Interiors, Insulation & Ventilation Flashcards
7 cards from real ASHI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Interiors, Insulation & Ventilation flashcards as text
An inspector notices that a garage ceiling below a living space has no drywall and the floor above is insulated with batts. What is the PRIMARY deficiency?
Answer: Missing drywall eliminates the required fire separation between garage and living space
A garage attached to the living space requires a minimum 1/2-inch drywall fire separation on the ceiling to slow fire spread; missing drywall eliminates this critical barrier.
Which observation would lead an ASHI inspector to suspect ice dam formation potential on a roof?
Answer: Icicles forming at eaves combined with bare roof deck above a heated space
Icicles at eaves combined with a bare (snowmelt) roof over heated space indicate heat escaping through the roof deck, melting snow that refreezes at the cold eave overhang — the classic ice dam condition.
A home inspector observes that spray foam insulation has been applied to the underside of roof sheathing in an unvented attic assembly. What must the inspector verify?
Answer: Sufficient R-value is achieved and a thermal or ignition barrier covers the foam where required
Spray polyurethane foam is combustible and must be covered with an approved thermal or ignition barrier (typically 1/2-inch drywall) in accessible spaces, and sufficient R-value must be achieved for the climate zone.
An inspector finds that a finished basement has no visible smoke detectors. According to typical US codes and ASHI standards, what should the inspector report?
Answer: Missing smoke detector; sleeping and habitable basement spaces require smoke alarms
US building codes and ASHI standards require smoke alarms in all habitable rooms and on every level of the home including basements, so finished basement spaces without detectors represent a safety deficiency.
What is the purpose of a radon rough-in during new construction, and how would an inspector identify it?
Answer: A capped PVC pipe extending through the slab for future connection to an exhaust fan if radon mitigation is needed
A radon rough-in is a capped sub-slab PVC pipe that allows easy future installation of an active radon mitigation fan without breaking the slab, and is identified as a capped pipe penetrating the floor.
During inspection of a 1960s-era home, an inspector finds vermiculite insulation in the attic. What is the CORRECT course of action?
Answer: Note its presence, advise the client to assume it may contain asbestos, and recommend professional testing
ASHI standards require inspectors to note vermiculite's presence and recommend that clients treat it as potentially asbestos-containing until tested by a qualified environmental professional, without disturbing it.
An inspector finds that the living room has a popcorn (acoustic) ceiling installed before 1978. What should the report include?
Answer: Note that pre-1978 textured ceilings may contain asbestos and recommend testing before any disturbance or removal
Popcorn ceilings installed before 1978 may contain asbestos; ASHI inspectors should note the age, advise clients of the potential hazard, and recommend professional testing before any renovation or removal.