Disconnected: Shut down.

Disinfectants: One of three groups of antimicrobials registered by EPA for public health uses. EPA considers an antimicrobial to be a disinfectant when it destroys or irreversibly inactivates infectious or other undesirable organisms, but not necessarily their spores. EPA registers three types of disinfectant products based upon submitted efficacy data: limited, general or broad spectrum, and hospital disinfectant.

Dismantle: To open, take apart or remove any component, device or piece that would not typically be opened, taken apart, or removed by an ordinary occupant.

Door Closer: A mechanical device that controls the closing of a door.

Double-Hung Windows: Windows consisting of two sashes that slide vertically within the frame; allow for both top and bottom portions to be opened independently.

Downspout: Also called a leader, the pipe that carries water down from the gutter or scupper.

Drip Edge Flashing: A metal “L”-shaped flashing strip installed along the edges of a roof to guide water away from the fascia and help protect underlying roofing components.

Drip Leg: A vertical pipe at the low point in a fuel piping system that prevents sediment, debris, and moisture from entering a gas appliance.

Duct: A passageway, tube or conduit utilized for the transmission of air and vapors.

Due Diligence: A level of care in the inspection process that varies, depending upon the scope of work agreed upon by the inspector and his/her client.

Dwelling Unit: A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation.

Easement: That portion of a land or property reserved for use by a person or agency other than the owner of the property.

Easily Visible: Describes systems, items and components that are both conspicuous and in plain sight, absent of the need for intrusive inspection techniques, probing, disassembly, or the use of special equipment.

Eaves: The lower edge of a roof that overhangs the wall of a building.

Economizer: A component within HVAC equipment that improves energy efficiency by using outside air to help control indoor temperatures.

Edge Drainage: A drainage system on a low-slope roof where water flows from the high points to the building’s perimeter, which usually has scuppers, a gutter system, and/or downspouts.

Efflorescence: A white powder that forms on the surface of concrete/masonry walls as a result of water evaporation.

Egress: A means of exiting.

EIFS: exterior insulation and finish system

Emergency Shutoff Valve: A valve designed to shut off the flow of gases or liquids.

Energy Analysis: A method for estimating the annual energy use of a building.

Energy-Recovery Ventilation System: A system that uses air-to-air heat exchangers to recover energy from exhaust air for the purpose of pre-heating or pre-cooling outdoor air prior to supplying the air to an interior space.

Engineering Service: Any professional service or creative work requiring engineering education, training and experience, and the application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences to such professional service or creative work as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, design and/or supervision of construction for the purpose of assuring compliance with the specifications and design, in conjunction with structures, buildings, machines, equipment, works or processes.

Enter: To access or go into an area to observe visible components.

Environmental Agents: Conditions other than indoor air contaminants that cause stress, comfort, and/or health problems (e.g., humidity extremes, drafts, lack of air circulation, noise, and overcrowding).

EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency

EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer): A single-ply membrane consisting of synthetic rubber, usually in 45 or 60 mils. Application can be ballasted, fully adhered, or mechanically attached.

Ergonomics: Applied science that investigates the impact of people’s physical environment on their health and comfort (e.g., determining the proper chair height for computer operators).

ETS: Environmental tobacco smoke

Evaluate: To assess the systems, structures and/or components of a building.

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