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Maryland Standards of Practice

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Net Home Energy Report                                 Net Thermal imaging

2018 MD Smoke and CO alarm requirements

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WHAT IS A HOME INSPECTION

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A home inspection is an objective VISUAL examination of the physical structure and systems of a home, from the roof to the foundation. I will inspect the structure, systems and components of the home, inside and out, using the latest tools and technology.

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I encourage you to attend your inspection so that I can describe my process, explain my findings, point out important maintenance items and answer all your questions.

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As a state licensed Certified Professional Inspector I adhere to a comprehensive Residential Standards of Practice. This means I will inspect all of the following when visible and accessible:

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  • Roof  

  • Structural Components

  • Attic, Ventilation & Insulation

  • Exterior Cladding

  • Porch & Deck

  • Attached Garage

  • Driveway

  • Foundation

  • Basement/Crawlspace

  • Fireplace

  • Electric System

  • Plumbing System

  • HVAC System

  • Interior, including:

  •     Built-in Appliances

  •     Ceilings, floors and walls

  •     Windows

  •     Doors

Following my evaluation, I will compile my findings in an easy to read report which will include detailed descriptions and photos of any issues I've discovered. I will email your report within 24 hours and my job isn't finished until you understand everything in it.

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Are There Any Areas You Do Not Inspect?

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Yes. Any areas that cannot be accessed safely and without physical damage to the property. Of particular concern to many clients is inspecting the roof. We make every attempt to access all roofs, so long as the inspector feels safe doing so. Generally, we cannot access roofs that are more than 2 stories above the point of access (a deck, lower roof etc.) and in inclement weather. We also do not inspect pools and septic systems.

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Can A House Fail Inspection?

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No. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of your prospective home or current home. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value, or a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house but rather describe its physical condition and indicate what may need repair or replacement.

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When will I get my inspection report?

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The inspection report is issued within 24hrs of the inspection completion time.

 

Cancellation Policy


You can cancel an inspection any time prior to the date of the inspection via email, text, or voicemail.

To avoid cancellation charges, you must notify us at least 2 business days prior to the inspection, or schedule another appointment in place of the first. 
Refunds will be issued on inspections cancelled with a minimum 2 business days advance notice. Cancellations with less than 2 business days advance notice, will be issued a full credit towards another inspection. Customer will pay the fee difference if any.


In the event an inspection has to be rescheduled, The Office must be notified at least 1 business day prior to the inspection date/time. Same day rescheduling will incur a trip charge of $100..

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If you have other questions contact us through our CONTACT page and we will be happy to take the time to answer any questions you have.

Home Energy Report

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Your Home Energy Report empowers you to save money by saving energy, make your home more efficient and comfortable and increase your home’s value by documenting your homes upgrades.

Your report recommended upgrades are customized to your home through the house data collected during your home inspection.

The money you invest in these upgrades commonly earns “interest” in the f form of energy bill savings at an annual rate of 30% or more! These upggrades offer other benefits as well such as:

Better home comfort, feeling warmer in winter and cooler during the hot summer months, fewer drafts and improved indoor air quality, all of which improves life and increases your home’s value.

 

Our  Home Energy eBook is included with your Home Energy Report. It describes additional steps you can take right now to save energy, increase your family’s comfort, and protect the environment.

 

The Home Energy Report was developed by Internachi, the models and data developed by the US Dept. of Energy. These are initial estimates only and results may vary. For a more comprehensive look at your home’s energy usage breakdown it is recommended that an expert energy consultant be contacted to set up a home energy assessment.  Energy.gov explains the assessments in detail here : https://energy.gov/energysaver/home-energy-audits/professional-home-energy-audits

 

Our Thermal Imaging

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Infrared Imaging is included free in all our home inspections.

We use infrared to double check areas of concern we visually find as part of our home inspection.  For instance, if we visually discover signs of a water leak (like discolored drywall) we will use our infrared cameras and moisture meters to determine whether that leak is active. We do not offer a full Thermal Image Inspection and do not include a separate Thermal Imaging Report.

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Maryland Code of Ethics and Standards of Practices for Home Inspectors

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   https://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/reahi/reahicode.shtml

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2018 MD Smoke Alarm rules

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https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MDFIRE/bulletins/1c673ea

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        A new state law aimed at reducing home fire deaths went into effect on July 1, 2013.  It requires replacement of any battery-only operated smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old with a unit powered by a 10-year sealed-in battery having a “Hush” button feature – ultimately affecting more than 800,000 Maryland homes with battery- only operated smoke alarms.  The effective date for this requirement to be completed by is January 1, 2018. 

