Standards of Practice

Residential Standards - Four or Fewer Units

• Originally Adopted September 13, 1983
• Revised November 1, 1996
• Revised April 15, 1999
• Revised July 12, 2003
• Revised April 15, 2006 — Effective July 1, 2006

Note: Italicized words in this document are defined in the Glossary of Terms.

Download the CREIA Residential Standards of Practice (PDF: 110KB)

Table of Contents

I. Definitions and Scope

II. Standards of Practice

1. Foundation, Basement, and Under-floor Areas
2. Exterior
3. Roof Covering
4. Attic Areas and Roof Framing
5. Plumbing
6. Electrical
7. Heating and Cooling
8. Fireplaces and Chimneys
9. Building Interior

III. Limitations, Exceptions and Exclusions

IV. Glossary of Terms

Note: All definitions apply to derivatives of these terms when italicized in the text.

• Appliance: An item such as an oven, dishwasher, heater, etc. which performs a specific function
• Building: The subject of the inspection and its primary parking structure 
• Component: A part of a system, appliance, fixture, or device
• Condition: Conspicuous state of being  
• Determine: Arrive at an opinion or conclusion pursuant to a real estate inspection 
• Device: A component designed to perform a particular task or function 
• Fixture: A plumbing or electrical component with a fixed position and function 
• Function : The normal and characteristic purpose or action of a system, component, or device
• Functional Drainage: The ability to empty a plumbing fixture in a reasonable time
• Functional Flow: The flow of the water supply at the highest and farthest fixture from the building supply shutoff valve when another fixture is used simultaneously 
• Inspect: Refer to Part I, "Definition and Scope", Paragraph A
• Inspector: One who performs a real estate inspection 
• Normal User Control: Switch or other device that activates a system or component and is provided for use by an occupant of a building
• Operate: Cause a system, appliance, fixture, or device to function using normal user controls
• Permanently Installed: Fixed in place, e.g. screwed, bolted, nailed, or glued
• Primary Building : A building that an Inspector has agreed to inspect
• Primary Parking structure: A building for the purpose of vehicle storage associated with the primary building
• Readily Accessible: Can be reached, entered, or viewed without difficulty, moving obstructions, or requiring any action which may harm persons or property
• Real Estate Inspection: Refer to Part I, "Definitions and Scope", Paragraph A
• Representative Number: Example, an average of one component per area for multiple similar components such as windows, doors, and electrical outlets
• Safety Hazard: A condition that could result in significant physical injury
• Shut Down: Disconnected or turned off in a way so as not to respond to normal user controls
• System: An assemblage of various components designed to function as a whole
• Technically Exhaustive: Examination beyond the scope of a real estate inspection, which may require disassembly, specialized knowledge, special equipment, measuring, calculating, quantifying, testing, exploratory probing, research, or analysis

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