Building Pathology Flashcards
(58 cards)
1
Q
What are the different codes of lead and what are they used for?
A
- Code 3 - Soakers (1.32mm)
- Code 4 - Flashings and vertical cladding. All rounder/versatile (1.80mm)
- Code 5 - Flashings, flat roofing, valley gutters, dormers, canopies (2.24mm)
- Code 6 - Flashing / flat roofing
- Code 7 - Pitched roofs, valley gutters, dormers
- Code 8 - Flat roofing
2
Q
What are the typical spacings for wall ties?
A
- Horizontal = 900mm
- Vertical = 450mm
3
Q
What are the different types of DPC?
A
- Chemical
- PVC
- Lead
- Engineering Brick
4
Q
What are some typical defects in modern buildings?
A
- Cut edge corrosion
- Flat roof issues
- Curtain walling detachment
- Failed gaskets
- Defective glazing panels
- Wall tie failure
- Lack of expansion joints
- Steel frame corrosion
- Concrete defects
5
Q
What are steel fillers joists?
A
- Early form of concrete reinforcement typically used between 1880 - 1920.
6
Q
What are the general distances between movement joints in external wall?
A
- Clay brickwork = 10 - 12m
- Lightweight concrete block = 6m
- Dense concrete block = 8m
- Parapet masonry wall = Half the above spacings and 1.5m from corners.
7
Q
How can you tell if building is steel framed rather than concrete?
A
- Small column sizes with large span between.
8
Q
What are the different types of beetle attack in timber and where are they found?
A
- Deathwatch = Southern / central England.
- Common Furniture = All across UK.
- House Langhorn = Surrey Berkshire and Hampshire.
9
Q
How would you treat beetle attack?
A
- Injection with paste at regular intervals of wood (kills woodworm).
- Envelope treatment - prevents new larvae from boring into timber and prevents adults from leaving. Breaks life cycle of woodworm and causes woodworm to die out gradually.
- Remove wood if it had lost its integrity.
10
Q
What are the different types of moisture meter?
A
- Electrical Resistance Meter = Two pin electrodes which are driven into the wood fibres and directly measure electrical resistance or conductivity.
- Dielectric = Incorporates two pads which serve as rubber electrodes that transmit and receive a signal when pressed into the wood substrate.
11
Q
What else could use to test for moisture
A
- Carbide test.
12
Q
Where would you usually find wet rot?
A
- Most commonly associated with serious leaks = failed plumbing, can also decay exterior.
13
Q
Where would you usually find dry rot?
A
- Inside buildings (never attacks outside).
14
Q
What is the Latin name for wet rot?
A
- Serpula lacrymens.
15
Q
What conditions do dry rot occur in?
A
- 20 - 40% timber Moisture Content.
- Temperature 0 - 26 Degrees.
16
Q
What conditions do wet rot occur in?
A
- 45 - 60% moisture content.
- Temperature - 30 to + 40 degrees.
17
Q
What is dry rots effect on timber?
A
- Large cuboidal cracking.
18
Q
What is wet rots effect on timber?
A
- Affected wood becomes dark brown.
19
Q
What were your long and short-term remedial measurers you reported to resolve the leak within the industrial unit?
A
20
Q
Why can skylights be a source of weakness within a roof?
A
- Any opening is a source of weakness.
21
Q
What typical defects do you find with Georgian properties?
A
- timber defects
- damp
- water ingress via chimneys
22
Q
If you identified significant issues with glazing, would you recommend any further investigations to be undertaken?
A
- Further investigations from a glazing specialist
23
Q
Why did you advise the client to remove the asphalt and not propose an overlay system?
A
- No, I recommeded an EPDM overlay
24
Q
What were the benefits of removing the asphalt when comparing to overlaying?
A
- Load to the roof.
25
What was your advice to the client as to what had caused the asphalt to become blistered / cracked?
- Solar degredation for the most part.
26
What is the serviceable life span of asphalt?
- 60 years
27
What was the roof deck of the flat roof and did you have any concerns structurally with removing the asphalt layer?
- Timber, and yes as it's a difficult material to remove due to its weight.
28
Can you talk me through the build-up of the flat roof to Woburn Square?
- Cold roof with timber deck and asphalt finish.
29
What is a visual indicator of carbonation in reinforced concrete?
- The expansion of rusting steel will result in cracking and spalling of the surface concrete.
30
How many stages are there in a damp survey?
- Four - some books state stages 3 and 4 are done together.
31
What are the stages of a damp survey?
1 - Visual Inspection
2 - Investigation using moisture meters
3 - Detailed investigation
4 - Reporting
32
What BRE Digest relates to cracking?
- BRE 251
33
What are the codes of cracking?
0 - Hairline cracks of less than about 0.1 mm which are classed as negligible. No action required.
1 - Fine cracks that can be treated easily using normal decoration. Damage generally restricted to internal wall finishes; cracks rarely visible in external brickwork. Typical crack widths up to 1 mm.
2 - Cracks easily filled. Recurrent cracks can be masked by suitable linings. Cracks not necessarily visible externally; some external repointing may be required to ensure weather-tightness. Doors and windows may stick slightly and require easing and adjusting. Typical crack widths up to 5 mm.