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        Why is a sealed-in battery important?  Nationally, two-thirds of all home fire deaths occur in homes with either no smoke alarm or no working smoke alarm, mainly due to missing or disconnected batteries.  By sealing the battery inside the alarm, the unit becomes tamper resistant and removes the burden from consumers to remember to change batteries, which in turn, will save lives.  These sealed-in, long-life battery smoke alarms provide continuous protection for a decade, and national fire experts with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM) recommend their use.

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        The new Maryland Smoke Alarm Law, Public Safety Article Sections 9-101 through 9-109requires the replacement of smoke alarms when they are ten years old; (ten years from the date of manufacture).   This replacement requirement is already in the adopted State Fire Code, reference to the 2013 edition of NFPA 72, Paragraph 14.4.7.  It is envisioned that adding the wording in State Law and publicizing the requirement will hopefully result in the widespread replacement of older nonfunctioning or unreliable smoke alarms.   The date of manufacture, while sometimes hard to locate, should be printed on the back of the smoke alarm.   If no manufacture date can be located, it is clearly time to replace the smoke alarm. 

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        The new law heavily emphasizes the use of sealed-battery smoke alarms with a long life battery and a silence/hush button feature.  However, it is critical to understand these devices are appropriate only where battery-only operated smoke alarms presently exist or in locations where no smoke alarms are present.  (It is never acceptable to remove required wired in smoke alarms and replace them with any type of battery-only operated device).  A 110 volt electrically powered smoke alarm may only be replaced with a new 110 volt unit with a battery backup.

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        Smoke alarms need to be placed on every level of the home and outside the sleeping areas, such as, the hallway accessing the bedrooms.  It is also recommended to place them inside each bedroom to allow sound sleepers to be alerted if smoke begins to enter the room.  Please remember to keep bedroom doors closed when sleeping to help ensure smoke, toxic gases and flames can't easily enter the bedroom allowing you more time to escape.

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DC Smoke and CO alarms

https://dcra.dc.gov/cosmokealarm

 

 

2018 Carbon Monoxide alarm rules

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https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MDFIRE/bulletins/17e89b7

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An Important Reminder: By April 1, 2018, carbon monoxide alarms must be installed in new and existing rental units in Maryland.  The law, passed by the General Assembly in 2016, applies to rental units that contain any type of fossil fuel burning appliances or heating source (wood, kerosene, gasoline, charcoal, propane, natural gas, and oil). The law also applies to any rental unit with an attached, enclosed garage.  This law does not apply to rental units that are powered solely by an electric power supply and that do not have an attached garage.  

Maryland Code, Public Safety, Section 12-1101

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 What Is Carbon Monoxide? Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless, and potentially toxic gas that is produced by the burning of solid and liquid fossil fuels and natural gas. It can cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and irritability.  High concentrations can lead to vomiting, loss of consciousness and even death.  

 What Type of Alarm Is Required? A carbon monoxide alarm may be combined with the smoke alarm if it meets the requirements of Section 12-1103. The alarm must carry the listing of a nationally recognized laboratory approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshall and be hard wired into an alternating current (AC) power line with secondary battery backup. Depending on the year built, the carbon monoxide alarm may also be battery–powered, sealed, tamper resistant, and use a long–life battery that has a life of not less than 10 years; or it may be connected to an on–site control unit that monitors the carbon monoxide alarm remotely so that a responsible party is alerted when the device activates the alarm signal and receives its primary power from a battery or the control unit. 

Maryland Code, Public Safety, Section 12-1101, Maryland Code, Public Safety, Section 12-1103

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 Where Must the Alarm Be Installed? A carbon monoxide alarm must be installed in a central location outside of each sleeping area OR, if there is a centralized alarm system capable of emitting a distinct and audible sound to warn all occupants, the carbon monoxide alarm may be installed within 25 feet of any carbon monoxide-producing fixture and equipment. Maryland Code, Public Safety, Section 12-1104

 

Local county or municipal corporations may enact more stringent laws that relate to carbon monoxide (and smoke detector) alarms.  Landlords should always check with their specific county to see if there are additional requirements that may affect their rental property.

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