Lecture 4:

1 Site notes, field notes and Checklists

(Page 31- Building Surveys – Peter Glover- House Surveys)

1.1 Checklists:

There can be different types:

1.1.1 Considerations before visiting site

i. Security -are there any dogs? What do you have in the house?
ii. Equipment required- What will you need to go to the site,
iii. Safety- Different things for the safety for both you and the areas,
iv. Condition of the Building- what the condition of the building, Stage of construction site
v. Occupiers
vi. Access- How shall access to the property be gained?

1.1.2 General checklist for external grounds

1.1.3 Checklist for building elements

1.1.4 General dampness assessment checklist

1.1.5 Moisture content of masonry samples checklist

1.1.6 Condensation assessment checklist

1.1.7 Fungal and insect attack checklist

1.1.8 Crack damage checklist

Considerations before visiting the site

Condition,

-extent and nature of damage’unsafe for access areas’security measures and how access shall be
gained

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1.2 Site rules

Safety- Protective clothing or equipment

Due diligence

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 1.2.1 Occupation of the property

Its occupation, people you are prone to find, aggression, hazards, nature of occupation if present,
house rules, emergency arrangements, might need permits to access some sections of the
building, site induction procedures to be followed

Institute of Nebosh, Occupational Health and Safety came up wiyh a checklist. Niosh. Look for
it,

[Link] Dampness and Mold assessment

Assessment Cycle Using DMAT,

During the contraction process: what are contractors doing to ensure reduced dampness:

i. -gutters
ii. -cavity walls
iii. -using .. foundations
iv. -dpc
v. -silicone
vi. -retaining walls
vii. -better closure for windows
viii. -orientation of the building
ix. Where it is constructed – Well drained site and high ground
x. Exposed walls have sufficient thickness against rain penetration
xi. Good wuality cement mortar for perfect bond
xii. Integral damp proof treatments
xiii. String course cornices
xiv. Bricks of superior quality without defects used
xv. Pressure grouting and cementation

1.2.2 Fungi & Insect Checklist

-Why would insects or pests access a building

-What would you inspect for such defects. -All timber areas

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1.2.3 Why should a surveyor have checklists/ site notes:

For future reference when needed in Court and what not.

To capture every part of the building with its possible related defects

To particularly focus on looking out for the supposed defect to be in a building with certain
materials.

1.3 EQUIPMENT

1.3.1 General

i. -Lighting- Torch
ii. Mobile Phone-So it is a good idea to make sure that someone back at the office knows
where you are when working alone, and that you carry a mobile phone.
iii. Identity documents.
iv. -Magnetic compass.
v. Endoscope

1.3.2 Measuring

- useful for taking dimensions

i. Tapes. Short steel tapes are best for small dimensions with longer tape measures for
external and land measurements.
ii. laser measuring devices and
iii. folding wooden rules. Wooden rules can be inserted between floor boards to check the
depth of floor joists

1.3.3 Protective Gear

i. -Rubber soled shoes with good grip

ii. -Protective gloves
iii. -Face masks.
iv. -Helmet if necessary
v. -Googles

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 vi. Overalls if necessary

1.3.4 Inspection equip

i. Ladders are needed for gaining access to roof voids and for inspecting low-level roofs
externally
ii. -Moisture meters. are necessary for testing plaster and woodwork for damp and the
instrument should be tested prior to use on each occasion since it is important that a meter
with failing or flat batteries should not be used since its readings will then be inaccurate
and unreliable
iii. -rising dampness meter
iv. -water pipe detection tool
v. Binoculars will provide a clearer view of roofs and upper storeys
vi. a selection of tools and manhole-lifting keys are required for gaining access to the drains
vii. A hammer and bolster are useful for easing tight manhole covers
viii. A long spirit level is needed to check plumbness in walls and whether floors are level.
ix. -A plumb line could be useful for checking the verticality of walls from upper windows
or balconies.
x. -Probes to check timber for rot and
xi. -A key for opening electric and gas meter boxes should be carried.
xii. -Mirrors are useful for peering around corners under floors and within ducting
xiii. -hand augers for taking soil samples and
xiv. -shear vane testers for testing clay soils, for example, or
xv. -concrete core sampling equipment;
xvi. -calibrated tell tales may be used for monitoring crack damage in walls;
xvii. radon gas detectors may be used

1.3.5 Recording Equipment

i. -A4 clipboard with pro forma site notes, field sheets and checklists
ii. -Digital camera.
iii. -Pen
iv. -Pencil for drawing sketches

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 v. Tape Recorder

1.4 Instruction:

(Page 39- Building Surveys – Peter Glover- House Surveys)

(Page 14 but 43 in scrolling- Building Surveys – Peter Glover- House Surveys)

1.4.1 Scope of works

i. -What type of survey do the clients want- this will guide on fees to be charged,
ii. -Area of the building to be checked
iii. -Awareness of what you can do and cannot
iv. -Length of how long it shall take
v. -What will be the team
vi. -Who will be involved in the team
vii. -What is needed

1.5 Discussion Question:

1.5.1 What is the effect of defects on the performance of a building in the real estate
market

i. -Reduces desirability of the building. Dampness and darkness. Can reduce occupancy
levels for rented commercial spaces.
ii. Loses the habitation quality
iii. Reduces its value- due to depreciation, discomfort
iv. Is deemed a health hazard. It affects the health and safety of occupants
v. Failure to meet legal requirements
vi. Affects the rate of return on investment

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vii. High maintenance costs. Arising from the many defects
viii. The defects might make it unsustainable.

1.5.2 What risks is a surveyor about to face when conducting a condition survey?

i. Health and safety risk- heights, depths, smells from the

ii. Unknown site conditions – building conditions
iii. Damage or theft of equipment
iv. Legal risk- poorly drafted contracts – causes liability claims
v. Financial risk- due to unexpected expenditure
vi. Natural/Environmental risks -Natural disasters
vii. Animal and insect attacks
viii. Unknown disputes on the property
ix. Mindful of the cultural difference
x. Reputation risk-coming from accommodation

1.5.3 What limitations are experienced when conducting a condition survey?

i. Time – limited time- rules out some inspections

ii. Inaccessibility to some parts of the building-roofs, hidden compartments
iii. Third party claims- say from a structural report by a different expert
iv. Hostility of clients
v. Cultural differences
vi. Knowledge and competence
vii. Issues of the occupier
viii. Weather

1.6 Additional Lecture on Wednesday afternoon:

Land Act- proof of ownership. Requirement for approval

Building Control Act and the regulations that supported the law were the Building Control
Regulations 2020, Divides buildings into Class A,B and C. All these building plans must be from
registered professionals accompanied with a survey report.

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Inspection of a building – services, structure,

Can serve purpose of quality assurance (for the functionality of the building) and quality control
(for the size).

Inspection done using a Job card.

At design stage-number of lighting points

At finish stage-

Inspection for certificate of completion. From designers that the building has been built
according to the design. Everything that was intended is checked. Are cisterns flushing well,
Orientation of septic tank, drainage channels, ere they done according to design?

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