Colorado Inspection Services llc

04/29/2020

ADA Surveys
ADA regulations are part of a civil rights law passed in 1990 to guarantee people with disabilities access to the same public amenities as everyone else. Unfortunately, there has been widespread abuse of lawsuits, sometimes filed on behalf of people with disabilities who had never actually visited the business. These drive-by lawsuits have been filed against thousands of small business in hopes of a quick settlement for minor violations. One local business closed down being unwilling to be blackmailed into paying thousands of dollars resulting from a urinal being mounted too high and a toilet paper dispensary that was mounted 10” off ADA regulations. Congress is working on a bill (for 2 years at this point - 2018) to stop these abuses by requiring a filing by the person who claims to have been denied access, the nature of the denial and the time when it happened. Business owners would then be given time to make a plan to correct violations and even more time to make alterations.

For people with disabilities not being able to access goods and services can be annoying, humiliating and even life threatening. I’ve heard many stories of people in wheelchairs being unable to join family and friends in restaurants unless they are willing to be carried up and down stairs. During a survey for a strip mall a handicap van pulled up in front of a beauty salon. The van parked in the traffic flow to unload because the handicap van spaces were too small to accommodate a power wheelchair. Angry, impatient drivers made the man and his wife, who was in the wheelchair, feel uncomfortable and unsafe as they squeezed by while the wife in her chair were being unloaded. Dangers exist for disabled people where most of us would never imagine. I saw my 97-year-old aunt, using a walker, trip over a small lip in the sidewalk, less than the ¼” defined by the insurance industry as a trip hazard.

A person with a wheelchair or walker is unable to use stairs or navigate on steep inclines. People who are blind may be able to get around well using a cane, but if there are things, like drinking fountains, that protrude into their path of travel they have no way of knowing without hitting them with their bodies.
These are some of the most basic elements of ADA. They mainly concern the safety of travel arriving on a property, entering the property and accessing goods and services, common public areas and restrooms.
Tier I surveys are included in our inspections. This survey is a quick, visual assessment and opinion of accessibility in path of travel, access to entry, elevators and restrooms.

Tier II ADA surveys document variations from these basics. This survey may be appropriate for existing businesses.
There are many more detailed aspects of ADA that cover an abundance of issues that an able-bodied person might never consider. A hotel is required to have a specific number of accessible rooms with precise requirements to accommodate people with a wide variety of disabilities. Wheelchairs need extra room to maneuver and roll in showers. People with hearing challenges need visual cues for phone calls, people at the door and emergencies. Blind people need audio alerts. Bathrooms are required to have a specific number of grab bars, of exact sizes and exact placement. There are many precise regulations for every aspect of access in public places and places of business. Tier III ADA surveys check all existing facilities against all applicable regulations. A Tier III report might be 4 times the size of a Tier II. Colorado Inspection Services llc offers Tier II and Tier III ADA Surveys.

We had a friend with ALS who spent his last years with us. He was on a ventilator and required a large, power wheelchair. It was highly stressful to take him anywhere. Getting him into and out his van was a slow, stressful process that was sometimes dangerous to him. There were unexpected problems like pulling into a parking garage and finding that it was not tall enough for a handicap van, blocking traffic coming into the garage. There were expected problems like no handicap parking, handicap spaces taken by cars that didn’t belong and no room to unload a van. Some people thought we should just keep him at home. He couldn’t walk or talk, and some people equated that with being unable to feel or experience. What he taught us is that quality of life is what’s most important when you’re life is limited. Even when you are unable to walk or talk, life can still be rich if you participate in it, or it can be hell if you’re hidden away with little environmental enrichment. ADA compliance can be the difference between a rich life and hell for a person with disabilities.

