Inspection

Question 1

What’s the difference between a pre-acquisition and condition survey?

Answer 1

Condition survey looks only at defects, pre-acquisition also looks at matters such as leases, fire, H&S.

Question 2

How did you determine the extent of the brickwork repairs?

Answer 2

Inspected to see if cracks would allow rain penetration.

Question 3

What methodology did you use to determine the extent of the brickwork repairs?

Answer 3

Assessed the severity by measuring crack widths.

Question 4

How are brickwork repairs fixed in place?

Answer 4

Using mortar.

Question 5

What is the relevant guidance note for brickwork repairs?

Answer 5

BRE Good Repair Guide 3.

Question 6

What is the lone working policy?

Answer 6

Always have your phone, tell team member of inspection and inform them when you leave site.

Question 7

How do you assess the immediate and long term repairs discovered on-site?

Answer 7

Assess the extent of defects e.g. width and depth of cracks, severity of water ingress.

Question 8

Can you give an example of an inspection and the outcome?

Answer 8

Quarry Wood - recommended structural engineer for crack to floor slab.

Question 9

Can you tell me about something you read about in the Surveying Safely Guidance Note?

Answer 9

Risk assessments should be carried out before going to site [to understand the risks and mitigate these], PPE should be considered.

Question 10

What safety considerations might you review prior to carrying out an inspection alone?

Answer 10

Lone working procedures such as informing your manager when you arrive and leave site, keeping your phone on you at all times.

Question 11

What is a borescope? What are the limitations of its use?

Answer 11

A tool that can look behind the initial surface and see what’s behind. Can only see the immediate area, destructive.

Question 12

The Dixon Hotel, London RCA – How did you measure the property? What special factors did you come across?

Answer 12

Laser measurer on-site.
Ornate detailing such as a portico and cornices to the doors.

Question 13

Beckton Gateway Retail Park TDD - How would you prepare to carry out a Building Survey?

Answer 13

Work methodically, typically work from top-down or from one side of the site to the other.
Take photos and notes.

Question 14

You have experience inspecting industrial buildings. How do you inspect the roofs?

Answer 14

With a cherry picker or drone.

Question 15

When undertaking an inspection of a flat roof, what is the minimum height a parapet must be before edge protection/ man safe system, etc. is required?

Answer 15

1.1m.

Question 16

Lone working: Before going on site, can you talk me through the process you would take?

Answer 16

RAMS, email admin/manager before and after leaving site, take mobile with me.

Question 17

What does RICS Surveying Safely say about risks/inspecting sites?

Answer 17

RAMS, PPE, emergency procedures (lone working, mobile phone).

Question 18

What is asbestos and when was it banned?

Answer 18

Hazardous mineral previously used in construction.
Blue and brown banned 1985, all banned 1999 (to include white).

Question 19

There is a large tree next to a building. How might this impact construction?

Answer 19

It can cause subsidence or heave through soil movement.

Question 20

What is the specificaiton of a prime office unit in the area? What is the difference between Grade A and Grade B specification?

Question 21

What are typical causes of water ingress?

Answer 21

Roof leak, cracked walls.

Question 22

Can you tell me a type of defect you are likely to find in an industrial unit?

Answer 22

Cut edge corrosion, impact damaged cladding, soiled rooflights.

Question 23

How do you conduct an inspection? Talk me through the steps as you arrive on site.

Answer 23

• Meet site contact.
• Start at the roof and work down the levels internally, elevations, externals.
• Photos and notes.

Question 24

What information do you typically gather on an inspection?

Answer 24

• Layout of the property and site.
• Building fabric.
• Condition.
• Compliance with regulations.

Question 25

What do you take on an inspection?

Answer 25

• Phone (with camera).
• Notebook.
• Laser measurer.
• Damp meter.