|
<br />8. General Health and Safety
<br />
<br />8.1 Access to Unit
<br />"Through another unit" means that access to the unit Is only possible
<br />by means of passage through another dwelling unit.
<br />8.2 Exits
<br />"Acceptable fire exit" means that the building must have an altema.
<br />live means of exit that meets local or State regulations in case of fire;
<br />this could include:
<br />An openable window if the unit is on the first floor or second floor
<br />or easily accessible to the ground.
<br />A back door opening on to a porch with a stairway leading to the
<br />ground.
<br />Fire escape, fire ladder, or fire stairs.
<br />"Blocked" means that the exit is not useable due to conditions such
<br />as debris, storage, door or window nailed shut, broken lock.
<br />Important note: The HA has the final responsibility for deciding
<br />whether the type of emergency exit Is acceptable, although the
<br />tenant should assist in making the decision.
<br />8.3 Evidence of Infestation
<br />uPresence of rats, or severe infestation by mice or vermin" (such as
<br />roaches) is evidenced by: rat holes; droppings; rat runs; numerous
<br />settings of rat poison. If the unit is occupied, ask the tenant,
<br />8.4 Garbage and Debris
<br />"Heavy accumulation" means large piles of trash and garbage,
<br />discarded furniture, and other debris (not temporarily stored awaiting
<br />removal) that might harbor rodents, This may occur inside the unit,
<br />in common areas, or outside. It usually means a level of accumula-
<br />tion beyond the capacity of an individual to pick up within an hour or
<br />two,
<br />8.5 Refuse Disposal
<br />"Adequate covered facilities" includes: trash cans with covers, gar-
<br />bage chutes. "dumpsters" (I.e.. large scale refuse boxes with lids);
<br />trash bags (if approvable by local public agency). "Approvable by
<br />local public agency" means that the local Health and Sanitation
<br />Department (oily, town or county) approves the type offacility in use.
<br />Note: During the period when the HA is setting up its inspection
<br />program. it will check with the local health and sanitation department to
<br />determine which types of facilities are acceptable and inciude this in the
<br />inspection requirements.
<br />If the unit is vacant and there are no adequate covered facilities
<br />present, check ~Inconclusive." Contact the owner or manager for
<br />verification of facilities provided when the unit is occupied.
<br />8.6 Interior Stairs and Common Halls
<br />"Loose, broken, or missing steps" should fail if they present a serious
<br />risk of tripping or faliing.
<br />A handrail is required on extended sections of stairs (generally four
<br />or more consecutive steps). A railing is required on unprotected
<br />heights such as around stairwells.
<br />"Other hazards" would be conditions such as bare electrical wires
<br />and tripping hazards.
<br />Housina Choice Voucher Units If the unit was built January 1,
<br />1978, or after, no child under six will occupy or currently occupies
<br />it, is a O-SR, elderly or handicapped unit with no children under
<br />six on the lease or expected, has been certified lead-based paint
<br />free by a certified lead-based paint inspector (no lead-based paint
<br />present or no lead-based paint present after removal of lead-
<br />based paint.), check NA and do not inspect painted surfaces.
<br />
<br />This requirement applies to all painted surfaces (building compo-
<br />nents) within the unit. (Do not include tenant belongings).
<br />Surfaces to receive a visual assessment for deteriorated paint
<br />include walls, floors, ceilings, built in cabinets (sink bases),
<br />baseboards, doors, door frames, windows systems including
<br />
<br />mullions, sills, or frames and any other painted building compo-
<br />nent within the unit. Deteriorated paint includes any painted
<br />surface that is peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, damaged or
<br />otherwise separated from the substrate.
<br />
<br />All deteriorated paint surfaces more than 2 sq. ft. in anyone
<br />interior room or space, or more than 10% of the total surface
<br />area of an interior type of component with a small surface
<br />area (i.e., window sills, baseboards, and trim) must be stabi-
<br />lized (corrected) in accordance with all safe work practice
<br />requirements and clearance is required. If the deteriorated
<br />painted surface is less than 2 sq. ft. or less than 10% of the
<br />component, only stabilization is required. Clearance testing
<br />is not required. Stabilization means removal of deteriorated
<br />paint, repair of the substrate, and application of a new protective
<br />coating or paint. Lead-Based Paint Owner Certification is
<br />required following stabilization activities, except for de minimis
<br />level repairs.
<br />
<br />8.7 other Interior Hazards
<br />Examples of other hazards might be: a broken bathroom fixture with
<br />a sharp edge in a location where it represents a hazard; a protruding
<br />nail in a doorway.
<br />8.8 Elevators
<br />Note: At the time the HA is setting up its inspection program, it will
<br />determine local licensing practices for elevators. Inspectors should
<br />then be aware of these practices in evaluating this item (e.g., check
<br />inspection date). If no elevator check "Not Applicable."
<br />8.9 Interior Air Quality
<br />If the inspector has any questions about whether an existing poor air
<br />quality condition should be considered dangerous, he or she should
<br />check with the local Health and Safety Department (city, town or
<br />county) .
<br />8.10 Site and Neighborhood Conditions
<br />Examples of conditions that would "seriously and continuously
<br />endanger the health or safety of the residents" are:
<br />other buildings on, or near the property, that pose serious
<br />hazards (e.g., dilapidated shed or garage with potential for
<br />structural collapse).
<br />evidence of flooding or major drainage problems,
<br />evidence of mud slides or large land settlement or collapse,
<br />proximity to open sewage,
<br />unprotected heights (cliffs, quarries, mines. sandpits),
<br />fire hazards,
<br />abnormal air pOllution or smoke which continues throughout
<br />the year and is determined to seriously endanger health, and
<br />continuous or excessive vibration of vehicular traffic (if the unit
<br />is occupied. ask the tenant).
<br />8.11 Lead-Based Paint: Owner Certification
<br />If the owner is required to correct any lead-based paint hazards at
<br />the property including deteriorated paint or other hazards identi-
<br />fied by a visual assessor, a certified lead-based paint risk asses-
<br />sor, or certified lead-based paint inspector, the PHA must obtain
<br />certification that the work has been done in accordance with all
<br />applicable requirements of 24 CFR Part 35. The Lead-Based
<br />Paint Owner Certification must be received by the PHA before the
<br />execution of the HAP contract or within the time period stated by
<br />the PHA in the owner HaS violation notice. Receipt of the
<br />completed and signed Lead-Based Paint Owner Certification
<br />signifies that all HaS lead-based paint requirements have been
<br />met and no re-inspection by the HaS inspector is required.
<br />
<br />Previous editions are obsolete
<br />
<br />Page 17 of20
<br />
<br />form HUD-5258a-A (9//2000)
<br />ref Handbook 7420.8
<br />
|