Task 4. Elemental Inspection of an External Wall Report.
Author: Duncan Green
Project: 56 Southfields Road, BN17 6PA,
April 2015
Contents: 1.0 Introduction and Scope of Report.
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2.0 Survey Reporting Conditions.
4>5 of 9.
3.0 Conclusion and Recommendations.
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4.0 Images.
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5.0 Terms and Conditions of Engagement.
8>9 of 9.
6.0 Appendix 'D'. Survey notes. Time sheet. 7.0 Bibliography 'D'.
Reference: ARC602_2015_Task 4
Page 2 of 9
Revision: First Issue
Author: Duncan Green
Project: 56 Southfields Road, BN17 6PA,
April 2015
1.0 Introduction and Scope of Report. 1.1
The Client Mr. Green has requested the services of the Surveyor Duncan Green to undertake an Elemental Inspection Survey of the external walls of his property for the purposes of ascertaining the suitability for a potential retrofit insulation system.
1.2
Address of the property to be surveyed: 56 Southfields Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 6PA.
1.3
The purpose of the Elemental Inspection Survey is to collect visual information on the existing wall type, its construction, the materials used, the walls thickness, structural integrity and requirements, current thermal performance, approximate date of construction and other factors relating to the general performance of the wall. This information provides the Surveyor with a basis to make a comparison as to the suitability of the wall for the addition and type of a retrofit insulation system.
1.4
The Elemental Inspection Survey will be undertaken in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of Engagement. Refer to Section 5.0 of this report.
1.5
Duncan Green undertook the survey on 9th March 2015. The report is to be issued to the Client Mr. Green at the following address: 56 Southfields Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 6PA, on the agreed date of 1st May 2015.
1.6
This report is the Copy-write of the Surveyor and is hereby leased indefinitely to the Client only, until otherwise informed. The report and any content within may not be reproduced, copied, quoted or published in anyway what so ever, without the written permission of the Author. Any employed representative, or Third Party operating on the Clients behalf is not authorised to use this report without prior written agreement from the Surveyor.
Reference: ARC602_2015_Task 4
Page 3 of 9
Revision: First Issue
Author: Duncan Green
Project: 56 Southfields Road, BN17 6PA
April 2015
2.0 Survey Reporting Conditions. 2.1
PROPERTY: 56 Southfields Road, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 6PA, has North facing front and South facing rear elevations with a West facing side gable and flank elevation.
2.2
WEATHER: At the time of survey the weather was dry and sunny with some cloud and a light breeze. There were no obvious signs of recent wet weather.
2.3
ACCESS: The Surveyor was able to access the West facing flank wall from ground level, with no obstructions, other than those posed by working at height.
2.4
SURVEY TYPE: The inspection survey consisted: record of notes, sketches and photographs, taken of visible and accessible parts of the external wall of the building, viewed from external ground level, at the stated date and time of the survey. The survey was of a visual nature and did not involve any form of intrusive or investigative surveying methods.
2.5
THE BUILDING: The building was constructed in 1971. Verified by the occupants owner. This would need to be confirmed with the Deeds of the property. 'Referring to BRE 352 and Approved Documents L2A' Common wall construction in the 1970s was external brick work, clear cavity, aerated blockwork inner leaf and a plastered finish. In 1971 there was little requirement for wall insulation within the cavity as the required U-value was 1.7W/m²K. The current required U-value is 0.28W/m²K.
2.6
THE BUILDING: It is assumed that the building is of a traditional low rise load bearing masonry cavity wall construction, comprising: external facing brick work in stretcher bond with traditional mortar joints, clear cavity with early galvanised stainless steel wire wall ties and assumed light-weight concrete thermal block work in stretcher bond with traditional mortar joints and a internal plastered wall finish.
2.7
THE TYPE OF EXTERNAL WALL FACE: The building has a facing brick external wall face.
2.8
WHAT TYPE OF 'BOND' OR FINISH: The facing brick work is arranged in a stretcher bond with approximately 10mm bucket handle shaped mortar joints
2.9
THE TYPE OF MATERIAL USED ON THE EXTERNAL WALL FACE: Fired clay facing bricks assumed to be class B providing 7 N/mm² compressive strength with assumed sand and masonry cement mortar. A further intrusive and sample analysis survey could confirm this. (not included).
