Measurement

Question 1

What is the GEA

Answer 1

Gross External Area - Gross External Area is the area of a building measured externally at each floor level.

Includes; All perimeter walls and projections, Areas occupied by internal walls, columns, piers, chimney breasts, stairwells e.c.t

Excludes; open balconies, open fire escapes, open sided walkways, open vehicle parking e.c.t

Question 2

What is GIA

Answer 2

GIA is the total area of buildings owned, occupied or maintained by the HEP, measured to the internal face of the perimeter walls at each floor level;

Includes; anything projecting inward from the internal walls including Areas occupied by internal walls, columns e.c.t

Excludes; External walls, open balconies, open fire escapes, open sided walkways e.c.t

Question 3

What is NIA

Answer 3

The NIA RICS definitions are contained in the ‘Code of Measuring Practice: A Guide for Property Professionals’ (Sixth Edition), published by the RICS. This method involves the measurement of the internal room area part way into the width of internal non-structural walls and partitions.
Net internal area is the usable area within a building measured to the internal face of the perimeter walls at each floor level. NIA covers all areas which are used for a specific purpose.

Includes; teaching and research rooms,
offices,
kitchens,
workshops,
built-in units, cupboards etc. occupying the useable area,t 

Excludes; It does not include those parts of buildings which enable them to function, such as corridors. These are classified as balance areas. Enclosed areas of walls, Piers, columns, chimney breasts, ducts and other projections e.c.t

Question 4

what are balance areas

Answer 4

Balance area should be excluded from the NIA calculations.

corridors and other circulation areas of a permanent nature (e.g. fire corridors, smoke lobbies etc.),

Question 5

When is GEA used

Answer 5

Used when; Town planning, Rating and council tax for houses and bungalows, Building cost estimation - residential insurance

Question 6

When is GIA used

Answer 6

Used when; Building cost estimation - non residential insurance, Estate agency and valuation, Rating, Property management of industrial buildings (including ancillary offices), warehouses, department stores, variety stores and food superstores, New homes valuation.

Question 7

When is NIA used

Answer 7

Used when; Estate agency and valuation, Rating (Business Use offices, shops),

Question 8

What are the international property measurement standards (IMPS)

Answer 8

IMPS were introduced to address current inconsistencies in the way property of all types is measured from one market to the next.

Question 9

What’s the RICS definition of IMPS 1

Answer 9

‘IPMS 1: The sum of the areas of each floor level of a building measured to the outer perimeter of external construction features, and reported on a floor-by-floor basis. inclusive of balcony but stated separately.

Question 10

Exclusions of IMPS 1 under Property Measurement

Answer 10

‘Measurement for IPMS 1 is not to include the areas of: • Open light wells or the upper level voids of an atrium • Open external stairways that are not an integral part of the structure, for example, an open framework fire escape • Patios and decks at ground level, external car parking, equipment yards, cooling equipment and refuse areas, and other ground level areas that are not fully enclosed are not to be included within IPMS 1, but may be measured and stated separately.’

Question 11

What is a theodolite

Answer 11

A theodolite is a surveying instrument with a rotating telescope for measuring horizontal and vertical angles..

Question 12

What does a theodolite measure

Answer 12

Theodolites measure angles in degrees minutes and seconds. Each degree is split up into 60 parts, each part being 1/60 of a degree. These parts are called minutes. Each minute is split up into 60 parts, each part being 1/60 of a minute. These parts are called seconds.

Question 13

How do you measure the height of a building with a theodolite

Answer 13

Measuring the height of a building;

1. Set up the total station or theodolite ensuring that it is level
2. Measure the height of the total station or theodolite with a staff looking directly forward.
3. Aim the sight at the top corner of the building and record the angle
4. Record the horizontal distance from the total station to the building by EDM or tape
5. Multiple the horizontal distance by the tangent of the angle. Then the height of the station is added. This gives you the overall height.

Question 14

What is the formula used to measure the height of a building

Answer 14

Tan θ = opp / adj

e.g. an angle of 38°11’12’’ is recorded with a horizontal distance of 24.6m with a recorded height at 2.2m. 24.6 x tan(38°11’12’’)+2.2 = 21.549.

Question 15

What BS governs the use of theodolites

Answer 15

BS 7334-4:1992 Measuring instruments for building construction. Methods for determining accuracy in use of theodolites.

Question 16

Gross External Area is the area of a building measured externally at each floor level. including?

Answer 16

Perimeter wall thickness and external projection.
Areas occupied by internal walls and partitions
Lift rooms, plant rooms, fuel stores, tank rooms which are housed in a covered structure of a permanent nature, whether or not above the main roof level

Question 17

Gross External Area is the area of a building measured externally at each floor level. excluding?

Answer 17

External open-sided balconies, covered ways and fire escapes.
above, measured at base level only
Voids over or under structural, raked or stepped floors

Question 18

Gross Internal Area is the area of a building measured to the internal face of the perimeter walls at each floor level. Including

Answer 18

Areas occupied by internal walls and partitions

Columns, piers, chimney breasts, stairwells, liftwells, other internal projections, vertical ducts, and the like

Question 19

Gross Internal Area is the area of a building measured to the internal face of the perimeter walls at each floor level. Excluding

Answer 19

Perimeter wall thicknesses and external projections
External open-sided balconies, covered ways and fire escapes.
Voids over or under structural, raked or stepped floors
(areas with a headroom of less than 1.5m being excluded except under stairs)

Question 20

Net Internal Area is the usable area within a building measured to the internal face of the perimeter walls at each floor level. including?

Answer 20

Kitchens, cupboards, skirting.
Areas occupied by non-structural walls subdividing accommodation in sole occupancy.
Entrance halls - sole only

Question 21

Net Internal Area is the usable area within a building measured to the internal face of the perimeter walls at each floor level. Excluding?

Answer 21

Corridors, fire exit route,, lift, Kitchens and other circulation areas where used in common with other occupiers.
Toilets and toilet lobby.
Tenancy separating wall excluded.
Internal structural walls, walls enclosing excluded areas, columns and unusable space behind less than 0.25cm, piers, chimney breasts, other projections, vertical ducts, walls separating tenancies and the like.

Question 22

what does Retail Area (RA) in NIA mean?

Answer 22

The retail area of the shop is the Net Internal Area (NIA

Question 23

what does Retail Area (RA) include

Answer 23

Storerooms and ancillary accommodation formed by non-structural partitions, the existence of which should be noted.

Question 24

what does Retail Area (RA) exclude

Answer 24

Storerooms and ancillary accommodation formed by structural partitions
Display cabinets which should be identified separately

Question 25

When is RA used

Answer 25

Estate agency and valuation – RA is the basis of measurement for the valuation and marketing of shops and supermarkets.

Question 26

How to work out the volume

Answer 26

length x width x height