(a)Heating equipment.
(1)General requirements.
(A)The inspector shall report:
(i)the type of heating systems; and
(ii)the energy sources; and
(B)report as Deficient:
(i)inoperative units;
(ii)deficiencies in the thermostats;
(iii)inappropriate location;
(iv)the lack of protection from physical damage;
(v)burners, burner ignition devices or heating elements,
switches, and thermostats that are not a minimum of 18 inches above
the lowest garage floor elevation, unless the unit is listed for garage
floor installation;
(vi)the absence of an opening that would allow access
to equipment for inspection, service, repair or replacement without
removing permanent construction or building finish;
(vii)when applicable; a floored passageway and service
platform that would allow access for equipment inspection, service,
repair or replacement; and
(viii)deficiencies in mounting and performance of
window and wall units;
(2)Requirements for electric units. The inspector
shall report deficiencies in:
(A)performance of heat pumps;
(B)performance of heating elements; and
(C)condition of conductors; and
(3)Requirements for gas units. The inspector shall
report as Deficient:
(A)gas leaks in the heating equipment not associated
with the gas distribution system;
(B)flame impingement, uplifting flame, improper flame
color, or excessive scale buildup;
[(C)the absence of a gas shut-off
valve within six feet of the appliance;]
[(D)the absence of a gas appliance
connector or one that exceeds six feet in length;]
[(E)gas appliance connectors that
are concealed within or extended through walls, floors, partitions,
ceilings or appliance housings; and]
(C)[(F)] deficiencies in:
(i)combustion, and dilution air;
[(ii)gas shut-off valves;]
[(iii)access to a gas shutoff valves
that prohibits full operation;]
[(iv)gas appliance connector materials;
and]
(ii)[(v)] the vent pipe, draft
hood, draft, proximity to combustibles, and vent termination point
and clearances; and
(b)Cooling equipment.
(1)Requirements for cooling units other than evaporative
coolers.
(A)the inspector shall: [report;]
(i)report the type of systems;
(ii)measure and report the temperature
difference between the supply air and the returned air or report industry-accepted
method used to determine performance; and
(iii)generally report extraneous
factors or conditions, present on the day of the inspection, that
would adversely impact the temperature differential of an otherwise
performing unit; and
(B)the inspector shall report as Deficient:
(i)inoperative units;
(ii)deficiencies in the performance of the cooling
system that: [inadequate cooling as demonstrated by its
performance;]
(I)fails to achieve a 15 degrees
Fahrenheit to 22 degrees Fahrenheit temperature differential; or
(II)fails to cool adequately as determined
by other industry-accepted methods;
(iii)the absence of an opening that would allow access
to equipment for inspection, service, repair or replacement without
removing permanent construction or building finish;
(iv)when applicable; a floored passageway and service
platform that would allow access for equipment inspection, service,
repair or replacement;
(v)noticeable vibration of blowers or fans;
(vi)water in the auxiliary/secondary drain pan;
(vii)a primary drain pipe that discharges in a sewer
vent;
(viii)missing or deficient refrigerant pipe insulation;
(ix)dirty coils, where accessible;
(x)condensing units lacking adequate clearances or
air circulation or that has deficiencies in the fins, location, levelness,
or elevation above grade surfaces;
(xi)deficiencies in:
(I)the condensate drain and auxiliary/secondary pan
and drain system;
(II)mounting and performance of window or wall units;
and
(III)thermostats.
(2)Requirements for evaporative coolers.
(A)The inspector shall report:
(i)type of systems;
(ii)the type of water supply line;
(B)The inspector shall report as Deficient:
(i)inoperative units;
(ii)inadequate access and clearances;
(iii)deficiencies in performance or mounting;
(iv)missing or damaged components;
(v)the presence of active water leaks; and
(vi)the absence of backflow prevention.
(c)Duct systems, chases, and vents.
(1)The inspector shall report as Deficient:
(A)damaged duct systems or improper material;
(B)damaged or missing duct insulation;
(C)the absence of air flow at accessible supply registers;
(D)the presence of gas piping and sewer vents concealed
in ducts, plenums and chases;
(E)ducts or plenums in contact with earth; and
(2)The inspector shall report as Deficient deficiencies
in:
(A)filters;
(B)grills or registers; and
(C)the location of return air openings.
(d)For heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
systems inspected under this section, the inspector is not required
to perform the following actions:
(1)program digital thermostats or controls;
(2)inspect:
(A)for pressure of the system refrigerant, type of
refrigerant, or refrigerant leaks;
(B)winterized or decommissioned equipment; or
(C)duct fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers,
motorized dampers, electronic air filters, multi-stage controllers,
sequencers, heat reclaimers, wood burning stoves, boilers, oil-fired
units, supplemental heating appliances, de-icing provisions, or reversing
valves;
(3)operate:
(A)setback features on thermostats or controls;
[(B)cooling equipment when the outdoor
temperature is less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit;]
(B)[(C)] radiant heaters, steam
heat systems, or unvented gas-fired heating appliances; or
(C)cooling or heating systems when
weather conditions or other circumstances may cause equipment damage,
including:
(i)cooling equipment when the outdoor
temperature is less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit; and
(ii)[(D)] heat pumps, in the
heat pump mode, when the outdoor temperature is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit
;
(4)verify:
(A)compatibility of components;
(B)tonnage and manufacturer match of indoor
coils and outside coils or condensing units;
(C)the accuracy of thermostats; or
(D)the integrity of the heat exchanger; or
(5)determine:
(A)sizing, efficiency, or adequacy of the system;
(B)balanced air flow of the conditioned air to the
various parts of the building; or
(C)types of materials contained in insulation.
The agency
certifies that legal counsel has reviewed
the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority
to adopt.
Filed with the Office
of the Secretary of State on May 6, 2021
TRD-202101793 Vanessa Burgess
General Counsel
Texas Real Estate Commission
Earliest possible date of adoption: June 20, 2021
For further information, please call: (512) 936-3284
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