All Flashcards
What equipment would you take with you during a survey?
Something to take notes with, camera, disto, tape, dmap meter, ladder.
What do you need to consider before going to site to carry out an inspection?
Am I competent to undertake the inspection, am I properly insured, has an agreement been signed, what are the risks involved, what kind of survey is it, review all relevant existing building information, leases.
How do you undertake an inspection?
Personally I prefer to undertake an inspection of a building from the top down. I would normally walk around the building externally a couple of times first to get my bearings and get an initial understanding of it. Looking for an indication of age, construction, additions etc. Then I would start the inspection externally and inspect each elevation in turn looking and the roof, elevations, windows, doors, drainage and rainwater goods. Then I move inside and again start from the roof space and move down through the floors.
What kinds of risks do you consider?
Lone working
Asbestos
Accessing roofs and roof spaces at height
Hazards associated with derelict/empty properties
Confined spaces
How does a disto work? How can you check its accuracy? When is it least accurate?
A disto sends out a laser beam and measures the time taken for it to reflect which gives it a distance.
We check all distos before use by measuring a known distance in the office.
It become less accurate the longer the distance and it is very difficult to use outside over long distances because it is difficult to aim and see the laser.
Have you heard of a theodolight? How does this work?
An optical instrument consisting of a small mounted telescope rotatable in horizontal and vertical planes, used to measure angles in the horizontal and vertical planes. Mounted on a tripod with adjustable legs, the theodolite is used in the field to obtain precise angular measurements for triangulation. Leveling is accomplished with the aid of a spirit level; crosshairs in the telescope permit accurate alignment with the object sighted
How would you go about undertaking a building survey? What would you do prior to the survey?
I would ensure that an appointment is in place along with insurance and that I was competent to undertake the survey. I would ensure I understood the reason for the survey and how the report is to be used. I would then review all relevant existing building information, arrange access and prepare RAMS for the relevant risks involved.
What precautions would you take say you were inspecting a flat roof with a stepped ladder on your own?
I would prepare RAMS before I undertook the survey. I would consider the height of the roof if it was more than a single storey I would arrange alternative access. I would consider the type of ladder being used. It must be capable of being placed against the wall at an angle of 70 degrees and allow the surveyor to be able to inspect the roof without standing on the last four rungs of the ladder. I would consider if the roof was fragile or suitable to be walked on and even if it was suitable to be walked on I would not suggest this was suitable from a ladder unless there was a fixed ladder.
What would you look for when inspecting a slated pitched roof covering? What would you look for within the roof space?
- Age of property/roof
- Is roofing material original
- Is the ridge straight
- Are there any deflections/distortions
- Are there any slipped or missing slates
- Are there any previous repairs like lead tingles
- Are there numerous repairs
- Is the leadwork to valley gutters and around chimneys and other penetrations in good condition
- Are the chimneys in good condition, pots, flaunching, pointing, leaning
- In the roof space is there sarking felt
- Can you see light from outside when it is dark inside.
What advice would you give if slates were to be replace by concrete tiles? What would the structural implications be? What would the statutory implications be?
Firstly, concrete tiles are heavier than slates and may therefore impose a significant additional load that the roof structure, structure and foundations of the building had not been designed to take. It would therefore require a structural engineer to confirm if the existing roof structure, structure and foundations could accept this additional weight. As it could lead to deflections in the roof, roof spread or settlement.
Secondly, if you are replacing the roof covering then you will be required to undertake thermal improvements to the roof under Part L of the Building regulations. This requires you to meet current guidelines for new builds as long as it is feasible and will provide pay back over a 15 year period.
Thirdly, the change in roof covering could require consent from the local council if it is within a conservation area or it is a listed building.
How would you ascertain the condition of electrical installations without employing a specialist?
- Age
- Service History
- Is it in working order at the time of inspection
- General condition
- Speak to the owner, occupier or maintenance team
How can you tell if timbers have been structurally affected by fire?
I would engage the services of a structural engineer as I do not believe I am competent enough to make that decision. However, I would suggest that they would look at the extent of the damage how much of the timber remains untouched by the fire and calculate whether the remaining good timber can support the loadings imposed upon it.
After the fire, cracks appear in the brickwork, what could this be?
The bricks have heated causing them to expend and then contracted when they have been cooled. This movement could cause cracking. Also if it is a framed building then the frame then the structure could have been weakened by the fire causing movement which would cause the brickwork to crack.
What items would you consider when preparing a fire insurance valuation or a building reinstatement valuation?
Debris removal and site clearance, building foundations and cement floor base, erection of the replacement building, installation of electrical & mechanical services, commissioning and professional fees.
In respect to Fire Insurance Valuations, what is a day one assessment? Is it subject to VAT?
The current valuation will represent the reinstatement cost at today’s date, or Day One of the insurance policy. During the year building reinstatement costs may rise by an inflationary amount, therefore under a standard policy of insurance you will need to estimate the likely inflation during the year and add this to your valuation otherwise if a loss occurs on the final day of the policy year, your sum insured may not be adequate and Insurers will apply average to their payments.
Under the Day One Basis of Insurance, Insurers provide insurance up to a fixed percentage above your Day One valuation, usually 15%. This should ensure that the sum insured is adequate when a loss occurs. The only condition is that your declared Day One valuation must accurately represent the reinstatement cost at day one of the policy otherwise average will again apply. This policy does cost more premium than standard cover, but dispenses with the problem of guessing inflation levels that will apply during the next 12 months.
