ASHI Interiors, Insulation & Ventilation 5

Question 1

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?

Accepted Answer

Missing drywall eliminates the required fire separation between garage and living space

Answer

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.

Question 2

Which observation would lead an ASHI inspector to suspect ice dam formation potential on a roof?

Accepted Answer

Icicles forming at eaves combined with bare roof deck above a heated space

Answer

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.

Question 3

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?

Accepted Answer

Sufficient R-value is achieved and a thermal or ignition barrier covers the foam where required

Answer

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.

Question 4

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?

Accepted Answer

Missing smoke detector; sleeping and habitable basement spaces require smoke alarms

Answer

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.

Question 5

What is the purpose of a radon rough-in during new construction, and how would an inspector identify it?

Accepted Answer

A capped PVC pipe extending through the slab for future connection to an exhaust fan if radon mitigation is needed

Answer

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.

(ASHI) ASHI Certified Home Inspector Practice Test

(ASHI) ASHI Certified Home Inspector Practice Test

ASHI Interiors, Insulation & Ventilation 5