04/29/2020

01/05/2019

Identifying and Removing Indoor Air Pollutants
Carl Brahe
In most cases the air inside our homes is more polluted than the air outside. Pollution comes from many sources, mainly heating and cooking, sewer gasses, off gassing from furniture, building materials, carpets and drapes, dust and dander, scented candles, air fresheners, cleaners and moisture related sources like mold, bacteria, insects and rodents.
Pollutants fall into two categories: Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

The EPA defines VOCS as:
Nov 6, 2017 - Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. ... Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products.
‎Introduction · ‎Sources · ‎Health Effects

The EPA on indoor particulates:
Particulate matter (also referred to as PM or particle pollution) is a complex mixture of solid and/or liquid particles suspended in air. These particles can vary in size, shape and composition. EPA is especially concerned about particles that are 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller because these particles are inhalable. Once inhaled, particles can affect the heart and lungs and, in some cases, cause serious health effects. The human health effects of outdoor PM are well-established and are used to set health-based standards for outdoor air (National Ambient Air Quality Standards, NAAQS). PM is also found in all indoor environments. Indoor PM levels have the potential to exceed outdoor PM levels and the NAAQS. However, less is known about the specific impacts of indoor PM on health.
Health Effects of Inhalable Particles
Indoor PM Sources
Levels in PM Indoors
Steps to Reduce Exposure to Indoor PM
Additional Resource
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Some indoor pollution can be no more than an irritant, if even noticed by most people. People with sensitivities or those who are immune challenged may find these same pollutants deadly. Most can be removed from the air, although these air purifiers and filters do nothing for residues left on surfaces like to***co or m**h.

There are many sources of substances that can cause health problems both long-term and short-term. People often complain about smell like cigarette smoke and even m**h fumes coming from neighbors. Most of these pollutants can be cleaned using various kinds of air purification technology.

It helps if you can identify the type of indoor pollutants in finding the source and eliminating it or at least taking the proper approach to cleaning the air. Indoor air quality monitors are available that connect with your smart phone and HVAC system to automatically act to keep your indoor air clean and healthy. They monitor fine particles, chemicals, CO2, humidity and temperature. Here are two that are highly rated.

When you’ve identified the kinds of pollutants present the next step is to look for the sources. Health problems can be caused by a single pollutant or a combination. You may be able to eliminate the causes if they originate in your living space. Indoor pollution often comes from neighbors.

There are different kinds of air cleaners and filters that remove different pollutants in different ways. HEPA filters are the most common. These are not always true HEPA filters. True HEPA filters (class 14) remove 99.995% of all particles bigger than .3 microns. The lowest level of HEPA filters (class 10) clean only 85% of particles bigger than .3 microns.

HEPA filters are great for solids like dust and mold spores in the air but not so good for VOCs that are responsible for most of the smells and long-term health threats. Some symptoms from VOCs are headache, irritation of eyes, nose and throat, nausea and dizziness. VOCs can also make breathing related health problems worse. VOCs are off gassed from many sources like paint, varnish and stains, adhesives, solvents, cleaning chemicals and fuels, upholstery, drapes, carpets and furniture, cosmetics, moth balls and air fresheners, environmental smoke, and exhaust like vehicle emissions, radon and environmental smoking – to***co, m**h and ma*****na, photocopiers and laser printers. Long-term exposure to some VOCs can cause cancer, nerve damage and organ damage. VOCs are cleaned from the air using activated charcoal. Activated charcoal is very porous with a large surface area that absorbs VOCs.

Activated charcoal filters remove VOCs from second-hand sources like smoking but do nothing to remove third-hand pollutants like residues from smoking ci******es and m**h that cling to all surfaces they touch and may find there way into your body through skin contact or through hand to mouth contact.

Some HVAC companies claim they can reduce radon to acceptable levels using a combination of m**hods even in high rise condos. Here are some highly rated radon monitors for home use.

Ionization is another form of air cleaning technology that generates negative ions that attach to microscopic particles in the air making them heavier than the air causing them to drop to the floor or other surface where they can be swept, vacuumed or wiped away. Positive ions can help reduce radon. Some ionizers generate both positive and negative ions. Other air purifiers are hybrids that may include a HEPA filter to remove particles like dust, dander, spores, bacteria, etc. Others may include an activated charcoal filter to remove VOCs. Some offer all three technologies in a single unit.

