Kent
Box 301, 1750 30th St.
Boulder, Colorado 80301
USA
(303) 258-8289
(303) 717-8940

• Inspection Contract

• My Qualifications

• LOG HOMES
• GREEN HOMES
• Strawbale Homes

• Pre-list Inspections
• Show Prep

• Engineered Lumber
• Enhanced-efficiency Building Systems
• Value Engineering
• Straw Bale Homes
• Climate Zones
• Insulation
• Conduction, Convection and Radiation
• Air Movement in Buildings
• Attic Ventilation
• Moisture Control
• Mold
• Passive Solar Home Design
• Windows
• Photovoltaic Systems
• Solar Thermal
• Hydronic Heating
• Lighting
• Hot Water Recirculation Systems
• Wood Stoves
• Furnaces
• Air Conditioners
• Air Ducts
• Evaporative Coolers
• Humidifiers
• Heat Pumps
• Roof Defects
• Green Roofs
• Standards and Certification
• Incentives: Renewable Energy/Energy-efficiency
• Home Energy Audits
• Home Energy Ratings
• Energy Codes
• Green Building Standards
• Energy Program Comparisons
• Green Mortgages
• EDUCATION and TRAINING
• Sustainability
• Sustainable Practices and Materials
• ENERGY
• The Status of Energy
• Non-renewable Energy
• Renewable Energy
• CLIMATE CHANGE
• Climate Change
• Natural Climate Change
• Possible Results of Climate Change
• WATER
• Groundwater Depletion
• Water Quality
• Indoor Water Conservation
• Outdoor Water Conservation
• LOT DEVELOPMENT
• Erosion
• Grading and Landscaping

From the Home Inspection and Construction InformationWeb Site

• Architecture
• Arson & Fire Investigation
• Air Conditioning & Cooling Systems
• Building Codes also see Standards
• Chimneys, fireplaces, and woodstoves including heating with wood
• Concrete & Masonry
• Construction Practices, Inspection, Diagnosis, Research. also see Steel Construction, Site Work, & individual trades
• Electrical inspection, codes, hazardous products, Aluminum wire, Federal Pacific
• Engineering associations
• Emergency Relief/Disaster Red Cross, ARC, FEMA
• Energy Conservation, Alternative Energy also see Green Construction
• Environment & Hazmat also see Asbestos hazards, EMF and Toxic Gases and Indoor Air Quality, and Lead Hazards, separate section on Mold and Oil Tanks
• Equipment: Inspection and Diagnosis for Building inspectors. Test equipment, infra red, thermography, moisture meters, electrical test equipment, etc.
• Exteriors, EIFS, Siding, Stucco, Trim, Windows, Doors, practices, defective products, landscaping
• Foundations and Structures, structural inspections. also see Home Inspection
• Government Agencies als see Emergency
• Green Construction also see Energy Conservation, Environment and Steel recycling
• Heating Systems inspection methods, product recalls, also see Oil Tanks
• Historic Buildings identification, inspection, Sears Catalog Houses, Dating a House, Old House Materials & Repairs
• Home Owners/Home Buyers
• Home Inspection, Building Inspection, Failure Diagnosis, How to a find home inspector and how to choose, Home Inspection Equipment and tool sources, Home Inspection Methodology and Building Failures Research schools, classes and articles
• Indoor Air Quality also see Environment and Mold
• Insulation & Ventilation
• Interiors
• Law: Construction or Environmental Law & Legal Services and litigation assistance on Building failures, environmental issues, safety hazards,
• Lumber & Wood Building Materials
• Mold, Allergens also see Environment & List of Mold Remediation Contractors
• Newsgroups: Construction Diagnosis or Environmental Testing & Newsgroups for home owners
• Oil Tank Issues: Papers and Articles on oil tank testing, location, removal, inspection
• Plumbing Pipes, Septic Systems, Diagnosis. also see Water, Water Supply, Wells. and our Directory of Plumbing Services & Products
• Product Recalls and Warnings - Construction or Home Equipment
• Real Estate Services & Publications
• Roofing practices, product failures; Roofing Contractors, Products, Services Directory
• Seismic/Earthquake construction methods, inspection
• Septic Systems, Septic Inspection, Repair, Design, Design Alternatives, Products, Services
• Septic System Books to Buy Online, our list of recommended books on septic systems, greywater systems, composting toilets, and other building inspection & maintenance topics
• Siding, EIFS, Stucco, Synthetic Stucco, Trim, Windows, Doors, practices, defective products
• Site Work - Construction also see Construction
• Standards, Building Product & Testing Agencies also see Building Codes
• Stairs, steps, railings see also Construction & Structures
• Steel Construction see also Construction & Structures
• Structures, see Foundations and Structure
• Travel, Hiking, and Houses for Rent in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico
• Universities re:construction, environmental, engineering resources
• Water, Water Supply, Wells
• Windows, Doors, Siding, Trim, practices, defective products
• Our Home Page Link - The Construction Inspection and Diagnosis Website

