Knox Inspection Services, Inc.

Glossary of Inspection Terminology
(Words and Phrases commonly used in the Property Inspection Industry)

Allergenic: Molds that are normally not dangerous in low amounts, but can cause allergenic or asthmatic symptoms such
as wheezing or congestion.  These molds can be abated safely with the assistance of gloves and the use of respiratory
protection, such as a disposable particulate-removing respirator.

Appliances: The utility consuming equipment that is present at the property.  (see “Installed” and “Built-in”)

Asbestos: A naturally occurring mineral that when ingested into humans can cause various types of cancer.  Asbestos
has been used extensively for fire-proofing and insulation applications in the past.

Automatic Safety Controls: Devices designed to protect systems or individual devices from excessively high or low
temperatures or pressures, excessive electrical current, loss of water, loss of gas pressure, fuel leaks, fire, poisonous
gases, or other unsafe conditions that may endanger the occupants or premises.

Building Code:  The regulations for minimum construction component installation or change to existing properties as
required by a governing body.  There a several Codes that are used in the United States with trends towards one.

Built-in:  An item or component that is permanently attached to the building, minor or major damage will result if
removed, and tools are required to remove it.  See Installed.

Code Compliance:   An inspection industry criteria for evaluating the performance or installation quality of a particular
component or system.  This inspection criteria, is not applicable in most Real Estate contracts of sale.

Component:   An  individual part of a larger system, such as a floor, or a wall, but not individual items such as boards or
nails where many similar pieces make up a component.

Defect:

Definition #1:  Used by the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission; A condition, malfunction or problem that would

have a materially adverse effect on the monetary value of the property, or that would impair the health or safety of future occupants of the property.

Definition #2:   Used by the Oklahoma Department of Health for Licensed Home Inspectors; A condition,

malfunction or problem, which is not decorative, that would have a materially adverse effect on the value of a system or

component, or would impair the health or safety of the occupant or client.

Double Tapped Electrical Circuit Protection Device:   Where two or more electrical circuits or devices are connected
to one circuit protection device, indicative of an amateur modification to the electrical system.  See Unsafe.

Dismantle and Disassemble:   To take apart or remove any component, device or piece of equipment that is bolted,
screwed, or fastened by other means, or requires special tools.  If the item in question would not be removed by a
homeowner in the course of normal household maintenance, the piece of equipment will not typically be removed by the
Inspector in the course of a normal Home Inspection.

Efflorescence:   The accumulation of minerals on an exposed surface often due to moisture migrating through a masonry
wall, or deteriorated metal surface, the process of evaporation leaves the dissolved minerals on the exposed surface.

Engineering Inspection:  An inspection by a person with education and training who possess a License in Engineering.
A Civil Engineers License is the field of engineering in Oklahoma to design and provide information about structural
repairs for the protection of the public.

French Drain:   A sub-surface moisture migration interceptor trench.  Normally used to trap water migrating through the
soil before the water goes beneath the perimeter of the foundation.  “French Drain” is a slang term for the improvement.

Further Evaluation:   Examination and analysis (usually requiring disassembly of a system or component), by a qualified
professional tradesman or service technician beyond that provided by the parameters of a home inspection.

Galvanic Corrosion:   A common electrolysis caused by dissimilar metals, often resulting in corrosion of plumbing joints.
This corrosion problem is often observed where the household plumbing connects to the Hot Water Tank.

“Grandfathered”:   When a component or system is installed in compliance with the local authorities at the time of
original installation and is unchanged, it is still acceptable under the terms of many Real Estate contracts of sale.

Heat Exchanger:   The component of a heating appliance that transfers heat from the fuel to air or water.  In gas fueled
forced air furnaces the exchanger is very difficult to examine unless the furnace is dismantled by a licensed contractor.

Home:  Any dwelling from one to four units in design intended for residential purposes.

Home Inspection:    A visual examination of only the readily accessible physical real property and improvements
to real property that may include structural, lot drainage, roof, electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and such
other additional or fewer items and areas of concern to the Client (Customer) as specified in writing.

Home Inspection Report:   A written opinion of the “Normal Working Order” and physical condition of the
property as approved by a Licensed Home Inspector pursuant to a Home Inspection.

Inspect:   To examine readily accessible systems and components of a building in accordance with the Standards
of Practice in the Oklahoma Home Inspectors License Law and / or the written instructions of the Client (Customer).

Installed:   Attached such that removal requires tools.

Maintenance:   The act of preserving the item, component or system from malfunction due to normal deterioration of the
items or components.  Items that are in need of normal maintenance may or may not be part of the home inspection.

