Mock Interviews

Question 1

Can you tell me about three common defects found in traditionally constructed property, such as a Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh?

Answer 1

• Rot to timber elements - windows, roof structures etc.
• Slipped or damaged slates
• Corroded guttering
• Masonry decay

Question 2

Can you tell me the key differences, in terms of characteristics, in wet and dry rot?

Answer 2

• Effects on timber; wet rot will be spongey, darker wood, flakey/shrunken; dry not hollow and cuboidal cracking
• Location; dry rot needs more specific temperature, unlikely to be external; wet rot may be external
• Appearance; Dry not identified by fruiting bodies/dust spores; wet rot unlikely to develop fruiting bodies (difference appearance)

Question 3

What is the required moisture content for dry rot?

Answer 3

Minimum moisture content of 20%, with optimal growth at 30-40%

Question 4

What is the optimal temperature for dry rot growth?

Answer 4

Approx. 23 degree C

Question 5

Can you describe the dry rot lifecycle?

Answer 5

Spores, Hyphee, Mycelium, Fruiting bodies, Spores

Question 6

What is the optimal moisture content for wet rot?

Answer 6

Between 50-60%

Question 7

Can you name some common defects in brickwork?

Answer 7

• Frost action
• Efflorescence
• Sulphate attack

Question 8

Can you describe sulphate attack in detail?

Answer 8

?

Question 9

Can you name some defects found in concrete?

Answer 9

• High Alumia Cement
• Alkali Silica Reaction
• Concrete Carbonation

Question 10

What process does HAC undergo which makes the material become defective and what is the issue?

Answer 10

A condition known as Alkaline Hyrolosis results in conversion of the cement that increases the porosity of the concrete, and subsequently decreases the strength. This is obviously an issue in load bearing structures

Question 11

What conditions will result in HAC becoming a defective?

Answer 11

Damp environments and the presence of Gypsum

Question 12

Can you tell me about wood wool concrete slabs?

Answer 12

They are comprised of cement mixed with timber shavings. They are generally used as a permanent formwork for concrete, and also as a means of thermal insulation. Considered a deleterious material.

Question 13

When might there be an issue with wood wool concrete boards?

Answer 13

When being used as a permanent formwork, if reinforcement is not laid onto spacers but instead laid directly onto the wood wool itself, this will compromise the strength and fire resistance of the concrete.

Question 14

Can you tell me what Alkali Silica Reaction is?

Answer 14

It’s a chemical reaction that causes damage to concrete, when there is a high alkali content in the cement, and the presence of water and othrer reactive materials.

Question 15

What is the reactive process that causes Alkali Silica Reaction?

Answer 15

When in solution, silica particles react with alkali particles in the cement to produce a silica gel. This gel can expand and disrupt the concrete

Question 16

Can you tell me some common defects you would expect to find in a warehouse unit?

Answer 16

• Asbestos cement roof sheets
• Cut edge corrosion to profiled metal sheet roofing/cladding
• Composite cladding panels
• Insufficient expansion joints with the concrete slab

Question 17

What type of cladding can provide harmful properties, can you describe the issue?

Answer 17

Composite insulated cladding panels can be toxic when burning. Insulation materials such as PUR foam, Polystyrene and Phenolic foam can all allow the spread of fire very quickly and contain carcinogenic properties

Question 18

I note from your summary of experience that you have attended seminars of various roof construction types. Can you give me examples of two common roof types?

Answer 18

Flat and pitched

Question 19

I note from your summaries of experience that you have a comprehensive understanding of the stages of design in the RIBA Plan of Work. Can you talk me through the stages?

Answer 19

Stage 0 - Strategic Definition (establish core requirements)
Stage 1 - Preparation & Brief (establish project/budget/quality - feasibility stage)
Stage 2 - Concept Design (outline proposals, preliminary cost information)
Stage 3 - Developed Design (more detail)
Stage 4 - Technical Design (more detailed still - tender info)
Stage 5 - Construction
Stage 6 - Handover & Close Out
Stage 7 - In Use

Question 20

I note from your summaries of experience that you understand construction types and are capable of assessing their compliance with legislation. Can you tell me to types of construction and how you would go about assessing their compliance?

Answer 20

Traditional

Steel portal frame - span requirements

Question 21

You mention that you have developed tender documentation for office suites. Can you tell me the maximum fire escape distance in one direction for an office space?

Answer 21

Maximum travel distance in an office is 18m where there is only one route of escape

Question 22

The particular instance where you installed a drainage pumped system into a retail unit as part of a dilapidation claim. Can you tell me the pump type are the regulations controlling it?

Answer 22

It was a Saniflo pump that was installed. The regulations are the Building (Scotland) Regulations, and the technical information drainage can be found within Section 3 - Environment of the Non-Domestic Technical Handbook

Question 23

Can you please describe for me 3 types of non-traditional properties?

Answer 23

3no

Question 24

What years of construction would you assume that a building contained asbestos?

Answer 24

Any building built before the ban of all asbestos types in construction in the year 2000 could contain asbestos, and therefore should be assumed that they do

Question 25

What are your companies lone working procedure?

Answer 25

Before visiting a site alone we must carry out a risk assessment, which details the address and any relevant contact details relating to the site, and this must be saved on the shared system. Additionally, you must always advise other team members of where and when you are going, and when you expect to be back. Make sure that your diary is up to date, and that you have mobile phone on you. We also have a call and check procedure in place.

Question 26

You summaries of experience note that you advised a client on solar gain modelling. Can you tell me if you advised on the application of solar films, and if so what the risks involved in their installation may be?

Answer 26

I did not advise the client directly of any solar gain mitigation installations. As it was a pre-acquisition survey, that was out with the scope of our instruction. If our instructed had included remedial action, I may suggested the installation of solar films. If I had, I would have advised that they have a specialist M&E consultant review the property, as solar films can cause over heating within the window unit itself, and in some cases can void the warranty of the windows.

Question 27

How do you manage risk in a professional appointment?

Answer 27

HELP

Question 28

What are the most up to date control of asbestos regulation?

Answer 28

Control of Asbestos Regulation 2012

Question 29

Can you give me an example of what might constitute extraordinary repairs? And detail any relevant case law

Answer 29

There isn't an industry definition for extraordinary repairs. I know that in Co-Op Insurance vs Fife Council that the definition was 3 fold: - the cause of the damage - the extent of the damage - and the nature of the repairs.

Question 30

On the Redheughs Rigg space planning exercise, the aim was to increase the head count. Can you tell me the capacity dictate by the building regulation?

Answer 30

The occupant capacity is dictated by the use and the size of the place. The area in square meters is divided by the occupancy load factor for the use, which is 0.6 for offices

Question 31

Did the increase in the number of desks at Redheughs Rigg have an effect on the comfort cooling to the office?

Answer 31

It is likely that an increase in head count would result in a requirement to review the comfort cooling and ventilation to the space. For this particular job, we made a recommendation to the client to engage with an M&E consultant as part of the space planning. They did no engage an M&E consultant, and we therefore ensured that the plans we provided to them were subject to confirmation of the M&E

Question 32

In the common parts refurbishment of a city centre building, you note that you design elements were supplemented by input from M&E and interior design. What did you design?

Answer 32

There was alterations to the layout involved within the common parts proposals. The interior designer provided a finishes schedule and furnishing details, however I designed the partitions, layout etc. for the space.