Air Conditioning & Cooling Systems

• Air Conditioning SEER - New DOE Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Efficiency Standard
• Air Conditioning Refrigerants - What You Should Know: What You Should Know about Refrigerants When Purchasing or Repairing a Residential A/C System or Heat Pump
• A Guide to Energy Efficient Heating & Cooling from the US EPA, including how to maintain your heating and cooling equipment to save energy, how and where to seal air leaks or HVAC duct leaks in your home, how to decide when it's time to replace your air conditioning system, how to work with the HVAC contractor, how to choose the right heating or air conditioning equipment, and how to get equipment that is properly sized.
  
• Heating and Air Conditioning Filters airconditioning-filter.com - A portable air conditioning unit provides the same heating and air conditioning as an air conditioning system, however, the quantity or the area it cools/heats is smaller and targeted
• Duct Cleaning Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? - Indoor Environments Division (6607J) Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) EPA-402-K-97-002, October 1997, US EPA
• HVAC Equipment Data Tag De-coding: Technical Reference Guide, published by Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates, Ltd., Toronto, 2006 for a $69.00 book which translates air conditioning equipment model numbers and serial numbers into date of equipment manufacture and rated BTUH capacity.
• Introduction to Residential Duct Systems produced by the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory
• Introduction to Cooling Performance" ibid.
• Preston's HVACGuide Books list Mfgs, Models, Capacity, Etc. (advertisement for ref. book)
• HVAC Jobs information on HVAC, HVAC Software, HVAC engineers, HVAC contractors, HVAC recruiters, HVAC jobs, Heating, Air Conditioning and ASHRAE
• The TRANE Company

Contents

Architecture

• Architecture.com all about architecture, by the RIBA
• Chicago Architecture Foundation

Arson & Fire Investigation

• Arson Investigators, International Association
• Interfire Online, Fire & Arson Investigation Resources
• The Arson & Fire Investigation Website - Mike Lane's group
• Fire Findings Investigators Exchange message board
• Aurora Colorado Fire Department - LotsaFire/EMS links

Chimneys, Flues, Wood stoves & Fireplaces

Chimneys

• Chimneys & Flues, safety concerns, inspection methods, repair, chimney relining methods, chimney replacement, new installation alternatives; and direct-vent alternatives to chimneys for heating furnaces & boilers
• Chimney Inspection Photo Guide for safety inspections outside, indoors, and inside the chimney flue
• Unlined Chimney Flues: Safety Requirements old chimneys may be unsafe
• Chimney Safety Alert for Wood Burning Appliances - US CPSC Alert Document 5017, wood stoves, fireplace inserts
• Chimney Safety Alert for Metal Chimneys - US CPSC Alert Document 5047, metal chimneys, wood and coal stove safety
• National Chimney Sweeps Guild "Certified" members are trained to inspect or clean chimneys

Wood stoves, wood heating, fireplaces

• Coal, Gas, Pellet, Wood Appliances & Fuels and Chimney Basics
• Greenwood Hydronic Wood Furnace (Wood-fired heating boilers), Heat your home with wood, and very little smoke, creosote or ash

