I'm just glad they weren't alive
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what is the vertical clearance for combustible materials (mdf fireplace surround) for a sealed gas only (not wood burning) fireplace? This unit has about 3" of marble and 1" of firebox before the mdf surround. the mdf gets very hot when operated and i think its a fire hazard. is the builder liable even after his one year warranty period has expired? help...
ps
i am an internachi member, though it says otherwise-not yet sure how to fix this

http://www.nachi.org/hvacclass2008

Is there a requirment for gas cook tops to have a exhaust hood over them per the IRC?

Thanks for any help.

http://www.nachi.org/missouriapproval2008.htm

http://www.nachi.org/missouriapproval2008.htm

I am trying to open a business in Jersey City NJ. I am facing very big challenges running duct work for my commercial oven (for baking) and for my TYPE II hood. The problem is the building is six stories high. There is no chase and nowhere else but to vent but through the Garage next to me. After reading the NFPA it states that I cannot Duct through Firewall. The issue is that I have a clean air return vent going out the front which elminates my chances of going out the front of my store. The only solution is to penetrate through the wall to the garage and vent outsite. Can it be done? Also the lady behind the garage is not allowing me on her property to do the work. She thinks that my vents will affect her customers when they have outdoor seating. the vents will be 20 feet from the ground and its only blowing air.

Does anyone have any data or opinions on what the maximum deviation from level should be on a new interior house slab if you used tools that could measure, say, in the tenths of an inch per ten foot distance?


The question is purely directed towards new slab construction evaluation, not failure, sinking issues or crack sizes.

Would one of you Ontario inspectors be able to give me the ontario code requirments for the placement of GFCI in new construction. Cant seem to find my code book and it is an older book anyway.

In a hurry to flood the market with even more empty houses, builders look for incentives for new home buyers.

I live in the midwest where these confidence numbers are at their lowest. Here, builders know that these two and three story homes that are sitting vacant and half built have as much to do with the "Baby Boomers" downsizing into smaller units as it does the slow market.

We are already years from bottoming out of this tail spin...the builders would turn that into decades if their lobbyists had their way.

Quote: AP
Homebuilder sentiment index plunges to record low
Tuesday November 18, 1:57 pm ET
By Alex Veiga, AP Real Estate Writer Homebuilder sentiment index slides 5 points to new record low in November


LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Homebuilders' confidence in a near-term housing recovery sank to a new all-time low this month, reflecting growing worries over the U.S. financial crisis, rising unemployment and weakening consumer confidence, an industry trade association said Tuesday.


The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo housing market index, started in January 1985, tumbled five points to nine in November. The index stood at 14 in October after slipping three points from September.

Index readings higher than 50 indicate positive sentiment about the market. But the index has drifted below 50 since May 2006 and below 20 since April.

"Today's report shows that we are in a crisis situation," NAHB Chairman Sandy Dunn said in a statement. "Tremendous economic uncertainties have driven consumers from the housing market, and it's going to take some major incentives to bring them back."

In recent weeks, homebuilders have ratcheted up pressure on Congress to take steps that go beyond trying to reduce foreclosures. the industry wants lawmakers to enact new incentives aimed at getting reluctant homebuyers back into the market.

Specifically, they're asking for a 10 percent tax credit of up to $22,000 for homebuyers that purchase a home over the next year and a temporary interest-rate reduction on 30-year mortgages.

"The housing downturn has already cost America three million jobs in construction and related industries, and this downward momentum cannot be stemmed without substantive government intervention," said David Crowe, the association's chief economist.

The builders' proposed housing aid measures would cost the government an estimated $270 billion, and would amount to a short-term fix at best, Deutsche Bank North America analyst Nishu Sood concluded in a research note earlier this month.

Builders have grown increasingly convinced that only government intervention will help stem the downward spiral in home prices and rising foreclosures that have led to a dearth in demand for new and preowned homes.

Major public builders such as D.R. Horton Inc., KB Home, and Centex Corp., have seen their stocks hammered as housing woes have worsened.
The latest builder index reflects a survey of 422 residential developers nationwide, tracking builders' perceptions of market conditions.

Builders' gauge of current sales conditions tumbled six points to eight, while the index of foot traffic by prospective buyers fell four points to seven. Builders' expectations for sales over the next six months remained at 19, the NAHB said.

