SECTION .1000 - NC ON-SITE WASTEWATER INSPECTOR STANDARDS OF

PRACTICE

 

21 NCAC 39 .1001             DEFINITIONS

As used in this Section:

(1)           "Automatic safety controls" means devices

designed and installed to protect systems and components from excessively high

or low pressures and temperatures, excessive electrical current, loss of water,

high water, fire, freezing, or other unsafe conditions.

(2)           "Component" means a readily accessible

and observable part of an on-site wastewater system.

(3)           "Cross connection" means any physical

connection or arrangement between potable water and the on-site wastewater

system or any other source of contamination.

(4)           "Dangerous or adverse situations" means

situations that pose a threat of injury to the inspector, or those situations

that require the use of special protective clothing or safety equipment, such

as personal protection equipment.

(5)           "Describe" means a written report of a

condition found within the system or any observed component of the inspected

system.

(6)           "Dismantle" means to take apart or remove

any component, device or piece of equipment that is bolted, screwed, or

fastened by other means and that would not be taken apart or removed by a

homeowner or operator in the course of normal household maintenance.

(7)           "Enter" means to go into an area to

inspect all readily accessible, readily openable, and readily visible

components.

(8)           "Hydraulic Load Test" means the

introduction of water or waste water into a system for the purposes of

mimicking the system's peak flows.

(9)           "Inflow" means extraneous water directly

entering a component, such as via a sump pump, foundation drain, condensate

line, or infiltration.

(10)         "Normal operating controls" means

certified operator or homeowner-operated devices.

(11)         "Normal wear and tear" means superficial

blemishes or defects that do not interfere with the functionality of the

component or system.

(12)         "Operate" means to cause systems or equipment

to function.

(13)         "Readily accessible" means approachable or

enterable for inspection without the risk of damage to any property or

alteration of the accessible space, equipment, or opening.

(14)         "Readily openable access panel" means a

panel provided for homeowner or certified operator maintenance and operation

that has removable or operable fasteners or latch devices in order to be lifted

off, swung open, or otherwise removed for inspection.  This definition is

limited to those wastewater system components not blocked by stored items,

furniture, building components or landscaping.

(15)         "Readily visible" means seen by using

natural or artificial light without the use of equipment or tools other than a

probe, flashlight or mirror.

(16)         "Roof drainage systems" means gutters,

downspouts, leaders, splash blocks, and similar parts used to carry water off a

roof and away from a building.

(17)         "Shut down" means a condition or

conditions wherein a piece of equipment or system cannot be operated by the

device or control that a homeowner should normally use to operate it.  If its

safety switch or circuit breaker is in the "off" position, or its

fuse is missing or blown, the inspector is not required to reestablish the

circuit for the purpose of operating the equipment or system.

(18)         "Structural component" means a wastewater

system component that supports non-variable forces or weights (dead loads) and

variable forces or weights (live loads), such as a control panel support,

septic tank, D-box, or manifold.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90A-71, 90A-74:

Eff. October 1, 2011.