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Michael Leavitt & Co Inspections, Inc.

MONDAY MORNING MESSENGER

Message prepared especially for Members of the American Institute of Inspectors® as well as Home Inspectors abroad

October 22, 2001

GOOOOOD MORNING, A.I.I.™....

It's a great day here in Orem, Utah! Another week has just flown by. I found my schedule booked and looking at this coming week, the outlook is also very strong. I find that my days and nights are still extremely full and I still have those around me asking how well I am holding up under the pressure. The truth is that I just keep plugging away.

I am really thankful for the friendships that I have made in this profession. It is difficult to hear of the struggles and health hardships endured by those amongst us. This modern, cyber-communication era has been a great source of strength to our family and it has allowed us to help strengthen others through the steady and immediate flow of communication. It also helps me to keep the struggles within my roof in perspective. I realize that I am not the only one with challenges and I never have to feel alone. I learned this week of an Inspector who is finally having to throw in the towel due to cancer and other medical issues. He is literally a walking encyclopedia of home inspection knowledge, yet his health will not permit him to perform the job that he loves. This is devastating for him, yet we are all eventually going to have to retire from this business. Do we have our graceful exits well planned? Or are we just plugging away in full denial of the eventual outcome of our labors?

I don't know about the rest of you, but I really look forward to hanging out for four days in Reno and spending time at the AII Annual Meeting. I like the idea of getting away. I like the idea of sitting in trainings together. I really like the idea of just sitting around and talking. Some of my best memories over the past few years have been sitting around with fellow Inspectors and just talking.

As this edition is being composed, I am nibbling on chocolate fudge from Disneyland. The Leavitt family's recent Fun Family Trip provided lots of memories that will be permanently etched upon the minds of our little children. This photo is a perfect example of one of the moments that they will not soon forget.

If you look closely at the image, the only person having a non-scary time was our youngest son, Aaron occupying the front seat. Shelly is huddled in the back trying to get (unsuccessfully) little ones in front of her to not be petrified. Adam is terrified, as his face shows. Haily is hunkered down screaming at full volume. Grandma has a look of terror and Jessica is preparing for the end of life as she knows it. Then there is me trying to show little Aaron the best way to go down the Splash Mountain chute with your arms in the air and loving every minute of the drop. So the non-inspection related question of the week is.........

CSST GAS LINE IN CALIFORNIA

CSST Manufacturers Cry Foul At Building Code Decision; Decision on Corrugated Stainless Steel Gas Piping Appears to Put Politics Ahead of Public Safety

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 2001--In what amounts to a blow to public safety, California's Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has chosen not to include flexible gas piping, also known as Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) in the 2001 edition of the California Plumbing Code, igniting a furious response from manufacturers and builders who say the product's safety and effectiveness has been clearly established.

"CSST is presently approved in California's building code," said Mark Albino, senior vice president with OmegaFlex, one of the manufacturers of CSST. "If this decision stands, they will actually be removing an approved product from the code, without any technical justification for doing so."

CSST is a light-weight, flexible stainless steel tubing with a polyethylene covering. Functionally, it does the same job as rigid black iron pipe in providing natural gas to residential or commercial structures. The product has been used in California -- with regulatory approval -- since 1993. Now, earthquake-prone California will be the only state not recognizing the technologically advanced material, which in addition to all other states, is also approved for use in Canada, Mexico, South America, several European countries, Australia and Japan.

HCD is proposing to adopt the 2000 Uniform Plumbing Code developed by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), which currently is the only code in the nation that does not include CSST. In a document announcing its decision and seeking public comments, HCD states, "The Department has determined that it does not have sufficient time to evaluate all the consequences of the use of the building material CSST, including environmental factors, due to time constraints imposed in this year's triennial adoption process."

Dan Roberts, senior applications engineer with the Titeflex Corporation, calls the determination ludicrous since CSST is currently approved in the present California building code and is being used throughout the state.

"We held several meetings with HCD, the Governor's office and several other regulators to answer questions about CSST and ensure it continued to be listed as an approved material," Roberts said. "We refuted every concern about the product's safety and reliability, and backed it up with statements from scientists, academics, builders and plumbers. Their so-called time constraint is a hollow excuse for what was a political decision."

The California Pipe Trades Council has been opposed to the use of CSST, claiming safety and environmental concerns. Roberts says the concerns are without merit and that the organization's true opposition stems from labor union politics.

