“Suppose someone buys a house and they sign the disclosure saying that it is not known whether or not the house has Lead-Based Paint (LBP). Down the road they decide to do an extensive renovation.

Now suppose they do the wrong thing and get a renovation firm that is not LBP certified and it turns out that the area being renovated does contain LBP. Under the new renovation act can both the owner and renovator be fined the 37,500 or would that fine solely fall on the renovator?

The answer:

If the renovator contractor does the work uncertified and there turns out to be LBP… then the contractor is held responsible for the 37, 500 fine – not the home owner.

If the home owner knowingly hires the uncertified contractor, the home owner would not be fined unless there was a civil suit filed because, hypothetically, the renovation left lead dust behind and the new buyer/ new tenant was affected.

Thus a law suit is pending. Just one way it could go.

The contractor is the responsible party. The home owner is allowed to say they do not know if lead existed in the renovated area.

Not knowing does not excuse the contractor from using lead safe work practices.

When you don’t know you must assume… the worst… that means ; containment; and dress out suits; blood test; respirators; fit test and the whole nine yards.

It’s better to know and test.

Feel free to give your associates my e-mail if they need further clarification.

Derek Koller, Environmental Specialist with Allwyn Environmental

Phone: (520)551-7887

Fax: (520)207-1016

Email: derekkaz@aol.com

http://www.allwynenvironmental.com

To determine a proper sized trap, you would need to use a manometer to test the static pressure in the unit . (you can buy one very cheap on eBay) Keep in mind that the unit’s static pressure will change depending on the speed of the blower, if the blower is clean or dirty, duct configuration, etc. A typical system may have a range from .05 to 1.0 in. w.c.

Most air conditioner manufactures will specify what the depth of the trap should be based on static pressure plus usually the addition of either 1/2″ or 1″ depth.

I will send you two PDFs to your email address. The Trane PDF will show you on the second to last page how to calculate the depth using static pressure.

Jeff Euriech
Peoria Arizona

Lennox says: The trap must be deep enough to offset the difference in static pressure between drain pan and atmosphere. Generally, two inches is satisfactory for medium static applications. The key word here is “medium”.

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500 is probably a better indication that you’ve been around. But even making this number without the ASHI education mrc’s for a couple of years just proves your resilient.

Thanks for commenting Randy.

The public is not going to understand the difference between Member, Associate Member, or Certified Member. If a consumer is dissatisfied with a ‘member’ inspection, it will reflect on all members.

My ASHI affiliation and logo use was instrumental in getting my home inspection company/career started in 1993. I was the only ASHI member in my area for several years, which helped a lot.

I have dropped several memberships and affiliations over the years when i determined they were no longer an asset to a home inspector, including licensed AZ general contractor. I don’t think it would hurt my business much if i were to drop my ASHI membership. I have had some referrals from other AZASHI members, but I have never had a single referral from the ASHI national website.

I am not planning to leave ASHI because some of the AZASHI members (and especially leaders, past and present) are among my closest friends.