SURVEY SPECIFICATION
Standard Structural Dilapidation Survey – Technical Specification
1.0 Definitions.
1.1 The "Structural Dilapidation Surveyor" (SDS) shall be Dilapidation Survey Company of Ireland Ltd.
1.2 The "Client" shall be the Engineer/ Architect/ Contractor/ Property owner who instructs the SDS to carry out the Structural Dilapidation Survey.
1.3 These are Standard Conditions. Specific alterations to this Specification can be agreed for a specific survey. For example, a vibrograph survey during the construction work may be considered prudent in some cases.
2.0 Scope of Survey.
2.1 A Structural Dilapidation Survey is a record, carried out by a suitably qualified and experienced independent Engineer to record the condition of a property before construction work commences in the vicinity. This survey can be used to determine if structural damage to the property has been caused by the work.
2.2 The client shall instruct the SDS regarding the extent of the survey required in writing. This extent will identify properties and which require internal and external surveys. The extent of the survey will depend on a number of factors including:
type of construction work to be undertaken (depth of excavation if any, nature of any rock to be removed, distance from the proposed work, condition of the property, type of property (owner occupier/ agricultural), attitude of the owner etc.)
2.3 The SDS will carry out a Structural Dilapidation Survey consisting of:
- taking digital photographs of visible defects such as wall cracks, out of plumbs, bows, distortions and the like.
- using crack width scale in photographs where appropriate.
- making notes of defects which are not readily recorded in photographs and any other notes considered appropriate.
2.4 The Structural Dilapidation Survey is not an investigation for matters such as rot, hidden defects, areas hidden by foliage or furniture and the like. The survey does not address if the proposed construction work is a risk to causing damage to any property. The survey will be of the walk-around type with no access to roof spaces. No plumb bob survey will be carried out.
2.5 The survey will not involve gaining ladder or cherry picker access to high-level areas. Crack widths which are readily accessible at ground level will be measured and photographed (and using crack width gauge if appropriate). Cracks at high level, if any, will be photographed from ground level.
2.6 If access is required to private property, the property owners shall be contacted by the client. The nature of the proposed survey work, purpose of the survey and date on which the survey is to be carried out is to be outlined to the property owner by the client. If access to any area is not possible on the date of the survey, then this area will not be surveyed - no special trip shall be undertaken.
3.0 Deliverables.
3.1 The SDS shall send to the client within 2 weeks of completion of the site survey work, a CD (or more copies by agreement) containing the photographs (and the site notes if any). The CD shall be dated and signed as a record of the survey.
3.2 The SDS shall make a second copy of the CD, dated and signed and retain it for a period of not less than 3 years.
3.3 The SDS shall be available in the event of a claim being made regarding alleged damage caused by the construction work. Large prints shall be taken from the electronically stored data and comparisons made regarding the "before" and "after" condition.
