SOP requirement

[Blaine Wiley]

If we are speaking solely of the iNACHI SOP the answer would be no.

4.31. Readily Accessible: An item or component that is, in the judgment of the inspector, capable of being safely observed without the removal of obstacles, detachment or disengagement of connecting or securing devices, or other unsafe or difficult procedures to gain access.

It would be very difficult in my opinion, however, to inspect the electric panel without removing the cover.

Sorry Jeff, probably the first time in many moons I've disagreed with you...

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by bwiley

If we are speaking solely of the iNACHI SOP the answer would be no.

4.31. Readily Accessible: An item or component that is, in the judgment of the inspector, capable of being safely observed without the removal of obstacles, detachment or disengagement of connecting or securing devices, or other unsafe or difficult procedures to gain access.

It would be very difficult in my opinion, however, to inspect the electric panel without removing the cover.

Sorry Jeff, probably the first time in many moons I've disagreed with you...

My answer would be no also based on that same description of Readily Accessible.

Although I still remove them.
If I am not mistaken, somewhere I saw where accessible meant "without the use of tools.

And that description above sure talks about disengagement of connecting or securing devices

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Still....this is NACHI. Without sounding too much like Joe Tedesco, I have read posts on this message board that convince me that not everyone should be removing the dead front cover.

With this, I completely agree.

I don't believe that every inspector is qualified to remove every cover, nor do I believe that an inspector should make every reasonable effort to remove a cover if there is a concern for safety.

The way it's worded, I agree that our SOP requires removal of the cover, but I don't feel it should be required.

[Christopher Currins]

Ben, sometimes less is better. Maybe Nachi should eliminate All of the "Not Required To" verbiage and keep it simple like the Illinois SOP. Which only states what we are required to inspect. Then includes these 2 lines..



Inspect: To visually examine readily accessible systems and components of a building in accordance with these Standards of Practice, using normal operating controls and opening readily accessible access panels.




e) At the conclusion of the home inspection,

B) Disclose any systems or components designated for inspection, that were present at the time of the home inspection, but were not inspected and a reason they were not inspected.