Intro to the house-as-a-system. A house is much more than the four exterior walls and a roof. It is an interactive system made up of many components, structure, ventilation, and filtration. Each component impacts the performance of the entire system. Buildings perform in very predictable fashion. These performance characteristics are based on four simple principles of physics. Although solid design and building structure provides a good starting place for a healthy home, proper and ongoing maintenance is important for both interior and exterior components to function as designed.
- Teacher: Claude Lawrenson
Home inspectors are expected to recognize structural defects and have a basic understanding of the significance of structural concerns. The inspector may be required to refer to applicably codes and building standards to best understand how a structure is intended to perform. Although this is not a building code course, the content will cover various aspects to help the inspector recognize visual problems and clues and be able to help in mitigating concerns and where applicable offer remedial advise.
- Teacher: Claude Lawrenson
The course on building envelope (exterior) provides a basic understanding of the performance expectations in context to residential structures. Water, moisture and air infiltration are often the common enemy of maintaining good sound residential structures. The course content is intended to help inspectors and others understand the importance of the building envelope.
- Teacher: Claude Lawrenson
Plumbing is a very specialized field when it comes to maintaining water quality and waste water removal. An inspector must be able to understand the complexity and importance that plumbing requires to maintain healthy living conditions.
- Teacher: Claude Lawrenson
This heating course provides information regarding a wide range of heating systems. The information includes a variety of topics such as fuels, distribution of heat and basic heat loss. Typically inspectors are generalist and therefore this course provides general knowledge about the various systems.
- Teacher: Claude Lawrenson
Electrical systems is another very specialized and tightly regulated field. Local codes and installations can vary . Because electrical systems are very complex it is all about safety for the occupants as well as the home. The information in this course provides good basic information for understanding and reviewing residential electric systems.
- Teacher: Claude Lawrenson
Fire safety is also a specialized field. Because residential fire poses a potential life and safety concern to the home occupants inspectors must be aware of the fire safety concerns and understand the basics of reviewing for fire safety considerations. Some materials and conditions or lack of safety features can pose a high level of fire risk.
- Teacher: Claude Lawrenson
This course discusses the steps in the inspection of a building and suggests ways that may help to simplify or bring order to the work of the person assigned to carry out the on-site physical inspection and prepare a report on conditions found. This course also shows where the inspection function fits into the phases of the overall housing rehabilitation process, and provides a systematic approach to the physical inspection or problem analysis, and to the completion of the inspection assignment in accordance with the terms of reference of the project.
- Teacher: Claude Lawrenson
After
the inspection has been completed, there is often a need for further action on the part of the inspector.
Additional information to help the client to decide whether to proceed with the
project may be required. This course reviews various styles and practices to writing the inspection report.
- Teacher: Claude Lawrenson
This is a reference document that may be used for any of the courses.
- Teacher: Claude Lawrenson