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.