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The next chapter meeting is scheduled for March 27,
2008. We have an evening program that contains two
unique topics that shouldn't be missed. One program
will be presented by the Boston Lightning Rod
Company. They are a family owned business that
was established in 1873, and have been installing
lightning protection for over 130 years and have been
installing Underwriters Laboratories listed lightning
protection systems since 1921. The company is
registered with the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI),
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and
United Lightning Protection Association (ULPA).
Representatives of the Boston Lightning Rod
Company will discuss how lightning protection
systems protect homeowner's property. They will talk
about the elements of a proven lightning protection
which would include air terminals, conductors, ground
terminals, bonds with metallic bodies and surge
arresters.
The second program of the evening will be from Battic
Door Energy Products. They manufacture and
distribute low-cost, high-value, energy conservation
products for the seven largest "holes" in the house:
attic stairs insulator covers, house fan shutter seal
covers, fireplace draft stoppers, clothes dryer vent
seals, air conditioner covers and bathroom fan draft
blockers. By sealing these air leaks, our products
reduce cold drafts and heat loss in the winter, as well
as air-conditioning loss in the summer.
These products conserve energy, lower your utility
bills, reduce noise and pollutants, improve indoor air
quality, reduce the chance of ice dams and attic mold,
and improve the comfort of your home.
You will shortly be receiving more detailed information
of this evening program and look forward to your
participation.
Bob Mulloy, Education Chairman
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ASAP Environmental
HEALTHY HOMES FOR BETTER LIVING
1 Arcadia St. Dorchester, MA 02122
inspections@asapenvironmental.com 800-349-7779 www.asapenvironmental.com
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In August 2007, the revised National Electrical Code
for 2008 was approved and jurisdictions across the
country have been updating their requirements to
keep pace with the 2008 standards. "There definitively
are changes an electrician needs to keep aware of,"
says John Masarick, director of codes, standards and
safety at the Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc.
(IEC), a Virginia-based trade association.
Learning the code to comply with it is a must. "I'm
starting to see jobs failing inspections because the
electrician did not keep up with the 2008 code," says
Fire Island, N.Y.-based electrician Conor Heslin. Yet
electricians should be aware that their work shouldn't
stop at Code requirements. "It's the bare minimum,"
says Heslin, who indicates at least some customers
want much more than the code requires, which is fine
with local inspectors. "If you can do better than the
code, that's great."
How should electricians keep up with code changes?
For one, always discuss codes with local building
inspectors before getting too deep into a job because
different communities enforce different codes. Some
are jumping into the 2008 requirements, others are
still in the process of adopting the 2005 code, and still
others abide by the 2002 code. Almost all inspection
departments are happy to review code requirements
and changes with contractors before work starts.
The next step is to take a class, Heslin says. "A class
is a fast way to keep up with changes." There are
major revisions in the National Electrical Code every
three years. Entrepreneurial electricians begin offering
courses as soon as the ink dries on the new code, so
finding convenient classes usually is easy.
Self-teaching also is an option - the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) offers a free copy of the
code on its Web site. Either way, learning what is in
the new code is particularly important because the
2008 code represents widespread changes. Many
new styles of doing work now have to be adopted by
electricians who want to work within the code.
Masarick says the two biggest changes are:
Use of tamper-resistant receptacles. Both in new construction and major renovations, the new standards require installation of tamper-resistant receptacles designed to protect children from injury or death. The new receptacles require insertion of both prongs of a plug to establish an electrical circuit. Earlier receptacles went "live" with the insertion of an object into just one slot, resulting in injuries. Wider use of next-generation arc-fault circuit interrupters. The new code mandates wider use of these arc-fault circuit interrupters, which provide conventional electrical functions, but are intelligent enough to detect potentially hazardous electrical arcs that could potentially trigger a fire. Another major code change that is expected involves
expected revisions in a related code, Masarick says.
That code is the NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical
Safety in the Workplace, which will require electricians
who are working "hot" (with a live connection) to pull a
permit, except in some rare circumstances. This will
affect how many electricians work but the goal is
enhanced safety, so IEC supports the code update,
Masarick says.
