Technical Due Diligence
The following typical items are typically carried out when conducting this exercise.
- Visual Inspection: The survey team conducts a thorough visual examination of the building’s exterior envelope, both internally and externally, including the façade materials, windows, doors, cladding, and any architectural features. The general condition is assessed, signs of deterioration of façade materials and finishes, evidence of water penetration, corrosion, or other visible damage and issued which would be of interest to an owner or purchaser of the property.
- Structural Assessment: The structural integrity of the façade is visually evaluated to ensure it can withstand the expected loads and environmental conditions. This may involve examining the support systems, connections, anchorage, and assessing the overall stability of the façade elements.
- Performance Evaluation: The survey team assesses the long-term performance of the façade in terms of materials, glass types, sealed glass units, thermal insulation and performance etc.
- Code and Compliance Review: The façade design and glazing materials is evaluated against relevant building codes, regulations, and industry standards to ensure compliance.
- Operations and maintenance manuals: If available, the as built documentation related to the design, construction, and maintenance of the façade is reviewed to understand its design and evolution, any modifications or repairs done in the past, and to identify potential issues that could present problems in the future.
- Risk Assessment: Based on the findings from the survey, a risk assessment is conducted to identify potential hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities associated with the façade. This includes assessing the likelihood and consequences of failures, such as glass failure, water ingress, or safety hazards plus a general assessment of longevity given the length of service.
- Reporting Finally, all information collected during the site survey is compiled into a comprehensive report with photographic examples. This report includes a detailed analysis of the façade’s condition, identification of issues, recommended actions for maintenance, repairs, or replacements, and an estimation of associated costs.
