s991109-3 The difference between “near the end of its service life” and “remaining life”

Identifier: s991109-3

Date: 12/08/1999

Question

Please explain the difference between reporting whether a system or component is "near the end of its service life" and "remaining life" (which is specifically excluded in section 13.2.B.2)?

Response

Section 2.2.B.1 states: "The inspector is to report on those systems and components inspected which in the professional opinion of the inspector, are significantly deficient or are near the end of their service lives. 

Section 13.B.2 states (under General limitations and Exclusions) Inspectors are NOT required to determine the remaining life of any system or component. This is not as confusing as it seems. The exclusion states that inspectors are not required to determine a component's or a system's chronological age or when it is going to fail. The requirement, however, is to disclose that a system and component is either defective to a significant degree, or at or near the end of its normal useful life, based on the professional opinion of the inspector. 

The inspector's judgment may be based upon actuarial tables of normal, expected service lives of various systems and components or upon the inspector's own experience. The service life tables are widely available from a number of sources and show a large degree of agreement. Chronological age is only one criterion and is the least likely to be available to the inspector. Indications of wear provide a more valid basis for the placement of a system or component in the continuum of its service life which runs from new to end. One may confidently determine that a system or component is at or near the end of its service without ever knowing its chronological age.