Inspections Flashcards
Why do we inspect?
To gather accurate information to aid in decision making
What was the Suzy Lamplugh case?
Suzy Lamplugh was a British Estate Agent who went missing July 1986. She was due to show a Mr Kipper round a house in Shorrold Road. The case remains unsolved. She was declared dead, presumed murdered in 1993.
What is the suggested process of undertaking an inspection? (9)
”- Am I competent to undertake the inspection
- Am I properly insured
- What kind of survey
- Whats the purpose
- Consider your personal safety, know firms H&S procedures for site inspection - Desktop review
- What equipment
- Inspection of the local area
- External Inspection
- Internal Inspection
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What is the measurement of a brick UK?
215 x 102.5 x 65
What is a stretcher?
The longest side of the brick which is put parallel to the face of the work
What is a header?
The shorter face of the brick as seen in the elevation
What is subsidence?
- Vertical downward movement of a building foundation caused by a loss of support under the foundation
- Downward vertical movement of the earths surface
What is wet rot?
Wet and soft timber, a high damp meter reading, visible fungal growth and a musty smell.
What is dry rot?
Caused by fungal attacks. Signs include fungus known as mycelium which spreads across the wood in fine, fluffy white strands and orange mushroom like fruiting bodies. It destroys timber and masonry.
What causes wet rot?
Damp and timber decay.
What is heave?
The expansion of the ground beneath part or all of the building. This could be caused by the removal of trees and the subsequent moisture build up
What are the purposes of an inspection?
“-Valuation (valuation influencers)
- Property management (policing the lease)
- Agency (marketability issues)”
What was the Roberts v J Hampson & Co case and what date?
1988/1989 - Defendant carried out a mortgage valuation and drew attention to limited dampness and rot, and recommended the property as suitable for maximum advance. Judge accepted that a mortgage valuation involves a limited inspection but cautioned that a surveyor’s obligation is the taking reasonable care
What to take on an inspection?
”- Mobile phone
- Camera
- Measuring device
- Files/plans and supporting information
- PPE (high vis jacket, steel-toe capped boots, ear defenders, goggles)”
What do you consider in the immediate area?
”- Location/aspect/local facilities/public transport/pitch/footfall
- Contamination/environmental hazards/flooding
- Comparable evidence/vacancies/agents boards “
What do you consider on the external inspection?
”- Method of construction
- Repair and condition of the exterior
- Car parking/access/loading arrangements
- Defects/structural movement
- Check site boundaries with OS Map or Title Plan “
How can you work out the date of the building?
“-Ask the client
- Look at planning portal
- Land Registry “
What to look out for on an internal inspection?
”- Layout and specification
- Repair and maintenance
- Defects
- Services
- Statutory compliance, ie. Asbestos, building regulation, H&S
- Fixtures and fittings
- Compliance with lease obligations”
What are the four common types of foundations?
”- Trench or strip footings (generally residential dwellings)
- Raft (spreads load for lightweight structures)
- Piled (long and slender reinforced concrete cylinders)
- Pad (a slab foundation system)”
What are the different types of brickwork?
”- Solid wall construction
- Cavity wall construction
- Stretcher (laid horizontally)
- Header (short end of brick exposed)”
What is efflorescence?
White marks caused by hydroscopic salts in the brick work.
What is spalling?
Damaged brickwork where the surface of the brickwork starts to crumble because of freeze/thaw action.
What is the typical construction of new shop units?
”- Steel or concrete frames
- Services capped off
- Concrete floor and no suspended ceiling “
How would you check the method of construction of a new office building?
Check the architect’s drawings and specification or building manual
What’s the difference between steel or concete framed construction?
”- Steel - less columns, wider span between
- Concrete frame buildings usually have more columns, lower floor heights and shorter span between columns”
What defines the institutional specification for offices?
British Council for Offices Guide to Office Specification, 2019
What is the current specification for offices?
”- Full access raised floor with floor boxes
- Approximate ceiling height of 2.6-2.8m
- Ceiling void of 350mm and raised floor void of 150mm
- Maximized opportunities for daylighting with 300-500 lux average
- Approximate floor loading of 2.5 to 3.00 kN/sqm
- Air con & double glazed windows
- Passenger lifts
- Planning grid of 1.5 x1.5
- 1 cycle space per 10 staff and 1 shower per 100 staff
- 8m2 to 10m2 general workspace density”
What are the different types of office fit outs?
”- Shell and core - common areas completed and the office floor areas are left as a shell ready for fit out
- Category A - as above
- Category B - complete the fit out to the occupiers specific requirements
- Cellular offices are normally set out on a 1.5m planning grid
“
What is the normal space allowance for office use?
Approx 1 person for 7.5-9.25 sqm
What is the typical industrial construction?
A steel portal frame building with insulated profiled steel cladding walls and roof