Building Codes

• BOCA Building Officials and Code Administ.
• CABO Council of American Building Officials Merged w/ ICC
• Code Check- Help with Building Codes
• SBCCI Southern Building Code Conference Int./A>
• ICBO Internat.Conf. of Building Officials
• New York City Building Codes online here
• NFPA Home Page - National Electrical Code and other resources
• Contractors State License Board, CA
• See alsoStandards & Testing Agencies

Construction Practices, Inspection, Diagnosis, Forensics

• The Home Inspection/Construction Information Website - Our Home Page on Construction & Environmental Inspection, Teesting, Defects, Repairs, Building Failure Diagnosis and Prevention
• Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, Materials, Finishes, and Details, book review and source
• BuildNET Building Industry Online
• Construction Flaws: Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe, description of defects in this nuclear plant prior to the melt-down
• Construction Information Sources (CIS) Databasecollection of Internet sites for A/E/C (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry - includes data basesearch capabilities
• Construction Online
• Construction Research Laboratories
• Construction Research Org. Servers (Recommended by Larry Hoytt)
• Construction Site for Contractors, Architects, Engineers, Home Inspectors
• Directional Drilling Underground construction services for utility and many other trenching needs
• Electronic Blue Book - construction industry info search
• Estimating Software - construction estimating software tracks job cost in QuickBooks after estimating projects with LiteningFast
• Journal of Light Construction residential and light construction, great publication
• Univ of Illinois Urbana Champaign: Small Homes Council
• See alsoArchitecture, Engineering, Home Inspection, Site Work and specific topics like Electrical, Plumbing, etc.

Electrical

• Electrical - Our Website Articles on inspection, defects, repairs
• AGT BatteryBest source we've found for flashlights, batteries, parts - Pres. Angela Tessmer offers expert service and product advice
• Aluminum Wiring
  • The Aluminum Wiring Information Website - Our Website Articles on inspection, defects, repairs
  • Independent Tests indicate Ideal-65 Twist-on retrofit connector fails UL 486CSafety Standard despite UL-listing
  • Recognizing Aluminum Wiringphotos and tips
  • Reducing the Fire Hazards in Aluminum-Wired Homes, details of the hazard of and what to do about aluminum wiring, aluminum wiring repair methods,
    This document answers most technical questions about the hazards and remedies of aluminum electrical wiring. [UPDATED-DF 3/8/2003, Edits-df 02/09/2006]
    Pigtailing using COPALUM - CPSC recommended,
    Pigtailing using Scotchlok 3M - useable, with a link to step-by-step "how to" photos,
    Pigtailing using Ideal 65 - NOT recommended, aluminum wiring failures research, field and lab experience, expert sources.
  • Fire Hazards With Aluminum to Copper Twist-on Connectors & Acceptable Repair Practices Color Photos, Alternative Retrofit/Repair Procedures, Current Issues. 9/28/95 CPSC Meeting Minutes
  • "Is YOUR Aluminum Wiring Safe?"article discussing safety claims made without looking at the wiring, J. Aronstein, 11/21/95
  • "Repairing Aluminum Wiring," Consumer Product Safety Commission Booklet CPSC#516
  • Aluminum Wiring Update: CPSC reiterates unsuitability of twist-on connectors (Including the Ideal No. 65) for repairing aluminum wiring in residences.
  • Bibliography available: publicly available articles, pamphlets, resources on Aluminum Wiring
  • Tyco Electronics website provides information about the AMP COPALUM connector program
  • COPALUM Aluminum Wire Connector Availability: U.S. CPSC announced that Tyco Electronics Corp. will continue offering the COPALUM connector repair system until at least 2005 - for details see the US CSPC-Tyco Press Release.
  • AMP Corporation, Harrisburg PA 17105 800-522-6752 - CPSC's recommended COPALUM aluminum-copper retrofit - US Customer Support 800-522-6752 [See the TYCO announcement above]
  • AMP Canada Product Information Department, 905-470-4425 the COPALUM connector line is available in Canada; they do not appear to have a contractor training/certification program such as is (at least in a few places) available in the USA.
  • AMP COPALUM Connectors & Equipment Source for at Tyco Electronics
    
