Gerry Beaumont

Hi to all I spent a huge ammount of time last fall studying the issue of the effects of licensing in all the states who both regulate inspectors, and whose State boards publish the results of discipinary actions, I have to tell you that I could find no corrolation what so ever between State licensing and consummer protection, the reported incidence of inspector failure is so small that it is statistically invalid. I personally keep flip flopping over the licensing issue, I believe valid licensing to be a good thing, if it offers protection to both the client, and as you say the inspector. I cannot find an act anywhere that can be demonstrated to do that. It escapes me as to why various groups in our industry are so hell bent on licensing, but fail to even lobby for limitation of liability clauses in bill proposals. I am sorry but all I ever see in licensing is protectionism. Regards

Hi to all, Like many others I love the idea of a PDA but hate the screen size and also the fact that the opperating system does not support many programs. I have been looking at the OQO model 2 pocket pc which has a full windows XP or vista OS www.oqo.com Regards Gerry

Bryan, I would suggest that you look at the Dryflekt website, this is the flashing that I spec for repairs, the site has good drawings and CAD files. www.dryflekt.com Regards Gerry

Hi to all, Anyone want to buy a couple of slightly used inspection businesses, on in MA, the other in GA. Seiously though, now I know why Jimmy doesn't answer his phone. Good luck to both on your new business venture. Regards Gerry

Hi to all, I have to agree with Dom, one of my own membes down here was opperating like that, not only is it illegal for a HI to contract for that work in this state, but also in doing so they would be buying a big chunk of any potential liabilities in this area. Ther have been several actions taken against HI's doing exactly this. Regards Gerry

Hi to all, The best refernce site for composite siding is run by David Cohen from Portland Oregon. www.sidingsolutions.com BTW David also publishes a very good handbook on the subject for very short money, highly recommended. Regards Gerry

Chad, I turned off the safe search mode, and opened a bottle of Merlot. All I can tell you is that it has been an interesting and enlightening evening. Thanks (I think) Regards Gerry BTW drop a dime when you have a boring 1/2 hour

The 15- and 30-amp designations indeed refer to the current levels at which the meters are tested and adjusted. (I've been doing some research.) However, it's misleading to say that they have nothing to with the meter's maximum amperage. The issue for a meter isn't the maximum amperage; it's the continuous load range. In modern meters, this is labeled as a class designation and is printed on the meter as the letters "CL" followed by a number. For instance a CL-200 meter is a class 200 meter rated for a continuous load of 200 amps. According to ANSI C12.10, a 15-amp meter is equivalent to a class 100 meter and a 30-amp meter is equivalent to a class 200 meter. Any of these meters can handle far greater currents for short periods of time. From this information, it seems to me that 15-amp meters are intended for use on 100-amp systems and 30-amp meters on 200-amp systems. If anyone has any information that conflicts with this please speak up. I'd like to know if I'm wrong. Of course, the meter is the property of the power company and they can use whatever meter they want. But a mismatch between a meter and the service equipment can be an important clue for a home inspector. - Jim Katen, Oregon Hi Jim, thank you for that, you added to my knowledge on the subject, I was not aware or the corralation between the test/calibration amperages and the continuous load amperages. Regards Gerry

The old 15 amp meters were rated for use with 100 amp services. You'll also see 30-amp meters in that part of town. These were rated for use with 200 amp services. I have no idea why they carry the 15 and 30 amp designations. - Jim Katen, Oregon Hi to all, The 15 (and later 30) amp figure seen on many older meters is the testing and calibration amperage, and nothing to do with the meters maximum amperage. Regards Gerry

Hi to all, Prestons list that unit as being a 1984, and yes as other have stated it is a 3 ton unit. Regards Gerry

Hi to all, Mike, here is the problem. Property assesments in the UK are the pervue of the Chartered Surveyors (They are a particularly teritorial bunch who are more like SEs' here). Independent home inspectors in the UK would leave themselves open to charges of practising as Chartered surveyors with a license, in much the same way the you or I could be called to account for acting as structural engineers. This does beg the question as to whether anyone needs a 4 year degree to inspect residential properties, the British government thought not, however it does appear that the special intrest groups (Surveyors included who have paid lip service only to thos scheme) have won out. BTW, for the most part inspecting homes in the UK is very much easier than it is here (or it was when I left England) due to a very limited range of building system variation. Regards Gerry

Mike, to the best of my knowledge there is no available software for the Mac OS, however you will be able to use the web server based system from ReportHost www.reporthost.com Regards Gerry

Roni, I believe that both Homegauge and 3D have or are currently developing Spanish versions of their software. Regards Gerry

Hi to all, Thats deffinately one way of getting away from all that lawn maintenance Regards Gerry

Steven, I guess if you can live with that you can live with anything [:-bigeyes Regards Gerry

