NSPIRE 3.0 was released by HUD on June 16, 2023. We have updated our compact version of the NSPIRE standards on our website, and you can download an updated version of the manual now. Changes from the previous version address several long-standing issues with inspections and greatly reduce the number of deficiencies caused by temporary resident behavioral issues, including greatly restricted blocked egress issues.
This final version goes into effect on July 1, 2023, for Public Housing and October 1, 2023, for all other funding programs. HUD will implement a three-year notice review cycle, which it says will allow it to be more responsive to evolving industry standards and the changing needs of the public housing portfolio. The review cycle also creates the opportunity for the public to comment and propose changes at regular intervals.
The new complete and final standards were published on June 20, 2023, and are available on HUD’s website. Some of the most significant changes are listed below. We encourage you to review all of the standards on our website, as nearly every detail has changed.
NSPIRE Fundamentally Changes Blocked Egress
This deficiency has long befuddled property managers and owners. Under the changes in the June 20 NSPIRE update, tenant-owned items blocking access to windows will no longer be cited as blocked egress. This includes conditions such as windows being blocked with headboards, dressers, and other large or heavy objects. The only exception is “permanently installed” window air conditioners. If an air conditioner is placed in a unit but not permanently attached to a frame with screws, bolts, etc., it will not be cited. However, tenant-owned items that block access to the entry doors, particularly fire-labeled doors, will still be considered a life-threatening issue.
Addition of New Electrical Minimum Standards
This is a standard that has long been applied under HQS and is being adopted by NSPIRE. The requirement establishes that all habitable rooms (sleeping rooms, living rooms, etc.) must have two outlets or one outlet and one switched light source. If not, it will be cited as an issue that must be fixed in 30 days.
Changes to Outlets and Electrical Conductors Standard
The standards for electrical hazards have been greatly consolidated, adding outlets and switches to the same standard as electrical conductors. All these issues are considered life-threatening and must be addressed within 24 hours. The most consequential change here is that gaps in electrical equipment have changed from ¼” to – under NSPIRE – ½”. This is a significant change and will greatly impact citations for small gaps in electrical panels.
New Smoke Detector Standard for “Battery Only” Detectors
This notice clarifies that as of December 29, 2024, all smoke detectors which are solely battery-operated will have to have sealed, tamper-proof batteries. It will not be considered a deficiency until that time.
Fire Sprinkler Assemblies
The final standard now has these new deficiencies and thresholds. Evidence of corrosion on sprinkler heads is now a separate deficiency, including any corrosion on the sprinkler assembly and components. Thresholds require 75% or more of the sprinkler assembly to be covered by foreign material (such as paint), or 75% or more of the glass bulb must be covered by foreign material for this deficiency to apply.
Graffiti
The standard for Graffiti has been removed. Any graffiti found on a property will no longer be cited as it is not a threat to the health and safety of residents.
What Should You Do Now?
The NSPIRE standards promise a new direction for HUD, one where inspections are more focused on building components and their safety and less on measuring the quality of management operations. It is establishing a domain where housing compliance enforcement inspections focus on an established set of codes and protocols, and issues with normal wear and tear are left to be handled through a standard landlord-and-tenant relationship.
Owners and managers should plan to receive comprehensive training on the new NSPIRE standards. These changes uproot much of what has come to be “standard operating procedures” for the last twenty years and require a serious curriculum. Check out our schedule of upcoming training events on our website or reach out to us to schedule a training for your staff today.
