Ala. Admin. Code r. 170-X-25-.03
Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024
Section 170-X-25-.03 - Standards Of Practice For EIFS Inspectors(1) Scope and Purpose.(a) Inspections performed in accordance with these guidelines are intended to provide the building owner or client with a better understanding of the exterior cladding system and component conditions as observed at the time of inspection.(b) EIFS Inspectors as defined in Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-14B-2 shall: 1. Observe all installed EIFS and stucco wall components listed elsewhere in these standards.2. Submit a written, signed report to the person or persons outlined in their contract. The report shall: (i) Describe those components specified, as listed elsewhere in these standards.(ii) State which components were inspected as listed elsewhere in these standards.(iii) State which components as listed elsewhere in these standards that were not inspected and why.(iv) State why any components that are listed elsewhere in these standards that are in need of correction, modification, or immediate repair in order to bring the system to industry and/or manufacturer standards.(c) These inspection standards are not intended to limit the inspector from:1. Reporting conditions or observations that directly relate to the performance or life of the inspected wall system and its components.2. Including other systems and components into the inspection if requested by the person or persons for whom the inspection is performed.(2) General Exclusions and Limitations (a) General Exclusions 1. EIFS Inspectors are not required to report on:(i) The life expectancy of the wall system or any component of the system.(ii) The suitability of the wall system or product within the wall system for any specialized use.(iii) The compliance or non-compliance of the wall system and components with applicable code requirements.(iv) The method and materials required for the repair of the wall system or its components.(v) The cost for the corrections to the wall system or its components.(vi) The condition of a wall system or a component of a wall system that could not be readily observed due to personal items, furniture, equipment, plant life, soil, snow, ice, debris or storage.(vii) The identification of wood destroying organisms including, but not limited to, insects, fungi, and rodents.(viii) The identification of any hazardous substances, environmental issues or biohazards, or to determine the condition of an installed system used to control the above conditions.2. EIFS Inspectors are not required to: (i) Offer any warranties or guarantees of any kind.(ii) Offer any service or perform any act that is contrary to law.(iii) Perform any architectural or engineering service or perform any function that requires a license or permit which is in addition to the license obtained from the Building Commission.(iv) Determine the strength, adequacy, life of, or efficiency of any wall system or component.(v) Perform any procedure or destructive testing which may damage the wall system components or property without prior written permission from the property or building owner.(vi) Move any personal items, furniture, equipment, plant life, or items that may obstruct access or visibility of the component or wall system being inspected, without first obtaining written permission from the property or building owner.(vii) Predict the future of any installed wall system or its components installed within the wall system.(viii) Predict the performance of wall system or components within the wall system in regards to sound proofing, insulation, or fire suppression.(3) System Components and Details (a) EIFS Inspectors shall observe and report on:1. Systems such as: (i) PB -- Polymer Based EIFS(ii) PM -- Polymer Modified EIFS(iii) DEFS -- Direct Applied EIFS(iv) OCS -- One Coat Stucco Systems(vii) Traditional Hard Coat or Three Coat Stucco Systems2. General Information such as:(i) Age of system and components(ii) Approximate amount of applied material being inspected(iii) Direction on which the building and applied surfaces face. (North, South, East, West)(v) Temperature at time of inspection(vi) Weather conditions prior to and at the time of inspection(viii) Building or property owner3. Accessible components such as: (iii) Substrate type, if known(iv) Building wrap or moisture barrier, if known(v) Draining mat, if known(vi) Window type and manufacturer, if known(vii) Door type and manufacturer, if known(viii) Rigid foam type and manufacturer, if known(ix) Fasteners type and manufacturer, if known(xiii) Reinforcing mesh type and manufacturer(xiv) Base coat type and manufacturer(xv) Finish coating type and manufacturer(xvi) Sealant or adhesive type and manufacturer4. Accessible details such as: (i) Sealant around window perimeters(ii) Sealant around door perimeters(iii) Miter joints around windows and doors(iv) Fixed window mullions and joints(v) Head flashings at window tops(vi) Head flashings at window tops(vii) Pan flashing at window sills(viii) Penetrations at door threshold/track(xiv) Type of fastening system used on foam(xv) Substrate nailing pattern(xvi) Foam fastening installation pattern(xviii) Evidence of foam rasping prior to base coat installation(xix) Base coat thickness(xxi) Transitions at accessories such as vinyl, brick, wood, and other dissimilar materials(xxii) Termination at grade(xxiii) Termination at concrete slabs(xxv) Flashings at columns(xxvi) Kick out flashings(xxvii) Roof wall flashings(xxviii) Wall soffit termination(xxix) Roof wall termination(xxx) Wall fascia termination(xxxii) Chimney flashings(xxxiv) Wall penetrations(xxxv) Accessories, flashings and sealant used5. General Appearance (i) Cracking observed and location(ii) Exposed mesh observed and location(iii) Chalking surface (efflorescence) observed and location(iv) Uneven surface texture observed and location(v) Poor or missing sealant observed and location(vi) Stains observed and location(vii) Impact damage and location(viii) Flat areas and location(ix) Breaching of surface by other trades and locations(x) Vegetation, grading, drainage, driveways, patios, walkways, and retaining walls with respect to their effect on the condition of the exterior wall system or its components (xi) Accessories and attachment methods (4) Moisture Testing and Analysis (a) EIFS Inspectors shall observe and report on:1. Methods of Testing: (ii) Locations of testing areas(iii) Amount of testing areas(iv) Type of tests performed(v) Result of tests performed2. Examine areas of potential water intrusion(i) Glazing (V) Unauthorized alterations(ii) Penetrations (I) Designed penetrations(II) Post-construction penetrations(IV) Unauthorized alterations(iii) Wall Area (I) False joints (cracking)(III) Post-construction joints(VI) Bird nest, or insect damage/holes(VII) Unauthorized alterations(iv) Roof/Wall Interfaces3. Inspect and report on all accessible elevations or water entry points.4. Inspect and report on accessible interior areas. Probe interior finished areas and structural components where deterioration is suspected. Report the signs of water penetration into the building or signs of abnormal condensation on building components.5. Test equipment used: (i) Type of test equipment used(ii) Method of calibration of test equipment used Author: The Alabama Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics for EIFS Inspectors are adopted from the Exterior Design Institute (EDI) Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. The Alabama Building Commission gratefully acknowledges EDI's consent.
Ala. Admin. Code r. 170-X-25-.03
New Rule: Filed September 23, 2002; effective October 28, 2002.Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 34-14B-1, et seq., 41-9-140, et seq.