New Calif. Home Inspection Requirements 2018

SAN DIEGO - Jan. 23, 2018 - PRLog -- New requirements for home inspections in California.  California Home inspectors are now required to inspect for drowning prevention safety devices for all homes that have pool systems.  This is an effort to reduce drowning of unsupervised children.  SB 442 was enacted by Calif legislation as a building code requirement and a way to inform home buyers during the home inspection process.

This is another important step to make pool systems safer specifically for young children.   Statistics show pool drownings resulting in death or serious injury.  Despite current exterior and interior barrier pool requirements,  there're still tragic drowning deaths or severe injury of children of ages one through four.  These are mostly related to children from within the dwelling.

SB 442 requires installation of 2 of 7 identified drowning safety devices.   These will be required with renovations or new pool system installed that will require a building permit.  In addition,  home inspectors are required to identify installation of these devices during a real estate purchase.

When buying a home with a pool system, home inspectors will now report identifying the type of drowning prevention safety devices and if they meet the minimum required of two of these devices installed.  This regulation does not mandate these conditions are corrected as a requirement of a real estate sale.  This creates awareness of hazard and recommendations of to correct this condition.

Certified California Real Estate Inspection Assoc. (CREIA) inspectors  will identify these drowning safety devices and report their existence and quantity.  They are not tested and cannot determine if installed properly.  CREIA has incorporated these requirements into their Standards of Practice and home inspection agreements.

It is recommended for realtors and home buyers to verify home inspectors are trained and prepared to inspect for these conditions.

For more details of SB442,  please visit:  http://sdinspection.com/new-pool-safety-requirements-in-h...