Y‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍ou are free to choose a residential building for the site v

Y‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍ou are free to choose a residential building for the site visit Task 1 – Principal summative task Write a diagnostic report (not a building/condition survey) focusing on the investigation of a significant defect in your chosen building. Your investigation should concentrate on a major form of deterioration, such as dampness, bio- deterioration or structural movement, not minor problems or lack of maintenance issues. (approximate word count: 3,500 words) Your investigation should: 1. identify the defect through a written description, digital images and sketches and by indicating its location on either a floor plan or an elevation drawing; 2. explain in detail the symptoms of the defect affecting the element and propose a reasoned hypothesis as to its nature; 3. collect and critically analyse any data relevant to the defect, such as information derived and analysed from relevant authoritative research and/or practice-based evidence, discussions with the building manager or occupants and any other relevant data you can gather; 4. either, if you are able to, obtain data on the defect from suitable diagnostic equipment such as (but not limited to) a moisture meter, borescope or thermographic camera, infrared thermography, endoscopes, graduated tell-tales, calcium carbide testing and/or drones etc. 5. Your inclusion of such data should be accompanied by a table which outlines a critical analysis of the benefits and the limitations of the technology you have employed. This table should be aimed at providing concise communication of your evaluation to a fellow building professional; 6. or if you are unable to obtain and use suitable diagnostic equipment such as that identified in the previous point, you must provide a table which identifies a suitable diagnostic technology which, in your judgment, would be useful to strengthen your diagnosis. You must explain the requirements of the testing in a table, which must also outline a critical analysis of the benefits and the limitations of the technology you would hav‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍e employed. This table should be aimed at providing concise communication of your evaluation to a fellow building professional; 7. consider and identify the likely causes of the defect and carefully evaluate the evidence you have used to base your diagnosis (including that drawn from reliable, researched external evidence); 8. explain the likely implications of, and risks associated with, such deterioration (including a consideration of consequential damage); 9. critically analyse and prescribe suitable therapy/remedial measures, including any preventative measures, to rectify the identified defect and to minimise any consequential failure in the short and long term. All of the above will require that you identify, gather, analyse and evaluate relevant, authoritative and up-to-date research-based and professional evidence to contextualise your inspection observations. Images and sketches are an essential evidential source. These should be integrated appropriately into the body of your report, not into appendices – in order to effectively communicate your analysis in a professional quality report. If you do not have immediate access to such a property, you need to identify opportunities for doing so – be resourceful. If you are not currently working in a relevant context, this could be a daunting prospect. You could use this opportunity as a chance to make and develop contact with a relevant property professional in your locality to support you in this assignment (for example to shadow a surveyor on an inspection). Other possibilities are using your own property, or that of a friend or relative; use your own place of work; or identify suitable publicly accessible buildings. Task 2 – Professional Reflective Evaluation (approximate word count: 500 words) Your evaluation should address the following questions: • What you have learned about inspecting for, and diagnosing defects as a result of this assignment and your experience on this module? • What will you take into professional practice from thi‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‍‍‌‍‍s experience?