Some air purifier manufacturers claim they can remove virtually every airborne contaminant down to a virus in size: pollen, dust, pet dander, mold spores, allergens and bacteria. The active carbon is also effective against smoke, odors, gases and VOCs. Some add magnesium dioxide and copper oxide to remove pollutants like carbon monoxide, ethylene oxide, and ozone.

There are other air cleaning technologies that may be harmful to health or ineffective like ozone generators or UV lights that kills microorganisms. UV light is mainly used as part of a system that may contain a HEPA filter. These filters can be fitted to and ion generators may be fitted to your forced air heating system.

You can make a quick, easy and in inexpensive air cleaner that can be placed near the source of the offending substance to filter it out at the site. A common 20” box fan that can be found in many homes and businesses is used to draw the polluted air through a filter and remove it. The only other materials needed are a roll of duct tape and 20 X 20-inch furnace filter. Tape the filter to the intake side of the fan with the arrow that indicates air flow direction on the filter pointing toward the fan.
These filters come in many kinds. The best type to use depends on the kind of pollutant. Filters with activated carbon absorb VOCs. Activated carbon is extremely porous giving it a large surface area for absorption. This is the filter you use for odors and gases you can’t smell.

For particles like spores, dust and dander use a HEPA rated filter. The higher the rating the better. Combination filters are also available. These filters can also be used in forced air furnaces to clean a larger volume of air. Most furnaces have a fan only setting that draws inside air through the filter without heating or cooling the air. A thicker than standard 1” filter may be desirable with increased fan use.
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Air cleaners may decrease the results of indoor air pollution and reduce adverse health effects. There are many causes of sick building. Cleaning the air in your living space may remove all offending substances that originate within your living space, but it’s likely just one step in solving the problem.

11/12/2018

Infrared Imaging for Small Business and Homeowners
Until recent years infrared imagining was priced beyond the average homeowner or small business person. Thanks to technology that uses an iPhone, iPad or Android phone or tablet, as the basic computer to operate the camera. Two companies make inexpensive, high quality IR cameras that plug into your camera or smart phone. These cameras by FLIR and Seek Thermal cost from $250-500.

A home owner or small business person might find many uses for IR imaging. While inspecting your own home or building you might use IR imaging to find leaks or moisture accumulation in walls or floors. You can check electrical boxes, fixtures and surfaces for overheating, the temperature of a wood stove pipe can alert you to creosote buildup that can cause chimney fires, the amount of mineral build up in a water heater shows diminishing efficiency, air leaks that waste energy and make your environment uncomfortable can be identified and use IR imaging for many other uses.

Seek has much better infrared definition, but FLIR One has a regular camera, as well as, IR. The IR image is overlaid on the regular image giving a good combined image that reveals many details IR alone can’t.

FLIR One has a built in rechargeable battery that has a fairly short life. I always carry a power stick for emergencies. THis solution works well. The Seek cameras use the phone battery giving it a much longer working time.

The Seek comes in three models for IOS and Android – Compact $249, CompactXR $299 and CompactPRO $499. FLIR One has two models for Android and IOS – FLIR One Pro LT $299 and FLIR One Pro $399.

These easy top operate cameras make it possible for individuals to own and use high quality infrared technology.



Here's some good deals on these cameras: http://www.coinspection.com/infrared-imaging-for-small-business-and-homeowners.html

Infrared cameras are now affordable for individuals and small businesses. IR imaging reveals many hidden maintenance problems.

10/30/2017

Residue left behind by smoking or making m**hamphetamine is harmful to the health of all who come in contact with it.

05/06/2017

M**h Danger Denier gives Colorado Inspection Services a 1star rating for reporting on damage caused to the health and property when m**h is smoked or made.

