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	<title>EBI Blog</title>
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	<description>For all your inspection needs</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sun, 17 Jul 2011 02:00:34 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs)</title>
		<link>http://extraordinairebuildinginspectors.com/ebiblog/?p=144</link>
		<comments>http://extraordinairebuildinginspectors.com/ebiblog/?p=144#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 17 Jul 2011 02:00:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Inspection]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[What is a GFCI? A ground-fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, is a device used in electrical wiring to disconnect a circuit when unbalanced current is detected between an energized conductor and a neutral return conductor.  Such an imbalance is sometimes caused by current &#8220;leaking&#8221; through a person who is simultaneously in contact with a ground and an energized part of the circuit, which could result in lethal shock.  GFCIs are designed to provide protection in such a situation, unlike standard circuit breakers, which guard against overloads, short circuits and ground faults. It is estimated that about 300 deaths by electrocution occur every year, so the use of GFCIs has been adopted in new construction, and recommended as an upgrade in older construction, in order to mitigate the possibility of injury or fatality from electric shock. History The first high-sensitivity system for detecting current leaking to ground was developed by Henri Rubin in 1955 for use in South African mines.  This cold-cathode system had a tripping sensitivity of 250 mA (milliamperes), and was soon followed by an upgraded design that allowed for adjustable trip-sensitivity from 12.5 to 17.5 mA.  The extremely rapid tripping after earth leakage-detection caused the circuit to de-energize [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupters</title>
		<link>http://extraordinairebuildinginspectors.com/ebiblog/?p=136</link>
		<comments>http://extraordinairebuildinginspectors.com/ebiblog/?p=136#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 02:01:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Inspection]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) are special types of electrical outlets and circuit breakers designed to detect and respond to potentially dangerous electrical arcs in home branch wiring. How do they work? AFCIs function by monitoring the electrical waveform and promptly opening (interrupting) the circuit they serve if they detect changes in the wave pattern that are characteristic of a dangerous arc. They also must be capable of distinguishing safe, normal arcs, such as those created when a switch is turned on or a plug is pulled from a receptacle, from arcs that can cause fires. An AFCI can detect, recognize, and respond to very small changes in wave pattern. What is an arc? When an electric current crosses an air gap from an energized component to a grounded component, it produces a glowing plasma discharge known as an arc. For example, a bolt of lightening is a very large, powerful arc that crosses an atmospheric gap from an electrically charged cloud to the ground or another cloud. Just as lightning can cause fires, arcs produced by domestic wiring are capable of producing high levels of heat that can ignite their surroundings and lead to structure fires. According to statistics from [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Barbeque Safety</title>
		<link>http://extraordinairebuildinginspectors.com/ebiblog/?p=114</link>
		<comments>http://extraordinairebuildinginspectors.com/ebiblog/?p=114#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 May 2011 23:10:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[With barbeque season already here, homeowners should heed the following safety precautions in order to keep their families and property safe. Propane grills present an enormous fire hazard, as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is aware of more than 500 fires that result annually from their misuse or malfunction. The following precautions are recommended specifically when using propane grills: Store propane tanks outdoors and never near the grill or any other heat source. In addition, never store or transport them in your car’s trunk. Make sure to completely turn off the gas after you have finished, or when you are changing the tank. Even a small gas leak can cause a deadly explosion.  Check for damage to a tank before refilling it, and only buy propane from reputable suppliers. Never use a propane barbecue grill on a terrace, balcony or roof, as this is dangerous and illegal. No more than two 20-pound propane tanks are allowed on the property of a one- or two-family home. To inspect for a leak, spray a soapy solution over the connections and watch for bubbles. If you see evidence of a leak, reconnect the components and try again. If bubbles persist, replace the leaking parts before using [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Bathroom Ventilation Ducts and Fans</title>
		<link>http://extraordinairebuildinginspectors.com/ebiblog/?p=109</link>
		<comments>http://extraordinairebuildinginspectors.com/ebiblog/?p=109#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:14:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Inspection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Bathroom ventilation systems are designed to exhaust odors and moist air to the home&#8217;s exterior. Typical systems consist of a ceiling fan unit connected to a duct that terminates at the roof.   Fan Function      The fan may be controlled in one of several ways: Most are controlled by a conventional wall switch. A timer switch may be mounted on the wall. A wall-mounted humidistat can be pre-set to turn the fan on and off based on different levels of relative humidity. Newer fans may be very quiet but work just fine. Older fans may be very noisy or very quiet. If an older fan is quiet, it may not be working well. Inspectors can test for adequate fan airflow with a chemical smoke pencil or a powder puff bottle, but such tests exceed InterNACHI&#8217;s Standards of Practice. Bathroom ventilation fans should be inspected for dust buildup that can impede airflow. Particles of moisture-laden animal dander and lint are attracted to the fan because of its static charge. Inspectors should comment on dirty fan covers. Ventilation systems should be installed in all bathrooms. This includes bathrooms with windows, since windows will not be opened during the winter in [...]]]></description>
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		<title>Anti-Tip Brackets for Free-Standing Ranges</title>
		<link>http://extraordinairebuildinginspectors.com/ebiblog/?p=106</link>
		<comments>http://extraordinairebuildinginspectors.com/ebiblog/?p=106#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:15:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Inspection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Anti-tip brackets are metal devices designed to prevent freestanding ranges from tipping. They are normally attached to a rear leg of the range or screwed into the wall behind the range, and are included in all installation kits. A unit that is not equipped with these devices may tip over if enough weight is applied to its open door, such as that from a large Thanksgiving turkey, or even a small child. A falling range can crush, scald, or burn anyone caught beneath.   Bracket Inspection Inspectors can confirm the presence of anti-tip brackets through the following methods: It may be possible to see a wall-mounted bracket by looking over the rear of the range. Floor-mounted brackets are often hidden, although in some models with removable drawers, such as 30&#8243; electric ranges made by General Electric, the drawers can be removed and a flashlight can be used to search for the bracket. Inspectors should beware that a visual confirmation does not guarantee that the bracket has been properly installed. Inspectors can firmly grip the upper-rear section of the range and tip the unit. If equipped with an anti-tip bracket, the unit will not tip more than several inches before coming to a halt. The [...]]]></description>
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