Inspection

Question 1

For what reasons/purposes have you carried out inspections?

Answer 1

1) Valuation
2) Purchase and Sale
3) Lease and Letting
4) Property Management

Question 2

Why would you inspect a property for proprty management?

Answer 2

• Police the lease
• Building/structural surveys
• Dilapidation’s at the end of a lease

Question 3

What does the RICS Surveying Safely Guidance Note 2018 say?

Answer 3

(1) Responsibilities for firms and members
(2) Assessment of hazards and risks
(3) Workplace health and safety
(4) Occupation health and hygiene
(5) Inspections
(6) Fire Safety
(7) Residential Property Surveying
(8) Procurement and Management of Contractors

Question 4

What is SW’s lone working procedure?

Answer 4

• Inform secretary where I am going, what time and who I am meeting
• Inform secretary what time I am expected back at the office or if I am going home
• Only inspect between 9-4.30 - this allows time should the surveyor call with a problem to investigate before the office closes at 5.15

Question 5

Talk me through a typical property inspection

Answer 5

• Organise inspection and inquire about PPE
• Desktop research
• Inform secretary of the inspection details
• On-site: external site and property first. Assessing roof down
• Internally: ceiling down
• Inspect local area
• Upload my notes digitally and save within file

Question 6

Why do you carry out desktop research before inspecting?

Answer 6

Helps understand the nature of the property. Perhaps boundary discrepancies which I can clarify while on site.

It also feeds into the safety measures I implement…

Question 7

What information do you gather for the inspection?

Answer 7

• Plans
• Planning applications
• Tenancy schedule
• Information of who I am meeting

Question 8

What equipment do you take on inspection?

Answer 8

• Phone
• Laser
• PPE
• Pen and paper

Question 9

Examples of PPE

Answer 9

• Hard hat
• Steel-toed boots with non-slip sole
• Ear defenders
• Gloves
• Goggles
• High visibility jacket

Question 10

How thick is a solid brick wall

Answer 10

230mm

Question 11

How thick is a cavity brick wall

Answer 11

280mm

Question 12

How can you tell the difference between a solid brick wall and a cavity wall?

Answer 12

Externally, the presence of headers would be apparent on a solid brick wall, and not a cavity wall.

Question 13

Who provides guidance on institutional/grade A specification?

Answer 13

British Standards Publications

Question 14

What is shell and core in an office building?

Answer 14

Common parts completed, offices left shell

Question 15

What is category A fit out

Answer 15

Grade A specification

Question 16

What is the instituional shop specification?

Answer 16

Usually steel/concrete frame and let in shell condition. Services capped off.

Question 17

What is the specification of an industrial unit?

Answer 17

• Steel portal frame
• 8m eaves
• 10% roof lights
• 30kn loading capacity
• Profile cladding aboce cavity wall to circa 2m
• 5-10% office
• 40% site coverage
• LED lighting

Question 18

What is a steel portal frame?

Answer 18

Double pitched roof supported by steel a series of steel columns

Question 19

What is the specification for Grade A offices?

Answer 19

• Steel or reinforced concrete frame
• Full access raised floors
• 2.6m ceiling height
• Ceiling void 350mm
• Floor void 150mm
• LG7 compliant lighting
• Air conditioning