"This group used its political connections to blackball a product that has demonstrable public safety advantages -- purely because it's easier and faster to install than traditional black iron gas piping, and they're worried that might mean less time on the job for union laborers." Roberts said. "That's not only wrong, it puts Californians at risk."

Because CSST is flexible, it eliminates expensive cutting and threading needed with standard black iron piping. As a result, CSST can be installed in about half the time. Roberts asserts that instead of a threat to jobs, CSST offers workers the opportunity to take on more projects while offering a state-of-the-art alternative that customers want.

"The risk of earthquakes in California is one we have all come to live with, but one in which everyone desires, and deserves, the best protections," said Stephen Gadomski, professor and chair of the Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics at California State University, Northridge, in written testimony provided to HCD in July of this year. "... the advantages of flexible piping, in that it can be bent to more than 360 degrees and can better withstand impacts from tipping appliances, make it a very attractive option for protecting lives and property in those parts of the state that are prone to earthquakes."

California's Earthquake Loss Reduction Plan calls for techniques that achieve higher levels of earthquake performance to reduce property loss, minimize environmental damage, and protect lives. Manufacturers point to documentation developed by the state of California regarding earthquake safety and preparedness, as well as independent lab tests, to illustrate CSST's public safety advantages.

The State of California's Guide to Strengthening and Repairing Your Home Before the Next Earthquake, developed by the Governor's Office of Emergency Services states "If your gas water heater has a rigid line only, call your utility company or a licensed plumber to install a flexible line." The California Seismic Safety Commissions' The Homeowners Guide to Earthquake Safety states, "Flexible pipes for gas and water lines are safer in an earthquake than rigid pipe." And Factory Mutual Research, a leading nonprofit product testing laboratory, went further in its May, 2001 approval guide, referring to CSST as "a viable and preferred alternative to rigid black iron piping, particularly in locations subject to considerable seismic activity."

"CSST answers California's call for better, safer more innovative materials to protect lives and property during earthquakes," said Jeff Soechting, product Manager with Ward Manufacturing, Inc. "CSST's advantages over black iron piping are proven and were even evidenced after the Northridge earthquake in 1994."

Soechting adds that beyond its advantages in an earthquake, several facts support the continued use of CSST in California, including:

-- CSST has been approved for use in California, and has been used without a single incident involving its safety, since 1993.
-- CSST lowers housing costs because it is faster and less expensive to install.
-- CSST is an American-made product subject to stricter manufacturing guidelines than rigid black iron pipe, which is made overseas.
-- In its 12-year history of installations throughout the U.S., no incidents involving the safety of the product have been reported to any certifying agency.

Soechting also says IAPMO's 2000 code which does not list CSST will soon be out of date. According to industry reports, IAPMO's Plumbing Technical Committee voted in April 2001 to add CSST as an acceptable fuel gas material, stating it found no technical justification for not approving the product.

The California Building Standards Commission, on behalf of HCD, will hold a public hearing at 10:00 a.m. on November 15, 2001 to receive statements related to HCD's decision. The Commission will also be accepting written comments until 5:00 p.m. on November 30, 2001.

CONTACT: APCO Worldwide - Bill Romanelli/Nancy Heffernan, 916/554-3400

CPSC AMERICAN WATER HEATER RECALL

NEWS from CPSC - U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Water Heater Hotline: (800) 999-9515
October 18, 2001 CPSC Contact: Ken Giles
Release # 02-020 (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1184

CPSC, American Water Heater Co. Announce Recall to Replace Burners in Gas Water Heaters

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the American Water Heater Co., of Johnson City, Tenn., is voluntarily recalling about 16,000 gas-fired water heaters to replace the gas burners. The burners could produce excess carbon monoxide (CO), posing a risk of CO poisoning to consumers.

CPSC and the American Water Heater Co. have not received any reports of injuries or incidents relating to these water heaters. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries. The firm discovered the problem with the burners on these water heaters during routine testing.

Only natural gas water heaters sold under the following brand names are included in the recall: American Proline, Envirotemp, Mor-Flo, Powerflex, Premier Plus and US Craftmaster. The serial number, located on the data plate on the front of the water heater, starts with 0124 through 0127. The water heaters were sold in both short and tall profiles, and have 30, 40, 50 and 75 gallon capacities. Other model water heaters sold by the American Water Heater Co. are not included in this recall.

Home center stores and contractors sold and installed these water heaters nationwide from June 2001 through September 2001 for between $200 and $500.

