Healthy Homes 2: Basic Principles of Healthy Housing Course

This thread is dedicated exclusively for those students currently enrolled in InterNACHI’s free, online Healthy Homes 2: Basic Principles of Healthy Housing Course.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: Identify the physiologic needs of a healthy home; identify the psychologic needs of a healthy home; and discuss preventative measures for disease, injury, fire, and toxic gases.

Students are free to pose questions and comments here and join in the conversation with other students. The thread will be monitored by the course instructor.

Contact: Chief Academic Officer, Ben Gromicko ben@internachi.org

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

It is not only important to have a fire extinguisher in your home, but more critical to have the correct classification of extinguisher. For example, you would want a class K type located in the kitchen, as it is specifically made for kitchen fires.

Research & Writing Assignment:

I reviewed the article on eminent domain. It is basically the right of a government to take your property, as long as you are compensated monetarily, at what is considered a fair market value. It can be seized for a number of reasons.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

The photo of the staircase in this picture shows several dangerous issues. No handrail for more than 4 stairs. The step leading from the top step to the doorway entrance is not the same distance as the other steps and appears to be a trip hazard. The surface of the stairs appears slippery and not good for traction. The stairs appear are not constructed well and appear to be in disrepair.

Research & Writing Assignment:

The photo of the staircase in this picture shows several dangerous issues. No handrail for more than 4 stairs. The step leading from the top step to the doorway entrance is not the same distance as the other steps and appears to be a trip hazard. The surface of the stairs appears slippery and not good for traction. The stairs appear are not constructed well and appear to be in disrepair.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

Unlined chimneys cause venting problems when used with gas fired furnaces and water heaters. This condition usually causes exhaust gasses to condense in the chimney and can lead to extensive damage. When used with wood burning appliances cleaning of the chimney can be difficult. Unlined chimneys must be lined with an approved material, generally a metal liner or clay tile.

Research & Writing Assignment:

When designing a fireplace, consideration must be taken to afford for proper distances to combustible materials. Minimum dimensions must be met for the hearth extension to the front and sides as well as the size and location of the mantle. These minimum dimensions also may be different based on the fireplace opening size.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

My essay concerning the two pics, one of a refrigerator, an one of a family home cook stove. The pic of refrigerator is of a thermometer on 30degrees, this fridge reaches 40 an more at times either by a finger or malfunction, if fridge is not properly maintained, out dated discarded cleaned properly can make u very I’ll. I’ve waisted hundreds of my food because other a finger moving temps it takes 24 hrs to reach the cycle or his faulty fridge.
The pic of the cook stove burners dirty, two don’t work, old food greese which is a fire hazard, I have cleaned raised burners applied tin foil an raised top an cleaned .
The home owner needs to enlist in a new stove an other stop messing w cycles or invest in a new fridge also for healthy eating an health hazards.

Research & Writing Assignment:

My essay on child proofing your home 12 safety devices to protect your children. 25 million children are injured each yr do to hazards in a home.

  1. Safety latches, on cabinets drawers, etc prevents poisoning an injury.
  2. Safety gates prevent falls keep children away from dangerous circumstances.
  3. Door locks keep children from entering
  4. Anti scales devices , setting hot water heater to 120 degrees, protect children from some scalding
  5. Smoke detectors on every level of home near bedrooms
  6. Window guards safety netting help prevent falls
  7. Corner an edge bumpers protect from injury
  8. Receptacle an outlet covers protect from electrical shock
  9. Carbon monoxide detectors, can prevent poisoning
  10. Cut blind cords, prevent strangling
  11. Door stoppers and holders hand an fingers protection
  12. Cell or cordless phones, u have to keep eyes an ears on small children 24/7
    My 12 items of child safety please keep our children safe

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

This is a fire extinguisher outside and residential condominium unit. Most homeowners in multi unit housing and or condominiums pay no attention to the fire extinguishers located Directly outside their front door. As home inspectors it is important for us to point out the location of these important safety devices to our clients.

Research & Writing Assignment:

In the article fire safety for the home, it reminds us for ourselves and for our clients how important it is to unplug on used electronic devices. It has not occurred and is not common knowledge how a device that is turned off but still plugged in can still possibly cause a fire.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

One of the leading causes of fires in residential structures is electrical system malfunctions. Of significant importance, both from a fire safety as well as personal safety perspective is the use of GFCI receptacles or circuits. All outside receptacles and receptacles in a “wet” locations should be GFCI protected.

Research & Writing Assignment:

The image selected is of an inspector inspecting a fireplace chimney. Chimney fires are leading cause of residential fires. Chimneys should be inspected at least annually and on a change of ownership. Inspectors should look for fire hazards near the firebox and surrounding areas as well as inspect for creosote build-up inside the chimney.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

This detector appeared to be installed correctly. It is recommended that the smoke detector be placed on at least every level of the house. Installation should be on the ceiling or 6 to 8 inches on the wall from the ceiling. Smoke detectors should be tested monthly and battery replacement every year.

Research & Writing Assignment:

While inspecting a ceiling fan it is important to make sure that the fixture sits tight against the ceiling and does not wobble during normal operation. It is also important to make sure that the fan blades are at least 7 feet from the floor to prevent injury to the occupants head.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

This is the label on a fire extinguisher typically mounted in a kitchen. It is classified as an A,B, and C fire extinguisher. Is is used for combustible fires, liquid fires and electrical fires. It is a good choice for kitchens and garages because it covers the kind of fires you would expect to see in those spaces.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

The attached photo shows a battery operated combination CO/smoke alarm that was not functional. It’s was located on the lower level of the home and apparently not tested for some time. This validates the information in this course that many homes have some level of fire protection installed, but fail to properly maintain it. The recommendation was to replace with new based on the manufacture date found on the unit.

Research & Writing Assignment:

In the article about fire safety for the home it is pointed out that one way to increase fire safety is to have a plan. A simple conversation about what to do in case of a fire can save lives. Young children and older adults are the most likely among us to die in a fire. Make sure that there is an escape plan that they have an ability to use. Grandma probably shouldn’t be depending on a rope ladder from a second story wind to escape a fire.

Research & Writing Assignment:

In the article - Fire Safety for the Home the NFPA’s eight tips to fire prevention provide some valuable tips for the elderly as well as all ages for proactive measures to prevent fires and actions to take if there would be a fire event. This is valuable information for all families and taking heed of the information could be life saving.

Inspection & Writing Assignment:

This residence has a mid level efficiency natural gas furnace with air conditioning. This system is used to heat and cool the house and should keep the occupants healthy and happy. Natural gas currently is very inexpensive, 40% less than it was 12 years ago in Oregon. Many homes in Western Oregon do not have cooling or air conditioning as it seldom over 90*, but the occupants of this home will be comfortable if and when those warm days do come.