Inspection Flashcards
Inspections is a four step process. Please explain ?
- Consider your personal safety. Referring to your firms H+S policy.
- Inspection of the local area.
- External Inspection
- Internal Inspection.
What should a surveyor take with them on inspection ?
- Mobile Phone
- Disto
- Camera
- Plans
- PPE if needed
- Pen/Paper
What does the inspection of the local area include ?
- General location
- Local facilities
- Transport options
- Contamination/ Hazards
- Power Lines
- Agents boards
What does the external inspection include ?
- Methods of construction
- Repair/Condition
- Car parking/access
- Defects
- Site boundaries
- Date of the building
What does the internal inspection include ?
- Layout
- Specification
- Repair and maintenance
- Defects
- Services
- Fixtures and fittings
What are the different purposes for a property inspection ?
- Valuation purposes
- Agency purposes
- Property management purposes.
What are the 4 common forms of building foundations ? (TRPP)
- Trench or strip footings
- Raft
- Piled
- Pad
What are the differing types of brick work ? (CHSS)
- Solid wall construction: Solid brickwork with headers
- Cavity Wall: Two layers tied together by metal ties.
- Stretcher: Bricks laid horizontally. Long side of the brick exposed.
- Header: Short end of the brick exposed.
What is the typical space per person required for an office ?
80 - 100 sq ft
Describe the standard build of a modern warehouse/ industrial unit?
- Steel portal frame
- Insulated profiled sheet cladding walls and roof
- 10% roof lights
- Brick/Blockwork walls approximately 2m high
- 3 phase power
- W/C facilities
How do you look for building defects ? and what do you to if you identify one?
- Start from the roof and work yourself down the building.
- If i defect is identified;
- detailed photographs should be taken
- Try and establish the source of the defect.
- Inform your client of the investigation
- Recommend specialist advice.
What are the main causes of property defects ?
- Movement
- Water
- Deterioration of building materials.
What can cause ‘movement’ related defects ?
- Loss of support of the site beneath the construction.
- Cavity wall issues leading to cracking
- Settlement cracks
- Thermal expansion
What are main signs for damp in a property ?
- Wet rot shows timber decay.
- Dry rot - is a fungal attack that produces orange fungus/mushrooms.
- Mould is due to poor ventilation - black spots.
What are the common building defects in ‘period property’?
- Dry rot
- Wet rot
- Tile slippage
- Water ingress around exterior doors
- structural movement
What are the common building defects in ‘modern industrial buildings’?
- Roofs leaking
- damaged cladding
- blocked valley gutters
What are the common building defects in modern office buildings?
- Water damage from burst pipes
- damaged cladding
What is the key legislation around Contamination ?
Environmental Protection Act 1990
What are the RICS guidance notes on Contamination ?
RICS Guidance Notes - Contamination, the environment and Sustainability (2010) 3rd edition.
What can cause contamination ?
- Heavy metals
- methane gas
- diesel
- oil
- chemicals
What sort of signs should surveyors look for in relation to contamination ?
- oil drums
- underground tanks
- bare ground
If you suspect the ground may be contaminated. How do you deal with that ?
Request a specialist report. Who will:
- Review site via desktop investigation only
- Conduct physical investigation into the site - details soil tests etc
- Remediation report outlining remedial options.
Are there any government schemes that can help land owners with contaminated land ?
Yes
The LRR - The land remediation relief is available. This is a tax that allows company’s to claim up to 150% corporation tax reduction for expenditure in remediation of contaminated land.
What sort of hazard materials should surveyors be concerned about?
- Asbestos
- Lead piping
- roden gas
What is the main RICS documentation discussing Japanese Knotweed?
RICS Guidance Notes - Japanese Knotweed & Residential Property (March 2022)
What is Japanese Knotweed?
It’s an invasive plant that can damage hard surfaces such as building materials. Therefore can have a damaging impact on buildings.
It is hard to control and can be costly to remove.
How can japanese knotweed be removed ?
A specialist company can remove Japanese knotweed and dispose of it. Usually this is done by using chemical treatment and being disposed off in a licensed landfill.
How can you spot Japanese Knotweed?
It has a purple and green hallow stem, and green leaves.
Is allowing Japanese Knotweed a criminal offence ?
Yes and a property owner can be given an ASBO or a fine up to £2,500
What other invasive plants should surveyors be concerned about ?
- Hogweed
- Himalayan Balsam
