The building index
The whole building.
One connected index.
Start with an element and explore its related reading. A linked guide is a starting point, not complete coverage of the subject.
Building elements
Site & substructure
Start with setting, ground, foundations and the systems below the building.
E01Site, setting and property historyCoverage planned
Topography, exposure, building age and phases, historical maps, planning/building records, neighbouring works, access, boundaries, easements as matters to investigate, vegetation and prior repairs.
A dedicated guide for this element is still to be developed.
E02Ground and ground hazardsCoverage planned
Soil/rock identification, made ground, shrink–swell, mining and voids, slopes, erosion, groundwater, flooding, contamination and ground gases; desktop evidence and investigation routes.
A dedicated guide for this element is still to be developed.
E03Foundations and ground movement1 related guide
Strip, trench-fill, pad, raft and piled foundations; bearing and load transfer; differential movement; underpinning and earlier repairs; interaction with drains, trees and adjacent work.
E04Below-ground construction1 related guide
Basements, retaining structures, DPCs, DPMs, waterproofing systems, ground-gas barriers, insulation, subfloor voids and ventilation; continuity between systems.
E05Below-ground drainage and site water1 related guide
Foul, surface-water and combined drainage; chambers, gullies, connections, falls, private systems, pumps, attenuation and sustainable drainage; tracing and specialist investigations.
Building elements
Structure & envelope
Follow the load paths and the walls, roofs and openings that enclose the building.
E06Primary structure and load paths2 related guides
Loadbearing masonry, timber/steel/concrete frames, beams, columns, bearings, lateral restraint, bracing, disproportionate alterations and connections; what a survey can establish.
E07External walls and façadesCoverage planned
Solid/cavity masonry, stone, earth, timber frame, non-traditional systems, wall ties, lintels, cavity trays, weep holes, movement joints, cladding, rainscreens and external insulation.
A dedicated guide for this element is still to be developed.
E08Pitched roof structures1 related guide
Cut and trussed roofs, rafters, purlins, collars, ties, struts, hips, valleys, dormers, mansards, roof spread, restraint, altered timbers and changes in loading.
E09Roof coverings and waterproofing3 related guides
Slate, tile, stone, thatch and metal; felt/bituminous, asphalt, single-ply and liquid-applied systems; flat-roof build-ups, decks, insulation, falls, rooflights and green roofs.
E10Chimneys, roof details and rainwater1 related guide
Stacks, flues, pots, flashings, valleys, abutments, parapets, copings, verges, eaves, gutters, outlets, downpipes and discharge arrangements.
E11Windows, doors and glazed structures1 related guide
Frames, glazing systems, seals, thresholds, lintels, opening interfaces, bay windows, roof glazing, conservatories, security, operation and ventilation interfaces.
Building elements
Interiors & access
Explore floors, internal construction, finishes and movement through the building.
E12Ground and upper floors2 related guides
Suspended timber, solid concrete, beam-and-block and other systems; joists, bearings, sleeper walls, slabs, screeds, movement, moisture, insulation, levelling and floor coverings.
E13Internal walls, partitions and ceilings2 related guides
Loadbearing versus non-loadbearing construction, stud partitions, lath and plaster, plasterboard, suspended ceilings, service penetrations and concealed voids.
E14Finishes, joinery and fitted elements14 related guides
Internal/external plaster and render, lime/cement/gypsum compatibility, paints/coatings, tiling, woodwork, kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces and fitted furniture.
- Kitchen worktops: materials, edges and sink details →
- Baths and shower trays: forms, materials and support →
- Basins, WCs and cisterns: understand the fittings →
- Shower enclosures and screens: glass, movement and seals →
- Fitted wardrobes and storage: construction behind the doors →
- Joinery joints, mitres and scribes: how the pieces meet →
- Fitted kitchens: cabinets, fronts and the parts behind them →
- Wall tiling: materials, layouts and the layers behind →
- Interior panelling: profiles, materials and construction →
- Paint and wallcoverings: materials, sheen and pattern →
- Internal doors: the leaf, the frame and the hardware →
- Floor finishes: read the surface and the layers →
- Plaster and decorative finishes: understand the layers →
- Skirtings, architraves and mouldings: read the detail →
E15Stairs, guarding, balconies and access1 related guide
Stair types, landings, handrails, balustrades, guarding, balcony/deck structure and drainage, entrances, ramps and accessibility interfaces.
Building elements
Services & safety
Find the installations, records and specialist interfaces within the building.
E16Water, sanitation and plumbing3 related guides
Supply, storage, distribution, hot-water arrangements, sanitary fittings, wastes, traps, leaks, water hygiene and evidence from specialist inspection/testing.
E17Heating, cooling, ventilation and fluesCoverage planned
Boilers, heat pumps, radiators, controls, emitters, distribution, ventilation systems, extraction, combustion air, flues and condensate routes.
A dedicated guide for this element is still to be developed.
E18Electrical and other installationsCoverage planned
Electrical installation features and records, lighting, earthing/bonding as inspection topics, renewables, batteries, EV charging, alarms, data systems, lifts and specialist plant.
A dedicated guide for this element is still to be developed.
E19Fire and life-safety featuresCoverage planned
Compartmentation, doors, penetrations, cavities, escape routes, detection, external-wall interfaces and relevant records; distinguish general survey observations from specialist assessments.
A dedicated guide for this element is still to be developed.
Building elements
Performance & grounds
Connect the whole building with its environment and surrounding structures.
E20Whole-building performance3 related guides
Moisture, heat, air movement, ventilation, thermal bridges, overheating, acoustics, indoor environment, energy use and occupant/building-system interactions.
E21Grounds and associated structuresCoverage planned
Retaining/boundary walls, fences, gates, paving, drives, steps, terraces, garages, outbuildings, external stores and landscape/drainage interfaces.
A dedicated guide for this element is still to be developed.
Building elements
Change & care
Understand alterations, different construction traditions and the life of the building.
E22Alterations, extensions and conversionsCoverage planned
Removed walls/chimneys, loft/basement conversions, extensions, changes of use, new openings, added loads, movement junctions and evidence of previous interventions.
A dedicated guide for this element is still to be developed.
E23Traditional, historic and non-standard buildingsCoverage planned
Vernacular construction, timber framing, cob/earth, historic masonry, regional materials, conservation approaches, post-war systems, prefabrication, MMC and mixed construction.
A dedicated guide for this element is still to be developed.
E24Repair, retrofit and lifecycle careCoverage planned
Investigation before intervention, repair options, compatibility, sequencing, drying, maintenance, condition monitoring, retrofit interactions, resilience, replacement and end-of-life questions.
A dedicated guide for this element is still to be developed.