Because not every community requires every item in
the revised code promptly, some parts of the 2005
NEC are still gaining significant attention, Heslin says.
Particularly, Article 210 in the 2005 code, which
requires ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
protection around areas where wetness might
accumulate, such as laundry rooms, garages and
unfinished basements. Failing to put in the GFCI
receptacles could result in instant failure on
inspection in many jurisdictions. Check with the local
building inspectors as other communities may have
other hot buttons.
One challenge to electricians is that many of the code
changes involve adoption of more expensive parts.
For example, a tamper-resistant receptacle costs
more than an old-fashioned unit, but Heslin suggests
that such costs can, in many cases, be passed onto
customers. In all cases, however, the payoff is work
that will last longer and provide safer electricity for
more years.
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FREA
E&O Insurance for Home Inspectors
800-882-4410 www.frea.com |
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In the last legislative session in New Hampshire there
was a bill that was introduced in the Senate that would
establish the licensure and regulation of residential
and building inspectors. This bill was referred to the
Executive Departments and Administration
committee. Several hearings have been held. The
committee reported on January 3, 2008 that this bill
ought to pass with an amendment. The bill was then
brought up in the Senate on January 17, 2008 where it
passed with its amendment. It will now be brought up
in the House for their review and vote.
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CORCORAN & HAVLIN INSURANCE GROUP
THE SUPERIOR HOME INSPECTOR ERRORS &
OMISSIONS INSURANCE PROGRAM!
Underwritten by AIG's Lexington Insurance Company - Rated A++ by A.M. Best Home Inspector E&O Coverage offers these features:
For a quote or more information, please call Debi
Drury (x244 or ddrury@chinsurance.com) or
Mike Curtis, Marketing Manager (x243) or visit
website at www.chinsurance.com
287 Linden Street, Wellesley, MA 02482 800-304-8242 Fax 781-235-7190 |
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Maine is the only New England state without
mandatory energy-efficiency standards for new
homes, but that may change soon as lawmakers take
up two proposals aimed at reducing the financial and
environmental costs of heating Maine homes.
One proposal was introduced recently, in a report
from several state agencies calling for the adoption of
Maine's first statewide uniform building code together
with energy-efficiency standards.
The other is a bill that would establish minimum
standards for insulation, energy-saving windows and
other things, and provide tax incentives for new homes
that are built to save even more energy.
Environmentalists, and at least some home builders,
are backing the effort.
"We have a lot of builders out there who are still using
insulation products that are substandard for the kind
of homes we want to build today," said Ashley
Richards, owner of construction and insulation
businesses in Westbrook and vice president of the
Homebuilders and Remodelers Association of Maine.
Energy-efficient homes can save fuel and money the
same way energy-efficient cars do, he said.
"If you use a better product and install it properly, you
will actually be putting money in your pocket,"
Richards said. "The rest of the country is 20 years
ahead of Maine."
Conservationists say the code would save
homeowners money and reduce global warming
pollution that is generated by burning oil, the heating
fuel of choice in eight out of 10 Maine homes.
"We believe that people deserve to know that their
home meets some minimum standard," said Dylan
Voorhees of the Natural Resources Council of Maine.
With heating oil prices at near-record highs,
advocates say the idea's time may finally have arrived.
It has been proposed in past sessions, but, Voorhees
said, "there just wasn't the momentum and attention
to the issue."
It's unclear whether the idea will face any opposition
this year.
The Maine Municipal Association has objected to past
efforts because of the cost and enforcement burden it
could place on small towns. Most Maine towns have
no building codes and no code enforcement officers.
The bill submitted to the Legislature this week would
set up a system to train and register private
inspectors. In towns with no code enforcement
officers, builders could hire the private inspectors to
certify that new homes meet the standards.
Because there are no inspections now, it's unknown
how many homes are built in Maine that do not meet
the standards.
