Louisiana Administrative Code › Title 46 - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS › Part XL - Home Inspectors › Chapter 3 - Standards of Practice › Section XL-303 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024
A. The definitions in
				  §109 of this Part are incorporated into
				  this Chapter by reference. The following definitions apply to this Chapter.
Alarm System
-warning devices, whether
				  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.
Automatic Safety Control
-devices designed
				  and installed to protect systems and components from unsafe conditions.
Cooling System
-a central system that uses
				  ducts to distribute cooled air to more than one room or uses pipes to
				  distribute chilled water to heat exchangers in more than one room, which system
				  is not plugged into an electrical convenience outlet.
Client
-the person with whom a licensed home
				  inspector contracts to perform a home inspection, whether individually or
				  through that persons agent.
Component
-a readily accessible and
				  observable aspect of a system, such as a floor or wall, but not individual
				  pieces such as boards or nails or where many similar pieces make up a
				  component.
Cross Connection
-any physical connection or
				  arrangement between potable water and any source of contamination.
Dangerous or Adverse Situations
-situations
				  that pose a threat of injury to the inspector, or those situations that require
				  the use of special protective clothing or safety equipment.
Deficient
-a condition of a system or
				  component that, in the inspectors professional opinion, may be in need of
				  repair
Describe
-to report, in writing, a system or
				  component by its type, or other observed characteristics, to distinguish it
				  from other systems or components.
Dismantle
-to take apart or remove any
				  component, device or piece of equipment that is bolted, screwed, or fastened by
				  other means that would not be taken apart by a homeowner in the course of
				  normal household maintenance.
Enter
-to go into an area to observe all
				  visible components.
Functional Drainage
-a drain which empties in
				  a reasonable amount of time and does not overflow when another fixture is
				  drained simultaneously.
Functional Flow
-a reasonable flow at the
				  highest fixture in a dwelling when another fixture is operated
				  simultaneously.
Functioning
-performing as expected and in
				  accordance with its intended design and purpose.
Further Evaluation
-examination and analysis
				  by a qualified professional or service technician whose services and
				  qualifications exceed those possessed by a home inspector.
Heating System
-a central system that uses
				  ducts to distribute heated air to more than one room which system is not
				  plugged into an electrical convenience outlet.
Home Inspection
-the process by which a Home
				  Inspector visually examines the readily accessible systems and components of a
				  home and describes those systems and components in accordance with the
				  Standards of Practice.
Home Inspection Report
-a written evaluation
				  of two or more of the following systems of a resale residential
				  building:
a. electrical system;
b. exterior system;
c. interior system;
d. heating and cooling systems;
e. plumbing system;
f. roofing system;
g. structural system;
h. insulation and ventilation system;
i. appliance system; or
j. any other related residential housing system as defined in
				  the standards of practice prescribed by the board.
Home Inspector
-any person licensed under
				  these rules who holds himself out to the general public and engages in the
				  business of performing home inspections on resale residential buildings for
				  compensation and who examines any component of a building, through visual means
				  and through normal user controls, without the use of mathematical
				  sciences.
Inaccessible
-unable to open with the use of
				  Standard Inspection Tools or hidden from visual inspection by furniture, stored
				  items, wall or floor coverings or other obstructions.
Inspect
-to examine readily accessible
				  systems and components of a building in accordance with the Standards of
				  Practice, using normal operating controls and opening readily openable access
				  panels.
Installed
-attached such that removal
				  requires tools.
Lead Inspector
-licensee responsible for
				  being in compliance with board requirements when multiple licensed home
				  inspectors perform on an inspection.
LHI
-an acronym for Licensed Home
				  Inspector.
Method of Access
-a means by which the
				  inspector gains entry, ingress and/or a visual advantage.
Normal Operating Controls
-devices such as
				  thermostats, switches, or valves intended to be operated by the
				  homeowner.
Normal Operating Cycle
-the standard period
				  during which a system or component operates by the use of Normal Operating
				  Controls
Observe
-the act of making a visual
				  examination.
On-Site Water Supply Quality
-water quality
				  based on the bacterial, chemical, mineral and solids contents of the
				  water.
On-Site Water Supply Quantity
-water quantity
				  based on the rate of flow of water.
Operate
-to cause systems or equipment to
				  function.
Recreational Facilities
-spas, saunas steam
				  baths, swimming pools, tennis courts, and exercise, entertainment, athletic,
				  playground or other equipment and associated accessories.
Readily Accessible
-available for visual
				  inspection without requiring the moving of personal property, the dismantling,
				  disconnecting, unplugging or destroying of equipment, or any action which may
				  involve a 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, is not sealed in place and is not blocked by
				  stored items, furniture, or building components.
Representative Number
-for multiple identical
				  interior components such as windows and electrical outlets - one such component
				  per room.
Roof Drainage Components
-gutters,
				  downspouts, leaders, splash blocks, scuppers, and similar components used to
				  carry water off a roof and away from a building.
Serviceable
-a state in which the system or
				  component is functioning as intended.
Shut Down
-a state in which a system or
				  component cannot be operated by normal user controls.
Significantly Deficient
-a condition that, in
				  the inspectors professional opinion, adversely and materially affects the
				  performance of a system or component.
Solid Fuel Heating Device
-any wood, coal, or
				  other similar organic fuel burning device, including but not limited to
				  fireplaces whether masonry or factory built, fireplace inserts and stoves, wood
				  stoves central furnaces, and combinations of these devices.
Specialized Tools
-diagnostic devices and
				  other equipment, including but not limited to, thermal imaging devices, gas
				  leak detection equipment, environmental testing equipment, elevation
				  determination devices and ladders capable of reaching surfaces over one story
				  above the ground.
Standard Inspection Tools
-a flashlight,
				  outlet tester, ladder and appropriate screwdriver.
Structural Component
-a component that
				  supports non-variable forces or weights (dead loads) and variable forces or
				  weights (live loads).
System
-a combination of interactive or
				  interdependent components assembled to carry out one or more functions.
Technically Exhaustive
-an inspection
				  involving the extensive use of measurements, instruments, testing,
				  calculations, or other means used to develop scientific or engineering
				  findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Under Floor Crawl Space
-the area within the
				  confines of the foundation between the ground and the underside of the lowest
				  floor structural component.
Unsafe
-a condition of a readily accessible,
				  installed system or component which, in the opinion of the inspector, is judged
				  to be a significant risk of personal injury or property damage during normal
				  use or under the circumstances.
Visually Observable Evidence of Suspected Mold
				  Growth
-visually observable discoloration of the interior components
				  within the climate controlled living space apparently occurring from moisture
				  that may be indicative of mold or microbial growth which is visually
				  observable, without employing moisture, environmental or other testing
				  methods.
Wiring Methods
-manner or general type of
				  electrical conductors or wires installed in the structure such as non-metallic
				  sheath cable, armored cable, knob and tube, etc.
AUTHORITY NOTE:
				  Promulgated in accordance with
				  R.S.
				  37:1475.