Building Survey

A building survey is an engineering work to determine the load-bearing capability of the main units and structures of the building, the state of its utility systems and its general technical condition. The main task is to detect any critical defects and deformations which prevent further safe operation of the construction or to determine whether it can be reconstructed. Following the results of the survey, a conclusion can be made about the safety and functionality of the building, its foundations, load-bearing structures and utility systems. Based on the results of the survey, works on building renovation design can be started.

The main work consists in the analytical comparison of the existing design documentation with the findings of the visual and instrumental analysis received in the course of work. In the process, actual values of the predetermined dynamic and geometric parameters specified in the survey plan are measured; these parameters, called "controlled parameters”, characterize the current state and actual operation capabilities of the main elements of the building under survey.

 APBP Architectural Bureau has been specializing in conducting building surveys for more than 12 years. In this period of time we surveyed hundreds of sites in Moscow and Moscow Oblast, as well as in Magadan, Nizhnevartovsk, Samara, Perm, Krasnodar, Orenburg and other cities. We are ready to carry out survey works in any city of the Russian Federation issuing a qualified technical statement for a reasonable price, being traditionally accurate and doing our job with excellence. We are convenient to work with.

Contact us by phone +7 (495) 221-22-43 or send your request to info@apbp.ru

Our customers are well-known development companies and design firms, large commercial and state institutions.

To instrumentally determine the strength and technical state of the structures, APBP uses modern research devices, such us reinforcement detectors, flaw detectors, dynamometers, densimeters, crack width gauges, sclerometers, thermographs, tensometers, deflectometers, using a variety of methods to test materials – acoustic, ultrasonic, neutron, etc.

The survey results are documented in the form of the technical statement, issued in due form approved by the regulatory instructions, with the description and photofixation of the defects, findings of the works performed and recommendations on the reinforcement of the structures. The works end with the qualified statement that determines the possibility and conditions of the further safe operation of the building, eliminating any possible emergency situations in the future, and instructing on the necessary restoration, reinforcement and modernization of the construction.

 Standard situations that require surveying the technical state of the buildings:

1. Two years after the building or the structure was put into operation.
2. Once every ten years in the course of operation for standard capital construction projects.
3. Once every five years for the buildings, constructions and their separate structures located in the zones of seismicity, permafrost, exposed to high loads, aggressive environment, water or vibration.
4. Upon expiration of the standard useful life of buildings and structures (for capital and extra-capital buildings, this is usually 100 – 150 years, with regular maintenance and proper use).
5. In case of partial collapse of the structure or if significant deflections and deformations are detected.
6. After fires and natural disasters that have led to partial destruction of building (structural) elements.
7. Prior to the reconstruction of the building (building on additional storeys, etc.).
8. Prior to the general overhaul, redevelopment, renovation, and technical re-equipment of the building.
9. If the technological function of the building is changed (profile change).
10. To assess the feasibility of the redevelopment of the building.
11. By order of the state building inspection authorities.
12. In the course of continuous monitoring and constant control of engineering-operational services over unique buildings and structures.
13. In case of legal proceedings, at the request of the court or on the initiative of one of the parties to the conflict.
14. Before purchasing or selling the building.
15. When using the building as a subject to mortgage, at the request of the bank.
16. In other cases, on the initiative of the owner of the building (structure).

Survey works are carried out by design and research organizations that are authorized to perform this type of work. A technical statement is issued following the results of the survey.

A technical statement is a set of documents containing text and graphic materials, which form an impartial engineering report, conclusions on the actual technical state of the building and its utility systems, any detected critical deformations and dangerous divergences of the most important parameters, as well as recommendations on the necessary reinforcement of the structures, possibility and requirements for the further safe operation of the building.

The contents of the technical statement issued following the results of the survey:

1. The description of the existing building, its space-planning and construction concepts.
2. The graphic part with drawings of the building, including measurement drawings.
3. The results of the technical survey of the most important elements of the structure (foundation, load-bearing and self-bearing walls, stairs, staircase and elevator sections, beams, floors and ceilings, elements of the framework, roofing, roof design) with recommendations on reinforcement and further use.
4. The results of laboratory tests and research.
5. The calculations part with checking calculations for separate structures.
6. Conclusions based on the findings of the conducted survey.
7. Photographic evidence of the defects detected in the course of the survey.
8. A copy of the permit issued by one of the self-regulatory organizations of design and research engineers for works on the survey of buildings and structures.
9. Copies of plans of the Technical Inventory Bureau.

Surveying the soils under the foundation of the building.

In some cases, in order to prepare a technical statement on the state of the building and its structures, it is necessary to survey the soil under the foundation of the building. The soil survey is conducted in the following cases:

1. In case of the reconstruction of the building. In this case, before starting the design works, it is necessary to survey the building and get a technical statement on the feasibility of its reconstruction.
2. In case of the general overhaul of the building. In this case, before starting the design works, it is necessary to obtain a technical statement on the feasibility of the general overhaul based on the results of the building survey.
3. In case of the concurrence of unauthorized buildings. In this case, a survey of the building is conducted to determine its current state, and a technical statement is issued.
4. Before purchasing the building. In this case it is necessary to survey the building and prepare a technical statement on the state of its load-bearing and envelope structures and utility systems.
5. To recognize that the building is in emergency condition. In this case it is necessary to survey the building, its load-bearing structures, utility supply lines, as well as the foundation and the soil.

Photographic evidence of the defects in a building survey.

In addition to building surveys, the APBP Architectural Bureau carries out surveys of any types of engineering structures – boiler-rooms, heat supply stations, free-standing elevators, hangars, boathouses, inflatable structures. We also conduct surveys of all types of road structures, including bridges and underground passages, treatment facilities, reinforced concrete arched shelters and other types of capital construction shelters, bunkers, underground structures, snow shelters, fountains and other engineering structures.