ASHI Attics & Crawl Spaces 3

Question 1

Which of the following conditions in an attic would an ASHI inspector identify as a sign of prior or active roof leak?

Accepted Answer

Water stains on the underside of roof sheathing near penetrations or valleys

Answer

Presence of cellulose insulation over the attic floor

Answer

Dark staining or efflorescence on the top plate of interior walls

Answer

Fiberglass batt insulation installed between rafters

Question 2

In a crawl space, wood structural members should maintain what minimum clearance above exposed soil?

Accepted Answer

18 inches

Answer

6 inches

Answer

12 inches

Answer

24 inches

Question 3

An ASHI inspector observes that an attic has rigid foam insulation applied to the underside of the roof deck rather than on the attic floor. This is known as:

Accepted Answer

Hot roof or unvented roof assembly

Answer

Vented over-roof installation

Answer

Cold deck application

Answer

Reverse-stack insulation technique

Question 4

Which of the following represents a safety hazard an inspector may encounter when walking an attic?

Accepted Answer

Missing or inadequate walking boards over joists covered with insulation

Answer

Ridge vents that protrude above the insulation surface

Answer

Presence of both fiberglass and cellulose insulation products

Answer

Gable vents installed on both ends of the attic

Question 5

A crawl space has support posts that are sitting directly on bare soil with no footings. This condition is a concern because:

Accepted Answer

The posts will absorb moisture and eventually rot, compromising structural support

Answer

It blocks airflow from the foundation vents

Answer

It violates fire separation requirements between soil and wood

Answer

The posts are too close to the vapor barrier

Question 6

When inspecting an attic, an ASHI inspector finds that recessed light fixtures penetrate the ceiling and are not IC-rated. Why is this a concern?

Accepted Answer

Unrated fixtures allow cold air infiltration, reducing energy efficiency, and cannot have insulation placed over them

Answer

Unrated fixtures require a GFCI breaker that may not be present

Answer

The fixtures will overheat and require more frequent bulb changes

Answer

Non-IC fixtures are not permitted within 10 feet of an attic access hatch

Question 7

What is the recommended minimum R-value for insulation installed between floor joists over a crawl space in a mixed/humid US climate zone?

Accepted Answer

R-30

Answer

R-11

Answer

R-19

Answer

R-49