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7. Heating and Plumbing 7.1 Adequacy of Heating Equipment "Adequate heat" means that the heating system is capable of delivering enough heat to assure a healthy environment in the unit (appropriate to the climate). The HA is responsible for defining what constitutes a healthy living environment in the area of the country in which it operates. Local codes (city or state codes) should be instructive in arriving at a reasonable local definition. For example, for heat adequacy, local codes often require that the unit's heating facility be capable of maintaining a given tempera- ture level during a designated time period. Portable electric room heaters or kitchen stoves or ranges with a built-in heat unit are not acceptable as a primary source of heat for units located in areas where climate conditions require regular heating. ~Oirectly or indirectly to all rooms used for living" means: "directly" means that each room used for living has a heat source (e.g., working radiator; working hot air register; baseboard heat) "indirectly" means that, if there is no heat source present in the room, heat can enter the room easily from a heated adjacent room (e.g a dining room may not have a radiator, but would receive heat from the heated living room through a large open archway). If the heating system in the unit works, but there is some question whether a room without a heat source would receive adequate indirect heat, check "'nconclusive" and verify adequacy from tenant or owner (e.g., unheated bedroom at the end of a long hallway). How to determine the capability of the heating system: If the unit is occupied, usually the quickest way to determine the capability of the heating system over time is to question the tenant. If the unit is not occupied. or the tenant has not lived in the unit during the months when heat would be needed. check "Inclusive." It will be necessary to question the owner on this point after the inspection has been completed and, if possible, to question other tenants (if it is a multi-unit structure) about the adequacy of heat provided. Under some circumstances, the adequacy of heat can be deter- mined by a simple comparison of the size of the heating system to the area to be heated. For example, a small permanently installed space heater in a living room is probably inadequate for heating anything larger than a relatively small apartment. 7.2 Safety of Heating Equipment Examples of ~unvented fuel burning space heaters" are: portable kerosene units; unvented open flame portable units. "Other unsafe conditions" include: breakage or damage to heat- ing system such that there is a potential for fire or other threats to safety; improper connection of flues allowing exhaust gases to enter the living area; improper installation of equipment (e.g., proximity of fuel tank to heat source, absence of safety devices); indications of improper use of equipment (e.g., evidence of heavy build-up of soot, creosote, or other substance in the chimney); disintegrating equipment; combustible materials near heat source or flue. Seelnspection Manual for a more detailed discussion of the inspection of safety aspects of the heating systems. If you are unable to gain access to the primary heating system in the unit check "Inconclusive." Contact the owner or manager for verification of safety of the system. If the system has passed a recent local inspection, check "Pass." This applies especially to units in which heat is provided by a large scale, complex central heating system that serves multiple units (e.g., a boiler in the basement of a large apartment building). In most cases, a large scale healing system for a multi.unit building will be subject to periodic safety inspections by a local public agency. Check with the owner or manager to determine the date and outcome of the last such inspection, or look for an inspection certificate posted on the heating system. 7.3 Ventilation and Adequacy of Cooling If the tenant is present and has occupied the unit during the summer months, inquire about the adequacy of air flow. If the tenant is not present or has not occupied the unit during the summer months, test a sample of windows to see that they open (see Inspection Manual for instruction). "Working cooling equipment" includes: central (fan) ventilation system: evaporative cooling system; room or central air conditioning. Check "Inconclusive" if there are no open able windows and it is impossible, or inappropriate, to test whether a cooling system works. Check with other tenants in the building (in a multi-unit structure) and with the owner or manager for verification of the adequacy of ventilation and cooling. 7.4 Water Heater "location presents hazard" means that the gas or oil water heater is located in living areas Or closets where safety hazards may exist (e.g., water heater located in very cluttered closet with cloth and paper items stacked against it). Gas water heaters in bedrooms or other living areas must have safety dividers or shields. Water heaters must have a temperature-pressure relief valve and discharge line (directed toward the floor or outside of the living area) as a safeguard against build up of steam if the water heater malfunctions. If not, they are not properly equipped and shaB fail. To pass, gas or oil fired water heaters must be vented into a properly Installed chimney or flue leading outside. Electric water heaters do not require venting. If it is impossible to view the water heater, check "Inconclusive." Obtain verification of safety of system from owner or manager. Check "Pass" if the water heater has passed a local inspection. This applies primarily to hot water that is supplied by a large scale complex water heating system that serves multiple units (e.g., water heating system in large apartment building). Check in the same manner described for heating system safety, item 7.2, above. 7.5 Water Supply If the structure is connected to a city or town water system, check "Pass." If the structure has a private water supply (usually in rural areas) inquire Into the nature of the supply (probably from the owner) and whether it is approvable by an appropriate pubiic agency. General note: If items 7.5, 7.6, or 7,7 are checked "Inconclusive," check with owner or manager for verification of adequacy. 7.6 Plumbing "Major leaks" means that main water drain and feed pipes (often located In the basement) are seriously leaking. (Leaks present at specific facilities have already been evaluated under the checklist Items for "Bathroom" and "Kitchen."j "Corrosion" (causing serious and persistent levels of rust or contami- nation In the drinking water) can be determined by observing the color of the drinking water at several taps. Badly corroded pipes will produce noticeably brownish water. If the tenant is currently occupy- ing the unit, he orshe should be able to provide information about the persistence of this condition. (Make sure that the ~rusty water" is not a temporary condition caused by city or town maintenance of main water lines.) See general note under 7.5. 7.7 Sewer Connection If the structure is connected to the city or town sewer system, check ~Pass." If the structure has its own private disposal system (e.g., septic field), inquire into the nature of the system and determine whether this type of system can meet appropriate health and safety regulations. The following conditions constitute "evidence of sewer back up": strong sewer gas smell in the basement or outside of unit; numerous clogged or very slow drains; marshy areas outside of unit above septic field. See general note under 7.5. Page 15 of 20 form HUD-S2S80-A (9//2000) ref Handbook 7420.8 Previous editions are obsolete