3 - Cracks that require some opening up and can be patched by a mason. Repointing of external brickwork and possibly a small amount of brickwork to be replaced. Doors and windows sticking. Service pipes may fracture. Weather-tightness often impaired. Typical crack widths are 5 to 15 mm, or several of, say, 3 mm.
4 - Extensive damage which requires breaking-out and replacing sections of walls, especially over doors and windows. Windows and door frames distorted, floor sloping noticeably. Walls leaning or bulging noticeably, some loss of bearing in beams. Service pipes disrupted. Typical crack widths are 15 to 25 mm, but also depends on number of cracks.
5 - Structural damage that requires a major repair job, involving partial or complete rebuilding. Beams lose bearing, walls lean badly and require shoring. Windows broken with distortion. Danger of instability. Typical crack widths are greater than 25 mm, but depends on number of cracks.
34
What BRE digest relates to Dry Rot?
- BRE 299
35
What BRE Digest relates to Wet Rot?
- BRE 345
36
What BRE Digest relates to Rising Damp?
- BRE 245
37
What BRE Digest relates to insect attack?
- BRE 307
38
What is the ISO Guidance to preventing corrosion?
- ISO 12944
39
What is the Brtish Standard for flat roofing?
- BS 6299 - 2018
40
What is used to finish / treat corrosion?
- Silicone based paint, such as Giromax.
41
What is the lifecycle of rot?
- Spores > Hyphae > Mycelium > Fruiting Body
42
What are the differnt types of Asbestos?
- LEAST Danger - CHRYSOTILE (WHITE)
- MEDIUM Danger - AMOSITE (BROWN)
- HIGHEST Danger - CROCIDOLITE (BLUE)
43
What are the different insects that cause timber defects?
- Woodworm - small holes and tunnels makes wood brittle/powdery.
- Termites - dry wood causing structural collapse - crumbling wood and swarming insects.
- Carpenter ants - create nests, piles of wood shavings and squeaking noises in wooden structure.
- Powder post Beatles - feed on the wood, fine powdery residue and small exit holes.
44
What were the long and short term remedial measures for the felt roof at DO, Tonbridge?
- Short term = patch repair
- Long term = Re-covering the roof (EPDM/GRP)
45
What were long terms and short term remedial works to Brompton Square?
- Short Term = Replace failed seals and gaskets.
- Long Term = Replace curtian walling due to blown glazing identified throughout.
46
In Brompton Square, what remedial measured were recommended?
- Carry out an intrusive survey to identify whether a waterproof membrane had previously been installed to the vault.
- Identify whether any routes had penetrated the wall.
- Communication with Thames Water regarding any blockages.
- Recommended Grade 3 Type A system to the vault.
47
Why was a Grade 3 Type A system recommended?
- Type A = Barrier Protection (membrane/liquid applied membrane.
- Grade 3 = Highest Grade of water tightness.
- This was recommended over the alternative Type C, as type C requires the installation of a sump pump.
48
What are the different type of tanking systems?
- Type A = Barrier protection (internal/external waterproof membrane)
- Type C =
49
What are the different type of tanking systems?
Type A = Barrier protection (internal/external waterproof membrane)
Type B = Structurally Intergral Protection (water resistant concrete wall and slab)
Type C = Drained Protection (cavity drain membrane / sump pump)
50
What was the constuction of Tonbridge DO?
- Steel framed
- Struss roof
- lattice beams with steel bracing
- cast in situ concrete floors
- blockwork walls and cladding system
51
What were the exit strategies for Erith, Anchor Bay?
- Negotiating a final settlement
- Repairing roof sheets prior to lease end
52
What type of Giromax is used to treat corrosion leps and ends?
Used to treat cut edge corrosion specifically -
- Giromax Edgecoat
- Giromax Basecoat
- Giromax Sealant
53
How is wet rot treated?
- Dry area
- Remove affected wood
- Apply fungal treatment to newly affected wood and adjacent areas
- Replaced damaged wood
- Monitor
54
How is dry rot treated?
-- Dry area
- Remove affected wood
- Apply fungal treatment
- Replaced damaged wood
- Monitor
55
How is wood affected by insect attack treated?
- Chemical Treatments: Use insecticides and boric acid to kill insects.
- Fumigation: Professional fumigation for severe infestations.
- Heat and Freezing: Use heat or freezing to kill insects in smaller items.
- Physical Removal: Remove and replace severely damaged wood.
- Preventive Measures: Control moisture, treat wood with preservatives, and conduct regular inspections.
56
What is the British Standard for Lead?
- BS EN 12588:2006
57
What are the pros and cons of damp meters?
+ Quick
+ Non-destructive
+ Versatile
+ Early detection
+ Portable.
- Accuracy Issues
- Limited Depth Measurement
- Interpretation Required
- Not a Standalone Solution
58
What are the pros and cons of thermal imaging cameras?
Pros: Efficient surveillance, versatile applications, non-invasive, enhanced detection, low maintenance.
Cons: High initial cost, limited detail, requires expertise, sensitivity to environmental factors, potential for misuse.
