OAR 812-008-0020: Definitions

The following definitions apply to Division 8 of OAR chapter 812: (1) “Administrator” means the Administrator of the agency. (2) “Agency” means the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. (3) “Automatic safety controls” means the devices designed and installed to protect systems and components from excessively high or low pressures and temperatures, excessive electrical current, loss of water, loss of ignition, fuel, leaks, fire, freezing, or other unsafe conditions. (4) “Central air conditioning” means a system that uses ducts to distribute cooled and/or dehumidified air to more than one room or uses pipes to distribute chilled water to heat exchangers in more than one room, and that is not plugged into an electrical convenience outlet. (5) “Certified individual” means an individual who successfully passed a test accredited by the agency or who successfully passed the National Home Inspector Examination and who completes the education required for renewal and satisfies any other requirements established by OAR chapter 812. (6) “Component” means a readily accessible and observable aspect of a system, such as a floor, or wall, but not individual pieces such as boards or nails where many similar pieces make up the component. “Component” also includes, but is not limited to, the separate parts of an installed appliance or an electric or gas-powered system, including, but not limited to, a water heater, furnace or air conditioning unit. (7) “Conspicuous” as used in these regulations shall mean a term or clause is conspicuous when it is so written that a reasonable person against whom it is to operate ought to have noticed it. A printed heading in capitals (as: NONNEGOTIABLE BILL OF LADING) is conspicuous. Language in the body of a form is “conspicuous” if it is in larger or other contrasting type or color. But in a telegram any stated term is “conspicuous.” Whether a term or clause is “conspicuous” or not is for decision by the court. (8) “Cross connection” means any physical connection or arrangement between potable water and any source of contamination. (9) “Dangerous or adverse situations” means situations that pose a threat of injury to the Oregon certified home inspector, or damage to the property. (10) “Describe” means report in writing a system or component by its type, or other observed characteristics, to distinguish it from other components or system used for the same purpose. (11) “Dismantle” means to take apart or remove any component, device or piece of equipment that is bolted, screwed or fastened by other means and that would not be dismantled by a homeowner in the course of normal household maintenance. (12) “Energy audit” means evaluation or testing of components or systems with a focus on energy efficiency or renewable energy, which may lead to recommendations that improve energy efficiency or renewable energy generation. “Energy audit” also includes quality assurance review or verification of installed or retrofitted components or systems impacting energy efficiency or renewable energy generation. (13) “Enter” means to go into an area and observe all visible components. (14) “Forensic evaluation” means evaluation or testing of components or systems for purposes of envelope analysis, materials testing or failure due to water intrusion or other external causes. (15) “Functional drainage” means a drain is functional when it empties in a reasonable amount of time. (16) “Functional flow” means a reasonable flow at the highest fixture in a dwelling when another fixture is operated simultaneously. (17) “Home performance testing” means evaluation or testing of components or systems for purposes of comfort, energy efficiency, safety or indoor air quality. (18) “Home inspection” means an inspection of substantially all of the components or systems as set forth in 812-008-0205 through 812-008-0214 for the purpose of determining the overall physical condition and habitability of the inspected structure at the time of inspection. A home inspection is not a re-inspection of isolated repairs made as part of a real estate transaction. A home inspection does not include energy audit, forensic evaluation or home performance testing. (19) “Installed” means attached or connected such that the installed item requires tools for removal. (20) “Normal operating controls” means homeowner-operated devices such as but not limited to thermostat, wall switch, or safety switch. (21) “Observe” means the act of making a visual examination. (22) “On-site water supply quality” means water quality based on the bacterial, chemical, mineral, and solids content of the water. (23) “On-site water supply quantity” means the water quantity based on the rate of flow of water. (24) “Operate” means to cause systems or equipment to function. (25) “Oregon certified home inspector” means a person certified pursuant to ORS chapter 701, chapter 814, 1997 Oregon Laws and OAR chapter 812. (26) “Readily accessible panel” means a panel provided for homeowner inspection and maintenance that has removable or operable fasteners or latch devices in order to be lifted off, swung open, or otherwise removed by one person; and its edges and fasteners are not painted into place. This definition is limited to those panels within normal reach or from a four-foot stepladder, and that are not blocked by stored items, furniture, or building components. (27) “Representative number” for multiple identical components such as windows and electrical outlets means one such component per room; for multiple identical exterior components, one such component on each side of the building. (28) “Roof drainage systems” means gutters, downspouts, leaders, splash blocks, and similar components used to carry water off a roof and away from a building. (29) “Shut down” means a piece of equipment or a system is shut down when it cannot be operated by the device or control that a homeowner should normally use to operate it or detached from a plug source. If its safety switch or circuit is in the “off” position or its fuse is missing or blown, the inspector is not required to reestablish the circuit for the purpose of operating the equipment or system. (30) “Solid fuel heating device” means any wood, coal, or other similar organic fuel burning device, including but not limited to fireplaces whether masonry or factory built, fireplace inserts and stoves, wood stoves (room heaters), central furnaces, and combinations of these devices. (31) “Structural component” means a component that supports non-variable forces or weights (dead loads) and variable forces or weights (live loads). (32) “System” means a combination of interacting or interdependent components, assembled to carry out one or more functions. “System” also includes, but is not limited to, an installed appliance or an electric or gas-powered system, including but not limited to, a water heater, furnace or air conditioning unit. (33) “Technically exhaustive” means an inspection involving the extensive use of measurements, instruments, testing, calculations, and other means to develop scientific or engineering findings, conclusions, and recommendations. (34) “Underfloor crawl space” means the area within the confines of the foundation and between the ground and the underside of the lowest floor structural component.