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 Insurance
Services, 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 is designed to
promote quality controls:
BS 8000: Workmanship on building sites.
Building Regulations, Approved Document to support
Regulation 7
† materials and workmanship.
No matter how good the materials, the workmanship and
supervision, the unforeseen may still affect a building. This may materialise
several years after construction. Some examples of these latent defects
include: woodworm emerging from untreated timber, electrolytic decomposition of
dissimilar metals inadvertently in contact, and chemical decomposition of
concrete.
Generally, the older a building the more opportunity there
is for its components and systems to have deteriorated and malfunctioned.
Hence the need for regular inspection and maintenance. The
profession of facilities management has evolved for this purpose and is
represented by the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM).
Property values, repairs and replacements are of sufficient
magnitude for potential purchasers to engage the professional services of a
building surveyor. Surveyors are usually members of the Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
The extent of survey can vary, depending on a client's
requirements. This may be no more than a market valuation to secure financial
backing, to a full structural survey incorporating specialist reports on
electrical installations, drains, heating systems, etc.
Further reading: BRE Digest No. 268 † Common defects in
low-rise traditional housing. Available from Building Research Establishment
Bookshop † www.brebookshop.com.
