All About Title Five Inspections

The goal of system inspection is to provide sufficient information to make a determination as to whether or not the system is adequate to protect public health and the environment. This includes locating all the components of the system which can vary greatly depending on the age of the system. 

As a general rule, and there are exceptions, a system shall be inspected at or within two years prior to the time of transfer of title to the facility serviced by the system. 

• Pass – no information found which indicates any failure criteria exist
• Conditional Pass – one or more of the system components need to be replaced
• Fail – there are specific criteria in the code that defines failure to protect the public 

You have two years to replace a failed system or system component and should be monitored by your local health department. 

 You have two options with an inspection, but it must be decided before the inspection begins. One option is a formal title 5, which includes a report on a MADEP form and filing with the town’s health department. The second option is a voluntary assessment and is for informative purposes only; however, it is a great way to learn more about your own system. 

Many variables go into the life expenctancy and it is really hard to average.  Systems installed over 30 years ago can pass an inspection, just like systems less than five years old can fail.  The quality of the components and the maintenance will determine the life of the system.