  • AluminiumIndustry World Wide Web Server
  • Metal & Mining Industry Page Starvo's
• Cadet Heaters Recall CPSC notice supplemented with identification and heater failure photos
• Circuit Breaker Supplier New and Used circuit breakers supplied by - Bay Breakers -
• Design Utilities, Electrical - voltdrop, etcCollection of Electrical Utilities
• Electrical EINET
• Electromagnetic Field Surveys & Hazards links in this list, below

List of Electricians Specializing in Aluminum Wire Repair, Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Replacement, Zinsco Replacement

• Aluminum Wiring Repair Electrician Directory List See our list of Aluminum Wiring Repair Electricians at: Aluminum Wiring Repair: A List of AMP TYCO -Certified COPALUM Trained Aluminum Wire Repair Electricians & Electrical Service Companies
• FPE, Zinsco, and Other Electricians Directory List Here is our list of FPE Federal Pacific Electric Stab-Lok, Zinsco, or Bryant electrical panel repair electricians:
• California (Long Beach/Lakewood) D & L Electrical Federal Pacific and Zinsco Electrical Panel Replacement Services (562) 422-8140 or (562) 301-5858 SeanD@davidson-electric.com
• California (San Fernando Valley North Hills) Pearson & Co. Electrical Engineering, Gerard Pearson (818)894-0124
• California (Ventura) Denny's Electric and Home Services Jimmy Lenwell, Electrical Division Manager, 805-656-1099 dhs_jl@yahoo.com
• Colorado Electricians Directory - Craig Reynolds, Lord & Reynolds Electricians, Longmont CO, 303-532-8742, serving all of Denver Metro, Boulder, Longmont and surrounding areas
• Florida (Tampa Bay) Electricians Directory - Jon Polizzi- Electric Today Inc. 813-653-4221 813-684-8716-fax "Tampa Bay's Favorite Electrician"
• Florida (Sarasota) - Mr. Electric of Sarasota County Florida, Chris Fields, 941-377-9696 fieldsc@mail.mrelectric.com
• Minnesota Electricians Directory - Paul Stafford Electric, Heating & Cooling, Minneapolis, MN 55416 - 952-927-7194-Ext 11 Fax - 952-927-7192 peg@paulstaffordinc.com
• Missouri Electricians Directory (Eastern) - Paul Loveland, Loveland Electrical Service 314-393-7285 Paul@LovelandElectric.com
• Missouri, St. Louis - Direct Electric, Don Cherry, 636-462-5028 DLCherry@gmail.com Electricians Specializing in Aluminum Wire Repair, Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Replacement, Zinsco Replacement
• Oklahoma Electricians Directory - Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Panel Replacement Oklahoma, Oklahoma City area, Aaron Boyles, True Tech Electric 405.802.8783

• Washington Electricians Directory- (Vancouver area) - Mr. Electric of Clark County, Jim Kleiser, 360-574-7200 / 503-296-8555 360-546-2158-FAX jim@mrelectriccc.com

Federal Pacific Electric Panels & Stab Lok Breakers Information Articles

• Federal Pacific Electric FPE Panel Hazards Home Page - Our Website Articles on inspection, defects, repairs
• Federal Pacific Electric Repair/Replacement Advice about product recalls, replacement breakers, claims by sellers and realtors that there is no hazard
• Home Inspection Reporting Language for FPE Stab-Lok electric panels and circuit breakers
• How to Identify FPE Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Electric Panels - is yours one of these? ALSO: A History of the FPE Stab-Lok Issue.
• FPE FIRES: Failures continue: FPE breaker fails, results in fires: field reports
• Federal Pacific Electric Panel Replacements two cost and method options for FPE panel replacement.

