is published, with permission, from the "The Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of the American Society of Home Inspectors®" of the national organization.