I have no firsthand experience with m**h and I’m not sure I recognize it if someone put it in my hand. I don’t offer any m**h related services outside of providing DIY test kits, even though I recommend professional testing by a qualified scientist if there is the slightest suspicion that m**h was smoked or made in a property or vehicle. My job is to report dangers to real estate buyers, sellers and owners, physical or financial. M**h has proven to be dangerous to both all around the world. In fairness to those who insist that m**h is not dangerous I preserved this rating here and on my website: m**hinyourhouse.com

Colorado Inspection Services llc Since I have never met you and you live in Miami, far from my territory, I assume you are one of the people who call at 2 AM demanding that I tell you that you really haven't contaminated your Grandma's basement, smoking or making m**h, causing thousands of dollars in damage, threatening her health and her cats too. Or maybe you're one of the pot growers who is upset that I would report a marathon runners claim that she tested positive for THC, assuming it was from the grow op in the apartment below her.
Like
· Reply · May 4 at 7:56am · Edited

Kevin Garcia I gave you a 1 star review because you claimed that m**hamphetamine residue could get children high, which is a blatant lie. You advertise your services as som**hing that can remove the effects due to third hand m**h exposure, which does not exist, and even if it did, micrograms of m**hamphetamine would not effect anyone negatively, even an infant. The fact that you mention "There seems to be little or no research on the affects of 2nd and 3rd hand m**h on people or pets, but it's safe to assume that small, chronic doses of the drug would cause the same reactions as the users experience but on a smaller scale." and then elaborate on how this is a real thing, is fraudulent, science and facts do not entail assumptions. I have no problems with the services you provide, but I have a problem with unethical business practices such using false information to advertise services and proliferating the fear mongering surrounding m**hamphetamine abuse. If you could show me actual research with real life implications or remove the false claims, I would gladly remove my review.
Like
· Reply · May 4 at 11:37am

Colorado Inspection Services llc I only report on the research. You sound like a tweeker who wants to be told that you don't do great damage to people and property when you smoke or make the stuff. I've talked to hundreds of people fro, all over the country who call to tell me that they are sick, their children are sick and their pets have died due to the pollution that you leave behind. I find them, and the scientists, much more credible than you.
Like
· Reply · 54 mins

Colorado Inspection Services llc Since I have never met you and you live in Miami, far from my territory, I assume you are one of the people who call at 2 AM demanding that I tell you that you really haven't contaminated your Grandma's basement, smoking or making m**h, causing thousands of dollars in damage, threatening her health and her cats too. Or maybe you're one of the pot growers who is upset that I would report a marathon runners claim that she tested positive for THC, assuming it was from the grow op in the apartment below her.
Like
· Reply · May 4 at 7:56am · Edited

Kevin Garcia I gave you a 1 star review because you claimed that m**hamphetamine residue could get children high, which is a blatant lie. You advertise your services as som**hing that can remove the effects due to third hand m**h exposure, which does not exist, and even if it did, micrograms of m**hamphetamine would not effect anyone negatively, even an infant. The fact that you mention "There seems to be little or no research on the affects of 2nd and 3rd hand m**h on people or pets, but it's safe to assume that small, chronic doses of the drug would cause the same reactions as the users experience but on a smaller scale." and then elaborate on how this is a real thing, is fraudulent, science and facts do not entail assumptions. I have no problems with the services you provide, but I have a problem with unethical business practices such using false information to advertise services and proliferating the fear mongering surrounding m**hamphetamine abuse. If you could show me actual research with real life implications or remove the false claims, I would gladly remove my review.
Like
· Reply · May 4 at 11:37am