"In southern Maine, probably very few developers are
building them that would not be up to code, but it can
happen," said Sen. Philip Bartlett, D-Gorham, sponsor
of the bill. "We've certainly heard anecdotally that
some (builders) are."
The proposed standards are considered minimal and
are not expected to make homes less affordable to
buy. And, supporters say, they are sure to make some
homes more affordable to live in.
"Sometimes it can be done less expensively and the
savings easily make up for any increased mortgage
payment," Bartlett said. "This is not a high-end
standard."
Agencies that build affordable homes in Maine,
including the Maine State Housing Authority and
nonprofits, have made energy-efficient construction a
major goal because it lowers housing costs over time.
Clearwater Bend, an affordable apartment complex
that's under construction in Westbrook, is an example
of housing that's already far more energy-efficient than
would be required under the proposed standards,
according to the builders.
Bartlett's bill includes a state tax incentive for homes
that go beyond the proposed standards and meet
more stringent federal Energy Star efficiency
guidelines. There already is a federal tax credit, but
such homes are rarely built in Maine, compared with
New Hampshire and other states, according to
advocates.
No hearing has been scheduled yet on Bartlett's bill.
The proposal introduced recently is the product of
a joint study by the State Planning Office and other
state agencies, and is expected to become the basis
of a separate bill.
The proposal, which also includes a broader set of
construction standards, does not include tax
incentives for energy efficiency or third-party
inspectors. It would impose energy-efficiency
standards only on towns with at least 2,000 residents -
- those that already are required to have code
enforcement officers.
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CRACK-X
Got water in your basement?
Since 1985, CRACK-X has been a full service company specializing in residential and commercial foundation welding of cracks and other concrete repairs such as bulkheads, penetrations, cold joints, elevator pits, and slabs. We are committed to 100% customer satisfaction and back up all vertical wall crack repairs with an unconditional 10-year warranty. 25 Washington Avenue, Natick, MA 01760
877-272-2539 www.crackfx.com |
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B-Dry Systems
20 YEARS OF SOLVING WATER PROBLEMS
Written warranty for the full life of the structure. 800-320-2379
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with A.O. Smith Electrical Products Co., of
Tipp City, Ohio , today announced a voluntary recall of
approximately 6,300 whole-house exhaust fan electric
motors that can be miswired and overheat, posing a
fire hazard.
The recalled electric motor is part of a residential
whole-house exhaust fan that is typically mounted on
the floor of an attic. The shutters of the fan are visible
on the ceiling of the floor beneath the attic and must
be opened and closed by the consumer. The motors
were included with exhaust fans manufactured and
distributed by Air Vent Inc. and Triangle Engineering of
Arkansas Inc. "A.O. Smith," the model number, and the
service date code are printed on the rating plate of the
motor.
The recall includes model numbers S56A30A54
andS56A30A97, and service date codes 032076M -
334076M, 03207JY - 33407JY, and YB07 - YL07. Units
that have a sticker indicating that the unit has been
rewired are not subject to this recall.
The fans were manufactured in Mexico and the
recalled motors, included with the exhaust fans, were
sold at home improvement stores nationwide or by
professional installers or builders from February 2007
through November 2007 for about $3,000.
Inspectors finding these fans should advise
homeowners to stop using the recalled unit
immediately and contact A.O. Smith to arrange for a
free inspection and repair of the motor.
For more information, contact contact A.O. Smith toll-
free at (866) 567-3878 between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site
at www.aosmithmotors.com
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Vent Master
ATTIC VENTILATION SPECIALISTS
Inspectors, when you see signs of:
Recommend Vent Master For a FREE consultation, call Don Marcoux at Vent
Master
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As the result of over two year's work, the New England
Pest Management Association has developed a
professional, pest management industry-specific
training and registration program for conducting
inspections and recommending treatment options for
wood destroying insects or W.D.I. This program
represents the commencement of the Association's
formal training and registration program and is open
to all pest management professionals and other real
estate inspection professionals interested in earning
the registration. The W.D.I. registration is good for
three years.
