Source: http://aaahistx.com/Standards_of_Practice.htm
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 02:23:13+00:00

Document:
(a)	Definition of terms. The following words have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1)	Act - The Real Estate License Act, Article 6573a, Texas Civil Statutes.
(2)	Functioning - Performing in an expected or required manner; carrying out the design purpose or intended operation of a part, system, component, member.
(3)	Inaccessible - Not having access without the use of special tools, equipment, or instruments, or removing doors, walls, stored items or similar obstructions, or by causing damage to a structure, finish or component, equipment or system, or by virtue of inadequate clearance, walkways, passageways, or hazardous condition.
(4)	In Need of Repair - Does not adequately function or perform.
(5)	Inspect - To look at and examine accessible items, parts, systems or components without, except as required by the rules of the Texas Real Estate Commission, laboratory, scientific or engineering evaluation or testing, destructive tests or the dismantling or removal of parts, members or components.
(6)	Inspector - A person licensed as a professional inspector, a person licensed as an apprentice inspector or a person licensed as a real estate inspector.
(7)	Performance - The act of carrying out, completing, executing or achievement of an operation, design or function in a manner consistent with the intent of the manufacturer, designer or accepted industry practice.
(8) Report - A written or oral communication of the inspector’s opinions, observations, determinations, and findings in an inspection.
(9) Standards of Practice - §535.227 of this title (relating to Standards of Practice: General Provisions), §535.228 of this title (relating to Standards of Practice: Inspection Guidelines for Structural Systems, §535.229 of this title (relating to Standards of Practice: Inspection Guidelines for Mechanical Systems: Appliances, Cooling Systems, Heating Systems, Ducts, Vents and Flues, and Plumbing Systems), §535.230 of this title (relating to Standards of Practice: Inspection Guidelines for Electrical Systems) and §535.231 of this title (relating to Standards of Practice: Optional Systems).
(1) The standards of practice are the minimum levels of inspection practice required of inspectors for the accessible parts, components, and systems typically found in improvements to real property, excluding detached structures, decks, docks and fences. The inspector may provide a higher level of inspection performance than required by the standards of practice and may inspect parts, components, and systems in addition to those described by the standards of practice.
(E) address all of the parts, components, and systems contained in the standards of practice in the property being inspected.
(D) any determination of insurability or warrantability of any part, component or system.
(1)	An inspector shall exclude from the inspection any part, component or system which the inspector is not competent or qualified to inspect.
(2) An inspector may exclude any part, component or system required for inspection by the standards of practice which is inaccessible, cannot be inspected due to circumstances beyond the control of the inspector, or the inspector’s client has agreed is not to be inspected.
(3) This departure provision does not prohibit an inspector from specializing nor require the inspector to specifically exclude other parts, components or systems not ordinarily considered a part of the inspector’s specialty. However, the inspector shall comply with the standards of practice for the items being inspected.
(B)	state in any written inspection report that the excluded part, component or system was not inspected.
(d) Enforcement. Failure to comply with §535.227 of this title (relating to Standards of Practice: General Provisions), §535.228 of this title (relating to Standards of Practice: Inspection Guidelines for Structural Systems, §535.229 of this title (relating to Standards of Practice: Inspection Guidelines for Mechanical Systems: Appliances, Cooling Systems, Heating Systems, Ducts, Vents and Flues, and Plumbing Systems), §535.230 of this title (relating to Standards of Practice: Inspection Guidelines for Electrical Systems) and §535.231 of this title (relating to Standards of Practice: Optional Systems) is a ground for disciplinary action as prescribed by the Act, §23 (1)(7) and §535.224 of this title (relating to Proceedings before the Committee).
§535.228. Standards of Practice: Inspection Guidelines for Structural Systems.
(9)	report as in need of repair conditions that are present and visible and may be adversely affecting foundation performance, such as erosion or water ponding.
(b) Specific limitations for foundations. The inspector is not required to enter a crawl space or any areas where headroom is less than 18 inches and the width of the access opening is less than two feet, or where the inspector reasonably determines conditions or materials are hazardous to health or safety of the inspector.
(5)	report as in need of repair the absence of safety glass in hazardous locations.
(4) determine condition of cabinets.
(2)	report as in need of repair deficiencies in the condition and operation of exterior doors and garage doors, including door locks and latches when present.
(9)	report as in need of repair spacings between intermediate balusters, spindles and rails that permit passage of an object greater than four inches in diameter.
(3) determine the presence of, or extent or type of, insulation or vapor barriers in exterior walls.
(10) report as in need of repair deficiencies in chimney coping or crown, caps or spark arrestor (inspected from ground level at a minimum).
(C) roof jacks, flashing and counter flashing that are not present or not properly installed.
(11)	report as in need of repair deficiencies in visible installed gutter and downspout systems.
(2) inspect the roof from the roof level if the inspector reasonably determines that the inspector cannot safely reach or stay on the roof, or that damage to the roof or roof covering may result from walking on the roof.
(2)	report as in need of repair (except for decks which are not higher than 30 inches as measured from the adjacent grade) spacings between intermediate balusters, spindles or rails that permit passage of an object greater than four inches in diameter.
