Sample Report: 2/3
W. Electric Service Panel
Condition: Satisfactory
Materials: Circuit Breaker Panel, 200 amp, 208 volt
The electric service panel is located in the cellar. Electric service enters the home through the the right front foundation wall. There are two grounding sources, as required; an external grounding rod located near the service entry, and the plumbing system entry pipe. Both are in satisfactory condition. The water meter has been electrically jumped to continue the grounding of the water piping system past the new plastic meter. The conductors are copper two wire and three wire run in flexible armored cable (leaving the service panel). The panel and the circuit breaker are a recent installation, and it should be noted that the workmanship is above average.
The panel is a 200 amp Thomas & Batts with three service entry cables (208 volts sometimes called 220v). There is one main shut off, and 15 installed circuit breakers. The panel cover was removed and the interior of the panel box was inspected..........
Y. Steam Heating System
Condition: Fair
Equipment: Steam Boiler, Oil fired (converted coal burner), 123,000.BTU/hr.
Heating is provided by an American Standard AR Coliner with an input of 123,000 BTU/hour. This unit was originally a coal burner. It has been converted to burn oil with a Becket oil burner gun and associated oil filter. This is the original unit, and it is beyond its useful life, even though it is still functioning reasonably well. Replacement of this unit should be considered the increased efficiency of newer units.
This boiler responded to the thermostat, fired up with bright orange flames which are normal, heated the water, and shut down quietly. It is operating in a satisfactory manner. The major deficiency with the system is the lack of a Hartford Loop in the wet return line: this would prevent the boiler water from spilling out and flooding the basement should the wet return line break.......
W. Foundation and Basement
Condition: Fair
Materials: Poured concrete foundation, partially unfinished
There is a 7-foot steel I-Beam running parallel to the sides of the house, located mostly in the unfinished boiler room. This beam was installed in response to a settlement problem that is common to this model house. The two columns have footings that were dug through the floor slab, and the steel beam contacts the suspect beams correctly. This is a satisfactory solution, and has minimized the settlement in this house to an acceptable level.