Reference: ARC602_2015_Task 4
Page 4 of 9
Revision: First Issue
Author: Duncan Green
Project: 56 Southfields Road, BN17 6PA
April 2015
2.0 Survey Reporting Conditions. 2.10
WALL TYPE AND CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING WIDTHS: Load bearing masonry cavity wall consisting: Total wall thickness: 305mm. 102.5mm facing brickwork in stretcher bond with 10mm cement mortar joints. 87.5mm (approximately) clear cavity with 1970s early galvanised stainless steel wire wall ties. 100mm light weight thermal blockwork in stretcher bond with approximately 10mm cement mortar joints. 15mm two coat wet plaster finish. Refering to BRE 352 and BRE 401 a further intrusive and Boroscope survey can confirm if the cavity is clear or insulated, the exact type of cavity wall ties, the spacing/positioning of wall ties, the adequacy of the wall tie for the width of cavity, the current condition and any corrosion if present, and the width of the cavity. (not included).
2.11
HEIGHT OF D.P.C.'s IN RELATION TO EXTERNAL GROUND LEVELS: A bitumen impregnated type D.P.C. material is positioned 2No. courses approximately 150mm above the external ground level, to all external walls.
2.12
INTERNAL SUPPORTING WALLS AND STRUCTURES CONNECTED TO THE EXTERNAL WALLS: Internal load bearing blockwork walls are block bonded into the internal blockwork leaf of the cavity wall, throughout the property.
Reference: ARC602_2015_Task 4
Page 5 of 9
Revision: First Issue
Author: Duncan Green
Project: 56 Southfields Road, BN17 6PA,
April 2015
3.0 Conclusion and Recommendations. 3.1
It is recommended that the following elements require further inspection and investigation. Referring to Section 2.0 Survey Reporting Conditions: Item 2.5 Item 2.9 Item 2.10
3.2
Refer to Section 4.0 Images for select images of the property.
3.3
Refer to Appendix 'D' for Survey notes and Time sheet.
Reference: ARC602_2015_Task 4
Page 6 of 9
Revision: First Issue
Author: Duncan Green
Project: 56 Southfields Road, BN17 6PA,
April 2015
5.0 Terms and Conditions of Engagement. 5.1
The Client hereby agrees to these Terms and Conditions of Engagement. Name and Address of Client and Agent if applicable: Telephone:
Email:
Address of Property to be surveyed: Client's Signature:
Agents Signature:
Date:
5.2
In all instances if the Client has a concern, query or a difficulty understanding or interpreting the type and extent of the services provided within this Elemental Inspection Survey report, then please contact the Surveyor as soon as possible, whereby the surveyor will be happy to discuss your concern.
5.3
These Terms and Conditions of Engagement are to be read in conjunction with any covering letter or additional information provided.
5.4
The Surveyor is to receive a signed copy of these Terms and Conditions of Engagement as accepted acknowledgement on the Clients behalf, that the following conditions or limitations within which the Surveyor will operate, and undertake to the best of their reasonable abilities are agreed to and no additional services are to be expected.
5.5
The purpose of the Elemental Inspection Survey is to collect visual information on the existing wall type, its construction, the materials used, the walls thickness, structural integrity and requirements, current thermal performance, approximate date of construction and other factors relating to the general performance of the wall. This information provides the Surveyor with a basis to make a comparison as to the suitability of the wall for the addition and type of a retrofit insulation system.
5.6
This survey does not involve any form of intrusive or investigative surveying methods. There will be no opening up, unscrewing, lifting, or other forms of accessing and surveying elements that are concealed or not easily visible or accessible.
5.7
There will be no working at height.
5.8
Areas that are not easily accessible, due to physical restrictions, Health and Safety risks, declined access, or restricted access, will not be surveyed. It is in the Clients best interest to provide access to all areas for the Surveyor's purposes.
5.9
Where access to Neighbouring or Third Party property is likely to be required, then this is to be brought to the attention of the Surveyor at the earliest possible opportunity. Further consultation and access arrangements will be required, this can affect the date, extent, time limit and fee of services to be provided. Reference: ARC602_2015_Task 4
Page 8 of 9
Revision: First Issue
Author: Duncan Green
Project: 56 Southfields Road, BN17 6PA,
April 2015
5.0 Terms and Conditions of Engagement. 5.10
Additional services not covered within this Elemental Inspection Survey, can be agreed with the Surveyor and an additional fee, method of payment and time scales can be arranged.
