Inspection Flashcards
How do you know if there is mining in the area?
Check coal authority website and interrogate interactive map against site address/area.
Which part of Red Book relates to inspections?
VPS 2 - Inspections, Investigations & Records
RICS guidance for inspections
GN: Surveying Safely 2nd Edn
Effective 1st February 2019
Health & Safety principles for property professionals
Types of invasive species:
Japanese Knotweed
Dwarf Japanese Knotweed
Giant Hogweed
Himalayan knotweed
Poisonous hemlock`
Where can you find information on invasive species?
RICS iSURV ‘building defects database’.
Which invasive species has a professional standard?
Japanese Knotweed & residential property
1st edn - effective from 23 March 2022
Why is Japanese knotweed a problem?
- Can cause structural damage to substantial buildings such as dwellings;
- Treatment is expensive, disruptive and time consuming;
- Affective ground cannot be developed without taking special precautions to remove contaminated soil by appropriately licensed operators;
- Can cross property boundaries and result in expensive legal action;
- Can affect saleability of land & property.
Key features of japanese knotweed?
- purple speckled stems;
- smaller zig-zag stems;
- shield shaped leaves with flat base.
Different types of asbestos?
- Amosite (Brown)
- Crocidolite (Blue)
- Chrysotile (White)
Asbestos Regs
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Size of standard brick
215mm x 102.5mm x 65mm
With repeated stretcher bond and 10mm joints, ratio is 3:2:1 - 225mm length & 75mm height.
Names of proper brick bonds
Stretcher - all stretchers;
Header - all headers;
Flemish - alternating headers & stretchers in each course;
Flemish Garden Wall (Sussex bond) - one header to three stretchers in each course;
English - alternating rows of headers and stretchers;
English Garden Wall - one course of headers for every three course of stretchers.
English Cross - alterating headers and stretchers with every stretcher course offset by half a brick
Different types of foundation
- Strip;
- Trench;
- Raft;
- Pile.
Risks of spray foam insulation?
- Roof leaks - decay in roof timbers;
- Condensation - blocked ventilation;
- Fire risks - most types of foam are flammable;
- Not compatable with listed building consent.
- Higher risk of not being able to secure mortgage until its removed.
RICS guidance on spray foam?
RICS Consumer Guidance: Spray foam insulation.
March 2023
Steps to take if defects identified on inspection?
Take notes and seek advice of competent professional as it it outside expertise.
Importance of surveying safely 2nd Edn guidance note?
Provides overview of best practice for surveyors, including corporate and personal responsibilities relating to health and safety.
What has suveying safely 2nd edn introduced?
- The Safe Person Concept
What is the ‘safe person concept’?
Each individual assumes individual responsibility for their own, their colleagues and others health and safety whilst at work.
10 ways to ensure personal safety on site?
- Take charged mobile phone and personal alarm
- Plan an escape route
- Implement a call back system with the office
- Make your daily schedule available to colleagues
- Be careful in roof voids adn when using ladders
- Park your car close by and keep your keys on you
- Make sure you know who you are meeting
- Follow your gut instinct
- Understand the site rules for construction sites
- Be aware of agressive occupants and dogs
10 ways to ensure safety of your personal property
- Keep personal property safe and with you at all times
- Don’t leave possessons on view in your car
- Don’t leave possessions lying around on site
- Register electronic devises with Immobilise
- Back up photos and phone numbers
- Keep confidential information safe
- Use a cross-shredder for personal data no longer needed
- Remove shoes when entering property
- Take care of other’s personal items when in confined spaces
- Leave accomodation as you found it
Name two important regulations with regards to inspections?
- Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
- Legionnaries’ disease and the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015
What are the valuation significant factors that may impact the market value as per VPGA 8 (para 1.2)?
a. Characteristics of the locality and surrounding area, adn availability of communications, services and facilities that affect value
b. Charactertistics of the property and its use
* dimensions, areas and use(s) of consituent elements
* age, construction and nature of buildings or structures
* accessability both for occupiers and visitors
* installations, amenities and services
* fixtures, fittings and improvements
* plant and equipment that would normally form an intergral part of the building
* apparent state of repair and condition
* hazardous materials kept on the property.
c. Charateristics of the site
* natural hazards - ground instability, mining, mineral extraction, risk of flooding
* non-natural hazards - ground contamination from historic or current uses
* potential for development or redevelopment, if appropriate
* any physical restrictions on further development.
What are trench/strip foundations for?
Generally for residentail dwellings and closlely spaced walls/coloumns.
What are raft foundations used for?
Slab foundation over whole site to spread load for lightweight structures – conservatory or workshop.
What are piled foundations used for?
long and slender reinforced columns into ground to deeper strata for less good soil conditions and high loads.
What are pad foundations used for?
slab foundation under individual or groups of columns so load is spread evenly.
Used for large purpose-built structures like warehouses.
Types of cladding?
- Load bearing masonry & stone veneers - early steel frames (20s & 30s)
- In-fill panels - post WW2
- Pre-cast concrete (60s - 80s)
- **Curtain Walling
- Profiled metal sheeting**
*** Brick panel - Modern brick panel
- Insulated render
- Rainscreen**
What type of cladding was used in Grenfell Tower?
Rainscreen cladding
Problem with vented cavities is potential for fire, smoke and heat to be transferred within that cavity.
Overlapping panels form the outer skin/rain protection whilst ventilated air gap between this and inner layer allows for rain penetration to be evaporated or drained away.
Used for medium to high rise buildings.
Three types of curtian walling cladding?
- Stick construction - grid of mullions (vertical) and transoms (horizontal) support infill panel.
- Unit construction - sections are prefabricated and delivered with joints sealed on site.
- Structural glazing - large sheets of glazing are fixed to building.
How can you identify a Victorian house?
Built prior to 1901 Patterned bricks Built in terraces Barge boards – distinctive decorative wooden panel, popular in Victorian period. Bay and sash windows Enclosed stone or brick porches Date stone High ceilings and good-sized rooms Multiple fireplaces
What is a barge board
Long, straight boards fitted in an inverted V-shape to the gable end of the roof of your property.
Covers exposed ends of the roof rafter offering protection
What defects might you expect in a Victorian Property
Penetrating dampness
Rising damp
Condensation