Declines in builder confidence were seen across the U.S., with the biggest drop in the Midwest, where confidence declined by six points. The other regions -- Northeast, South and West -- saw builder confidence slide by five points.

I've never dealt with this, but just curious... am doing a new construction phased inspection. They have just gotten the service panel up, but not connected.

This is a 2500SqFt 1 story home, 4BR/3BA, with the typical appliances, and a pool and spa.

I noticed the panel is set up as a 150Amp service. Should I recommend it be 200Amp? As I said, it's not complete yet, and the client could talk it over with the contractor, but I'm hesitant to question the plans.

Advice?
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http://www.nachi.org/forum/f19/help-...32/#post440633

RNC (rigid Non-Metallic Conduit) utilized for ac condensate drain - I need to prove RNC is not rated for a drain application.

I can't find the damn spec sheet for some reason.



and...

Did a 25 year old two storey with finished basement. The 4 piece bath in the basement was nicely finished. Flushed the toilet and heard a pump come on. Looked in the linen closet and discovered an uncovered sump pump. No it was not a sewer pump! Then the smell! The sump was filled with water and floating toilet paper. The client gagged and ran outside for air. The best part: the sump went outside to a 4 inch plastic line laying on the ground. This line went into a municipal drain through a hammered hole. The drain emptied untreated into the river which went into Lake Erie. When you think that you have seen it all, something new comes up.
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Interested? Just agree to keep it a secret and email Peter Tafeen ptafeen@gmail.com and ask him to email you the pdf explaining it.

He'll then contact you to talk about it.

This is another "big one" !!!

Helping renters to buy
Berkshire Eagle, MA - 48 minutes ago
Other panelists will include home inspector Drew Finn, attorney Roscoe Sandlin, real estate agent Susan Calkins, and Mike Diaz from Wheeler & Taylor ...

1. Aside from having committed the talking points http://www.moveincertified.com/agents to memory before you go see that listing agent with 25 listings that aren't selling (remember, she's all ears in this market but might still not be able to hear)... make sure you carry in one of these signs: http://www.nachi.org/micsigns2008.htm Listing agents understand signs. Carrying the sign into the office will help you help her get her head around the whole idea of generating foot traffic with seller inspections. If you do it right, she will be relieved to be able to suggest something to her clients with listings that need fresh ideas.
2. Don't print out 1 copy of your report for the seller. Print out 25. Leave them on his kitchen counter with a "Free-Take Me" tent card so that every buyer who tours the home ends up with an actual copy of the product that you produce. These buyers are about to buy a home and hire an inspector in your market. Target marketing doesn't get any better than this!
3. Include a little flyer with your contact information at the bottom inside each copy of those seller inspection reports that the buyers are grabbing. The flyer should promote the use of seller inspections by you. Talking points for the flyer are found here: http://www.moveincertified.com/sellers You should also be asking every buyer you work for if they want a seller inspection.
4. Call the seller every 2 weeks and ask if he would like you to print off and mail him (or drop by) more copies of his inspection report to leave on the kitchen counter. Don't let him run out. Your report better than any brochure.
5. Make sure you ask the seller if he is moving inside your market area and ask him if you can do that inspection. You almost always will get the inspection on the home the seller is moving to.
6. Once you've inspected the home the seller is selling, and the home the seller is buying, your family! Ask him to have you return for an annual inspection each year. www.OverSeeIt.com Do this on all your inspections and in 4 years you won't have time to do inspections for new clients.

http://www.icebase.com/r.pl?XignYqDj...6fc2564674a70a

Hello Guys/Gals,

I received an announcement in the mail today for the 2009 AHR Expo http://www.ahrexpo.com/ and thought I would pass it along.

Question... Is anyone familiar with this Expo, and do you think it is worth the time for an Inspector to attend?

I have limited knowledge of HVAC, and it is my weak point. I am always striving to learn as much as I can, wherever I can. Other than seeing what are the newest up-and-coming products, would this likely be beneficial to an Inspector?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts...

Jeff

Edmonton Home Inspection Services Now Available Through Grassroots ...
The Open Press (press release) - Nov 17, 2008
Neil Evans, RHI (Registered Home Inspector) is a Certified Professional Grassroots Inspector who provides home inspection services in Edmonton South, ...