Measurement Flashcards
What is your understanding of RICS Property Measurement?
A mandatory RICS professional standard.
First edition superseded Code of Measuring Practice by incorporating elements of IPMS offices (2nd edition incorporates IPMS residential)
Introduced IPMS and practices aiming to avoid inconsistent definitions of measurements and to bring global transparency.
Members make use of both until IPMS is universally implemented
What is IPMS?
International Property Measurement Standards.
It was introduced in January 2016 to align measurement practices and improve transparency, reduce risks, increase credibility and improve data.
Previous versions: IPMS Office, IPMS Residential, IPMS Retail.
IPMS All Buildings was introduced in January 2023 and supersedes all previous versions
What is GEA and when is this used?
Gross External Area
The entire space in the main external envelope is measured externally at each floor level.
Used: copies, fire escapes, external balconies, town planning, council tax valuations.
What is GIA and when is this used?
Gross Internal Area
The entire space is measured from the internal face of the main external wall at each floor level
Uses: columns, mezzanines with permanent access, loading bays, lift wells, agency, rating, valuation of industrial buildings/warehouses
What is NIA and when is this used?
Net Internal Area
The usable space measured to the internal face of the main external wall.
Uses: kitchens, built in cupboards, atria with clear height above, agency, rating, valuation of industrial buildings/warehouses and shops.
Why is accuracy important in measuring?
It ensures the the results are reliable and that decisions made on the basis of them are sound
How do floor plans facilitate measuring a building?
They allow you to see every space within the building
How do you calibrate a laser?
You can either send it back to the manufacturer (done once a year anyway) or measure it against a known distance such as a ruler to test its accuracy
What are the strengths and weaknesses of a measuring technique you’ve used?
Laser
Strengths: Accuracy, Convenience, Speed
Weaknesses: need barriers, difficult with small objects, difficult with bright outdoor light
What alternatives are there to a laser and when would they be used?
Tape measure: to measure narrow or complex areas or when it’s bot possible to use a laser
Trundel wheel: to measure longer distances or distances that are not in a straight line
What is a potential source of error when measuring?
Imperfections in the object, the measuring instrument and the measuring procedure
Which IPMS standards are adopted by IPMS?
IPMS Residential and IPMS Office.
IPMS Industrial, IPMS Retail and IPMS All Buildings have not yet been adopted
What is dual reporting and when would you use it?
This is when measurements of an office for example are reported in both NIA and IPMS 3
What is IPMS 1?
It is used to measure the area of a building including external walls on a floor by floor basis. It includes balconies and accessible rooftop terraces that GEA doesn’t
(External floor areas measured to the external wall)
Uses: Planning
Excludes: open external stairwells, upper void levels of atria, patios, refuse areas
What is IPMS 2?
It is used to measure the interior of an office to include all areas. It is measured to the internal dominant face of the walls on a floor by floor basis
Includes: covered galleries and balconies (also includes areas covered by window reveals that GIA doesn’t)
Excludes: open light wells, patio and decks at ground floor level and external parking
