[Return to the Current Issue of the Monday Morning Marketer | Click Here For Back Issues of the Monday Morning Marketer]

MONDAY MORNING MARKETER

Message From the American Institute of Inspectors®

January 11, 1999

GOOOOOD MORNING A.I.I.™

It's a great day at Michael Leavitt & Co Home Inspections!!! It is great to be getting back into a regular routine again. The first full week of the year was pretty good. If it is a sign of how the year is going to be, then I'm in for a wild ride! We increased 1998's same week by 80% and would have been more if I didn't postpone a large duplex inspection until this week. The weather here in Utah has been extremely pleasant with spring-like conditions that make shopping for a new home very nice.

Today's edition of the MMM deals with numerous topics, the first of which is the AII™ election results and the President's Address. Our newest President is Steve Bradley.

1998 ELECTION RESULTS

PRESIDENT

Steve Bradley

PRESIDENT ELECT

Scott Merritt

VICE PRESIDENT

John Griffin

SECRETARY

Rick Deboard

TREASURER

Randy Roth

MEMBER DIRECTORS

Ron Cloyd
Scott Dewitz

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

Dear Fellow Members:

I wish to thank all of you for putting your trust in my ability to be this years President. First of all we all owe a big debt of gratitude to Michael Leavitt for his past performance as President in
1998. You did an outstanding job Michael and I for one sincerely appreciate your past efforts. I also thank our Chairman, Brent Foster for his unselfish efforts last year and I will work closely with Brent to bring AII to greater heights as an association.

Least we not forget I thank all outgoing Board members and returning members for their dedication and generous donation of their time and efforts to steer our association to being a success.

This year as your President I will work closely with the committees to ensure we can accomplish our goals as stated in the last Board meeting. I am hoping we will have the Continuing Education committee results by the February Board meeting to finalize the "Master and Senior" details.

I will assist in bringing the AII interactive web site to fruition this year. I believe we will have a definite outline of the site by the February Board meeting. Michael and others had started this endeavor and I will finish this task for us this year. You all will be very proud of our site when completed. I estimate the site will be completed prior to June of this year. I encourage you to E-mail me should any of you have any thoughts on what you may want included on our site. I assure you your comments will be looked at closely and will be incorporated into the final version of the site should they prove to be workable within the space we will have available.

I am available any time to speak with my fellow members and encourage you to call me should you have any questions or wish to assist any committee.

I will be assembling a committee to iron out the details to hold a mid-year conference to enable us to meet on a more frequent basis, receive training we may have missed at the annual meeting, and introduce training that may not have been available in the past. In addition I will also schedule a board meeting at the conference. Please contact me with you thoughts on what you want to accomplish for the mid-year conference.

I believe 1999 is going to be an exciting year for us all and our members persistence in helping one another as in the "MMM" benefits all of us.

May God Bless you and your loved ones this coming year.

Yours Respectively,

Steve Bradley - 1999 AII™ President

FIREPLACE INSERT VENT RECALL

The following is extracted from both the CPSC and Marco websites dealing with the forced recall by the CPSC. It is set up to be inspector friendly and as a resource to compare model numbers to those that have been recalled. I highly recommend that you save the URL addresses to both sites and make it a point to look at the brand name of fireplace inserts that you encounter during future inspections.

The CPSC page is found at http://www.CPSC.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml99/99038.html

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - Office of Information and Public Affairs - Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - CONTACT: Russ Rader - December 16, 1998

Release # 99-038

CPSC, Marco Alert Consumers to Gas Fireplace Recall Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Marco Manufacturing Inc., of Lynwood, Calif., is re-emphasizing the recall of more than 22,000 gas decorative fireplaces to repair their vent systems. If the interior vent pipe separates from its connection to the exterior wall of the house, hot exhaust gases can start a fire inside the wall.

Marco and CPSC are aware of 22 fires involving these fireplaces. Several of these fires caused extensive damage. No injuries have been reported.

