The NSPIRE Life-Threatening Deficiencies List
45 items in the published HUD standards start a 24-hour repair clock the moment an inspector cites them. Here is every one, by room, from the same deficiency database that powers our free self-inspection checklist.
All 45, in walk order
Grouped the way you'd walk a unit. Each entry is the deficiency as HUD defines it, with the standard it belongs to.
Unit Entry & Doors1
Entry door is missing.
Door - Entry
Bathroom(s)1
Only 1 toilet was installed, and it is missing.
Toilet
Electrical (Throughout)4
Outlet or switch is damaged.
Electrical - Conductor, Outlet, and Switch
Exposed electrical conductor.
Electrical - Conductor, Outlet, and Switch
Water is currently in contact with an electrical conductor.
Electrical - Conductor, Outlet, and Switch
The overcurrent protection device is damaged.
Electrical - Service Panel
Smoke, CO & Life Safety20
Smoke alarm is not installed where required.*
Smoke Alarm
Smoke alarm is obstructed.
Smoke Alarm
Smoke alarm does not produce an audio or visual alarm when tested.
Smoke Alarm
Carbon monoxide alarm is missing, not installed, or not installed in a proper location.*
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide alarm is obstructed.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide alarm does not produce an audio or visual alarm when tested.
Carbon Monoxide
System is blocked, or pull cord is higher than 6 inches off the floor.
Call-For-Aid System
System does not function properly.
Call-For-Aid System
Obstructed means of egress.
Egress
Sleeping room is located on the 3rd floor or below and has an obstructed rescue opening.
Egress
Fire escape access is obstructed.
Egress
Exit sign is damaged, missing, obstructed, or not adequately illuminated.
Exit Sign
Fire escape component is damaged or missing.
Fire Escape
Fire extinguisher pressure gauge reads over or under-charged.
Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguisher service tag is missing, illegible, or expired.
Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguisher is damaged or missing.
Fire Extinguisher
Sprinkler head assembly is encased or obstructed by an item or object that is within 18 inches of the sprinkler head.
Sprinkler Assembly
Sprinkler assembly component is damaged, inoperable, or missing and it is detrimental to performance.
Sprinkler Assembly
Sprinkler assembly has evidence of corrosion.
Sprinkler Assembly
Sprinkler assembly has evidence of foreign material that is detrimental to performance.
Sprinkler Assembly
HVAC, Water Heater & Utility12
A visually accessible chimney, flue, or firebox connected to a fireplace or wood-burning appliance is incomplete or damaged such that it may not safely contain fire and convey smoke and combustion gases to the exterior.
Chimney
Chimney exhibits signs of structural failure.
Chimney
Electric dryer transition duct is detached or missing.
Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation
Gas dryer transition duct is detached or missing.
Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation
Electric dryer exhaust ventilation system has restricted airflow.
Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation
Dryer transition duct is constructed of unsuitable material.
Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation
Gas dryer exhaust ventilation system has restricted airflow.
Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation
Unvented space heater that burns gas, oil, or kerosene is present.*
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Combustion chamber cover or gas shutoff valve is missing from a fuel burning heating appliance.
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Fuel burning heating system or device exhaust vent is misaligned, blocked, disconnected, improperly connected, damaged, or missing.
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Chimney or flue piping is blocked, misaligned, or missing.
Water Heater
Gas shutoff valve is damaged, missing, or not installed.
Water Heater
Walls, Floors, Windows & Throughout6
Fire labeled door is missing.
Door - Fire
Flammable or combustible item is on or within 3 feet of an appliance that provides heat for thermal comfort or a fuel-burning water heater. OR Improperly stored chemicals.
Flammable and Combustible Item
Guardrail is missing or not installed.*
Guardrail
Guardrail is not functionally adequate.
Guardrail
Natural gas, propane, or oil leak.
Leak - Gas/Oil
Presence of mold-like substance at extremely high levels is observed visually.
Mold-Like Substance
Exterior, Site & Common Areas1
Structural system exhibits signs of serious failure.
Structural System
Items marked with an asterisk (*) carry additional conditions in the published HUD standard text. Unit-context classifications shown where HUD publishes one. List generated from PropertyLedger's deficiency database, v2026.07.
How to use this list
Audit these four systems first
Nearly the whole list is fire (alarms, egress, extinguishers), gas and combustion (leaks, venting, unvented heaters), electrical (exposed conductors, damaged panels), and structural hazards. Four focused audits cover most of the 24-hour territory.
Document like it's cited
If one of these ever is cited, your 24-hour response needs timestamps: when you learned, what you did, when it was safe. Practicing that documentation habit now — dated photos, even for passes — is free insurance. If you've already been cited, here's exactly what happens next.
Preparing for a PHA transition rather than an imminent inspection? Start with the 90-day prep plan or estimate your exposure with the score calculator.
Walk your units against the full standard
These 45 items are the emergencies. The free checklist covers all 204 deficiencies — filterable by room and severity, printable for a clipboard — so nothing on this page ever surprises you.
Get the free checklistEducational tool based on published HUD NSPIRE standards; not affiliated with or endorsed by HUD; not a guarantee of inspection results.