• 2000 FPE breaker fails, results in fire: report 12/99
• 1999 HomeInspection Reporting Language anddiscussion for FPE panels
• 1997 Schneider Canada Federal Pioneer circuit breaker recall
• 1995 Federal Pacific Electric Panels: Fires Waiting to Happen, Debate Waiting to Be Ended - original text article from which this summary was extracted.
• 1983 CPSC Investigation of FPE Circuit Breakers Safety Information for Consumers
• 1982 CPSC Calibration and Condition Tests of Molded CaseCircuit Breakers, Final ReportDecember 30 summary pages, indicating failure rates found for FPE Stab-Lok circuit breakers
• 1982 Reliance Electric Co. SEC Quarterly Report: NoteC. reports litigation between Reliance and UV Liquidating Trust and contends that "... improper and deceptive practices were employed for many years to secure UL listings for Federal Pacific's circuit protective products..."
• 1980 Reliance Electric Co. Press Release: improper practices improper practices used to obtain UL Listing for most of FPE'scircuit breakers and notes testing which indicates "possible defects." 1980, Reliance Electric Co.

Engineering

• American Consulting Engineers Council
• Arizona Consulting Engineers Association
• Consulting Engineers Council of NY State
• Engineers On Line
• Engineering Civil and Construction
• Engineering, Construction Research Laboratories
• "ENSYS - Engineering Training Programs, Orlando-based, online education
• Civil Engineering Resources
• IEEE General Information
• Science/Civil :Construction:Institutes

Emergency Relief/Disaster ARC FEMA etc

• American Red Cross Home Page
• International Red Cross - IFRC Home Page
• FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
• FEMA-California Home Page

Energy Conservation and Energy Efficient Construction

• Solar House Maine
• VTT Building Technology(Recommended byLarry Hoytt)

Environment & Hazmat

See also Law and Legal Services
See also Indoor Air Quality, Toxic Mold and IAQ Investigations

• Environment - Our Website Articles on inspection, defects, repairs
• Adult Attention Deficit Disorder - A leading provider of EEG neurofeedback for adult attention deficit disorder ADD / ADHD, also sells EMF meters and air and water purification equipment
• Appearance of mold indoors: what does mold look like indoors on surfaces and in the laboratory?
• Asbestos Detection, Testing, Recognition, Hazards, Field Photos, and Information Sources
  • Asbestos: How to find and recognize asbestos in Buildings - visual inspection methods, list of common asbestos-containing materials
  • Asbestos Under the Microscope
  • Asbestos HVAC Ducts and Flues field identification photos and guide
  • Asbestos News - a good information website on asbestos hazards and Mesothelioma.
  • Dust from the World Trade Center collapse following the 9/11/01 attack: the lower floors of this building contained spray-on fire-proofing asbestos materials.
  • Asbestos Information Page The U.S. EPA
  • Asbestos News - a good information website on asbestos hazards and Mesothelioma. Example of lead-in of a current article (Jan 2006) "What is Mesothelioma? - Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that attacks cells, called mesothelial cells, which make up membrane lining in the chest and abdominal cavity. The tissue called mesothelium, which is formed by the mesothelial cells, help protects the organs by producing a lubricating fluid that allows the organs to move without irritating nerves." The site contains articles on asbestos abatement, asbestos in schools, claims, containment, litigation, and various asbestos-related illnesses.
  • Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awarness Center [Quoting from their main web page]"Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung (pleura) the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) or the heart (pericardium). Its only known cause is exposure to asbestos - typically through the workplace. MAAcenter is not a legal resource site like many other sites on the internet. MAAcenter has no affiliation with a law firm and won't ask for personal information. Rather MAAcenter actually helps victims of asbestos related cancer gather information on the disease. MAAcenter is a dedicated resource that directs patients and their families to actual resources, not law firms looking to cash in."
  • Mesothelioma is a very dangerous ailment that can devastate a family.  Make sure that you have the right mesothelioma lawyers to help protect your family from economic hardships.  Asbestos is an extremely dangerous substance that everyone should be aware of. [Text supplied to DF by Mesothelioma News 2/12/07]
  • The U.S. EPA Vermiculite (asbestos hazard) Information Page
  • Mesothelioma Attorney Advice Center Asbestos related illness legal advice; links to articles on asbestos, Mesothelioma, Asbestos law, & related resources
• ATSDR Science Corner:Government Servers
• ATSDR Science Corner: Toxic Substances
• Atlas Chemicals: Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• Carbon Monoxide & Carbon Dioxide Gas Toxicity
• Careers in Environmental Science list of resources
• Cat Dander: how to inspect and test a building for past or current presence of cats, cat hair, cat dander, and cat allergens
• J.D. Sales & Consulting investigating Carbon Monoxide and combustion problems
• Chemicals MDSsheets
• Electro-magnetic Fields EMF electromagnetic studies & surveys
  • Electromagnetic Field Measurement Procedures a suggted field inspection and EMF survey protocol to improve accuracy and repeatability of EMF surveys
  • Electric Power Lines, Electromagnetic Fields, Cancer Risk, & "Enviro-Scare" - The Normal Curve Cycle of Public Fear of Environmental Issues
  • Electromagnetic Fields in the Workplace sample very good NIOSH document online, links to other NIOSH docs.
  • Forum articles egEMF
  • EMF Shielding Inc New York based Environmental Engineering Firm provides EMF Design, Engineering, Electromagnetic Field Surveys, Shielding Installation, Consulting and Field Management - U.S. & worldwide services
  • EMF ElectroScienceLaboratory Home Page
  • NY Building Diagnostician Specializing in Environmental Concerns offers EMF field surveys and an EMF survey protocl - author of this website--DF
• Environmental Awareness, Software for from the U.S. EPA
• Environmental Careers, List of Websites for
• Environmental Health, Centre for -Univ Victoria
• Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Home page
• Environmental Sites on Internet Condensed List
  
