The purpose of this document is to provide class members with an understanding of the testing methodology for the home inspection required by the Settlement Agreement. Please refer to the Settlement Agreement for defined terms, which are indicated by a capitalized first letter. The Inspection Protocol below is contingent upon the class member’s EIFS-clad structure being covered by the Settlement Agreement ("Covered Property"). This Inspection Protocol may be modified by counsel for the Parties, subject to Court approval, or by order of the Court.

Each Claimant’s Property shall be inspected by an Independent Inspector. The Independent Inspector shall document through field notes, and through photographs and/or drawing(s), the results of the inspection conducted consistent with this Protocol and shall record such results in a standardized form Inspection Report. The Inspection Report will present factual information regarding certain physical make-up and construction features of the Property, as well as present results from moisture testing and visual observations. The Report will be submitted to the Claims Administrator for analysis and the dissemination of information contained therein. The Claims Administrator will use the Inspection Report in making Recovery Program determinations under the Settlement Agreement. All owners of Covered Property will receive a copy of the Inspection Report.

I. Documentation

The Inspection Report shall contain the following information, when available, for each Property.

A. General Information

1. Name(s) of the Claimant(s).

2. Street address of the Property.

3. Date of the inspection.

4. Date of last precipitation.

5. Weather conditions at the time of the inspection, including:

(a) Temperature: ambient dry bulb air temperature in degrees Fahrenheit at the time that the moisture readings are taken.
(b) Relative Humidity: relative humidity (percent) at the time moisture readings are taken.
(c) Meteorological Conditions: climatic conditions or events which the Independent Inspector believes may impact the condition of the Property.

6. Other observations of items which may impact moisture readings, such as: exposure to lawn sprinkler or other watering device; proximity to body of water; salt spray; existence of pressure treated wood; ground water conditions; etc.

7. The dimensions and critical details of the Property, including:

(a) Square feet of EIFS on each wall plane.
(b) Number of stories.
(c) Sheathing material.

8. Verification that the cladding on the Property is EIFS as defined in the Settlement Agreement, by identifying the physical characteristics of the EIFS, including:

(a) Thickness, color, and type of base coat (e.g., polymer-based, polymer-modified).
(b) Use of fiberglass mesh, metal lath and/or mesh reinforcement tape.
(c) The color of the mesh, and any identifying symbols printed on the mesh.
(d) Type and thickness of insulation board used and the identification information located on edge of the board.
(e) Texture and color of finish coat.
(f) Presence or absence of trim accessories that provide drainage.
(g) Mechanical or adhesive attachment.
(h) Type of substrate to which system is attached.

B. Physical Documentation

The Independent Inspector shall make specific observations of physical evidence related to product identification on all sides of the Property and shall record these observations in the Inspection Report. For product identification purposes, the Independent Inspector shall only gather physical evidence (such as mesh color and finish coat texture); however, the Independent Inspector shall not gather EIFS samples for product identification testing, except as requested by the Claims Administrator, unless samples are available without the need to make destructive openings specifically for that purpose. The Claims Administrator shall record the physical characteristics of any available samples.

The Independent Inspector shall photograph (and make photocopy enlargements thereof) all sides of the Property. Upon these graphic depictions, the Independent Inspector shall record the square feet of EIFS and the location of all moisture content readings taken upon each side of the Property. The Independent Inspector shall include full views of each side and shall document through close-up photos or sketches any special or unusual conditions, including construction conditions, relevant to the determination whether the Property has Damage. These documents shall be included in and/or attached to the Inspection Report.

The Independent Inspector shall identify and memorialize in the Inspection Report all conditions of the Property which are impacting or have impacted the water tightness of the exterior envelope of the Property and which are or may be excluded from Damage, including, without limitation:

1. Extreme natural events such as flood, tornado, hurricane or earthquake.

2. Harm to the Property from foreign objects such as falling trees, moving vehicles, flying debris and other physical impact.

3. Evidence of intentional introduction of water behind the EIFS.

C. Moisture Test Results

The Inspection Report shall include the results of moisture testing performed on the Property. Only the percentage moisture content readings and an annotation of the condition of the wood sheathing or framing shall be reported. These shall be depicted on the photographs and/or sketches in the Report. In addition, the probable source(s) of water intrusion causing the elevated reading must be identified for each probe location. The relative readings from a scanning type moisture device, if used, will not be reported.

II. Testing of Sheathing and/or Framing to Determine Moisture Content

Moisture testing of each Property will be performed using a pin probe resistance type meter (Delmhorst, Lignom at Meter, or equal). Probe type meters provide readings verifying moisture content as well as determining the soundness or density of wood sheathing or framing at a given location. Only confirmed readings using the probe type meter will be recorded. Advancements in technology and diagnostic methodologies, consistent with the use of a probe meter as described above, shall not be prohibited from future consideration. If pin probe testing of mandatory testing locations does not reveal Damage, a scanning capacitance type meter (Tramex Wet Wall Detector or equal) will be used to determine whether potential moisture exists in other locations, thus requiring additional pin probe testing in such areas.

A. Resistance Probe Meters

Several companies, including Delmhorst Instrument Company and Lignom at USA, LTD., make a wide variety of probe type moisture meters. For testing behind EIFS cladding, meters using two needles will be used. The needles are insulated with a coating except at the tip which is where the device measures the electrical resistance between the two points. The meters display moisture content as a percentage by weight for wood. Probing with this device also allows the Independent Inspector to identify any wood substrate material that has little or no tactile resistance, which is an indicator of possible degradation of the material.

