Inspection - Submission Flashcards
Level 1 Commentary
I have carried out a number of inspections including office, retail, hospital and hotel premises for agency, measurement, valuation and property management purposes.
Ahead of my visits, I ensure I have the necessary information and equipment readily available, such as relevant contact details, necessary personal protective equipment, laser measuring device and a mobile phone for contact, photography and torch purposes.
I follow the guidance of the RICS Surveying Safely 2nd Edition (2018) and adhere to Tandem’s Health and Safety Lone Working Policy for inspections.
I have also attended seminars which emphasised inspection being fundamental to providing accurate property advice.
I understand the importance of pre-inspection planning, personal safety while on site and post inspection report writing.
I utilise SimPro to complete inspection e-forms and record images and property commentary from my visit which in turn informs the client.
Inspection of:
Competent inspection is fundamental to providing accurate property advice. - AS PER RICS Residential Survey and Valuation February 2017
- Office
- Retail
- Hospital
- Hotel
for agency, measurement, valuation and property management purposes
Before Inspection
- DAYLIGHT = Ensure I go in daylight - if limitation of inspecting property due to visibility, make sure you advise client on report delivery
- PHONE is fully charged - used for torch/camera
- LONE - Ensure I adhere to Tandem’s lone working policy and ensure people kniw where I am
- RISK I.E. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL = Familiar with nature and risks associated with hazardous material e.g. spotting asbestos and invasive plants like Japanese Knotweed
- LOCATION/AREA / PUBLIC TRANSPORT = Know location of property so identify suitable parking. - Check on google in advance,
- PPE Bring app PPE and laser measuring device
PEN/PAPER/ FILES/
How do you ensure an inspection is carried out in a safe manner
Tell me about how you ensure your safety when on site.
LOCALITY - Familiar with the area - Know the locality and know if hazard material are present e.g. patrol station, or inductsrial site, are there any bio hazardous chemicals
PEE - relvanat equip e.g. hart hat, goggles, gloves, app shoes
Lone working policy - clear diary instructions, safe person concept, safe word, fully charged phone
- RICS member/ regulated firm will continue to use professional judgement and undertake a dynamic risk assessment to deliver their role safely and in accordance with best practice
Tandem’s lone working policy
- Clear diary instructions
- Buddy system i.e. when driving to site i would check in
- We have a safe word that we can use to call anyone within the company.
- A lone worker (LW) is an employee who performs an activity that is carried out in isolation from other workers without close or direct supervision.
- Surveyors should refer to their company policies on lone working if applicable.
On arrival at the property
Undertake a dynamic risk assessment prior to starting an inspection
Surveyors should refer to their own company policies on risks assessments for inspections.
Assess the level of risk (high/medium/low), and identify how you plan to minimise the risk.
Immediate area - contamination, business vibrancy, comparable evidence, public transport
Personal safety
BE RESPECTFUL AND MINDFUL, GIVE ADVANCED WARNING OF VISIT – advising reason for inspection and i.e. for Travelodge I gave 24 hour’s notice – as stated in the lease – sometimes it says 48 hours.
During inspection
External - Method of construction, state of car park, any defects. repair and condition
Internal - defects, compliance with lease i.e. repairing for property management
Note if empty or derelict - aware of timber rot, wear durable clothing. Vandalism will often result in broken glass
Notice defects - damp, movement (type of brick like spalling caused by heating/cooling)
Types of fit out and spec for retail & office
Post inspection report writing
- IF CANT ACCESS SOMETHING i.e. roof access – THEN STATE IT IN REPORT like not possible to see roof so used google and make app assumptions based on this
pass over to client - keep them updated i.e. level 3 Travelodge
Include commentary and images - say if you were unable to access/see anything
Save and file/record securely and appropriately
Level 2 commentary
Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) – Office, Victoria, London
Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) – Office, Victoria, London
As part of the property’s health and safety compliance, I guided the fire risk assessor around the office from the basement, through the common parts and up to the roof.
In advance of the visit, I provided floor plans and the previously completed FRA. I ensured we both wore appropriate flat footwear, hard hat and high viz jacket.
While on the inspection I took note of the items highlighted by the assessor.
These included a possible hose trip hazard in the car park and a box partially blocking a fire exit.
Once received, I read the report and forwarded it onto the facilities manager to review and action appropriately.
I followed up on the required actions during our weekly calls requesting a tracker with timeframes to ensure that the appropriate actions were completed in a timely manner.
How often is an FRA completed
ON an annual basis by Ark our H&S advisers/providers
Why did you provide floor plan
Provide a layout of the property
Explain to me your inspection methodology when inspecting a property.
- Consider personal safety - PPE, pen paper, files/documents
- Considered area - location, transport, business vibrancy, hazards
- External inspection
- Internal inspection
Explain to me what information you gather when inspecting buildings.
Noting the specification for ind assets
Types of fit out
Brick work
Defects - movement, damp, common building defects
Deleterious material and hazardous material (asbestos)?
Method of construction
Fire risk assessment - What is health and safety compliance?
An ongoing process of complying with the health and safety standards established by regulatory bodies. These include annual FRA & GRA
- Part of my role as a property manager