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The Inspector
November, 2009 - Volume 3, Issue 8 |
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| Dear Walter, |
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Good Morning,
The November membership meeting will be held on Thursday November 19th at the Lantana in Randolph. You still have time to register!
The December meeting will be having an election on site for the following positions. President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and two Director positions.
If a member would like to run for any of these positions we gladly welcome you to submit your name to our Nominations Chairman Bill Sutton at wsuttoninspector@hotmail.com or 617 698-0945
I am asking all the membership to plan to attend this annual/holiday meeting.
The annual convention was a huge success thanks to all those who contributed! The ASHI Reporter has highlighted this event in the magazine so check it out!
The convention was the most successful in Chapter history and has helped the chapter
financially remain strong during these difficult economic times.
I thank all of you who contributed your time and energy to keep this Chapter going strong.
Hope to see you all at the annual meeting on December 17th.
Lisa Alajajian-Giroux, President |
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| NH Legislation |
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The 2010 New Hampshire legislative session will start soon. At this point legislators have filed Legislative Service Requests (LSRs) that tell of their intent to file a bill in this session. These LSRs are very brief in their description. No further information is made public until the actual bill is written and released. At this point if anyone wants to know more about a legislators intent, they have to contact that legislator who is sponsoring the LSR.
There are two LSRs that have been filed that could impact home inspectors conducting inspections in New Hampshire. One is "relative to the licensing of home inspectors" which is sponsored by Stella Scamman, a Republican from Stratham. The other LSR is "requiring the board of home inspectors to adopt certain rules relative to home energy scores for potential home buyers". This is being soponsored by Robin Read, a Democrat from Portsmouth.
In November these bills will be released to the public. |
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ASAP Environmental
HEALTHY HOMES FOR BETTER LIVING
- Indoor Air Quality
- Lead Paint Inspections
- Mold Testing & Analysis
1 Arcadia St. Dorchester, MA 02122
inspections@asapenvironmental.com
800-349-7779
For more information on this company.... |
| ASHI November Membership Meeting |
The next monthly membership meeting and educational program will take place on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at The Lantana in Randolph, MA. The meeting will start with registartion at 4:30 followed by dinner and the membership meeting and educational program. The Board of Direrectors will hold their meeting there at 3:30 and all members are welcome to attend.
The educational program that evening will be "Inspecting Gas Fireplaces, Wood Stoves and Fireplaces" led by Mark L. Jones, owner of Chestnut Hill Chimney Services. Regardless of what the cost of oil or natural gas turns out to be this winter, based on sales of wood stoves and with the increased installation of gas fireplaces in newer construction, many homeowners are relying on other forms of heat to help keep warm. With increased use of such equipment comes the realities of the need for greater maintenance and servicing of fireplaces and stoves. Our presenter is well qualified to field your toughest questions about proper installation, venting and safe operation of gas fireplaces and will offer some pointers on what to look for in terms of some of the more common errors in installation. In terms of wood stoves and fireplaces, he will address the ongoing need to check for the soundness and condition of the chimney and the need for routine chimney inspections and cleaning. He will also discuss various types of fireplaces seen typically in our region ranging from those in older homes to those in more modern construction.
I look forward to seeing you on Thursday, November 19th.
Bob Mulloy, Education Chairman
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FREA
E&O Insurance for Home Inspectors
- Best Rates
- Lowest Deductible
800-882-4410
www.frea.com
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| MA Standards of Practice |
The MA Standards of Practice have been revised. As all home inspectors are required to have a current version of the S.O.P. in their office, every home inspector should purchase a new copy from the state bookstore.
(Note:Be advised that the official copy is the one from the bookstore, not the copy posted on-line.)
The official copies are available at the state book store at 617-727-2834 or by going to the link below.
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CORCORAN & HAVLIN INSURANCE GROUP
THE SUPERIOR HOME INSPECTOR ERRORS & OMISSIONS INSURANCE PROGRAM!
Underwritten by AIG's Lexington Insurance Company - Rated A++ by A.M. Best
Home Inspector E&O Coverage offers these features:
- Claims Made Policy Form
- Prior Acts Coverage Included @ No Additional Premium
- Pest Inspection, Premises Liability, Radon and Commercial Inspections Available
- Additional Discounts For Firms With More Than Two (2) Inspectors
For a quote or more information, please call Debi Drury (x244 or ddrury@chinsurance.com) or Mike Curtis, Marketing Manager (x243) or visit website at www.chinsurance.com
287 Linden Street, Wellesley, MA 02482
800-304-8242
Fax 781-235-7190
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| New MA Smoke Detector Requirements |
On January 1, 2010, a new regulation regarding the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors will become effective.
These new regulations were enacted by the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services and will apply to single and multi-family homes built or most recently substantially altered prior to Jan. 1, 1975 and sold on or after January 1, 2010. Homes built or substantially altered on or after Jan. 1, 1975 are governed by the State Building Code, which already imposes the same requirements & restrictions.
The regulations currently require two different types of smoke detectors to be in place depending upon the location in the home. In zones within 20 feet of a kitchen or bathroom, smoke detectors using photo-electric only technology will be required. Outside of the 20-foot kitchen and bath zone(s), both ionization and photoelectric technology must be installed. The battery/hard-wire rules are not changing at the state level.
These requirements were developed, in part, based upon research that shows that ionization smoke detectors tend to give false alarms due to fumes given off from typical cooking or steam from a shower. Frequent false alarms often lead residents to disable smoke detectors by removing their batteries.