Consumers should contact the American Water Heater Co. immediately to arrange for a free repair. Contact the firm at (800) 999-9515 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET on Saturday. Consumers also can reach the firm by fax at (800) 999- 5210 or by email at support@americanwaterheater.com.

CPSC WOLF RANGE RECALL

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Wolf Range Co. Hotline: (866) 674-3554
CONTACT: Wolf Appliance Co. Hotline: (800) 332-9513
October 18, 2001 CPSC CONTACT: Ken Giles
Release # 02-022 (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1184

CPSC, Wolf Range Co. Inc. and Wolf Appliance Co. LLC Announce Recall of Gas Ranges

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Wolf Range Co. Inc., of Compton, Calif., and Wolf Appliance Co. LLC, of Fitchburg, Wis., are recalling about 15,000 residential gas ranges for repair. Wolf Appliance Co. acquired the product line in January 2000. Delayed ignition of gas in the ovens and broilers can put consumers at risk of burn injuries and fires. The firms are aware of three incidents of delayed ignition involving these ranges, including two reports of consumers getting their eyebrows singed.

These gas ranges were sold under the Wolf® and Wolf Gourmet® brand names, which are written on the front of the ranges. These are 30- inch, 36-inch, 48-inch, and 60-inch natural gas and LP ranges with the following serial numbers: 60-10000000 through 60-1099999 and 11000957 through 11006106. In most units, the serial number is located on the left side of the range beneath the removable burner pan on the range top. On some 48 inch models, the serial number is located in the same area on the right side. The ranges were either stainless steel or black steel.

Kitchen designers and appliance stores sold these ranges nationwide from January 1996 through June 2001 for about $2,000 for the 30-inch models to about $12,000 for the 60-inch units.

Consumers should immediately stop using the oven and broiler on these units and call to arrange for a free in-home repair. Consumers who purchased the range before January 1, 2000 should call Wolf Range Co. toll-free at (866) 674-3554 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday. Consumers who purchased the range on or after January 1, 2000 should call Wolf Appliance Co. toll-free at (800) 332-9513 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday. Consumers who are unsure of the date of purchase can call either number and the operator will help them determine which firm to contact.

CPSC NORCOLD FRIDGE RECALL

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
CONTACT: Refrigerator Recall Hotline: (800) 767-9101
October 18, 2001 CPSC Contact: Scott Wolfson
Release # 02-021 (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1189

CPSC, Norcold Inc. Announce Recall of Refrigerators

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Norcold Inc., of Sidney, Ohio, is voluntarily recalling 360 free-standing, combination gas and electric refrigerators. Tubing in the cooling unit can crack and leak flammable gas, presenting a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Norcold has not received any reports of incidents. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

The recalled refrigerators are white, with black trim on the front, and have the Norcold logo on the bottom left corner of the control panel. The refrigerators have cooling unit serial numbers within the range of 1038000 to 1099000, which can be found on the black canister at the bottom right of the back of the refrigerator.

Specialty retailers nationwide sold the refrigerators from May 1999 through January 2000 for about $900.

Consumers should disconnect the electricity to these refrigerators and call Norcold toll-free at (800) 767-9101 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to schedule a free, in-home repair.

CPSC WHILRPOOL MICROWAVE RECALL

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Whirlpool Hotline: (800) 785-8897
October 16, 2001 CPSC Contact: Scott Wolfson
Release # 02-018 (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1189
Whirlpool Contact: Christopher Wyse
(616) 923-2727

CPSC, Whirlpool Announce Recall of Microwave-Hood Combinations

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Whirlpool Corp., of Benton Harbor, Mich., is voluntarily recalling about 1.8 million microwave-hood combinations. These units can overheat and catch fire.

Whirlpool has received seven reports of fires involving these microwave- hood combinations. These incidents have resulted in extensive property damage. No injuries have been reported.

These are microwave oven and exhaust fan hood combination units that are installed above ranges. They were sold under the Whirlpool®, KitchenAid® and Kenmore® brand names. They have serial numbers that begin with XC. Open the door to locate the serial and model numbers. Department, electronics, home and appliance stores, as well as builder and remodelers, sold the microwave-hood combinations nationwide from January 1998 through September 2001 for between $249 and $749.

Consumers with recalled microwave-hood combinations should immediately stop using them and disconnect the units by unplugging them. Consumers can call Whirlpool Corp. for a free repair. Consumers can contact Whirlpool at (800) 785-8897 anytime. Consumers also can visit Whirlpool's web site at www.whirlpool.com. Consumers should have the model and serial number of their unit available when they call or visit the web site.

