s010906 Are inspectors required to walk on the roof? Inspect for safety glazing? Inspect for storms and screens?

Identifier: s010906

Date: 04/03/2002

Question

Do the ASHI Standards of Practice require an inspector

(1) to walk on a roof,

(2) to inspect for the presence of safety glazing, and/or

(3) to inspect storm windows and screens?

Response

On a superficial reading, it may appear that the Standards do not address some of these items. Although an item might not be specifically mentioned, if it is part of a system or component designated for inspection, then such item is also included for inspection unless the Standards state an applicable specific or general exclusion or limitation. 

Additionally, the glossary definitions contain requirements which make inspectors' duties broader than may appear if definitions are not examined. The effect of the definitions and the inclusive designations cause the Standards to have a broader scope. The items of specific inquiry are addressed below. 

1.) The Standards do not explicitly require any specific inspection method or technique. Therefore walking on a roof is not specifically required. The inspector is specifically required to inspect the roof covering, roof drainage systems, flashings, skylights, chimneys, and roof penetrations (5.1.A). The inspector is also required to describe the roof covering and to report the methods used to inspect the roof (5.1.B). 

The Standards require the inspector to list any designated components not inspected and to explain why they were not inspected (2.2.B.4). 

See also interpretation s010220. 

2.) If the inspector believes that lack of safety glazing at a certain location is a significant risk of bodily injury in normal day-to-day use, then the inspector is required to inspect for the presence of safety glazing in that location (see section 2.2.B, "Significantly Deficient" definition, and "Unsafe" definition). 

3.) Section 4.2.A.1 states: "The inspector is NOT required to inspect screening, shutters, awnings, and similar seasonal accessories". Therefore, the inspector is not required to inspect screens or seasonal storm windows. However, non-seasonal storm windows such as permanent storm windows, combination storm windows, or triple track windows normally always present during inspection, are part of inspecting windows per section 10.1.A.4 and are NOT excluded from inspection by 4.2.A.1.