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 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 †
http://www.brebookshop.com.Communicating Information---Building Survey