Mycotoxic:   Molds that can cause serious health effects in humans.  Health effects range from short-term irritation to
immunosuppression to cancer and even death.  If identified the customer should seek assistance from a Industrial
Hygienist.  The homeowner should not attempt removal of the mold.

Normal Working Order:    As defined by the Oklahoma Board of Health in Rules and Regulation governing the Home
Inspection Industry; “Normal Working Order” means the system or component functions without defect for the primary
purpose and manner for which it was installed.

Oklahoma Home Inspection Law:   The law which was implemented into force on July 1, 2003 and includes a list of
items to be inspected and the criteria by which the list is inspected (“Normal Working Order”) as prescribed in the
Standards of Practice, for the Licensing of Home Inspectors.  Oklahoma Statute Title 310, Chapter 276.

Pathogenic:   Molds that can cause serious health effects in humans particularly those with suppressed immune systems.
If identified the customer should seek advise from an Industrial Hygienist and the customer should not attempt to abate or
otherwise tamper with the mold.

Permanently Installed:   The necessity of tools to install or attach and /or remove the item in question; or that removal of
the item will damage the area to which the item is attached.

Plenum:   The air duct compartment (often below grade) in which the forced air from a blower first enters before being
distributed to the individual air ducts.  This compartment is often the best place to explore for chronic moisture infiltration.

Professional Inspector (licensed):   A person who belongs to one or more Professional Organizations which promote
quality Property Inspections for the benefit and protection of the public.  Home Inspectors in Oklahoma must hold a Home
Inspectors license after July 1, 2003.

Radon Gas:   A naturally occurring gas that results form the normal breakdown of uranium in the soil.  Radon Gas has
been proven to cause lung cancer in humans according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Readily Accessible:   Available for visual inspection without the necessity of removal or moving of personal
property, dismantling, destructive measures, or any action which likely cause any risk to persons or property.

RealtorTM:   A sales person who is both professionally trained and subscribes to a Code of Ethics.  They may be working
for the buyer, seller, or as an independent transaction manager.  If in doubt as to their specific allegiance, always ask!

Report:   A written document offering communication between the client and the inspector.  This document in some form
should be included in each inspection.  Process inspections are typically the only exclusion.

Representative Number:   When there are multiple similar items in a component such as windows, electrical devices,
doors, etc.  The inspector may only examine one or more items to determine an estimate of the function of the component
or system.  Failure of one or more of these items usually requires normal maintenance.

Safe and Functional:   An inspection criteria that is used by the American Society of Home Inspectors, was the previous
criteria for the inspection list adopted by the Oklahoma Home Inspector License Law, and is predicated on safety.

Significantly Deficient:   Unsafe or not functioning in the manner to which it was intended, ordinary wear and tear is
taken under consideration in the judgment of the inspector.  This inspection criteria is the most common nationally.  See
Normal Working Order.

Spalling:   The deterioration of a brick or masonry surface resulting from the action of water in the surface material to
freeze, and then expand, breaking the material, and causing the surface to "flake off."

Standards of Practice:   The basis of the Oklahoma Home Inspection and the Law governing Inspectors and dictating
the home inspection prescribed by the Oklahoma Law if chosen in writing by the Client (Customer).

Structural Component:   A component that supports non-variable loads (dead loads), and variable loads (live
loads).  The Inspection and recommendations for repairs (if any) is typically performed by a Professional Engineer.

System:   A combination of interacting or interdependent components, assembled to carry out one or more functions.

Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation:   An insulation material that was often installed in existing properties in the 1970's
and early 1980's by an incorrect method, resulting in the emission of Urea Formaldehyde gas into the building.

Under-Floor Crawl Space:  The area within the confines of the foundation and between the ground and the underside of
the floor system.

Unsafe:   A condition in a readily accessible, installed system or component which is judged to be a significant risk of
personal injury during normal day-to-day use.  The risk may be due to damage, deterioration, improper installation or a
change in accepted residential construction standards.

Visual Examination:   The act of looking or seeing, (with the possible aid of a lighting device), at a particular item to
determine the condition of the exposed surface.  Areas out of the line of sight or below the surface are not visible for
purposes of the examination.

Working Component Inspection:   The generic name for the specific Component Inspection that is defined “All items
related to utility consumption”.  A similar Inspection is historically called “E. M. P.” or “E & P” in the Tulsa market.

Working Order:   The system, component, or item functions for the purpose to which it was installed without necessary
contemplation for safety or future use.  This is the least intrusive inspection criteria and is obsolete in most areas.

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