Civil and Building Engineering

Roof space: * Access to all parts, construction type - traditional or trussed* Evidence of moisture due to condensation - ventilation at eaves, ridge, etc.* Evidence of water penetration - chimney flashings, abutments and valleys* Insulation - type and quantity* Party wall in semi-detached and terraced dwellings - suitability as fire barrier* Plumbing - adequacy of storage cistern, insulation, overflow function Floors: * Construction - timber, pre-cast or cast in-situ concrete? Finish condition?*...

Estate and garden: * Location and establishment of boundaries* Fences, gates and hedges - material, condition and suitability* Trees - type and height, proximity to building* Pathways and drives - material and condition* Outbuildings - garages, sheds, greenhouses, barns, etc.* Proximity of water courses Roof: * Tile type, treatment at ridge, hips, verge and valleys* Age of covering, repairs, replacements, renewals, general condition, defects and growths* Eaves finish, type and condition* Gutters...

Established Procedure † the interested purchaser engages a building surveyor. UK Government Requirements † the seller to provide a property/ home information pack (HIP) which can include `A survey report on the condition of the property, including requirements for urgent or significant repairs . . .'. Survey document preliminaries: * Title and address of property* Client's name, address and contacts* Survey date and time* Property status † freehold, leasehold or commonhold* Occupancy † occupied...

Construction Defects † correct application of materials produced to the recommendations of British, European and International Standards authorities, in accordance with local building regulations, by-laws and the rules of building guarantee companies, i.e. National House Building Council (NHBC) and MD InsuranceServices, should ensure a sound and functional structure. However, these controls can be seriously undermined if the human factor of quality workmanship is not fulfilled. The following guidance...

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FRONT ELEVATION REAR ELEVATION SIDE ELEVATION (right) GROUMD FLOOR PLAN FRIST FLOOR PLAN SIDE ELEVATION (LEFT) ...

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Isometric Projections - a pictorial projection of a solid object on a plane surface drawn so that all vertical lines remain vertical and of true scale length, all horizontal lines are drawn at an angle of 30 and are of true scale length therefore scale measurements can be taken on the vertical and 30 lines but cannot be taken on any other inclined line. A similar drawing can be produced using an angle of 45 for all horizontal lines and is called an Axonometric Projection ISOMETRIC PROJECTION...

Orthographic projection - a means of drawig independent views of a solid object on a plane surface. ...

Sketch - this can be defined as a draft or rough outline of an idea, it can be a means of depicting a three-dimensional form in a two-dimensional guise. Sketches can be produced free-hand or using rules and set squares to give basic guide lines. All sketches should be clear, show all the necessary detail and above all be in the correct proportions. Sketches can be drawn by observing a solid object or they can be produced from conventional orthographic views but in all cases can usually be successfully...

Location Drawings  Site Plans - used to locate site, buildings, define site levels, indicate services to buildings, identify parts ofsite such as roads, footpaths and boundaries and to give setting out dimensions for the site and buildings asa whole. Suitable scale not less than 1 : 2500 Floor Plans - used to identify and set out parts of the building such as rooms, corridors, doors, windows, etc., Suitable scale not less than 1 : 100 Elevations - used to show external appearance of all faces...

ARCHITCTS DRAWINGS ENGINEERS DRAWINGS SCHEDULES  SPECIFICATIONS CONTRACT DOCUMENT ...

A Building or Construction Site can be considered as a temporary factory employing the necessary resources to successfully fulfil a contract. ...

Dwelling houses Flats   Note: Floors within a maisonette are not required to be "compartment''.  For non-residential buildings, compartment size is limited by floor area depending on the building function (purpose group) and height. Compartment - a building or part of a building with walls and floors constructed to contain fire and to prevent it spreading to another part of the same building or to an adjoining building.  Separating floor/wall ~ element of sound resisting...

External Envelope - consists of the materials and components which form the external shell or enclosure of a building. These may be load bearing or non-load bearing according to the structural form of the building. ...

DOMESTIC ESTRUCTURES FRAMED ESTRUCTURES ...

Finish - the final surface which can be self finished as with a trowelled concrete surface or an applied finish such as floor tiles. EXTERNAL WALLS INTERNAL WALLS FLOORS STAIRS CEILINGS  ROOFS ...

Secondary Elements - completion of the structure including completion around and within openings in primary elements. EXTERNAL WALLS  INTERNAL WALLS FLOATING FLOORS CAVITI FLOORS FLOORS TRAPS FLOORS  BALUSTRADES  SUSPENDED  CEILINGS ROOFLIGHTS  ...

Superstructure - can be defined as all structure above substructure both internally and externally. Primary Elements - basically components of the building carcass above the substructure excluding secondary elements, finishes, services and fittings. Typical Examples ...

Substructure - can be defined as all structure below the superstructure which in general terms is considered to include all structure below ground level but including the ground floor bed. Typial  Examples ...

1. SOLID CONSTRUCTION 2. FRAMED OR SKELETAL CONSTRUCTION 3. PANEL OR BOX CONSTRUCTION 4. FOLDED PLATE  CONSTRUCTION   Shells Roofs - these are formed by a structural curved skin covering a given plan shape and area. 1. DOME OR ROTATIONAL SHELL 2. PENDENTIVE DOME 3. TRANSLATIONAL DOME 4. BARREL VAULT 5. CONOID SHELLS 6. HYPERBOLIC PARABOLOID 7. SPACE DECK 8. SPACE FRAME 9. TENSION CABLE STRUCTURE 10. TENSION MEMBRANE STRUCTURE ...

1. SIMPLE SUPPORTED BEAM2. BUILT-IN BEAM3. CANTILEVER BEAM4. PROPPED CANTILEVER5. STRUT6. VERTICAL STRUT7. TIE8. ARCHES9. POST AND LINTEL10. PLANE FRAME ...

1. Natural contours of land.2. Natural vegetation and trees.3. Size of land and/or proposed building.4. Shape of land and/or proposed building.5. Approach and access roads and footpaths.6. Services available.7. Natural waterways, lakes and ponds.8. Restrictions such as rights of way; tree preservation and ancient buildings.9. Climatic conditions created by surrounding properties, land or activities.10. Proposed future developments. ...

1. Planning requirements. 2. Building Regulations.3. Land restrictions by vend or lessor.4. Availability of services.5. Local amenities including transport.6. Subsoil conditions.7. Levels and topography of land.8. Adjoining buildings or land9. Use of building.10. Daylight and view aspects EXAMPLES...

Environment = surroundings which can be natural, man-made or a combination of these. Built Environment = created by man with or without the aid of the natural environment. ...