The Marco gas fireplaces subject to this recall have a sealed glass-front panel and vent systems that exit the house through the side wall. The fireplaces can be identified by a six or seven digit model number starting with 794 or 797. These model numbers can be found on a label inside the unit's lower grill door. Most of the fireplaces have model designations that include the letters, "CCT." Older models have the designation "MGC36DV." The model designation can be found on the owner's manual.

Gas appliance, and hearth and fireplace distributors and dealers sold these fireplaces from February 1993 through November 1997 for about $1,000, and the separate vent system for about $140. Most of these fireplaces were installed during new home construction.

Marco already has repaired about 9,000 fireplace vent systems since July 1998. All other owners need to stop using these recalled fireplaces immediately. Marco will arrange for free repair of recalled fireplaces. For additional information, assistance in determining if you have a recalled fireplace or to arrange for a free repair, consumers should call Marco at (877) 413-9850 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PST seven days a week.

Earlier this year, Marco agreed to notify all consumers who have these recalled fireplaces and make the repairs. However, this alert is being issued because not all consumers have been notified by the company about the fire hazard and repairs have not been completed.

The following manufacturer's website will be a great resource for you in the future........ http://www.marcofireplace.com/recall.html

Welcome to the Marco CPSC Information Web Site.

This page will assist us with identifying your fireplace as a RETROFIT CANDIDATE. This Retrofit Project only applies to some, but not all, MARCO CCT and MGC, sealed glass front, DIRECT VENT, GAS FIREPLACES, where the chimney vents through the wall.

You are NOT subject to this retrofit action if:

1.The chimney on your fireplace exits through the roof of your home.
2.You have a wood burning fireplace with a GAS LOG SYSTEM or a GAS STARTER.
3.Your Marco gas fireplace has no glass front, has operating glass doors or is part of the Galaxy product group.

If you have any of the previously excluded fireplaces, you do not need to continue. Your fireplace is not part of the Marco Retrofit program.

If you feel your fireplace may be affected, please continue.

If you have a gas direct vent fireplace that you believe may require the retrofit, the following information will help confirm whether your gas fireplace is one of the installations requiring the retrofit.

The safety concern and retrofit only applies to specific models of Marco gas fireplaces. You will need to attain the specific model number on your fireplace. This information can be found on the silver 3" x 5" metal or foil identification plate that is located inside the lower grille or access panel at the right side bottom of the fireplace as you face the fireplace. The grille or panel is hinged at the bottom and can usually be opened with your fingertips. In some cases, it may be necessary to use a flat blade screwdriver or key to open and lower the panel.

The six-digit model number required starts with either a 794 or 797 as the first three numbers. It can be found near the top of the label and may require a flashlight to see the numbers. Please write down all six-digits of the model number including any letter following after the last number. This information is NECESSARY in order to properly identify your fireplace.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The website then prompts you to select a following model number. In each case they take you to some pictures of the different exterior venting (See photos below)

Please select your fireplace model.

Model Number Model Description
794029 thru 794032 CCT36
794035 thru 794038 CCT3600
794070 thru 794073 CCT41
794050 thru 794053 CCTP 3 Sides, Peninsula
794054 thru 794057 CCTST See-thru
794058 thru 794061 CCTR Right Corner
794062 thru 794065 CCTL Left Corner

High Altitude Models
797029 thru 797032 CCT36
797035 thru 797038 CCT3600
797070 thru 797073 CCT41
797050 thru 797053 CCTP 3 Sides, Peninsula
797054 thru 797057 CCTST See-thru
797058 thru 797061 CCTR Right Corner
797062 thru 797065 CCTL Left Corner

Not listed

AII™ DIRTY WORDS FEEDBACK

Tom Walther provided excellent feedback on the Engineer's web page from his Engineering point of view.........