The training program includes 12 hours of classroom
instruction and a registration exam. In addition all
participants will receive a comprehensive training
manual. Upon satisfactory completion of the
registration exam, participants will receive a certificate
of completion of the W.D.I. training program which is
good for 3 years. The program has been approved by
the MA Board of Registration for Home Inspectors for
12 CEUs and it has been approved by ASHI for 10
MRCs.
Dr. George Rambo, president of GR Consulting in
Central, SC is the lead presenter of the program. Dr.
Rambo developed and wrote the training manual that
all participants receive.
The New England Pest Management Association has
announced that the next W.D.I. program will take place
on March 31 and April 1, 2008 at the Holiday Inn in
Taunton, MA. For further information, you can call the
NEPMA office at 866-386-3762.
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Peter Greifer Enterprises
ASBESTOS REMOVAL & MOLD REMEDIATION
Serving Eastern Massachusetts & Rhode Island 800-582-5288
401-946-4506 (Rhode Island) peter.greifer@verizon.net |
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The ASHI NE Chapter maintains a library of
educational books, video tapes and CD's for Chapter
members and candidates to utilize for personal and
business growth. Those who wish to sign materials
out may do so for a fee of $16 per item ($10 per
tape) which covers two-way shipping and handling.
Library materials may be used for a two week period,
beginning on the date of shipment. Those who fail to
return library materials on time will be assessed a
fine
of $1 / day. If the materials are not received back
within two months of date of shipping, you will be
charged the cost of replacement. To sign materials
out, there is a form that is posted on our web site
that is to be completed and sent to the executive
office. It is always recommended that you call the
executive office to check on the availability of an
item. Once this form is received, the executive office
will ship the items out with a postage paid return
envelope. The list of the materials that are currently
available in the chapter library is on the web site as
well.
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Rene Mugnier Associates
When in doubt, refer to a structural engineer
specializing in the investigation of homes and
commercial structural problems.
REHABILITATIONS & INVESTIGATIONS
777 Concord Ave., Ste. 201, Cambridge, MA 02138
617-547-7773 |
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The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Home
Inspectors holds meetings on a regular basis that are
open for home inspectors to attend. These board
meetings are usually held at 239 Causeway Street,
2nd Floor, Room 204 in Boston from 10:00 am to 3:00
pm.
The meeting dates for 2008 are as follows:
April 9, 2008 April 30, 2008 May 14, 2008 June 18, 2008 August 13, 2008 September 10, 2008 November 12, 2008 You are encouraged to call the board office at 617-727-
4459 for any posssible changes in location and time
of these meetings.
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Atlas Watersystems
WE DON'T MAKE THE WATER.
WE MAKE THE WATER BETTER!! Residential & Commercial Water
Filtration & Purification Water Testing & Analysis
Radon & Arsenic Remediation Softeners * Filters * Purification 800-215-9966 www.atlaswater.com "Bringing Technology to Water"
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President
Lisa Alajajian-Giroux /
homequest1@comcast.net
Vice President
Mike Atwell /
m.atwell@rcn.com
Secretary Donald Bissex /
dbissex@comcast.net
Treasurer
Paul Kristenson /
absinspections@comcast.net
Directors
Paul Cornell / pcornell@inspecthouses.com Paul Rogoshewski / paul@harmonyhomeinspection.com Council of Representatives
Paul Kristenson / absinspections@comcast.net Lisa Alajajian / homequest1@comcast.net Bill Sutton / wsuttoninspector@hotmail.com Committee Chair
By- Laws: Mike Atwell / m.atwell@rcn.com Communications: Mark Forkey / mark_forkey@msn.com Education: Bob Mulloy / rmulloy@verizon.net Legislative: Len Rucker / lrucker1@comcast.net Membership:Ernest Simpson / esimpson@evergreenhomeinspection.com Executive Director
Walter Perry /
wperry@choiceonemail.com
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We look forward to seeing you on March 27th.
Sincerely,
ASHI New England
email:
clough@choiceonemail.com
phone:
800-248-2744
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