(k) Specific limitations for porches and decks. The inspector is not required to inspect detached structures or waterfront structures and equipment, such as docks or piers.
§535.229. Standards of Practice: Inspection Guidelines for Mechanical Systems: Appliances, Cooling Systems, Heating Systems, Ducts, Vents and Flues, and Plumbing Systems.
(8) report as in need of repair spray arms that do not turn, soap dispensers that do not open or drying elements that do not operate.
(3) inspect the operation of the unit and report as in need of repair any unusual noise or vibration level and any signs of water leaks.
(3)	report as in need of repair a vent pipe that does not terminate outside the structure when the unit is not of recirculating type or configuration.
(5) report as in need of repair the absence of a range exhaust vent.
(4) report as in need of repair the absence of a gas shut-off valve, or valve that is not properly located, is inaccessible, or leaks.
(7) report as in need of repair any inaccuracy of the thermostat more than a 25 degree range plus or minus of a 350 degree setting, as measured by a thermometer.
(4) report as in need of repair a light that does not operate.
(3) report as in need of repair a unit that is not securely mounted in place.
(h) Other built-in appliances. The inspector shall report as in need of repair any deficiencies in condition or operation of other built-in appliances not listed in this section.
(i) Bathroom exhaust vents and electric heaters. The inspector shall operate the unit, and report as in need of repair unusual sounds, speed and vibration levels or, when possible, vent pipes that do not terminate outside the structure.
(3) inspect the system from all accessible outlets throughout the house.
(B) burners, burner ignition devices or heating elements, switches or thermostats that are not a minimum of 18 inches above the lowest garage floor elevation.
(2) report as in need of repair any deficiencies in visible and accessible parts.
(2) report as in need of repair unusual sounds or speed and vibration levels.
(4) report as in need of repair door locks or side ropes that have not been removed or disabled.
(5)	report as in need of repair deficiencies in the ports, valves, grates and covers.
(7)	report as in need of repair a return chase and plenum that are not free of improper and hazardous conditions, such as gas pipes, sewer vents, refrigerant piping or electrical wiring.
(10) report as in need of repair conductor sizing and over-current protective devices that are not appropriately sized for the unit.
(11)	report as in need of repair deficiencies in the interior registers and the supply duct.
(3) operate setback features on thermostats or controls.
(10)	report if the inspector deemed the furnace to be inaccessible.
(4) operate radiant heaters, steam heat systems or unvented gas-fired heating appliances.
(7)	report as in need of repair deficiencies in materials used for the venting systems.
(5) operate a unit outside its normal operating range as reasonably determined by the inspector.
(13)	report as in need of repair any exterior faucet attached or immediately adjacent to the structure that does not operate properly.
§535.230. Standards of Practice: Inspection Guidelines for Electrical Systems.
(8)	report as in need of repair the lack of main disconnect(s).
(4) determine the accuracy of breaker labeling.
(C)	is not fastened securely with cover in place.
(13) report as in need of repair the absence of, or deficiencies in, the installation and operation of smoke or fire detectors not connected to a central alarm system.
§535.231. Standards of Practice: Optional Systems.
(a) Scope. This section covers other systems and attachments that an inspector may inspect. The inspector may need special knowledge or tools to perform these inspections. It is the responsibility of the inspector to be properly informed and know current and safe procedures for inspecting the items described in this section. The inspector shall determine and provide a report of the condition of the equipment, systems, parts or components by visual observation and operation in normal modes and operating range noted at the date and time of the inspection. If an inspector agrees to inspect a component described in this section, §535.227 of this title (relating to Standards of Inspection: General Provisions) applies to the inspection.
(2)	test gas lines by using a local or an industry-accepted procedure.
(c) Specific limitations for gas lines. The inspector is not required to inspect sacrificial anode bonding or for its existence.
(2) report as in need of repair deficiencies in electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation or air-conditioning systems that the standards of practice would require the inspector to report for the principal structure.
(5)	report as in need of repair deficiencies in the operation of each zone and associated valves, spray head patterns and areas of non-coverage within the zone.
(g) Specific limitations for lawn and garden sprinkler system. The inspector is not required to inspect the automatic function of the timer or control box, the rain sensor or the effectiveness and sizing of anti-siphon valves or backflow preventers.
(8) report the proximity of any known septic system.
(3) locate or verify underground water leaks.
(5)	report the proximity of any known water wells; underground cisterns; water supply lines; streams, ponds and lakes; sharp slopes or breaks; easement lines; property lines; soil absorption systems; swimming pools or sprinkler systems.
(9)	report as in need of repair aerators or dosing pumps that do not operate or equipment that is improperly wired.
(2) determine the type of construction used unless readily known without excavation or destructive examination.
(13)	report as in need of repair the absence of, or deficiencies in, fences, gates or enclosures.
(5) inspect ancillary equipment such as computer controls, covers, chlorinators or other chemical dispensers, or water ionization devices or conditioners other than required by this section. This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency’s legal authority.

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