Inspection Level 1 Flashcards
What are the four stages to inspection?
Due diligence
Local area
External
Internal
What would you take on an inspection?
Mobile phone
Camera
Laser
Tape Measure
What would you consider when inspecting the locality?
Location
Aspect
Public transport
Business vibrancy
Agency boards
Comparable evidence
If you identified a defect what would you do?
Take photographs and document
try to establish cause on site
inform client of investigations
recommend advice
What does horizontal cracking indicate?
cavity wall tie failure
What would downward cracking indicate?
subsidence / loss of support of foundations
What are the characteristics of dry rot?
cuboidal cracking
crumbling timber
what causes dry rot?
fungal attack
what are the characteristics of wet rot?
wet soft timber, high damp meter reading
what are the causes of wet rot?
damp and tiber decay
what are signs of contamination?
evidence of chemicals
oil spill
oil drums
how would you investigate contamination issues?
- review site history desk top study
- investigation and inspection of site
- if suspected contamination I would not provide advice until a specialist report had been commissioned
What is asbestos?
hazardous material
When inspecting an industrial unit in poor condition what should you have consideration to?
asbestos report
when would you be at risk of asbestos?
if it is disturbed
what is Japanese knotweed and where would you find it?
near industrial railways
invasive species
purple green hollow stemmed, green heart shaped leaves
what would you do if you identified Japanese knotweed?
photograph and document where I found it
report to the client and recommend a specialist to leally remove it in line with Environmental Protection Act 1990
where may you commonly find asbestos?
roofs and exterior walls
boilers pipework
ceilings
what steps would you take if you identified asbestos?
photograph and document
instruct a licensed asbestos manager to produce a management plan
obtain an asbestos register
make register available to all relevant parties
review the register every 6 months
what are the two types of asbestos survey?
management survey - management during occupation
refurbishment - samples are taken and analysed
Tell me about the RICS surveying safely?
sets out best practice for maintaining safe working environment which is important to prevent accidents and injury
How have you acted in accordance with RICS surveying safely?
I always ensured on inspection safe systems of work through ensuring I had updated my diary and maintained contact with a member of the team before and after I entered and left the property.
what due diligence do you undertake before under taking an inspection?
review relevant Property information, title plans, planning and any historical data.
Identify any potential hazards or risk associated with the property
confirming access arrangements and obtaining necessary permissions
ensuring I have the appropriate qualifications and expertise for the inspection.
Can you provide examples of PPE that might be required for inspection?
when visiting a construction site I would typically wear a hard hat, high visibility, steel capped boots and gloves.
what information do you include in your detailed notes during an inspection and why is this information important?
Location - identify property and surroundings
Specification / Condition - external and internal condition can affect value, record any defects, issues
Photos - provide visual evidence and context
Locality - understand properties surroundings and impacts
why is it important to include photos?
aids communication offering clear visual representation
provides visual evidence and context
Tell me about a time when you reviewed an asbestos register?
The register included
- name of person who produced register
- date register was produced
- where asbestos was located
- type of asbestos product
- condition
- asbestos type
tell me about a time when you reviewed an asbestos report?
- asbestos report follows asbestos survey
- two types of survey - management and demolition
- includes details of location of ACMs
- condition of ACMs
- recommendations for removal and management
When would an asbestos management plan be required?
locate and advise on management, no sampling under taken
when would an asbestos refurbishment survey be required?
when the premises will undergo refurbishment or demolition
samples of material are undertaken and analysed
recommendations are made regarding their management
When Should The Asbestos Register Be Checked and Updated?
Update the asbestos register whenever you have work done on asbestos materials.
HSE recommend reviewing the register every 6 months.
When was asbestos banned?
White asbestos - 1999
Brown and Blue - 1985
What is the key legislation on asbestos?
Control of regulations of asbestos - non compliance is a criminal offence
When is an ESW1 form required?
when the valuer has rationale to justify the request for the ESW1 form on properties such as
- HMO
- Student Accommodation
- Mixed use when residential element
- Block of Flats
- Care home / assisted living.
What is the difference between an inherent defect and a latent defect?
Inherent defect has always been there due to design / materials
latent defect is a fault that cannot be discovered by a thorough inspection.
Who is responsible for asbestos?
Duty Holder
Who is the duty holder?
Landlord / Seller
What is your understanding on sash windows?
poor ventilation, can’t open fully
original sash windows are often single glazed
What is a deleterious material?
Can degrade with age, causing structural problems
What is an example of a deleterious material?
High Aluminium Cement
Calcium Chloride
What is a Hazardous Material?
Substance that is harmful to health
What is an example of a hazardous material?
Asbestos
Radon Gas
How would you deal with Japanese knot weed?
- photograph and document to client
- advice that needs to be disposed of legally by a specialist in line with environmental protection act
- I understand that allowing it to spread is a criminal offence, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
What is the difference between subsidence and heave?
subsidence - downward movement / loss of support
Heave - upward movement of soil due to water, soil swells and displaces surface structures
What is efflorescence?
white marks on brickwork where salts have reacted with water can lead to structural damage
What is spalding?
where bricks freeze and thaw, become saturated with water and crumble
