ASHI GLOSSARY of TERMS

Central Air Conditioning:
A system which uses ducts to distribute cooled and/or dehumidified air to more than one room or uses pipes to distribute chilled water to heat exchanger in more than one room, and which is not plugged into an electrical convenience outlet.

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 where many similar pieces make up the component.

Cross Connection:
Any physical connection or arrangement between potable water and any source of contamination.

Dangerous or Adverse Situations:
Situations which pose a threat of injury to the inspector, and those situations which require the use of special protective clothing or safety equipment.

Describe:
Report in writing a system or component by its type, or other observed characteristics, to distinguish it from other components used for the same purpose.

Dismantle:
To take apart or remove any component, device or piece of equipment that is bolted, screwed, or fastened by other means and that would not be dismantled by a homeowner in the course of normal household maintenance.

Engineering:
Analysis or design work requiring extensive preparation and experience in the use of mathematics, chemistry, physics, and the engineering sciences.

Enter:
To go into an area to observe all visible components.

Functional Drainage:
A drain is functional when it 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.

Household Appliances:
Kitchen and laundry appliances, room air conditioners, and similar appliances.

Inspector:
Any person who examines any component of a building, through visual means and through normal user controls, without the use of mathematical sciences.

Installed:
Attached or connected such that the installed item requires tools for removal.

Normal Operating Controls:
Homeowner operated devices such as a thermostat, wall switch, or safety switch.

Observe:
The act of making a visual examination.

On-site Water Supply Quality:
Water quality is based on the bacterial, chemical, mineral, and solids content of the water.

On-site Water Supply Quantity:
Water quantity is the rate of flow of water.

Operate:
To cause Systems or equipment to function.

Primary Windows and Doors:
Windows and/or exterior doors which are designed to remain in their respective openings year round and not left open for the entire summer.

Readily Openable Access Panel:
A panel provided for homeowner inspection and maintenance which has removable or operable fasteners or latch devices in order to be lifted off, swung open, or otherwise removed by one person, and its edges and fasteners are not painted in place. Limited to those panels within normal reach or from a 4-foot stepladder, and which are not blocked by stored items, furniture, or building components.

Recreational Facilities:
Spas, saunas, steam baths, swimming pools, tennis courts, playground equipment, and other exercise, entertainment, or athletic facilities.

Representative Number:
For multiple identical components such as windows and electrical outlets - one such component per room. For multiple identical exterior components - one such component on each side of the building.

Roof Drainage Systems:
Gutters, downspouts, leaders, splashblocks, and similar components used to carry water off a roof and away from a building.

Safety Glazing:
Tempered glass, laminated glass, or rigid plastic.

Shut Down:
A piece of equipment or a system is shut down when it cannot be operated by the device or control which a home owner should normally use to operate it. If its safety switch or circuit breaker is in the "off" position, or its fuse is missing or blown, the inspector is not required to reestablish the circuit for the purpose of operating the equipment or system.

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, woodstoves (room heaters), central furnaces, and combinations of these devices.

Structural Component:
A component which supports non-variable forces or weights (dead loads) and variable forces or weights (live loads).

System:
A combination of interacting or interdependent components, assembled to carry out one or more functions.

Technically Exhaustive:
An inspection is technically exhaustive when it involves the extensive use of measurements, instruments, testing, calculations, and other means to develop scientific or engineering findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Underfloor Crawl Space:
The area within the confines of the foundation and between the ground and the underside of the lowest floor structural component.

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