Countertop microwaves are not included in this recall.

CPSC FIRE SPRINKLER LAWSUIT

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2001 CPSC Contact: Becky Bailey
Release # 02-013 (301) 504-0580 Ext. 1187

CPSC Sues Sunbeam Corporation, Grucon Corporation, and Subsidiaries Over Defective Star Fire Sprinklers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today its staff filed an administrative Complaint against Sunbeam Corporation and its subsidiaries Chemetron Corporation and Chemetron Investments, Inc., of Boca Raton, Florida, and Grucon Corporation and its subsidiary Sprinkler Corporation of Milwaukee, Inc., of Wisconsin. The CPSC's three Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the issuance of the Complaint. The Complaint alleges that Star Sprinkler's model ME-1 fire sprinkler made from 1977 through 1995 presents a substantial product hazard. The Complaint seeks a nationwide recall of the approximately 700,000 Star ME-1's Star Sprinkler manufactured during this period.

In its Complaint, the CPSC staff alleges that these sprinklers are defective and are likely to fail to operate properly in a fire, thus exposing the public to serious injury or death. The sprinklers have been installed in day care centers, nursing homes, health care facilities, supermarkets, and other buildings. The CPSC staff is aware of a nursing home fire in which three Star ME-1's reportedly failed to operate.

The CPSC staff filed the Complaint after discussions with the companies failed to result in a voluntary recall and replacement plan. In seeking a recall of the Star ME-1 sprinklers, the Complaint calls for extensive public notice of the hazard and remedy.

The CPSC previously announced that Mealane Corporation voluntarily recalled Star ME-1's manufactured from 1975 through 1976. In addition, Central Sprinkler Company voluntarily recalled Star ME-1's manufactured from 1996 through 1998. Consumers can obtain information about those recalls at CPSC's web site: 99-152 and 01-201.

While the CPSC staff pursues an acceptable recall and replacement plan, consumers with Star ME-1 sprinklers should be sure to have at least one fully operational smoke detector on very floor of their home, especially near bedrooms. The CPSC staff also recommends that consumers have a well-defined and rehearsed escape plan and an alternate escape plan in the event of a fire. As always, consumers should diligently practice fire safety to reduce the possibility that a fire will occur. Consumers can obtain fire safety information by calling CPSC's toll-free hotline at (800) 638-2772 or by visiting CPSC's web site where fire safety publications are provided.

The CPSC staff urges anyone who is aware of any instances in which a Star ME-1 sprinkler has failed to operate properly when tested or in a fire to report that information to the CPSC using CPSC's on-line reporting form. If you have questions, send an email to info@cpsc.gov or call CPSC's toll-free Hotline at (800) 638-2772.

AII™ ANNUAL MEETING

Time is short to plan for the AII Annual Meeting in Reno. Have you registered yet? If not, check out the details at www.Inspection.org and then give Betty Buckley a call at the AII™ Association offices. The toll free number is 1-800-877-4770. This year's meeting will be held at the Peppermill Hotel in Reno. Flights should be booked and rooms should be reserved quickly.

Those of you who are using the 3D Inspection software system should consider registering for my 3D Level 200 Proficiency Course which is set for the day before the AII Annual Meeting in Reno. I have been told that there are very few seats left and that we have a great group of participants. Don't be left out by delaying your registration. This course will sharpen your skills in the more advanced features of the report design, merge codes and a better familiarity of the Office Management system.

I also wish to provide a testimonial for those of you interested in taking Ron Cloyd's 1-day Wood Destroying Insect class. I took this course a few years back and was amazed at how little I knew about wood destroying insects before then. Ron uses the Don Pearman text "The Termite Book" for the class and you must register early to obtain the needed materials in the mail so that you can pre-study for the course. Don Pearman will also be one of our presenters at the Annual Meeting.

If you are waivering on submitting your registration, then get off your duff and register today. I look forward to seeing each of you in Reno.

ASK AII™ THE LEADERSHIP

The following is a question posed by an AII™ member who is questioning the steps needed to become a Certified Member of the Association. He asked......

Why do you have to go to another state or what ever to take tests. These should be able to be taken on line? I am a very busy inspector, it is difficult to travel anywhere.

Hi Michael, I must assume that the asker of this question is referring to taking the A.I.I.™ tests when they are already trained/practicing inspectors and want to join our organization.