527 CMR 32.00: Approved Smoke Detectors
32.01: Purpose and Scope
32.02: General Requirements
32.03 Installation of smoke detectors in the vicinity of a kitchen, bathroom or other areas
32.01: Purpose and Scope
Pursuant to the Board's authority under M.G.L. c. 22D, s. 4 to develop a comprehensive fire safety code and under the general regulatory authority of M.G.L. c. 148, sections 10 and 28, the purpose of 527 CMR 32.00 is to enhance public safety by providing further technical qualification to the definitions of "Approved monitored battery power smoke detector" and "Approved primary power smoke detector", as those words are used in M.G.L. c. 148, sections 26D, E and F.
This regulation shall be effective as of January 1, 2010, and shall be the applicable standard for sellers to comply with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 148, s. 26F upon sale and transfer of certain buildings or structures occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes.
31.02 General Requirements
(1) Except for smoke detectors located in the vicinity of areas regulated by 527 CMR 32.03, an approved monitored battery power smoke detector, shall consist of a working device, as defined in M.GL.c148, s. 26D, that employs both ionization and photoelectric technology, in either a single unit or by means of two separate units.
(2) Except for smoke detectors located in areas regulated by 527 CMR 32.03, an approved primary power smoke detector, shall consist of a working device, as defined in M.GL.c148, s. 26D, that employs both ionization and photoelectric technology, in either a single unit or by means of two separate units.
32.03 Installation of Smoke Detectors In the Vicinity of a Kitchen, Bathroom or Other Areas
No smoke detector employing ionization technology shall be installed within 20 feet of an entryway to a kitchen, or bathroom containing a bathtub or shower. The 20-foot measurement shall include and extend into common areas of a multi-family dwelling, if applicable. |
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CRACK-X
Got water in your basement?
Since 1985, CRACK-X has been a full service company specializing in residential and commercial foundation welding of cracks and other concrete repairs such as bulkheads, penetrations, cold joints, elevator pits, and slabs. We are committed to 100% customer satisfaction and back up all vertical wall crack repairs with an unconditional 10-year warranty.
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B-Dry Systems
20 YEARS OF SOLVING WATER PROBLEMS
Written warranty for the full life of the structure.
800-320-2379
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| Home Inspector Training Program |
HOME INSPECTOR TRAINING PROGRAM
(75 Hour Class for Trainees)
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School
940 County Street, Taunton, MA 02780-3799
508-823-5151 ext. 123
Instructors: Bob Mulloy & Sherman Price
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Vent Master
ATTIC VENTILATION SPECIALISTS
Inspectors, when you see signs of:
- Excessive Heat Build-up
- Ice Dams
- Damaged Roof Shingles
- Peeling Paint
- Mod, Rot & Mildew
Recommend Vent Master
For a FREE consultation, call Don Marcoux at Vent Master
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| Build Boston |
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Build Boston will be held on November 18-20, 2009 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston.
It is the largest regional convention and tradeshow for the design and construction industry. In this 25th anniversary year, over 250 exhibits fill the tradeshow floor and more than 200 workshops, tours and other professional development and networking events are offered. More than 10,000 building industry professionals from 43 states and 19 countries attended last year's event. There's something for everyone at Build Boston -- building owners/managers, architects, engineers, contractors, interior designers, design and construction firm administrators, landscape architects and all professionals, interns and students with an interest in the built environment. This year, three keynote speakers, seven one-day symposiums and dozens of alumni receptions, building industry dinners and special tradeshow events are planned. For more information on Build Boston... |
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Peter Greifer Enterprises
ASBESTOS REMOVAL & MOLD REMEDIATION
Serving Eastern Massachusetts & Rhode Island
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| NH Home Inspector Board |
| The New Hampshire Home Inspector Board will have its next meetings on December 1 & 29, 2009. The meetings will each take place at 9:00 am at 57 Regional Drive in Concord, NH.
These meetings are open for all home inspectors to attend. |
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Rene Mugnier Associates
When in doubt, refer to a structural engineer specializing in the investigation of homes and commercial structural problems.
REHABILITATIONS & INVESTIGATIONS
- Evaluations of Structures
- New Construction of All Kinds
- Expert Witness
777 Concord Ave., Ste. 201, Cambridge, MA 02138
617-547-7773
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| MA Home Inspector Board |
The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Home Inspectors holds meetings on a regular basis that are open for home inspectors to attend. These board meetings are usually held at 239 Causeway Street, 2nd Floor, Room 204 in Boston from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
There are currently no future dates scheduled that are listed on their web site.
You are encouraged to call the board office at 617-727- 4459 for any posssible changes in location and time of these meetings. |
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Atlas Watersystems
WE DON'T MAKE THE WATER.
WE MAKE THE WATER BETTER!!
Residential & Commercial Water
Filtration & Purification
Water Testing & Analysis
Radon & Arsenic Remediation
Softeners * Filters * Purification
800-215-9966
www.atlaswater.com
"Bringing Technology to Water"
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| 2009 Board of Directors |
President Lisa Alajajian-Giroux / homequest1@comcast.net
Vice President Mike Atwell / m.atwell@rcn.com
Secretary Donald Bissex / dbissex@comcast.net
Treasurer Len Rucker / lrucker1@comcast.net
Directors
Paul Cornell / pcornell@inspecthouses.com
Paul Rogoshewski / paul@harmonyhomeinspection.com
Alex Steinberg / alex@jbsinspections.com
Council of Representatives
Lisa Alajajian / homequest1@comcast.net
Bill Sutton / wsuttoninspector@hotmail.com
Committee Chair
By- Laws: Mike Atwell / m.atwell@rcn.com
Communications:
Education: Bob Mulloy / rmulloy@verizon.net
Legislative:
Membership:
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We look forward to seeing you at our next membership meeting on November 19th !
Sincerely,
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