Double Keyed Deadbolts

In a prior life, when I worked on aircraft, we used to say that the maintenance manuals were written in blood. In my opinion, this applies to many building codes as well. This means that the codes, (and maintenance manuals) reflect decades of experience and are written to prevent repeat incidents of damage, injury, or even death.

During a routine home inspection in Richmond, we found this fire safety hazard. Notice the double keyed dead bolt. A double keyed deadbolt requires a key from the inside to operate.

Why did the owners do this?

Some home owners mistakenly believe that this is a safety upgrade.  Notice the door is primarily glass. The owners here are afraid of a burglar breaking the glass, and unlocking the door. Personally, I think its a ridiculous to believe that once the burgle breaks that large glass pane, that he will need to unlock the door at all. He can just walk right in! Small windows placed near the lock is the only situation where this installation is slightly logical. However, if a burglar wants to break into your house, they will find a way.  It is more prudent to consider the danger involved.

What is the danger? The danger here is that during a fire, occupants will be panicked, hurried, and may not be able to find or operate the key.  Perhaps they know where the key is, but the fire has blocked access to it.  The code is quite clear on this issue. All means of egress (ways to get out of the house),such as windows and doors, must be operable from the inside without the use of special knowledge or tools.  This is not an arbitrary code, or a code designed to make manufacturers money. This code is written in blood.

What is the solution? Some articles I have read state if you the double keyed lock already, to just leave the key in it, or close by. I disagree wholeheartedly. Remove the lock and install an appropriate one; install decorative grills on small window planes; or redesign the area to not include windows. Nothing is worth more than your family’s safety.

 

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Using an Old Inspection Report

The bane of every home inspector’s business is the unethical distribution of our reports to subsequent potential buyers. Many inspectors see it is as a scourge that plagues their ability to generate revenue.  It afflicts inspectors to the point where they threaten reporting the distributor, or even taking legal action against the user of the report!  Don’t expect any interpretation, analysis, or comments on a report, after revealing to the inspector you have stolen his “intellectual property.” Expect no sympathy when unexpected surprises become apparent in your home, if you failed to pay for your own inspection.

Let’s take it down a notch…

Make no mistake that encouraging a buyer to depend on a report, written 6 months prior, for another buyer, is a bad idea.  However, I enjoy giving everyone the benefit of the doubt that they don’t understand the implications.  I am not going to report, or sue anyone. I am not going to belittle anyone who calls me with questions about a report they did not pay for. I would rather educate everyone on the seriousness of this mistake.

Look at the photo below. There are some obvious defects here. Ignore them for the purpose of this article. Notice the ground looks fairly dry. Remember, I am not focusing on the other defects here.Richmond Home Inspector

 

Now look at this photo below that was taken two days later.  This is the same column in the photo above. Notice the difference? It is sitting in a huge puddle of water now! The whole crawlspace was flooded. Where did the water come from? The ground.  Luckily for me, I went back with a crawlspace expert to get some opinions on the array of defects I had found during the original inspection. When I went back though, a whole new, and serious problem had presented itself.

 

In two days time, the condition of the crawlspace was much different, and worse, than we had originally thought. It should now be easy to understand why relying, or encouraging others to rely on an old report is not prudent. To be blunt, it is foolish. Make sure a new inspection is performed for every buyer.

 

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FREE BOOK: Child Safety in the Home

As a father of two, I can attest to the fact that with children come many unknowns. Even after the first one, when you think the experience will help make raising the second one easier, you find out that your new baby was born a completely different person, with a different personality, and different needs.  Many parents lament to friends and family that they wish their baby had come with a book. Well, while we can’t provide a book on how to raise your baby, we can provide this book on how to keep your children safe. It is absolutely free!

Child Safety in the Home

Child Safety in the Home

 

 

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