I am an Engineer - not registered in California where I live; but in 14 other states. California has funny rules for being registered, yet the courts accept me as an Engineering Expert. I find the defects listed by the Engineers to be well covered by the AII™ approach to an inspection. The major difference is that AII™ allows for the subtle approach that will let the parties in the real estate transaction know what they are looking at without the "scare" tactics of the Engineer. Many times an Engineer is looking at the perfect panacea and not the durability and serviceability of the residence or building. Even I have to remember that durability and serviceability are the important reasons for a home inspection.
See Ya! Tom Walther - CA

Tom Walther cuts straight to the point as to what our job description entails. Steve Jordan added this information about how engineering came about........

Michael, Thanks for a very interesting and thought provoking MMM of 1/4/98. You asked for comments from a PE (Professional Engineer) out there, so here are some.

First, a little background and history. Up until a few hundred years ago, the only "engineers" worked for the central governments of nations. The "engineers" that designed the Pyramids, Roman Roads, Roman aqueducts, etc., all worked for their respective governments. These massive public works were done by the armies (or military organizations) of those governments. Hence, all engineers were "Military Engineers".

The modern day carryover of that system is the Army Corps of Engineers of the US government, who have the most extensive knowledge of harbors, dams, drainage, weather, stream flows, etc., etc. They started out as part of the US Army. During all this early history, the only organization that had enough capitol to do engineering, and keep engineers on the payroll, were governments, or their military organizations. As history progressed, states, counties, cities, etc., started doing their own engineering of public works, and this became know as "Civil" engineering in contrast to "Military" engineering.

After Civil, the next two major divisions to develop were Mechanical, and Electrical. Today we have many, many more branches of the engineering tree, including Structural, Petroleum, Electronics, Environmental, Manufacturing, just to name a few.

Since there is no such thing as a "House" engineer, this area usually falls into the Civil or Structural discipline, but the people who really know the most about house design, construction, and maintenance are the building contractors, tradesmen, inspectors, etc---not the engineers!!

PE's: Each state develops its own requirements for licensing of Engineers as "PE's" The usual requirements start with an engineering degree in a recognized discipline from a recognized university. This takes four years as a minimum---more commonly five. The graduate engineer can, in most states, take an exam called an EIT (Engineer in Training). He then must do engineering work or be in "responsible charge" of engineering work for a specified period, often 5 or 10 years. At that time he can take his PE exam---8 hours in some states, up to 3 days in others. If he passes the exam he is granted registration (PE status) by that state only. If he fails, he can pay another round of fees, and take the exam again at the next interval, usually 6 months. It will be a different exam.

If an engineer is licensed in one state he can apply for PE status in another state, and the requirements vary. I first became licensed in Texas, and later Idaho. Idaho reviewed my Texas credentials, and made me take a six hour exam, which was fairly tough. I think most state's laws regarding the practice of engineering are very similar and they all stress one idea as follows: An engineer may not, in spite of his degree or registration, approve of designs, drawings, specifications, etc., if they are outside his area of expertise. So---if a civil engineer has never built houses, or studied house construction, he may NOT approve house designs!

I am a mechanical engineer and a PE, but I may NOT give engineering opinions on air conditioning systems. I studied them in school, but have never worked on Air Conditioning Equipment to the extent of establishing any real expertise in the field. A PE who does work or gives opinions outside his area of expertise is risking loss of his license, if anyone files complaints with the state authorities.

Your HOME BUYERS LIST OF TOP TEN DEFECTS, published allegedly by professional engineers is a shocker to me. I can't imagine any PE that is qualified to inspect houses, unless he has been been through formal training by a professional inspection organization such as American Institute of Inspectors™, plus hands-on inspection experience. There are many civil or structural PE's that would come close, IF they have heavy experience in construction, or house building, but they need professional inspector training. There is no substitute.

I note in the plumbing section, the phrase "the home inspection engineer" is used. I don't think there is such a thing, certainly not if the letters are capitalized.

I think you should send a copy of the HOME BUYERS LIST OF TOP TEN DEFECTS to the division of your Utah State government that licenses engineers. Ask them if there is such a classification as "home inspection engineers". If there is none, you should register a formal complaint by letter, and ask them to put out an instruction to PE's not to use such phrases as "home inspection engineer". I suspect your state PE registration board will back you 100%!

