EPIQR - A new surveying tool for maintenance and refurbishment

Consultants and maintenance managers are often requested to inspect buildings in order to assess the conditions and to make proposals for maintenance and refurbishment actions including investment budgets. In a European project a computer-based methodology has been developed including tools for diagnosis of the building, analysis, decision making and reporting. The systematic procedure in the methodology helps to identify all major parameters affecting the performance of the building. The methodology is based on collection of available general information, a standardized visit to the building and a questionnaire. The available general information, i.e. drawings, addresses, dimensions, energy consumption etc., is collected from the owner or the manager of the building during the preparation of the visit. The visit itself is done in a systematic way assessing the building element by element using a template on a personal computer as support. During the visit also energy performance of the elements are evaluated and potential energy saving measures are noted. The indoor environment quality is evaluated on basis of questionnaires given to the residents prior to the visit. During the visit at least three flats are assessed which gives an opportunity to investigate indoor environmental problems further by interviewing the residents. Based on the findings and a comprehensive price database, the computer program gives reports on the current conditions, alternative scenarios regarding refurbishment, energy saving measures and costs for each scenario.