Inspection Flashcards
What things would you check before attending site for inspection?
Traveling to and from site
Lone working - is safe?
Condition of the property
Occupation
Activity
Site rules
Roofs
Dangerous substances
Diseases
Special access
Access equipment
PPE
Environmental matters
Personal matters
Briefly explain the construction of a recent building you have inspected.
Villa under construction - the excavated works have bene completed and the structure has been put
What is the size of a brick?
215 mm x 102.5 mm x 65 mm (length x depth x height).
What building characteristics do you look for when inspecting a property?
A. characteristics of the locality and surrounding area, and the availability of services and facilities
B. characteristics of the property and its use
1. dimensions, areas
2. age, construction and nature of buildings or structures
3. accessibility both for occupiers and for visitors
4. installations, amenities and services
5. fixtures, fittings and improvements
6. plant and equipment that would normally form an integral part of the building
7. apparent state of repair and condition
8. hazardous materials kept on the property, such as (but not limited to) regulated items
including chemicals, radioactive substances, explosive materials, asbestos, , oils, etc. or regulated activities being conducted such as waste management activity.
c. characteristics of the site
1. natural hazards such as ground instability, risk of flooding
2. non-natural hazards such as ground contamination where there are substances in, on or under the ground resulting from historic or current uses
3. potential for development or redevelopment
4 any physical restrictions on further development, if appropriate.
What are the usual sizes of floor and ceiling void in a new office building?
recommended is 2.7 meters
What does Grade A specification mean for an office?
New or comprehensive refurbishment
Good location
Good access
Good lobby
Suspended ceilings 2.65 m
Elevators
BREEAM excellent / Leed platinum or gold
Natural light
Well being features like plants
Good ventilation
How do office Grade and Category differ?
Grade refers to specifications
Category refers to classification of fitout
How do Cat A plus, Cat A and Cat B differ?
Shell Core - state before any fitout (Lobbies, Lift shafts, Concrete and metal frame, Structural elements)
Cat A - the basic finishing of an interior space, this type of fit out includes the installation of a building’s mechanical and electrical services. A Cat A project will also include finished internal walls, reception areas and lift lobbies. (Lighting, Air conditioning, Toilets, Raised access flooring, Grid ceilings, Basic fire detection systems)
Cat B - a fully operational workplace that has been designed to a client’s unique specifications to make it their own (partitions and doors, specialist lighting, pantry, furniture)
Cat A+ - is typically conducted by landlords as a way of attracting tenants into their space rather than leaving the space as Cat A which would require the tenant to spend money on designing. It sits between Cat A fit outs and Cat B fit outs. It has become a popular type of fit out with landlords who are offering flexible space under built to lease.
What is the optimum depth of an office to allow for natural light?
1.5 times the height of the window
What eaves height is desirable for an office building?
Eaves height refers to the vertical distance between the finished floor level of a building and the underside of the eaves or roof overhang. It represents the height of the building’s walls from the ground up to where the roof structure begins.
minimum acceptable is 2.4 m
What is the normal floor loading for an office building?
2500 kg/sqm floor loading
How would this differ to an industrial / warehouse unit?
In most industrial units, the typical floor loading capacity is around 2000-3000 kg/sqm. This loading capacity is designed to accommodate common industrial activities such as storage, light manufacturing, assembly, and material handling.
What is an easement?
An easement is a legal right granted to a person to use another person’s property for a specific purpose. It is a non-possessory interest, meaning that the holder of the easement does not own the property but has a limited right to use it for a particular purpose. (right of way, utility, drainage)
What is Japanese Knotweed?
A highly invasive plant species that originated in East Asia.
Japanese Knotweed poses a threat to buildings and infrastructure. Its roots can penetrate through cracks in foundations, drains, and pipes, causing damage and structural weaknesses. This can result in costly repairs and maintenance.
What does the RICS say about Japanese Knotweed?
Advice on specific remedial action is not required. As with many other potentially significant issues affecting property value or ownership, the objective for the surveyor or valuer is to identify and report the matter to the client, but then for an appropriate specialist to provide advice on what action to take. In this, there are clear parallels with problems such as dry rot, defective services or structural failure.