If I hear or see similar advertising in the State of Oregon, I will take such action here! Thanks again for a great MMM. Steve Jordan on the Legendary Oregon Coast.

These are some great observations that I did not before fully understand. I also apologize for giving the impression that the engineering website was from my area. The only telltale clue to their location is the 914 area code for their phone number. This is also a key for those of you building business web sites. Put your address in the site because people may be accessing your information from anywhere around the world. Jim Corbin expanded on Steve Jordan's information........

Hi Michael: You were asking for some feedback on the "Top Ten" as published by some Professional Engineers. Each state "grants" Professional Engineer licenses to individuals based on: a 4-5 year Engineering degree from an accredited engineering college, passage of an Engineer In Training (EIT) written exam (8 hours), working in the discipline in responsible charge of engineering work, and under the guidance of another Registered Professional Engineer (for 5 years or longer), acceptance of a state application for license with satisfactory recommendations of six professionals, three, at least, being Registered Engineers and, finally, passing a registration examination covering "a" desired discipline (8 hours and sometimes 3 days)...completion of all that qualifies "granting" of Registered Professional Engineer license for the state desired (That license may be revoked by the state should practice outside the legal guidelines be confirmed.)

Each discipline, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Civil Engineer, and others, require separate application, qualification and testing requirements. The same registration process and qualification procedure is required for each state where practice is desired; each state varies somewhat. To my knowledge there is no PE license for home inspectors and to have them state that one needs a "home inspection engineer" is contrary to licensing. In WA the phrase or title of "Engineer" will at some time be applied only to licensed individuals.

I would never sign as an "engineer" for the broad scope of expertise required to cover their "Top Ten". A licensed engineer is licensed for "each discipline" and to sign for areas outside that discipline risks losing the license. My "PE" has been with me for over 30 years and represents a period of time where I performed under a strict Code of Ethics and Code of Professional Practice as a Mechanical Engineer. Even with the training, degrees and registration, this does NOT allow me to approve house designs, HVAC, structures, concrete, designs or specifications which are outside my area of expertise. According to the "Top Ten" there appears to be PE's at risk.

A PE License does not provide training in home inspection. Specific training, examination, experience and operation under a specific Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice through the AII™ or other professional inspection organization does satisfy minimal training for certification. Additional experience in construction or house building adds to the experience. Some states, such as Oregon, require specific examination for state licensing as a "Home Inspector"...but this is separate from licensing as a PE. There is no such person as a "home inspection engineer", to my knowledge, and it is a misapplication of the title. Jim Corbin - Bow, Washington

I guess that it is unanimous....... There is no such thing as a "home inspector engineer." I wonder what you are actually getting when you hire an engineer to provide your home inspection. The engineering credential gives a definite false sense of overall home knowledge. I'm certain that consumers, agents, and home inspectors do not understand the information that Tom, Steve, and Jim have just shared with us. Thanks to the three of you for sharing this information with us.

AII™ BOARD MEETING

We will be holding our first 1999 Board meeting on Feburary 13, 1999. The meeting will be held in Sacramento, California with the location and time to be anounced by Sarah this week. All members are encouraged to attend this meeting. For those of you who couldn't attend the annual conference or are new to AII™, I encourage you to attend and meet the leadership of AII™. Since we are truely a national organization all input is encouraged.

Steve Bradley - AII™ President 1999

NEXT WEEK'S MMM: Last week's MMM brought in feedback regarding the e-mailable PDF files and website creation. Next week's MMM will deal with these two issues. If you have questions, please send them to me now so that I can address them in the next MMM issue.

I encourage all of you to visit the BUYERS portion of my website and download my sample Home Inspection report. I also encourage you to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader program by following the instructions in the Sample Report section. If you will do this before reading the next MMM you will better understand the topics that I will be addressing.