ADVANCED INSPECTION TRAINING

Advanced Inspection Training

Home Inspection Program

Course Descriptions, Outlines and Learning Outcomes

Note: The outline for each of the modules listed below has been provided at the end of each section. 

Each of the ten modules are supported by a comprehensive text plus a course total of 200 hours including classroom lectures, pre-module assignments and field training.  In addition to the text books (included) each module is delivered utilizing Power Point presentations (400-500 slides per module) and CD ROM’s. 

Classroom students have the advantage of a set schedule of classes and the benefits of learning with a group of persons with the same goal. The mix of students in each class may vary, resulting in exposure to a variety of backgrounds and points of view. Informally, the instructor brings to the classroom anecdotes from personal experiences in the industry. The training materials used in the classroom are extensive, well crafted, and include practical checklists, forms and reporting software (for training purposes only).

Course Completion

Grading

·         Mid-term test results                                    35%

·         Final Inspection Report                              15%

·         Final Exam                                                   50%

Pass Requirement                                                 70%

Communication and Professional Practice Module

Method of Delivery: Classroom, Field Work, Pre-class assignments

Evaluation:

Note: Other non-assessed evaluation tools include 5 quizzes and 4 Field Reports.

Course description:

The professional home inspector is required, both verbally and in writing, to describe the inspection process and communicate inspection findings to the client.  It is imperative that the home inspector be able to communicate clearly and effectively to ensure understanding of an inspection, once conducted.  Students in this subject develop their oral and written communication skills, and learn the reporting requirements and proper conduct required of a professional in this industry.

Learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this subject, the student will be able to:

1. Comply with the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of the profession in order to meet or exceed minimum levels of performance and assure public confidence
2. Disclose the limitations of the inspection process to ensure that the client has realistic expectations and a clear understanding of the limitations for the purpose of risk management
3. Communicate effectively with the client orally and in writing to ensure understanding of the results of an inspection
4. Report and communicate effectively to the appropriate parties, health and safety concerns found during an inspection, as well as their degree of immediacy, in order to protect persons and property
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the need to comply with applicable laws and regulations, contracts, and business practices as they relate to the home inspection profession by maintaining current knowledge in order to provide effective service.

Course Outline

Communication & Professional Practice

• Introduction to Communication & Professional Practice
• ASHIÒ Standards of Practice-CPP
• Discuss Pre-work Quiz #1 thru #5

• Brief history of home inspections
• A look from the outside                                             

• Characteristics of a good home inspector
• Vehicles
• Clothes
• Tools

• Clients

• Pre-inspection routine
• Introductory discussion
• The inspection
• Closing discussion

• Awkward situations
• Common mistakes
• Real estate transactions

• Verbal communication
• Elements of the communication process
• Non-verbal messages in communication
• Obstacles to effective communication
• Improving communication                                         

• Why are reports written?
• Who writes the report?
• How is the report created?
• When are reports delivered
• Report style
• What should reports contain?

• Liability
• Step by step home inspection
• Checklist

• Communication & Professional Practice Mid-Term Test

• Pre-work assignment: Quiz #1 thru #5 Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps

Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Inspection Module

Method of Delivery: Classroom, Field Work, Pre-class assignments

Evaluation:

Note: Other non-assessed evaluation tools include 5 quizzes and 4 Field Reports.

Course description:

Emphasis in this subject is on cooling systems and heat pumps.  Students learn to identify typical defects and apply correct inspection techniques.

Learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this subject, the student will be able to:

1. Inspect the following to identify type, material, condition, safety concerns and other issues:  cooling systems, cooling distribution systems, and residential heat pumps
2. Identify the common problems that apply to each cooling/heat pump system component named and the causes and implications of each problem
3. Describe the inspection procedures involved with each component
4. Define and use proper terminology related to cooling systems and heat pumps.

Course Outline

Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps

• Introduction to Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps
• ASHIÒ Standards – Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps
• Discuss Pre-work Quiz #1 thru #5
• Air conditioning theory and principles

• Air conditioning capacity
• Compressors
• Condensing coil
• Water cooled condensers

• Evaporators
• Condensate system
• Condenser fan
• Evaporator fan

• Duct system
• Thermostat
• Life expectancy of A/C units
• Evaporator coolers
• Whole-house fans
• Inspection procedure air-conditioning

• Theory of a heat pump

• Performance of heat pumps
• Defrost cycle
• Water-cooled heat pump
• Heat pump and A/C similarities
• Compared to other sources of heat

• Heat Pump inspecting
• Case studies

• Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps Mid-term test

• Pre-work assignment: Quiz #1 thru #5 Electrical Inspection

Electrical Inspection Module

Method of Delivery: Classroom, Field Work, Pre-class assignments

Evaluation:

Note: Other non-assessed evaluation tools include 5 quizzes and 4 Field Reports.

Course description:

This subject prepares students to inspect the performance of the following components of electrical systems within residential buildings:  service drops, grounding systems, service panels, wiring systems, devices and fixtures.

Learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this subject, the student will be able to:

1. Inspect the following to identify type, material, condition, safety concerns and other issues:  service drops or service laterals, service equipment and service grounding, interior components of service panels and subpanels, wiring systems, devices, equipment and fixtures (e.g., switches, receptacles and lights)
2. Identify the common problems that apply to each electrical component named and the causes and implications of each problem
3. Describe the inspection procedures involved with each component
4. Define and use proper terminology related to electrical systems.

