Measurement Flashcards
What RICS guidance did you follow for the measured survey?
The guidance is RICS professional guidance, global Measured surveys of land, buildings and utilities 3rd edition. This also gives the level of accuracy required.
Huyton Hey - What tools and equipment did you utilize during the survey to ensure accuracy and efficiency?
Laser measure and tape. Assistance from a colleague.
Huyton Hey - What methods did you employ to cross-check your measurements and ensure accuracy?
Take check measurements, if they differ – do it again
Check measurements taken on site against scaled floor plans
Check that you are measuring to the correct surfaces, e.g. not the occupier’s fit out
Take the RICS guidance to site to ensure you know what to include and exclude in the appropriate basis of measurement
Take your time, measurement needs a logical and diligent approach! Taking a second person with you can help to hold a target for the laser, the other end of a tape measure or to annotate the measurements on a plan. It also avoids the need for lone working
Huyton Hey - How did you determine the internal floor-to-ceiling heights?
Using a laser measure internally. Ensuring I took the measurement from floor level to ceiling soffit.
Huyton Hey - Were there any challenges or obstacles you encountered during the survey?
Bright lights externally. Height of the building.
Huyton Hey - How did you document and record the measurements obtained during the survey for future reference?
Drawn on paper and input into AutoCAD.
Liverpool Road - Why did you take diagonal measurements?
To help with accuracy when drawing on AutoCAD. When the room wasn’t square and to find the measurement of odd shaped rooms.
Liverpool Road - Did you encounter any discrepancies, and if so, how were they resolved?
Yes, an unknown small brick structure at the rear of the property with no access available. Measured the structure externally and made this clear on the drawing.
Liverpool Road - How did you document and record the measurements obtained?
Sketched plan with room references with different coloured pen and implemented onto AutoCAD. Plenty of photographs for reference.
Liverpool Road - What are some of the key risks associated with vacant properties?
Water Ingress, Flooding and burst water pipes. …
Fire. …
Fly-tipping. …
Vandalism and theft. …
Squatting. …
Trespassers and urban explorers. …
Neglect.
What is the RICS measuring guidance note?
RICS professional guidance, global Measured surveys of land, buildings and utilities 3rd edition.
What are the limitations and sources of errors when using these tools?
Surveyors must be aware of the limitations of their measuring tools. Here are three common limitations:
Lasers do not work well in bright sunlight, as it can be hard to see the laser beam. Using a long tape measure can overcome the issue or by shadowing the target area
When using a laser to measure to a dark surface, the measuring time can increase leading to inaccurate measurements. Taking a sheet of A4 white paper to site can be used as a measuring target
Lasers may be inaccurate when measuring to colourless liquids, glass, styrofoam, permeable or high gloss surfaces
Cloth tape measures can be inaccurate if not fully stretched or if they are over-stretched
Steel tape measures may not be long enough for certain distances
Measuring software may be less accurate given that it is hard to pinpoint the exact boundaries or surfaces to measure to online
Photocopied scaled plans can be distorted which will affect the scale of the plan. This can be overcome by using check measurements to confirm the accuracy of the scale specified on the plan
How can I calibrate my laser disto?
It is possible to check typical accuracy and calibration for a laser disto by following the Leica guidance. This involves establishing a constant baseline, taking at least 10 measurements from a fixed point and carrying out a number of calculations. These results should also be recorded in a log.
It is also possible to send the laser disto away for re-calibration. Typically lasers become inaccurate after being dropped and may show an error (e.g. 256) when they become inaccurate.
How can I measure accurately?
Accurate property measurement is essential to provide accurate advice to clients. Think about it – if you are valuing a large, high value building, then even a small inaccuracy in floor areas will result in a larger discrepancy in the overall value. The same goes for measuring a property that is due to be refurbished – being out by even a few centimetres may mean that the proposed design doesn’t fit into the finished building.
Here are five ways to measure accurately:
Take check measurements, if they differ – do it again
Check measurements taken on site against scaled floor plans
Check that you are measuring to the correct surfaces, e.g. not the occupier’s fit out
Take the RICS guidance to site to ensure you know what to include and exclude in the appropriate basis of measurement
Take your time, measurement needs a logical and diligent approach! Taking a second person with you can help to hold a target for the laser, the other end of a tape measure or to annotate the measurements on a plan. It also avoids the need for lone working
