Inspection

Question 1

• What is the difference between a schedule of condition and a condition survey?

Answer 1

SoD records the existing condition, a condition survey focuses on the properties condition and defects/repairs required.

Question 2

• How might you inspect a cavity within an external cavity wall?

Answer 2

Using a borescope

Question 3

• Are there any RICS guidance notes or other documents you may review when undertaking different inspections?

Answer 3

RICS property inspections technical guidance , Dilapidations England and Wales, TDD, Building survey practice note.

Question 4

• How might you assess a concrete defect?

Answer 4

Chloride tests, visual inspection, core sample, Lab testing, Phenolphthalein test,

Question 5

• If you identify movement in a building, what further investigations might you wish to undertake?

Answer 5

Drainage CCTV, arboricultural survey, Crack monitoring, level monitoring, Soil testing,

Question 6

• Explain how you can use thermal imaging to identify heat loss in a building

Answer 6

Looking for cold spots and heat loss, moisture issues can appear as cool spots.

Question 7

• What other type of building defect can thermal imaging be used to identify.

Answer 7

Cold Bridging, condensation, damp, leaks

Question 8

• Is there any guidance for undertaking technical due diligence of commercial property?

Answer 8

RICS TDD of commercial property

Question 9

• What equipment might a building surveyor use for different types of inspection?

Answer 9

Protimetres, speedy carbide, measuring tape, disto meter, detection device, Binoculars.

Question 10

• On a desktop study for a dilapidations inspection, what might you need to review?

Answer 10

Lease documents, title plans, LfA, SoC.

Question 11

Feltham Shopping Centre* What was the purpose of the inspection?

Answer 11

To inspect the condition of the roof and to find a leak.

Question 12

Feltham Shopping Centre* What did you do before going to site

Answer 12

Desktop review.

Question 13

Feltham Shopping Centre* What equipment, if any, did you take with you?

Answer 13

PPE, Protimeter, Disto, torch

Question 14

Feltham Shopping Centre* Can you explain the content of your risk assessment?

Answer 14

Hazards, risk management, people at risk, action plan.

Question 15

Feltham Shopping Centre* How did you identify that the leak was from failed pipework and not another source?

Answer 15

I could physically see where it was coming from

Question 16

Feltham Shopping Centre* What were the pipes serving?

Answer 16

Water from the residential premises.

Question 17

2 Noel Close

Question 18

2 Noel Close* Explain how you used the protimeter?

Answer 18

Hold or prod the wall slowly and check for changes in the meter readings. Some models have different depths.

Question 19

2 Noel Close* Were you concerned about any limitations with using such a device on a chimney breast?

Answer 19

If there is black ash mortar this could cause limitations.

Question 20

2 Noel Close* Explain how your report met the RICS inspection guidance note.

Answer 20

Best practice for inspections.
H&S Considerations
Inspection process and risk management.

Question 21

• Was there a damp pattern on the chimney breast?

Answer 21

Tide marks and discoloration.

Question 22

2 Noel Close* When referring to RICS documents, you should make sure that you give them the correct title.

Answer 22

Property inspection technical guidance for single surveys

Question 23

Feltham Shopping Centre* Explain your thought process when advising the client that intrusive investigations were required?

Answer 23

I inspected site and then recognized that the there is possibly water ingress behind the cladding and in between the lead flashing

Question 24

Feltham Shopping Centre* Why did you advise the client that new lead flashing were required?

Answer 24

Because on removal of the cladding and ballast, the existing flashings had failed.

Question 25

Feltham Shopping Centre** Where did these lead flashings need to be installed?

Answer 25

Between the wall and flat roof junction.

Question 26

Jack Wills* What was your advice to the client on the current WC’s?

Answer 26

The WC’s were in a dilapidated state and required full refurbishment.

Question 27

Jack Wills* Explain the advice about let-ability being increased.

Answer 27

As discussed with the letting agents, a tenant would typically take a unit with refurbished WC’s over dilapidated.