Inspection Flashcards
Can you tell me the process of undertaking an inspection?
First I would consider personal safety of myself and any others attending.
If safe to inspect I would first inspect the local area before undertaking an external inspection of the property.
I would then undertake the internal inspection
What are the types of fit out?
Shell and Core - office in shell / common parts complete
CAT A - Grade A specification
CAT B - Tenant fit out
What types of air-conditioning are you aware of?
VAV – variable air volume
VRV – variable refrigerant volume
Fan coil
Comfort cooling
Static cooling
What types of foundations are there?
Trench
Raft
Pile
Pad
What reasons would you undertake an inspection?
Valuation purposes
– Establish valuation influencers
Property management purposes
– Policing the lease
Agency purposes
– To establish marketability
What is the size brick?
215 mm X 102.5 mm X 65 mm
What types of wall construction are there?
Solid wall
Combines headers and stretchers – i.e. Flemish bond
Cavity wall
Made up of only stretchers – Tied together with metal ties
What steps would you take when undertaking an inspection?
Personal safety
Local area
External inspection
Internal inspection
What would you take on an inspection?
Mobile
Camera
Measuring equipment
Plans
PPE
Pen and paper
What would you take into consideration when undertaking an external inspection?
Method of construction
Repair and condition
Defects/structural movement
Site boundaries
Access/parking/loading
What would you take into consideration on an internal inspection?
Specification
Services
Repair and maintenance
Defects
Statutory compliance
Fixtures and fittings
What reasons would you undertake an inspection for?
Valuation purposes
- Valuation influencers
Agency purposes
- Marketability
Property management purposes
- Policing the lease
What is a piled foundation?
Reinforced concrete cylinders buried in the ground.
Used for large buildings
What are the two types of slab foundation?
Raft
- Slab foundation over whole site
Pad
- Slab foundation under columns
Industrial warehouses
What methods of construction are you aware of?
Steel frame
Concrete frame
Wood frame
Masonry
What is Japanese knotweed?
This is an invasive plant that can cause serious damage to solid materials including brickwork and concrete.
What is the institutional specification of the shop?
Let in shell condition
No suspended ceiling
Concrete floor
Capped off services
Frontage not in place
What is the institutional specification of an industrial warehouse?
Eaves height – Min. 8m (10% for roof lights)
Floor loading – Min. 30 kN/sqm
Full height electric loading doors
Office/WC facilities – 5 to 10%
Capped off services
Site cover – 40%
What is an inherent defect?
A defect in the design or material of a building which has always been present.
What is a latent defect?
A defect/fault which could not be discoverable on a reasonably thorough inspection.
What would you do if you thought you had discovered a defect?
Take photographs and notes
Establish the cause
Inform the client
Recommend specialist advice
What would you say are common causes of defects?
Movement
Water/damp
Defective/deteriorated building materials
You mention movement as a typical cause of defects. What could this include?
Subsidence
- Downward movement/settlement of the ground
Heave
- Expansion of the ground
You mention water/damp as a common cause of defects. What might this include?
Rising damp
Leaks
Dry rot
Wet rot
Condensation
What is wet rot?
How might you identify it?
This is rotting caused by damp and timber decay.
Signs normally include wet or soft timber and a high damp meter reading.
What is spalling?
Freeze thaw action
Damage to brickwork.
What would you expect to see in a grade a office?
Raised floor
Carpets
2.6 meter floor to ceiling height
Suspended ceiling
LG7 compliant lighting
Air-conditioning
Double glazing
Floor loading – 2.5-3 kn/m²
Who defines grade a office space?
BCO
British Council for offices
What would you consider when undertaking an internal inspection?
Specification
Repair/maintenance
Defects
Services
Statutory compliance
Fixtures and fittings
What would you consider when undertaking an external inspection?
Method of construction
Repair/condition
Defects/structural movement
Parking/access/loading
Site boundary
What would you consider when undertaking an inspection of the local area?
Location
Amenities
Transport
Hazards
Contamination
Flooding
Compatible evidence
Letting boards
What is Japanese knot weed?
Japanese knot weed is an invasive plant which is very harmful to hard material such as concrete and brickwork.
It is very difficult to control and expensive to maintain/eradicate.
Property lenders are reluctant to offer a loan on properties with it.
I would recommend seeking specialist advice
What types of air-conditioning are you aware of?
VAV
VRV
Fan coil
Comfort cooling
What is VAV air-conditioning?
Variable and volume
Conditions the air as well as heating and cooling the air.
Is there any RICS guidance which you have reference to when undertaking an inspection?
Surveying safely, 2011
What are the key points of surveying safely 2011?
This gives guidance to firms and individuals in regard to health and safety responsibilities.
It provides advice on:
– Visiting premises and sites
– Assessing hazards and risks
– Loan working procedures
– CDM regulations
– Health and safety procedures at work
When might you use trench foundations?
This is generally used for residential terraced housing.
When might you use raft foundations?
Wendy ground conditions are poor or made up.
Why is Japanese knot weed such an issue?
It damages hard materials
Property lenders may refuse alone
Not easy to control – costly
What sort of thing would you look for on an inspection of the local area?
Location
Amenities
Transport
Contamination
Hazards
Flooding
Comparable evidence
Agent letting boards
What are hazardous materials?
Can you give me a few examples?
Hazardous materials are materials which are harmful to one’s health.
This includes:
– Asbestos
– Lead paint/piping
– radon gas
Always recommend specialist advice
What are deleterious materials?
Materials that deteriorate with age.
High alumina cement
Wood-wool shuttering/slabs
Mundic
What are common defects in period buildings?
Dry/wet rot
Tile slippage
Water ingress – roof/windows
Structural movement/settlement
What are common defects in an industrial building?
– Rooflight leaks
– Damaged cladding
– blocked belly gases
– settlement/cracking in brickwork
What common defects might you expect to see any modern office?
– Damp penetration at roof and ground floor level
– Damaged cladding
– Cavity wall tie failure
– Water damage
What is dry rot?
How might you identify it?
This is rot caused by fungal attacks and can destroy masonry and timber.
Typically identifiable if there is fungus or dry crumbling wood.