Moisture readings in areas with wood sheathing products (OSB and plywood) shall be taken at a depth of approximately 1/4 inch into the sheathing. Moisture readings in areas with non-wood based sheathing products (for example, paper-faced or fiberglass-faced gypsum sheathing) shall not be taken in the sheathing but shall be taken at a depth of approximately 1/4 inch into the wood framing.

B. Scanning Meters

The most commonly used scanning type meter is made by Tramex. The Tramex Wet Wall Detector meter is an impedance meter which uses low frequency electronic signals to detect moisture. This type of meter does not require contact with the sheathing or framing, thus allowing an Independent Inspector to take a moisture reading without puncturing the EIFS. The meter is used by placing it against the lamina and moving it along the surface. The meter gives continuous and instant readings. This allows the Independent Inspector to cover large areas of wall plane quickly. Scanning with this type of device identifies locations of potential elevated moisture that require verification using the probe type meter.

Although the type of substrate does not affect the readings of the scanning meter, many other wall components can. Because the meter works on electronic impedance, conductive materials in the wall system can produce false positive readings. Metal fasteners, metal flashings, and board joints are examples of concealed materials that can lead to false positive readings. Thus, after scanning the wall surface, the Independent Inspector will use a resistance probe type meter to determine actual moisture content readings at any locations identified by the scanning meter as having potential elevated moisture.

C. Moisture Testing Procedures

No moisture testing shall be conducted at times when the Independent Inspector determines the test result may be unreliable, such as during periods of precipitation or exposure to garden hoses or other watering devices, when wall surfaces are wet, or during prolonged periods of little precipitation and high temperatures. Moisture testing shall be conducted in accordance with the moisture meter manufacturer’s instructions for the particular model used.

The Independent Inspector shall follow three basic steps in performing moisture testing. The first step is to determine the acclimated moisture content of the sheathing and/or framing on each wall plane. Second, the pin probe meter is used to verify moisture contents and sheathing conditions at mandatory testing locations and, if necessary, a scanning meter will be used to determine other locations with potential elevated moisture that require verification with the pin probe meter. Third, all holes punched in the lamina for the moisture probe readings shall be sealed using an approved method.

The acclimated moisture content on each wall plane will be determined by taking moisture readings using the pin probe meter at a location with little or no exposure to precipitation, such as under a protective eave. If use of a scanning meter is necessary, the meter will be calibrated at such an area on each wall plane prior to proceeding with the survey. The acclimated moisture readings provide a baseline against which the Independent Inspector will compare other relative readings on a given wall plane with similar exposure.

A resistance-type moisture meter with insulated probes shall be used to determine wood moisture content and soundness in the following mandatory testing locations, unless Damage is already established, at which time the Independent Inspector shall conclude the testing:

1. Fenestrations

The number and location of probe readings taken at fenestrations will vary depending on the size, location and type of unit. For windows, three such readings shall typically be taken below each corner of each single window: a) one 2" below the corner, b) one at the nearest floor line (subfloor) below the entry point, and c) one at the midpoint between (1) and (2). If the first and second probe locations are less than 36" apart, the mid-point probe is not required. Thus, at a single window or louver a minimum of four readings shall be taken. Ganged or mulled windows will be tested in a similar manner, with additional readings taken below each mullion or where two or more windows are joined. For second floor windows with openings located below, readings shall be taken at the head of the lower opening in addition to the other required readings. For swing doors and sliding glass doors moisture test probes shall be taken: a) 2" below each jamb, and b) 3" to either side of each jamb at the joist line. Each window or group of windows and each door or group of doors shall be a single Water Source.

2. Roof Rake Flashing Terminations (Kick Outs)

Three readings shall be taken below every major kick out, including those at chimneys: (a) one 6" below the roof rake termination (the suspected point of entry); (b) one 2' below the roof rake termination; and (c) one at the nearest floor line below the roof rake termination. Additional probe readings shall be taken between the rim joist and the flashing termination, and along the rim joist location if elevated moisture or sheathing or framing degradation is detected.

3. Chimneys

On wood framed chimney chases, readings shall be taken on each side 6" below the cap flashing and at 36" centers at the rim joist area.

4. Wood Deck Flashings

For attached wood decks with EIFS cladding below, readings shall be taken 2" below the ledger board at all terminations, corners, transitions in elevation, and at lap joints. If flashing has been omitted, in addition to the other required readings, test probes shall be taken 2" beneath the ledger board at every 36" horizontally. Each deck will be deemed a single Water Source.

5. Mechanical/Electrical Penetrations

Such penetrations include hose bibs, air conditioner lines, electrical boxes, dryer vents, light fixtures, telephone and cable penetrations, railing attachments and other miscellaneous penetrations. Spot checks of at least one penetration per wall plane will be mandatory.

If pin probe meter testing of the above mandatory locations does not reveal Damage, the Independent Inspector shall use a scanning meter to survey other potential locations of elevated moisture. The Inspector shall move the meter over areas such as fenestrations, penetrations, decks, stoops, chimneys, cracks, delaminations, expansion/aesthetic joints, and flashing areas. Locations with potential elevated moisture shall be accurately marked and identified. A pin probe meter shall then be used to determine wood moisture content and soundness in all areas of potential elevated moisture.

Pin probe moisture readings of 25% MC or greater shall, at the discretion of the Independent Inspector, be confirmed as sustained moisture by taking (2) additional probes immediately adjacent to the initial probe location. For all areas with moisture content greater than 25% MC or sheathing with loss of structural integrity, the Independent Inspector shall delineate the limits of the affected area and the probable source(s) of intrusion on the photographs or on a separate sketch. Where there is more than one probable source of water intrusion, the Independent Inspector shall list all probable sources.