• Fiberglass Hazards: Indoor Air Quality Investigations: Fiberglass in Indoor Air, HVAC ducts, and Building Insulation
  • Safety of fiberglass insulation - American Lung Association
  • Papers on fiberglass duct research AIHA American Industrial Hygiene Association
  • John Bower's article on fiberglass Healthy House Institute
  • U.S. EPA project on evaluation of fungal growth on fiberglass duct
  • US EPA - Use of Disinfectants and Sanitizers in HVAC systems
  • Fiberglass Information Network a broad resource of information on this topic
  • Fiberglass duct litigation Faulty installation of fiberglass ducts and batts resulted settlement of $825,000 for a worker in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
  • Consumer Law Page (a personal injury law firm)
  • Fiberglass seen as a more potent carcinogen than asbestos - Earth Crash environmental action website
  • OSHA release on worker protection from fiberglass
• Law: Construction or Environmental Law & Legal Services and litigation assistance on Building failures, environmental issues, safety hazards,

Gases, Toxic

• Toxic Gas Sampling Plan
• A Toxic Gas Testing Plan: A Gas Sampling Plan for Residential and Commercial Buildings lists some of the toxic indoor gases for which we test, depending on the building complaint and building conditions
• Gas Exposure Hazard Levels: for Toxic Gas Exposure to Ammonia, Arsine, Arsenic, Bromine, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Hydride, Ozone - allowable exosure levels and hazard levels
• Carbon Dioxide Gas Toxicity hazard levels, poisoning symptoms, & testing
• Carbon Monoxide Gas Toxicity hazard levels, poisoning symptoms, & testing
• Formaldehyde: US EPA. UFFI (Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation) was previously considered a hazard (formaldehyde outgassing).
• UFFI is virtually a closed concern regarding this material; however formaldehyde appears to remain a health concern for sensitive individuals.
• Ozone Warnings Use of Ozone as a "mold" remedy is ineffective and may be dangerous.
• Draeger-Safety's detector-tubes and Drager accuro® bellows pump
• Gastec® cylinder pump and detector-tube system produced by Gastec
• Sensidyne,
• <A href="http://www.sensidyne.com/GIL/