Steven, before you get too carried away with this notion I have to tell you that refined diesel from soya beans and using old cooking oils as fuel source are far from the same thing. Old cooking oils are far from combustable even at deisel pressures and heat, you need to mix in some virgin fuel to make it work. And the smell, well lets just say that it is memorable http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/17/North ... _bio.shtml Regards Gerry

Hi to all, Terry, IMHO that installation will allow moisture intrusion due to lack of flashings and inadequate sealing between the stucco anf the window frames. I would recommend researching the window manufacturers installation specifications. Regards Gerry

Hi Martin, In most states installation of MH are regulated seperately from the general contruction industry, down here in FL it is a DMV function, in other states it falls under the State Fire Marchalls office. I would recommend repairs be carried out by a MH installer licensed by whatever your local regulatory dept demands. Regards Gerry

Hi to all, I use a hot shoe connectable Olympus, and I love it. It was a bit pricey when I bought it, but Amazon has them now at a sensible price point. BTW, why didn't anyone mention lanyards before I dropped 2 of them of commercial buildings (they are not noted for their ability to bounce!) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0008E ... 4?n=172282 Regards Gerry

Hi to all, there have been multiple great discussions on the NACHI board on this topic, including: http://www.nachi.org/forum/showthread.php?t=712 Just last week (sorry to link out Mike)also here are 2 slides that I posted from a class I am presenting at the NACHI conference. Thanks to Jeff Pope for use of some images. I hope these help Regards Gerry Download Attachment: zinscoslidecrop.jpg 68.26 KB Download Attachment: FPESlidecrop.jpg 58.98 KB

Hi to all, Wayne,here is a picture of a fused neutral panel? Download Attachment: fusednuet1a.jpg 42.18 KB Picture courtesy NACHI education & Jeff Pope Regards Gerry

Hi there, try www.reporthost.com their reporting system is server based, so being on Mac doesn't matter, plus you can sign up for some free uses Regards Gerry

Hi to all, I have just spoken to the inspector I was with yesterday, he has now been moved out of ICU and into a regular room he will be kept in for another 48 hours. He is happy for me to have told you this tale as a warning and does not mind being identified, the member involved is Joe Burkeson, I know you will wish him well, and hope as I do that he has a speedy recovery. Regards Gerry

Hi to all, Yesterday I was out helping one of our members (I won't name him until I have his permission) with a commercial inspection when he was stung by 2 yellow jackets. He complained that the stings hurt like hell, but he went back to work, (I had asked him if he was allergic to stings, as I suffer from this myself). 5 Min's later one of the building staff came to find me to tell me that the other inspector was not well and was looking for me. He looked like hell warmed over and was complaining that he had never felt so bad in his life, we immediately got him in a car and went for help, by the time I got him to the nearest emergency room he was in very bad shape, covered from head to foot in hives, had extremely low blood pressure and was unable to either see, or hear properly. Needless to say he thought he was going to die, and I was far from convinced that he was wrong. Anyway, cutting to the chase he was in ER for 4 1/2 hours while they stabilized him, with massive doses of adrenaline, steroids and Ephedrines, and was admitted to ICU for monitoring overnight. I just heard from his wife he had a very bad night with further reactions to the meds they gave him to stabilize him and had further bouts of low blood pressure that they had to treat him for several times during the night. Please do not assume that because you have been stung many times before that you are immune to stings and bites, in fact the doctors told me that it is far from unusual for people who regularly come into contact with stinging insects to develop sensitivity to stings (in fact this inspector had had a sting several months ago that had produced quite severe swelling that had to be treated by his GP) this unknown to him was the warning shot that his sensitivity had changed. The lesson: Please stop to consider carefully whenever you are stung or bitten exactly how you feel, and if you feel ANYTHING abnormal, please get immediate medical attention. Please don't make the mistake of believing that you are immune just because you have had NO PREVIOUS bad reactions. The Bottom Line Had we been unable to get him to ER promptly HE WOULD HAVE DIED from Anaphalatic shock, The Doctors say he may have been dead in another 10-15 Min's (we had him in ER within 15 Min's of the stings) If you have the opportunity, please ask you GP about the risks that you take with your job, and asked if you can be checked for sensitivity to stings and bites, if you have any previous history of bad allergic reactions please get a prescription for EPIPENS to carry in your car/truck. http://www.epipen.com/howtouse.aspx BE CAREFUL OUT THERE, AND DON"T ASSUME YOU ARE IMMUNE TO ANYTHING On a happier note he should be released from Hospital tomorrow and will make a full recovery, his allergist believes he can be desensitized, so will be in less danger in future. He will be carrying Epipens for the rest of his life however. Regards Gerry

Hi to all, Good god my knowledge is significantly weak, I didn't even know you could jump start a house. Regards Gerry