ASHI Standards of Practice

  13. GENERAL LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS

13.1  General limitations:

1. Inspections performed in accordance with these Standards of Practice:
   1. are not technically exhaustive.
   2. will not identify concealed conditions or latent defects.
2. These Standards of Practice are applicable to buildings with four or fewer dwelling units and their garages or carports.

13.2  General exclusions:

1. The inspector is not required to perform any action or make any determination unless specifically stated in these Standards of Practice, except as may be required by lawful authority.
2. Inspectors are NOT required to determine:
   1. the condition of systems or components which are not readily accessible.
   2. the remaining life of any system or component.
   3. the strength, adequacy, effectiveness, or efficiency of any system or component.
   4. the causes of any condition or deficiency.
   5. the methods, materials, or costs of corrections.
   6. future conditions including, but not limited to, failure of systems and components.
   7. the suitability of the property for any specialized use.
   8. compliance with regulatory requirements (codes, regulations, laws, ordinances, etc.).
   9. the market value of the property or its marketability.
   10. the advisability of the purchase of the property.
   11. the presence of potentially hazardous plants or animals including, but not limited to wood destroying organisms or diseases harmful to humans.
   12. the presence of any environmental hazards including, but not limited to toxins, carcinogens, noise, and contaminants in soil, water, and air.
   13. the effectiveness of any system installed or methods utilized to control or remove suspected hazardous substances.
   14. the operating costs of systems or components.
   15. the acoustical properties of any system or component.
3. Inspectors are NOT required to offer:
   1. or perform any act or service contrary to law.
   2. or perform engineering services.
   3. or perform work in any trade or any professional service other than home inspection.
   4. warranties or guarantees of any kind.
4. Inspectors are NOT required to operate:
   1. any system or component which is shut down or otherwise inoperable.
   2. any system or component which does not respond to normal operating controls.
   3. shut-off valves.
5. Inspectors are NOT required to enter:
   1. any area which will, in the opinion of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or other persons or damage the property or its systems or components.
   2. the under-floor crawl spaces or attics which are not readily accessible.
6. Inspectors are NOT required to inspect:
   1. underground items including, but not limited to underground storage tanks or other underground indications of their presence, whether abandoned or active.
   2. systems or components which are not installed.
   3. decorative items.
   4. systems or components located in areas that are not entered in accordance with these Standards of Practice.
   5. detached structures other than garages and carports.
   6. common elements or common areas in multi-unit housing, such as condominium properties or cooperative housing.
7. Inspectors are NOT required to:
   1. perform any procedure or operation which will, in the opinion of the inspector, likely be dangerous to the inspector or other persons or damage the property or it's systems or components.
   2. move suspended ceiling tiles, personal property, furniture, equipment, plants, soil, snow, ice, or debris.
   3. dismantle any system or component, except as explicitly required by these Standards of Practice.

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