Architecture

Question 1

Important documents to be better prepared

Answer 1

Land Register

COL

DS

Past description sheets

Previous inspection reports

Question 2

4 conditions for building inspectors

Answer 2

1. Has professional liability insurance for mistakes, errors or omissions
2. Provides a written report to party using their services
3. Uses a recognized inspection service agreement
4. Performs inspections in accordance with a recognized building inspection standard of practice

Question 3

Things to consider for types of soil

Answer 3

Supporting capacity

Density

Permeability

Wall built on steep slope will be more fragile as it will encounter runoff water more frequently

Question 4

What is zoning

Answer 4

Determines what the land may be used for and what type of immovables may be built on it

Should always check with municipality to ensure that they are allowed to carry out a specific project

Question 5

Limitations of public law

Answer 5

• Airport zone
• Flood risk zone
• Bank protection
• Heritage protection
• Protection of agricultural land
• Other

Question 6

Phases in ESA

Answer 6

ESA Phase 1
- Study of the property history and previous activities
- All available info is gathered, past activities are assessed for potential contamination areas and medium likely to be contaminated are identified and a preliminary (phase 1) report is drafted

ESA Phase 2 (if P1 recommends further investigation)
- Research is conducted to confirm presence or absence of contaminants
- Prepare and take samples
- Next, identify specific type of contamination and areas affected and determine nature and extent of the contamination. Depending on the complexity of the contamination, it may not be possible to determine in P2

ESA Phase 3 (if contamination is confirmed in P2)
- More accurately determine nature and extent
- Assess impacts and risks to environment and human health
- Rehab plan is then developed
- After P3, decontam. can begin

Question 7

What happens when land is found to be contamed?

Answer 7

Info is listed in an accessible registry on Ministry of Environment and Climate Change website and in Land Register

The land is not removed even after rehab

Land register has: notice of contam., notice of decontam., notice of land use restriction if decontam. was not sufficient

If such notice exists, must show on DS and property Description sheet

Question 8

Types of foundations

Answer 8

Footings (eccentric if built near property limits)

Raft or floating foundations (Structural slab)

Piles (Pillars) when supporting capacity is very low

Question 9

Elements of exterior walls and cladding

Answer 9

Exterior siding or wall cladding (rainscreen)

Airspace (air gap) (purpose to prevent moisture and water from coming into contact with interior structure of wall)

Air barrier (membrane that surrounds building to prevent air infiltration and exfiltration)

Sheathing (Protect and support air barrier and act as a bracing for the frame on which is it directly attached)

Insulation

Vapour barrier (prevent humidity from coming into contact with building envelope and remaining there)

Interior finish (typically drywall panels)

Question 10

Window opening mechanisms

Answer 10

Fixed

Tilt-and-turn window (hopper window)

Casement (classic horizontal opening)

Awning (or pivot) window

Double-hung

Sliding window

Question 11

Two types of roof construction and two main types of roof

Answer 11

Vented roof (nearly all residential structures except some multi-unit high rises, include an air space between bridging and insulation)

Unvented roof (widely used in commercial or industrial)

Pitched vs flat

Question 12

Insulation depends on the combined action of 3 elements

Answer 12

Air barrier (prevents air infiltration/leakage)

Vapour barrier (prevents moisture from escaping through the building envelope and creating condensation)

Insulation material

Question 13

Issues in immovables

Answer 13

Asbestos

Radon

Iron ochre deposits

Urea-Formaldehyde Foam Insulation (UFFI)

Vermiculite (may contain asbestos)

Pyrite/pyrrhotite

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria

Cannabis cultivation

Underground lab

Pests

Electric and magnetic fields (EMF)

Dry rot fungus

Question 14

7 distinct zoning categories

Answer 14

1. Resort
2. Commercial
3. Residential
4. Industrial
5. Agricultural
6. Forestry
7. Recreational Tourism

Question 15

4 criteria for hidden defect

Answer 15

• Defect is not known to the buyer
• Defect is important
• Was present in the property prior to the sale
• Not apparent at the time of the sale