HIC Housing Inspection & Habitability Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary code reference health inspectors use when evaluating the maintenance and condition of occupied residential structures?
- International Building Code (IBC)
- International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) (Correct answer)
- Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)
- National Electrical Code (NEC)
Correct answer: International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC)
The IPMC is specifically designed for the maintenance of existing occupied residential and commercial structures and is the primary reference for health inspectors evaluating housing conditions.
Question 2: During a housing inspection, a health inspector discovers mold covering 15 square feet in a bathroom. According to EPA guidelines, what action is recommended?
- The tenant may clean it with diluted bleach
- A professional mold remediation contractor should be hired (Correct answer)
- The inspector must collect samples for laboratory analysis first
- The landlord has 30 days to apply mold-resistant paint
Correct answer: A professional mold remediation contractor should be hired
EPA guidelines recommend hiring a professional remediation contractor for mold areas exceeding 10 square feet due to health risks and potential structural contamination.
Question 3: Under most state housing codes, where must carbon monoxide (CO) detectors be placed in a residence with gas appliances?
- Only adjacent to the furnace or boiler
- Only in attached garages where vehicles are stored
- On each level of the dwelling, near sleeping areas (Correct answer)
- Only in the kitchen near gas cooking appliances
Correct answer: On each level of the dwelling, near sleeping areas
Most housing codes require CO detectors on each level and within a specified distance of sleeping areas to provide early warning, since CO exposure during sleep can be fatal.
Question 4: What is the EPA action level for lead in drinking water at the tap under the Lead and Copper Rule?
- 5 parts per billion (ppb)
- 10 ppb
- 15 ppb (Correct answer)
- 25 ppb
Correct answer: 15 ppb
The EPA's Lead and Copper Rule establishes an action level of 15 ppb for lead in drinking water; systems exceeding this must take corrective treatment actions.
Question 5: What documentation must a health inspector produce to support a formal enforcement action for a housing code violation?
- A verbal notice to the tenant is sufficient for minor violations
- Photographs, specific code sections cited, and written inspection reports (Correct answer)
- A signed statement from the tenant confirming the violation
- A contractor estimate for the required repair costs
Correct answer: Photographs, specific code sections cited, and written inspection reports
Proper enforcement documentation requires photographs, specific code citations, and written inspection records to establish legally admissible evidence for enforcement proceedings.
Question 6: A health inspector finds inadequate ventilation in a rental unit bathroom. What is the primary health concern associated with this condition?
- Carbon monoxide buildup from adjacent appliances
- Radon gas accumulation from shower water
- Mold and mildew growth due to excess moisture (Correct answer)
- Pest infestation attracted by warm humid air
Correct answer: Mold and mildew growth due to excess moisture
Inadequate bathroom ventilation allows moisture to accumulate, promoting mold and mildew growth that causes respiratory illness and structural damage.
Question 7: Under HUD Housing Quality Standards (HQS) used for Section 8 inspections, what is the primary criterion a unit must meet to pass?
- All cosmetic defects must be repaired before occupancy
- The unit must be free of health and safety hazards and meet minimum habitability standards (Correct answer)
- The unit must have central heating and air conditioning
- All kitchen and bathroom appliances must be less than 10 years old
Correct answer: The unit must be free of health and safety hazards and meet minimum habitability standards
HUD HQS focus on ensuring units are free of health and safety hazards and meet minimum habitability requirements, not cosmetic appearance or appliance age.
HIC Housing Inspection & Habitability Standards 2
What is the primary code reference health inspectors use when evaluating the maintenance and condition of occupied residential structures?