Inspection Flashcards
What equipment do you use on an inspection?
Tablet
Ladder
Disto
Damp meter
Camera
Binoculars
Compass
PPE
Crack gauge
Torch
Hammer
Lifting equipment
Screwdriver
First aid kit
Meter key
Personal ID
What do you consider on an inspection?
Competence
Instructions received
Formal appointment
Risk assessment
Existing information
Insurance
How do you conduct an inspection?
Top down
External laps to check age, construction and additions
Look at elevations including roof, windows, doors, drains
Internally start from the ceiling/roof down
What potential risks exist during inspections?
Lone working
Asbestos
Roof access
Hazards
Confined areas
What is a disto?
Emits light which provides a measurement
To check, use a known distance
Less accurate over large distance
What precautions do you take for inspecting a roof?
Risk and method statement
Height check
Ladder at 70 degrees
Condition of the roof
How to inspect a roof/roof space?
Check:
Age
Materials
Ridge
Defects
Slipped/missing slates
Repairs
Leadwork
Chimney
Any light coming through
How would you advise a client switching a slate roof to concrete?
Concrete is heavier so load more
Obtain structural engineer advice
What are the statutory implications switching slate to concrete?
Thermal insulation under Part L - Conservation of fuel and power
Meet guidelines if feasible and payback over 15 years
Planning consent if conservation or listed
How to check electrical install without specialist?
Get information relating to the age
Check service history
Any inspection comments
Is it working
Ask the owner
What are requirements of acquisition inspections?
RICS Building Survey Practice Note
Reflects law and mandatory elements and is applied where contracts exist.
Ensure competence and skill set
Record defects
No time limit
Work in a logical sequence
Report key elements = roof, floor, possession, services, limitations
Permanent record
Plants and diagrams
What is a fire reinstatement report?
Reinstatement Cost Assessment of Buildings 3rd edition
Assess on total loss or damage resulting in demolition
Prepare on day one reinstatement either declared value/agree instruction
Declare value = ignore inflation
= fixed price, tender, competent contractor
Val includes = net rebuild cot, allowance for demo, other costs
Commercial building insurance only
What are the levels of residential surveys?
Level 1 - visual, no opening, no test, describe condition, important defects, used on modern builds
Level 2 - excludes opening/test, accessible areas on (roof space), note defects and remedial, use for traditional build
Level 3 - no test but observe, remedial work, consequences, cost indicator, use for domestic
Explain the contents of a Residential survey in line with Survey of Residential Property?
Pre inspect - obtain info
Inspection - equipment (camera, laser, tape, pen, moisture meter)
Inspection - level:
Roof - L1 (not remove access), L2 (visual), L3 (probe)
Floor - L1 (exposed only), L2 (sub floor), L3 (lift)
Services - L1 (not loft), L2 (lift chamber), L3 (operate)
Report - general findings
- structure - title, contents, explain level, summary, main body, headings, photos, plans
Opinion - summary
Outline inspection techniques?
Expose timber where possible
Check surface floor where not covered
Timber - raise loose boards
Sub floor - report is accessible, if not report so
Record defects
Avoid risk
Services - visually inspect
What is Surveying Safely eff Feb 2019
Professional standard
Includes responsibilities, relevance to groups, hazards, places of work, hygiene and health, visiting, fire safety, residential property survey, general procurement and management of contractors
What guidance is there for Asbestos?
Guidance note: Asbestos: legal requirements and best practice for property professionals and clients 4th ed May 2021
Professional standard: Asbestos 4th ed effective August 2021
Outline information of asbestos:
Can be fatal
Regulated removal
Requires a management plan
Remedy = removal or encapsulate
Blue = crocidolite, worst, insulator
Brown = amosite
White = chrysotile, least harmful, cement
Name types of contamination
Japanese knotweed
Metals
Oil/chemicals
Polluter pays - Environmental Protection Act 1990
What guidance should you seek before inspecting?
Professional Standard: Surveying safety 2nd Edition effective Feb 2019
1 - personal responsibilities for members
2 - relevance to RICS professional groups
3 - assessing hazards and risks
4 - RICS Members places of work
5 - Occupational hygiene and health
6 - Visiting premises or site
7 - Fire safety
8 - Residential property surveying
9 - general procurement and management of contractors
Appendix A - audit template