Measured Building Survey Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Measured Building Survey - Essay Example It comments on the current state of all parts of the structure. These parts of the building are physically inspected but limited to the scope of services offered by the building surveyor. Major defects survey is also referred to as main elements survey. For this type of survey, focus is on the main parts of the structure. Inspection and report concentrate on selected areas like roofs, floors, ceilings and windows. The home buyer report survey is standardized, covering main aspects of the structure but not detailed. It is restricted only to accessible parts of the structure. Specific survey narrows down the scope of survey to particular parts of a property depending on the owner’s knowledge (Douglas, and Noy, 2011 P.8). In most cases, building survey is advocated for buildings that lack documentation or they cannot be used. However, it assists in developing reliable and an accurate document and or a verification of an existing document. This makes building survey an essential a ctivity in the planning process as well as providing detailed information for further planning activities. The methods of survey used are: field sketch, dimensioned sketch, tape and offset survey or extended baseline survey and plane table and alidade survey. The best survey is achieved through a combination of these three methods (Scotland’s Rural Past, 2005, p.6). Sketches, plans and accurate geometric data together with information gathered from survey are combined and structured properly. These parameters are used to derive an actual design and planning process. The first step towards building survey is taking of measurements on site by use of conventional equipment like measuring stick or optical distance meters. Sophisticated surveying techniques like tachometry, laser scanner and photogrammetry are used (.Douglas, and Noy 2011, p.34). The next steps involve combining the measurements to produce details, sections and elevation of the property that are derived from plan. According to RICS (2007, p.30), any residential property is defined by linear measurement but not from floor area. Measurements are taken from a point not greater than 1.5 meters above the floor and skirting board. Recesses, bays and the like are excluded in the measurements taken. The room area should include kitchen units, cupboards and the like although it must be identified separately. When taking garage measurements, the span between main walls faces internally are of importance. Risk Assessment Some of the factors to consider in risk assessment are: Critical areas of concern in relation to residential property. Considerations from building codes and seismic zones. How to get information in relation to resources, skills and ability to investigate what you are not familiar with. Commitment to the task of checking and confirming details in the design. From the plan, elevations and sections developed from survey, the form, dimensions, orientation, natural lighting, ventilation an d spatial organizations of occupants assist in redesigning a new property. Issues required in designing of a house and their relevance as well as recommendations is considered. This is what is called risk assessment that aims at construction of safer homes. The main risks for property are; fire, harsh environment, floods, cyclones and earthquakes. The main services are drainage, gas, electricity and water. The

James J Hill and E H Harriman Compare and Contrast Term Paper

James J Hill and E H Harriman Compare and Contrast - Term Paper Example While J. P. Morgan stood for the banking industry, the oil industry could not be spoken about without mentioning John D. Rockefeller, iron and steel industries were synonymous with Andrew Carnegie’s name, and lastly, as we all know, Harriman was the man who stood for the railroads (Klein 1). In The Life and Legend of E. H. Harriman, the author of the biography, Maury Klein, offers us the first in-depth story about Harriman. The biography covers his influential times in the industry. It spans more than seventy-five years (Klein). E. H. Harriman’s life has been understudied, for the most part, but he was truly influential in the growth of American economy. While Harriman was successful in bringing ‘dead’ companies back to life, James J. Hill was just as successful in the rail transportation business. Their lives changed America. As the story goes, we are put in the loop on how Harriman used to be a banker in Wall Street up to his 50th birthday (Klein, 65). Af ter that, he got into the railroad business in the year 1897. That is the time he took control of the then Union Pacific Rail Road. The company was emerging from a period of bankruptcy. Harriman is credited with the success of modernizing each and every aspect of the company’s operations. Harriman provides us with new insights into the controversies and the myths that surround the career of one of American’s greatest businessmen. Moreover, the book goes on to reassert the position held by this great mind as a true business titan of the turn-of-the-century. James J. Hill: Empire Builder of the Northwest is a biography of a legendary capitalist, James Hill, to whom great changes were credited in the Northwest. The author of the book, Michael P. Malone, is a gifted historian. He is also a respected writer. This is well, evident, in the manner in which he has carefully penned the remarkable life and times of one James J. Hill. In focus, Michael Malone’s biography on James J. Hill is selective. Additionally, it is interpretive in the method it has used. Nonetheless, all these angles at this biography are just like all the other books on the same topic series. However, Michael Malone avoids the pitfalls of other biographies that came before this one. The other biographies often present hagiographic pictures or business histories that are very slim in content. This is not the case with this biography penned by Michael Malone. James Hill is put fully into the context of the times he lived and did business and put his mark on American business history. Worthy of note is the fact that the author, Michael Malone has put emphasis on the effect James Hill’s actions had on America; more specifically, the regions in which he lived and did business.