5.11
If payment is not received in full prior to the agreed date for providing services, then the Surveyor reserves the write to suspend any service until fees are paid in full.
5.12
This report is not exhaustive and indicates, elements that were visible and accessible at the time of survey. The findings of the report may suggest 'further investigation or other suggestions' indicating that an element would benefit from another type of inspection, service or action, which are not provided as part of this Elemental Inspection service.
5.13
This report is the Copy-write of the Surveyor and is hereby leased indefinitely to the Client only, until otherwise informed. The report and any content within may not be reproduced, copied, quoted or published in anyway what so ever, without the written permission of the Author. Any employed representative, or Third Party operating on the Clients behalf is not authorised to use this report without prior written agreement from the Surveyor.
5.14
This report will take precedence over any prior verbal communications or recommendations.
5.15
The Surveyor reserves the write to charge for disbursements where required, but will seek prior approval or notification with the Client.
5.16
Complaints are taken seriously and in the unfortunate circumstance that should the Client wish to make a complaint please contact the Company whereby a free copy of our Complaints Handling Procedure will be issued to the Client.
5.17
The Surveyor is to be given the full amount of time estimated to carry out their duties, any impediment, interruptions, or other forms of distractions, resulting in a loss of time to the Surveyor, will result in a reduced service provided by the Surveyor.
5.18
This report and any information forming part of, is protected under the 'Data Protection Act' and will only be accessible to authorised personnel.
5.19
Dangerous or offensive animals that pose a potential Health and Safety risk to the Surveyor are to be restrained in a safe place, away from any area in which the Surveyor needs to operate. The Surveyor may request that an animal be restrained whilst undertaking certain tasks.
5.20
The Client is to inform the Surveyor as to the reasons and uses for the purpose of the survey. This will enable the Surveyor to provide a more accurate service for the Client and potentially identify additional services that the Client may benefit from.
Reference: ARC602_2015_Task 4
Page 9 of 9
Revision: First Issue
Author: Duncan Green
April 2015
6.0 Appendix 'D'.
Reference: ARC602_2015_Task 4
Revision: First Issue
Author: Duncan Green
April 2015
7.0 Bibliography 'D'. Book: HARRISON, H. W., and R. C. DE VEKEY, 1998. BRE Building Elements. Walls, windows and doors. Performance, diagnosis, maintenance, repair and the avoidance of defects. WATFORD: Construction Research Communities Ltd. eBook: database: HM GOVERNMENT, 2013. The Building Regulations 2010. Structure. Approved document A. [online]. 2013 ed. Newcastle Upon Tyne: RIBA Bookshop. [viewed 6 th May 2015]. Available from: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/parta/documenta HM GOVERNMENT, 2013. The Building Regulations 2010. Site preparation and resistance to contaminates and moisture. Approved document C. [online]. 2013 ed. Newcastle Upon Tyne: RIBA Bookshop. [viewed 6 th May 2015]. Available from: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/partc/documentc HM GOVERNMENT, 2015. The Building Regulations 2010. Conservation of fuel and power in existing dwellings. Approved document L1B. [online]. 2015 ed. Newcastle Upon Tyne: RIBA Bookshop. [viewed 6 th May 2015]. Available from: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/approveddocuments/partl/approved#ApprovedDocument L1B:ConservationoffuelandpowerExistingdwellings RICS, 2004. RICS guidance note. Building Surveys of Residential Property. [online]. 2Nd ed. Coventry: RICS Business Services Limited. [viewed 20th April 2015]. Available from: http://www.isurv.com/site/scripts/download.aspx? type=downloads&fileID=162 Web page: FIRST IN ARCHITECTURE, 2015. Measured survey – how to measure a building. [online] [viewed 4th May 2015]. Available from: http://www.firstinarchitecture.co.uk/measured-survey-how-to-measure-a-building/ RICS, 2015. Measured surveys. [online] [viewed 4th May 2015]. Available from: https://www.isurv.com/site/scripts/documents.aspx?categoryID=59
Reference: ARC602_2015_Task 4
Revision: First Issue