clearance: the minimum distance through air measured between the surface of something heat-producing and the surface of something combustible.

clearly identifiable: capable of being recognized by a person of normal vision.

cleat: a crosspiece that forms the step of a fixed ladder’s rectangular cross-section.

client: the party that retains the inspector and pays for the inspection.

CMI: Certified Master Inspector

CO: Carbon monoxide.

CO2: Carbon dioxide.

coal tar pitch: A bituminous material that is a byproduct of the coking of coal and used as the waterproofing material for tar-and-gravel built-up roofing.

code official: the officer or other government-designated authority charged with enforcement of building codes.

combustible: describes any material that will burn.

commercial cooking appliances: appliances used in a commercial food service establishment for heating or cooking food.

commercial property: the building structures and improvements located on a parcel of commercial real estate.  These may include structures such as buildings with residential units operated for profit, mixed-use buildings, strip malls, motels, factories, storage facilities, restaurants and office buildings.

commissioning: Start-up of a building that includes testing and adjusting HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other systems to assure proper functioning and adherence to design criteria. Commissioning also includes the instruction of building representatives in the use of the building systems.

common use: interior and exterior circulation paths, rooms, spaces and elements that are not for public use and available for shared use of two or more people.

component: a permanently installed or attached fixture, element, or part of a system.

compressive stress: The opposite of tensile stress, it is the squeezing force applied on an object.

ComSOP: International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Properties

concealed: rendered inaccessible by the structure or finish of the building.  Wires in concealed raceways are considered concealed, even though they may become accessible by withdrawing them.

concrete masonry unit: Often abbreviated CMU, or referred to as an architectural block, it’s the standard-size rectangular block used for building construction.

condition: the plainly visible and conspicuous state of being of a material object or thing.

conditioned air: Air that has been heated, cooled, humidified, or dehumidified to maintain an interior space within the “comfort zone.” (Sometimes referred to as “tempered” air.)

conditioned space: an area or room within a building being heated or cooled.

connector: the pipe that connects a fuel-burning appliance to a chimney.

constant air volume systems: Air handling system that provides a constant air flow while varying the temperature to meet heating and cooling needs.

consultant: a person with particular expertise in a subject who assists the inspector with portions of the inspection.

contamination: an impairment of the quality of the potable water.

control joint: A vertical, continuous weak plane that is built into brick and concrete block masonry that deliberately allows cracks to occur in a predetermined location to accommodate shrinkage.

conventional roof system: A low-slope roof system where the insulation is installed under the roof’s membrane.

coping: A construction unit placed at the top of a parapet wall to serve as a cover for the wall.

core sampling: A vertical cut taken of the roofing system that can be used for analyzing the roof’s layers of composition.

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