Measurement - Level 2

Question 1

Talk me through how you measured the office building in Southwark.

Answer 1

I used a distometer to measure the internal face of the perimeter walls of the office space, excluding the columns.

I split the floor plate into different sections and measured each section. I added up all of the sections to get an accurate overall measurement.

Question 2

What was the purpose of measuring the office floor in Southwark?

Answer 2

For agency purposes

Question 3

What was the measurement basis used for the office floor in Southwark?

Answer 3

Net Internal Area

Question 4

What is included and excluded in NIA measurements?

Answer 4

Include:
- Entrance halls
- Kitchens
- Built-in units and cupboards
- Areas occupied by ventilation and heating
- Areas occupied by skirting and perimeter trunking
- Partition walls

Exclude:
- Common areas shared with other tenants
- Toilets, bathrooms, cleaning rooms
- Stairwells, lift-wells, lift lobbies
- Vehicle parking areas

Question 5

What’s the difference between NIA and IPMS 3?

Answer 5

• All columns are included in IPMS 3
• Perimeter measurements are taken to the internal Dominant Face’
• No exclusions for restricted height of less than 1.5m

Question 6

How did you ensure the accuracy of the overall measurement in Southwark?

Answer 6

I measured the property with my colleague and cross checked our measurements.

Question 7

Talk me through how you measured the office building in Central London for valuation purposes?

Answer 7

I measured the internal face of the perimeter walls using a distometer and excluded all the columns. Most of the floor plates were in a square so I only had to measure the entire floor and then measure the column to subtract the column from the overall area.

I recorded by measurements on a floor plan and used Excel to add all my measurements together and subtracted the columns.

The area matched the previous measurement.

Question 8

What was the measurement basis used for the office premises in Central London?

Answer 8

Net Internal Area

Question 9

What was the scale of the plan?

Answer 9

1:50

Question 10

How did you ensure the measurements taken in both Southwark and Central London met the RICS Code of Measuring Practice?

Answer 10

Before each measurement, I familiarised myself with the Code of Measuring Practice and confirmed the basis of measurement, and ensured all areas that needed to be included and excluded were met.

Question 11

Why is it important to follow best practice?

Answer 11

To prevent risk and potential claims for damages

Question 12

What problems could you have with a distometer?

Answer 12

• Bright sunlight can distort measurements
• Can be uncalibrated