Colorado Inspection Services llc I only report on the research. You sound like a tweeker who wants to be told that you don't do great damage to people and property when you smoke or make the stuff. I've talked to hundreds of people fro, all over the country who call to tell me that they are sick, their children are sick and their pets have died due to the pollution that you leave behind. I find them, and the scientists, much more credible than you.
Like
M**h Danger Denier gives Colorado Inspection Services a 1star rating for reporting on damage caused to the health and property when m**h is smoked or made.I have no firsthand experience with m**h and I’m not sure I recognize it if someone put it in my hand. I don’t offer any m**h related services outside of providing DIY test kits, even though I recommend professional testing by a qualified scientist if there is the slightest suspicion that m**h was smoked or made in a property or vehicle. My job is to report dangers to real estate buyers, sellers and owners, physical or financial. M**h has proven to be dangerous to both all around the world. In fairness to those who insist that m**h is not dangerous I preserved this rating here and on my website: m**hinyourhouse.comColorado Inspection Services llc Since I have never met you and you live in Miami, far from my territory, I assume you are one of the people who call at 2 AM demanding that I tell you that you really haven't contaminated your Grandma's basement, smoking or making m**h, causing thousands of dollars in damage, threatening her health and her cats too. Or maybe you're one of the pot growers who is upset that I would report a marathon runners claim that she tested positive for THC, assuming it was from the grow op in the apartment below her.Like· Reply · May 4 at 7:56am · Edited Kevin Garcia I gave you a 1 star review because you claimed that m**hamphetamine residue could get children high, which is a blatant lie. You advertise your services as som**hing that can remove the effects due to third hand m**h exposure, which does not exist, and even if it did, micrograms of m**hamphetamine would not effect anyone negatively, even an infant. The fact that you mention "There seems to be little or no research on the affects of 2nd and 3rd hand m**h on people or pets, but it's safe to assume that small, chronic doses of the drug would cause the same reactions as the users experience but on a smaller scale." and then elaborate on how this is a real thing, is fraudulent, science and facts do not entail assumptions. I have no problems with the services you provide, but I have a problem with unethical business practices such using false information to advertise services and proliferating the fear mongering surrounding m**hamphetamine abuse. If you could show me actual research with real life implications or remove the false claims, I would gladly remove my review.Like· Reply · May 4 at 11:37am Colorado Inspection Services llc I only report on the research. You sound like a tweeker who wants to be told that you don't do great damage to people and property when you smoke or make the stuff. I've talked to hundreds of people fro, all over the country who call to tell me that they are sick, their children are sick and their pets have died due to the pollution that you leave behind. I find them, and the scientists, much more credible than you.Like· Reply · 54 mins

04/21/2016

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Colorado Inspection Services Receives 2016 Denver Award

Denver Award Program Honors the Achievement

DENVER April 14, 2016 -- Colorado Inspection Services has been selected for the 2016 Denver Award in the Home Inspector category by the Denver Award Program.

Each year, the Denver Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Denver area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2016 Denver Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Denver Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Denver Award Program

The Denver Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Denver area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Denver Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Denver Award Program

CONTACT:
Denver Award Program
Email: [email protected]
URL: http://www.awardconnections.org

09/03/2015

DIY m**h residue test kits http://www.m**hinyourhouse.com/order-m**h-residue-test-kit.html

Test to see if m**h has been smoled or made in your home or car

09/03/2015

In Colorado, if an industrial hygienists (the people who test for m**h) finds your property is contaminated with m**h residue, instead of re-mediating you can simply find another industrial hygienist who will find that there is no m**h. Here's a story about a Colorado family who lost all their belongings because of m**h contamination after living in an apartment for a short time, and the single mother and baby who moved in unaware. http://www.m**hinyourhouse.com/couple-loses-all-possessions-to-m**h-house---experts-disagree---is-it-a-m**h-house.html

M**h dispute: Experts argue if single mom is in contaminated apartment Posted 9:25 pm, August 5, 2015, by Rob Low , Updated at 06:02am, August 6, 2015 LITTLETON, Colo. — A Littleton apartment is...

01/29/2015

Price range from $225 for a condo to thousands for large commercial properties

04/11/2014

Commercial building inspections and home inspections in the Denver metro area including mountains

04/07/2014

We inspect commercial properties and larger residential and resort properties to assess condition and risks for buyers, sellers, managers and lease holders.