Do you shut down dangerous systems?

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

At a combustion appliance, if you find an exhaust flue separated and the products of combustion passing straight into the home, do you shut off the fuel supply and red-tag the appliance or do you recommend that it be shut off?

This question applies to any life-threatening condition. Do you take action or recommend that action be taken?

[chunt1]

Check this out:

http://www.nachi.org/forum/showthrea...ight=turn+leak

[Michael R. Boyett]

I notify the Seller/Occupant verbally, or in writing if they are not present, of the hazard and in no uncertain terms as to the danger. I also notify the Buyer/Client and both RE agents involved verbally and in bold large font in my same day report. I do not feel I have the right nor authority to shut down a system or 'red-tag' it. I would only do that if sparks were flying or smoke was pouring out of whatever it was and I felt immediate action were needed to protect life or property in addition to a 911 call.

Here's an example of a disconnected W/H flue from an inspection last week that got that treatment:

[Michael Larson]

Kenton, your a great guy.

But on what Authority would I as a HI be able to "Red Tag" Anything?

What would you guys do with what I saw on yesterday's inspection?

The wires in question ran across the front walk and yard to the next door neighbors meter.

[iniquette]

Come on Mike, we know that's your house. I would notify the power company on that. That guys is endangering innocent people with his set up.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by iniquette

Come on Mike, we know that's your house. I would notify the power company on that. That guys is endangering innocent people with his set up.

Are you sure?

LOL....Drop me an email and I'll send to a pic of my house.

[Michael Larson]

Not steal Kenton thread but here are some more pics of the beauty I did yesterday.

Mushrooms and plumbing "repiars" under the kitchen sink
FP service panel
Great roof flashing
And oh so much more....

[David P. Valley]

I never shut-down anything on a home inspection site. I've found many life threatening dangers on sites and I always point them out to my Buyers and note the danger in the report with a huge circle around it. Then the listing agent will be notified.

I've ran into serious gas leaks, missing vent connectors, decks falling off buildings, exposed live electrical wires, etc.

I don't have the authority to shut down someone else's mechanicals or to lock out specific areas. IMO, pointing out the defect and notifying everyone of the life threatening defect is all I do. If the defect takes a life, I told you so. Look at my report.

Here's my most recent find...yes, it was active at the time of the inspection.

[mivie]

I smell gas......Let's see red marker....where is my re.........BOOM!!!!!

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by mivie

I smell gas......Let's see red marker....where is my re.........BOOM!!!!!

While we are on the subject of gas leaks. I had an inspection three years ago where I entered a vacant home and smelled gas right away. I went directly to the basement and found that the water heater was leaking gas so bad that my eyes were watering. I told my clients that I can not continue with the inspection until I get an "ALL CLEAR" from the local fire department.

I then, told the listing agent that my inspection is postponed until I get the gas leak repaired. She turn and looked at me and said, "What, you're not going to finish the inspection?". I told her "No, I'm not. You need to contact the fire department or gas company and inform them of the gas leak". She replied with "I'll contact them tomorrow morning". I told her that she'd be very lucky if the house was still there in the morning.

I then left and never heard from my client's again.

[Peter Doane]

I shut it down, no questions asked,.. on two occasions I even called the utility company myself because the leak was at the exterior (one underground) just before the meter.

[James H. Bushart]

I do what I am there to do....write it down and take a picture.

The furnace is on for a reason. I am not paying for frozen/broken pipes.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by jbushart

I do what I am there to do....write it down and take a picture.

The furnace is on for a reason. I am not paying for frozen/broken pipes.

I concur James. Especially broken gas line shut-offs. That'll be a really nice picture when you go to shut down a gas line and rip the shut-off right off the main line. Now what????

Good Luck to all that decide to get involved with shutting down anything.

[rshuey]

Wow. If it is indeed life-threatening, I will shut it off and take care of it.


For those of you who just take a pic of it and write it in bold. You are why home inspectors get a bad rap. You want paid to do a half *** job and take NO liability for anything. Grow up.

Damn man, if its life-threatening, DO something.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by rshuey

Wow. If it is indeed life-threatening, I will shut it off and take care of it.


For those of you who just take a pic of it and write it in bold. You are why home inspectors get a bad rap. You want paid to do a half *** job and take NO liability for anything. Grow up.

Damn man, if its life-threatening, DO something.

Okay, Superman. Knock yourself out, but don't forget to fix that trip hazard in the driveway. It could kill Grandma when she comes over in her walker...and change out that bad GFCI over the bathroom sink before someone gets electrocuted. And whatever you do, Batman, move the bedroom furniture out of the back room that opens up into the garage.