Inspection 2 Flashcards
Tell me about how you ensure your safety when on site.
.
RICS Surveying Safely Guidance Notes 2018.
Health and safety at work act 1974
Risk assessments- dynamic
Only entering if safe to do so.
SOS app.
Tell me about how you ensure your safety when lone working.
Diary of inspection with access arrangements and contact details of agent and vendor.
Carry out a risk assessment including dynamic risk assessment when on site.
SOS app
Inform partner or colleagues of whereabouts and regular check in with them.
carry out survey with reasonable care and due diligence.
Safety checks on equipment prior to use.
Only enter cellar, floor voids and roof voids if safe to do so.
Give me an example of where you have recognised a limitation of your knowledge and sought external specialist advice.
Saint Winifred’s Road, Harrogate-
Cracking to rear elevation caused by root damage and possible drainage issues.
Due to the close proximity of the Willow tree and the size of cracking externally and internally I advised for further investigation by a drainage specialist and Arboriculturist due to my lack of visual inspection of the drains and the foundations.
Explain to me your inspection methodology when inspecting a property.
Arrive outside the property can carry out a dynamic risk assessment of the areas, property and grounds.
I start my inspection externally with the grounds and surrounding areas by looking at hardstanding, fencing, trees, shrubs, drainage, external pipework, outbuildings. I then look at the exterior of the property from chimney down to ground level looking at each element.
I then enter the property and inspect each room on each level from top to bottom starting at the ceiling and finishing at the floor. I then look at the services and finally enter the roof void.
I then draw a site plan and separate floor plan noting the measurements, gas, elec, pipework, cracking, damp measurements, drains, boundaries and foliage.
Explain to me what information you gather when inspecting buildings.
Desktop research:
EPC
Floorplan and site plan
Title deeds
Floor search
Radon
Mining
Pollution
Street and map views
Planning info
Onsite:
Type of property and construction.
Materials used
Invasive plants
Defect analysis
Measurements
Discrepancies with EPC and regulations or planning
Legal matters
Testing
What would you do if you identified a potential defect on site?
I would identify the defect, record it in site notes and photograph defect.
I would then follow the trail of suspicion to find the cause of the defect and the possible solution.
Park Road, Castleford, what health implications could there have been for
residents?
Large electricity pylon within 200m of the property. Could lead to high level of EMF radiation.
Within 300m of M62- air pollution and quite enjoyment of the property due to road noise.
Why was the property not compliant with building regulations?
A stud wall had been installed to the the front bedroom to create an additional bedroom however, there were no building regulation completion certificates and the room only had electricity through an plug feed through the wall from the original bedroom. No up-to-date electrical checks. Part P building regulations.
Also the window to this room did not open sufficiently to escape in the event of a fire or emergency.
St Winifred’s House, Harrogate, tell me about your desktop research.
Geology search to establish the sub-soil make-up.
Flood risk search.
Planning search for any buildings nearby.
Check for conservation area or TPO’s.
EPC
Site plan, floor plan
Map and street view
How did you check for signs of movement?
I carried out my normal inspection routing and noted cracking to the rear external wall. I carried out measurements of the stepped cracks. I then followed the trial of suspicion and noted cracking to the internal.
Cracking was noted as 15mm which according to BRE 251 was a category 3 which is a servicibility issue and I recommended further investigation by a Drainage specialist and Arboriculturist.
Tell me about your dynamic risk assessment.
When I get to a site I check for potential hazards and risks and how they can be mitigated. I do this by identifying these issues, recording them, photographing, evaluating them then making a judgment on how to proceed.