That being the case, A.I.I.™ is attempting to make things easier to join, while at the same time maintaining our high standards. I believe this can be accomplished more readily by changing our policies to allow instructors to give these people the final exams on day three of the 3-Day training classes or on day 6 of the 6 day classes.

Now that we have two additional certified instructors and soon to be three more additional certified educators, it should be easier and more convenient for those that need to complete the written and field testing to complete their certifications.

Hope this helps, Ron Cloyd A.I.I.™ Certified Educator, Chairman of the Board of A.I.I. (541)273-1901 email:cit@CertifiedInspectionTraining.com web:CertifiedInspectionTraining.com

PHOTO CHALLENGE RESPONSES

The following question was posed by Scott Merritt regarding the following ejector pump installation found in a crawl space........

Good day; Please check out the attached photo. I would like some input on this one.

Situation: The house has a holding tank located under the house. There is a sewage ejection pump that moves the effluent uphill to the sewer pipe at the street. There is an alarm located at the holding tank to alert the people if the pump fails.

The pipe that heads up and to the right is the waste pipe to the sewer pipe.

The question I have is this: The capped pipe coming off the top of the tank is intended to be a vent pipe for the holding tank, isn't it?

I am not familiar enough with these installations to know with certainty, so I ask for your collective genius to clear this up for me.

Thanks, Scott Merritt - Grass Valley, CA

Scott Merritt: The pipe coming off the top of the tank to the left is a clean out access. Without some opening to the atmosphere, it cannot possibly be a vent pipe! The tank has a float valve inside that automatically turns the ejection pump on and off and no vent is needed besides the one/s ordinarily provided by the household plumbing vents already designed into the system. Richard Grisham in Las Vegas

Richard; Thanks for your response. I think I need to clarify my question, though. I am thinking the pipe on the left is intended to serve as a vent, but that the installer neglected to run it out to the exterior. How can the house vent system serve this tank? Isn't air trapped in this tank above the intake and ejection pipes?

I believe the entire lid comes off rather than having a clean-out plug on top of the lid. By the way, it was stinky under this house, most noticeably as one nears this tank. Scott Merritt - Grass Valley, CA

No way in #*$$ can you have an ejector pump without out a fully functioning vent pipe. The pump never drains all the water from the tank and the remaining effluent always turns septic. Anaerobic bacteria create explosive gases such as methane. Without an air vent, these gases bubble out of the primordial soup in the tank, expand and then come out of the drain lines and into the house.

Never light a cigarette in this house! BILL COULL - In and around NYC

Scott, I think you are right. It is meant to be a vent. Some jurisdictions require them, some do not. I would suggest that the clients have the tank manufacturers installation specification reviewed to see how the system was intended to be installed by the manufacturer. This is often a good fall back position when we are not sure about a specific piece of equipment. Jon Gudnason, Placerville, CA

Yes, the second pipe is supposed to be a vent. The drain pipe is also wrong. There should be a gate valve in it just after the backflow preventer. Worst of all, it should not go sideways, then downhill, then up. When an ejector discharge is in a horizontal position, each of those elbows will vibrate on each thrust of that pump. The chances for leakage are nearly 100%, at which time there is also the added bonus of draining the sewer line into the crawlspace. The discharge pipe should be as vertical as possible until it can then drain by gravity to the sewer. It's very important when you see one of these things that you actually watch it in operation. Douglas Hansen - Palo Alto, CA

It is my understanding (and that of a local building official, John LaTorra, who works at a national level in ICBO) that there is no approved solvent for joining PVC to ABS. Some stuff is for sale, but none approved. Consequently, one should never see mixed plastic pipe. Mike Sterling

HALLOWEEN IS COMING!

You might remember this photo, but the story is an account by a different Inspector.

I once lifted the attic lid. Saw what appeared to be a body fully clothed. Alarmed to say the least! I pushed it and it moved easily. I had the realtor climb the ladder, She said, "Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god a body!" Before I got a chance to say it was ok, she ran out of the house. I said, "Wait," running after her, "It's O.K." It was a stuffed (with cloth) clothed image of a man for Halloween. Thank god.

I once crawled a sub area got partial inside and saw many eyes looking at me. Turned out to be 6 rats, I thought they were posums, but they were rats from Australia some one told me after I got out as fast as I could. These type of rats are very bold and are about as large as a house cat. They come right up to you and just keep working as if you're not there. Thanks, but no thanks. I got out and said call a pest company. Rolland Pruner - Livermore, CA