Course Outline

Electrical Inspection

• Introduction to Electrical Inspection
• ASHIÒ Standards – Electrical
• Discuss Pre-work Quiz #1 thru #5
• Electrical Basics
• Service drops and service laterals

• Service entrance
• Service box
• Service size

• Grounding and bonding
• Distribution panels
• 240 V and multi-wire circuits
• Distribution panel conditions

• Introduction to branch circuit wiring
• Distribution wiring
• Knob and tube wiring

• Aluminum wiring

• Outlets
• Switches
• Junction boxes

• Electrical Mid-term test

• Pre-work assignment: Quiz #1 thru #5 Exterior Inspection

Exterior Inspection Module

Method of Delivery: Classroom, Field Work, Pre-class assignments

Evaluation:

Note: Other non-assessed evaluation tools include 5 quizzes and 4 Field Reports.

Course description:

This subject covers retaining walls, grounds, window wells, lot grading, driveways, patios, walkways, decks, balconies, stoops and steps, porches, railings, wall cladding, flashing trim, eaves, soffits, fascia, as well as exterior doors and windows.  Students learn to describe the exterior wall covering and inspect all aspects of the exterior named above.

Learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this subject, the student will be able to:

1. Inspect the following to identify type, material, condition, safety concerns and other issues:  vegetation, grading, drainage, retaining walls, driveways, patios, walkways, decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches, railings, wall cladding, flashing, trim, eaves, soffits, fascia, exterior doors and window.
2. Identify the common problems that apply to each exterior component named as well as the causes and implications of each problem
3. Describe the inspection procedures involved with each component
4. Define and use proper terminology related to residential exteriors.

Course Outline

Exterior Inspection

• Introduction to Exterior inspection
• ASHIÒ Standards – Exterior
• Discuss Pre-work Quiz #1 thru #5
• Identifying building shapes

• Wall cladding
• Brick, Stone, Concrete
• Conventional Stucco
• Synthetic Stucco

• Wood siding
• Metal and vinyl siding

• Windows and doors
• Trim, flashings, and caulking

• Porches, decks, and balconies

• Garages and carports
• Basement walkouts

• Introduction to Surface Water Control
• Lot Grading

• Gutters and downspouts
• Window wells
• Walks, driveways and grounds
• Retaining Walls
• Inspection procedure
• Case studies

• Exterior Mid-term test

• Pre-work assignment: Quiz #1 thru #5 Heating I

Heating I Inspection Module

Method of Delivery: Classroom, Field Work, Pre-class assignments

Evaluation:

Note: Other non-assessed evaluation tools include 5 quizzes and 4 Field Reports.

Course description:

This subject covers installed heating systems (gas and oil furnaces and hot water boilers). Emphasis is on the inspector’s ability to identify the energy source, type, material, condition, and safety concerns, as well as to inspect the heating equipment.

Learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this subject, the student will be able to:

1. Inspect the following to identify type, material, condition, safety concerns and other issues:  heating systems (gas-fired forced air, oil-fired forced air and hot water heating systems)
2. Identify the common problems that apply to each heating system component named and the causes and implications of each problem
3. Describe the inspection procedures involved with each component
4. Define and use proper terminology related to the above named heating systems.

Course Outline

Heating I Inspection

• Introduction to Heating
• ASHIÒ Standards – Heating 1
• Discuss Pre-work Quiz #1 thru #5
• Gas meters
• Gas piping
• Combustion air
• Gas burners

• Heat shields
• Heat exchangers
• Cabinets
• Fan controls
• Thermostats
• Dating furnaces

• Vent connectors
• Blowers
• Filters
• Humidifiers
• Ducts and registers
• Testing procedure

• Mid-efficiency furnaces
• High-efficiency furnaces

• High efficiency furnace test procedure
• Gravity furnaces
• Oil heating systems
• Oil burners
• Hot water boilers

• Boiler controls

• Distribution piping
• Radiators
• Inspection tools
• Inspection procedures

• Heating I Mid-term test

• Pre-work assignment: Quiz #1 thru #5 Heating Inspection II

Heating II Inspection Module

Method of Delivery: Classroom, Field Work, Pre-class assignments

Evaluation:

Note: Other non-assessed evaluation tools include 5 quizzes and 4 Field Reports.

Course description:

This subject covers vent systems, flues and chimneys, as well as fireplaces, other wood heating appliances, steam and electric heating systems.  Students apply knowledge of these systems to the role of home inspector.

Learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this subject, the student will be able to:

1. Inspect the following to identify type, material, condition, safety concerns and other issues:  steam heating systems, electric heating systems, gas space heaters, fireplaces and/or solid fuel burning appliances, warm air/hot water/steam/radiant heat distribution systems,  steam distribution systems, chimneys and venting systems
2. Identify the common problems that apply to each heating system component named and the causes and implications of each problem
3. Describe the inspection procedures involved with each component
4. Define and use proper terminology related to heating systems.

Course Outline

Heating II Inspection

• Introduction to Heating II
• ASHIÒ Standards – Heating II
• Discuss Pre-work Quiz #1 thru #5
• Chimney inspection

• Metal chimneys and vents
• Wood heat
• Wood furnaces
• Wood boilers

• Wood stoves (space heaters)
• Clearance from combustibles
• Wood stove conditions

• Fireplaces
• Fireplace hearths
• Fireboxes
• Dampers and drafts
• Smoke chamber
• Face/breast
• Combustion air
• Glass doors
• Heat circulators

• Steam heat introduction
• Steam boiler operation
• Electric heat
• Baseboard heaters
• Electric heaters
• Plenum heaters
• Electric boilers
• Radiant heat

• Gas appliance introduction
• Wall furnaces
• Room heaters
• Gas fireplaces

• Heating II Mid-term test

• Pre-work assignment: Quiz #1 thru #5 Insulation & Interior Inspection

Insulation and Interiors Inspection Module

Method of Delivery: Classroom, Field Work, Pre-class as