Code of Massachusetts Regulations
266 CMR - BOARD OF REGISTRATION OF HOME INSPECTORS
Title 266 CMR 6.00 - STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
Section 6.04 - Scope of the Home Inspection

1. Roof coverings;

2. Exposed roof drainage systems;

3. Flashings;

4. Skylights, chimneys;

5. Chimneys; and

6. Roof penetrations.

1. The type of roof covering materials;

2. The roof drainage system; and

3. The chimney materials.

1. note the methods used to Observe the roofing; and

2. note any signs of previous and/or active leaks.

1. Walk on the roof unless in the opinion of the Home Inspector walking on the roof will pose no risk of personal injury or damage to the roofing components.

2. Observe and Report On:

1. Wall cladding;

2. Trim;

3. Doors/Windows;

4. Garage Doors (if the garage is attached to the main dwelling);

5. Decks/Balconies/porches/stoops/landings/steps;

6. Railings/guardrails;

7. Areaways/window wells;

8. Flashings; and

9. Driveways, walkways, vegetation, grading, site drainage, and retaining walls with respect to their effect on the condition of the dwelling and their ability to provide safe egress.

1. Wall cladding materials;

2. deck component materials; and

3. porch component materials.

1. Probe exposed Readily Accessible and Observable exterior components where deterioration is suspected: However, probing is NOT required when probing would unduly damage any finished surface.

2. Operate garage doors (if the garage is attached to the main dwelling), manually or by using permanently installed controls of any garage door operator.

3. Report whether or not any garage door operator will automatically reverse or stop when meeting resistance during closing.

1. Storm doors and windows, screening, shutters, awnings and similar seasonal accessories;

2. Fences, landscaping, trees, swimming pools, patios, irrigation systems;

3. Safety glazing;

4. Recreational facilities;

5. Any other dwelling units or addresses in multi unit buildings;

6. Outbuildings and detached garages; and

7. Underground utilities, pipes, buried wires, or conduits.

1. The foundation;

2. The floor structure;

3. The wall structure;

4. The ceiling structure; and

5. the roof structure.

1. The foundation materials; and

2. The Basement floor.

1. Probe exposed Readily Accessible and Observable structural components where deterioration is suspected; however, probing is NOT required when probing would unduly damage any finished surface;

2. Note the methods used to Observe under floor crawl spaces;

3. Note the methods used to Observe attics; and

4. Note signs of previous and/or active water penetration into the basement, under floor crawl space and attic including the presence of sump pumps and dehumidifiers.

1. Collect engineering data such as the size, span, spacing, species, section modulus, slenderness ratio and/or modulus of elasticity of the structural members; or

2. Provide access to the items being inspected (Responsibility of Client/seller/seller's representative).

3. Enter the under floor crawl space.

1. The inspector shall not be required to enter the attic space:

2. Walk on the exposed and/or insulation covered framing members.

1. the service entrance conductors;

2. the service equipment, including the main overcurrent device;

3. the grounding system device;

4. the service and distribution panels by removing the enclosure cover;

5. the branch circuit, overcurrent devices, and conductor capability; and

6. a representative number of interior and exterior receptacles.

1. The service as being overhead or underground;

2. The type of Interior Wiring; and

3. The ampacity of the main service disconnect;

1. The polarity and grounding of a representative number of receptacles;

2. The operation of all Readily Accessible ground fault circuit interrupters.

1. Collect engineering data on the compatibility of the overcurrent devices with the panel and/or determine the short circuit interrupting current capacity.

2. Determine the adequacy of the ground and/or the in place systems to provide sufficient power to the dwelling, or reflect on the sufficiency of the electric distribution system in the Dwelling.

3. Insert any tool, probe, or testing device inside the panels.

4. Test or Operate any overcurrent device except ground fault circuit interrupters.

5. Dismantle any electrical device or control other than to remove the covers of the service and distribution panels. However, the Inspector is not required to remove the covers of the service and distribution panels if the panel covers are not Readily Accessible, if there are dangerous or sdverse situations present, or when removal would damage or mar any painted surface and/or covering materials.

