s130204-1 Which shutoffs must be described?

Identifier: s130204-1

Date: 02/24/2013

Question:

The requirement to describe the location of the fuel shutoff is in the Plumbing section.  Which shutoff(s) is thisreferring to—a water heater? a boiler?   If it is the latter, is it the intent that oil or gas supplies to residence heating systems be described under Plumbing rather than Heating?   Finally, what shutoff must be described—the main one(s) at the tank(s)? The unit(s)? The room(s) containing the unit(s)? Intermediate piping shutoffs? 

Answer:

ASHI Standards of Practice Clause6.1.B.3 states:  “The inspector shall describe (the) location of main (emphasis added) water and fuel shutoff valves.”  A main shutoff valve shuts off flow to the entire distribution piping system including all fixture and appliance shutoff valves. For example, the main shutoff valve for a utility-supplied natural gas system is usually at the gas meter.  The inspector is not required to describe the location of any fixture and appliance shutoff valves.