Inspection Flashcards by Christie Harvey

What is the suggested four step approach to inspections?

Consider personal safety
Inspection of local area
External inspection
Internal inspection

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What should you take on an inspection?

Mobile
DISTO
Inspection Checklist
PPE

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What would you consider within the immediate area of a property?

Location, situation, public transport, business vibrancy, environmental considerations, agents boards and comparable evidence etc

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What should your external notes comprise?

Method of construction
Repair and condition
Car parking
Site boundaries

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How could you attempt to identify the date of a building?

Planning consent
Building regulation approval
Land Registry
Architects certificate of practical completion

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What would your internal notes comprise?

Layout and specification
Repair
Services
Statutory compliance
Fixtures and fittings

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What are some different inspection purposes?

Valuation
Agency
Property Management
Rating
Lease Advisory

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How do different inspection purposes vary requirements of an inspection?

Valuation - understanding all factors which can influence the valuation
Property Management / Lease Advisory - Checking lease specific compliance
Agency - Flexibility of accommodation and its marketability

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What are the four common forms of foundations?

Trench
Raft
Piled
Pad

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What are different forms of brickwork?

Solid

Cavity

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What is efflorescence?

Formed when water reacts with natural salts to provide white marks

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What is spalling?

Where brickwork is damaged by freeze-thaw action

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Provide a brief explanation of institutional specifications for shops?

Services are capped off
Concrete floor
Let in a shell condition

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Provide a brief explanation of institutional specifications for offices?

Raised floors
Ceiling heights of 2.6 - 2.8m
Air conditioning
1 cycle space per 10 staff

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What are the 3 types of office fit out?

Shell and Core
Category A
Category B

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What is a shell and core fit out?

Common parts of the building are completed and the offices are left bare for occupier fit out

What is a category A fit out?

Office fitted to a Grade A specification with raised floors, air conditioning, ceiling void etc

What is a category B fit out?

Fit out to occupiers specific requirements such as IT requirements and installation of cellular offices.

Provide a brief explanation of institutional specifications for industrial units?

Steel portal frame construction
Minimum 8m eaves height
3 phase power
5-10% office and WC facilities
Site cover of c. 40%

What is an inherent defect?

One that has always been present

What is a latent defect?

Fault to the property which could not have been discovered through a reasonably thorough inspection

What is the four step process you should follow if you identify a defect?

Take photographs
Establish cause of defect on site
Inform client
Recommend specialist advice from building surveyor

What are the three most common causes of defects?

Movement, water and defective building materials.

What is wet rot caused by and what are the signs?

Caused by damp and timber decay.
Signs including:
- Wet and soft timber
- High damp meter reading
- Visible fungal growth
- Musty smell.

What is dry rot caused by and what are the signs?

``` Inside fungal attack. Signs include: - Fungus - Strong smell - Cuboidal cracking of timber ```

What are some common building defects in period buildings?

- Dry Rot - Wet Rot - Tile slippages - Water ingress around elevation openings - Structural movement / settlement

What is the key legislation regarding contamination?

Environmental Protection Act 1990

What is the relevant RICS guidance note regarding contamination?

Contamination, the Environment and Sustainability, 3rd Edition, 2010

What is the key guidance contained within Contamination, the Environment and Sustainability, 3rd Edition, 2010?

- Polluter must provide remediation | - Surveyor must understand their responsibilities and comply with the law

What signs of contamination would you look out for on site?

- Heavy metals - Oil drums - Subsidence - Underground tanks

What approaches could you adopt if you believed you had found evidence of contamination on site?

1. Do not provide any advice until specialist report is commissioned 2. Caveat advice and use a special assumption 3. Deduct remediation from gross site value

When was the period in which Mundic Block was prevalent?

1900 - 1950 with some areas seeing evidence up to 1970's.

What is a hazardous material?

Material that is harmful to health

Could you provide some examples of hazardous materials?

- Asbestos - Lead paint - Radon gas

How would you identify Japanese Knotweed?

Purple / green hollow stem and green leaves which are heart shaped

What is the relevant RICS guidance in relation to Japanese Knotweed?

Japanese knotweed and residential property, 1st edition, effective March 2022

How does Japanese Knotweed need to be disposed and in line with which act?

Legally with the use of chemical treatment, permanent removal and disposal within a licensed landfill site under the Environmental Protection Site 1990

What is the relevant legislation in regards to Japanese Knotweed?

Environmental Protection Act 1990

Name a key court case in relation to Japanese Knotweed?

Williams V Network Rail 2018