6. Observe or Report On:

1. The water supply and distribution system:

2. The drain waste and vent system:

3. Hot water systems including:

1. The type(s) of water distribution piping materials;

2. The type(s) of drain, waste, and vent piping; and

3. The type of water heating equipment, and the nameplate capacity of the water heating equipment (gallons and/or gallons per minute).

4. The location of the main shut off valve.

1. Test the operation of any valve except water closet flush valves and fixture faucets;

2. Collect engineering data on the size of or length of water and/or waste systems and/or remove covering materials; or

3. Report On the adequacy and/or the efficiency of the in place systems to provide sufficient hot water to the dwelling, sufficient water supply, or drainage for the dwelling;

4. State the effectiveness of anti siphon devices;

5. Determine whether water supply and waste disposal systems are public or private

6. Observe, operate, or Report On:

1. Heating equipment;

2. Normal operating controls;

3. Automatic Safety Controls;

4. The exterior of the chimneys, flue piping and vents;

5. Heating distribution systems;

6. Insulation;

7. The presence of an installed heat source in each habitable room including kitchens and bathrooms; and

8. The presence of a fireplace(s) and the operation of their damper(s).

1. The type of energy source;

2. The heating equipment;

3. The type of distribution system:

1. The absence of an installed heat source in habitable rooms including kitchens and bathrooms;

2. The presence of exposed flues in the smoke chamber being utilized by other appliances;

3. The existence of abandoned oil tanks; and

4. Any observed evidence of underground fuel storage tanks.

1. Test and/or inspect the heat exchanger. This requires dismantling of the furnace cover and possible removal of controls;

2. Collect engineering data on the size of the heating equipment and/or the size or length of the distribution systems;

3. Report On the adequacy or uniformity of the in place system(s) to heat the dwelling and/or the various rooms within the dwelling;

4. Operate heating systems when weather conditions or other circumstances may cause equipment damage, or when the electrical and/or fuel supply to the unit is in the off position;

5. Ignite or extinguish solid fuel and/or gas fires;

6. Identify the type of insulation coverings;

7. Inspect fuel storage tanks and their related components;

8. Inspect humidifiers and electronic air filters;

9. Inspect the interior of flues with the exception of exposed flues serving other appliances as Observed in the smoke chamber of the fireplace; and

10. Inspect fireplace insert flue connections.

1. Cooling and air handling equipment;

2. Normal operating controls;

3. Cooling distribution systems; and

4. the insulation on the exposed supply ductwork.

1. If possible, the Inspector shall have the seller and/or the seller's representative Operate the systems using normal operating controls; and

2. Open Readily Accessible operable access panels provided by the manufacturer or installer for routine homeowner maintenance and Report On conditions Observed.

1. Collect engineering data on the size of the cooling equipment, the size or length of the distribution systems;

2. Identify the type of insulation coverings;

3. Report on the air filter condition or effectiveness;

4. Operate the cooling systems when weather conditions or other circumstances may cause equipment damage, or when the electrical supply to the unit is in the off position;

5. Inspect evaporator coils; or

6. Report On the adequacy or uniformity of the in place system(s) to cool the dwelling and/or the various rooms within the dwelling.

1. walls;

2. ceilings;

3. floors;

4. steps, stairways, balconies;

5. hand and guard railings;

6. counter tops and a representative number of cabinets;

7. permanently installed cooking appliances, dishwashers, and garbage disposals;

8. a representative number of doors and windows; and

9. separation walls, ceilings, and doors between a dwelling unit and an attached garage or another dwelling unit.

1. note signs of water penetration; and

2. operate a representative number of kitchen cabinets and drawers, doors and windows.

1. Observe and Report On the following:

2. Determine the fire safety rating of any walls, ceilings, and doors between a dwelling unit and an attached garage or another dwelling unit.

1. exposed insulation in unfinished spaces;

2. ventilation of attics and inder floor crawl space areas;

3. bathroom venting systems; and

4. kitchen venting system.

1. The type(s), amounts or adequacy of insulation and/or its material make up;

2. Concealed insulation and vapor retarders; or

3. The adequacy, uniformity and capacity of the in place system(s) to ventilate the various areas of the dwelling.