Building Audits and Reports

Comprehensive Building Analysis

Capital budget planning starts with compiling a complete inventory of the deficiencies on a site and a building audit is a vehicle that provides the property manager with this data. The result of this audit is used to develop a long term maintenance program and to determine capital expenditure for the site. Accent Building Sciences provides the property manager with a simplified building survey and a five year breakdown of all maintenance activities and associated costs required to implement a comprehensive maintenance program. The basic principles can be applied to any scale operation from a single structure to a project consisting of multiple buildings.

There are four steps to performing a building audit.

Step 1 - Determining the scope of the audit

The audit is a method of collecting information on the current condition of a property and is used to guide the planning for regular maintenance and capital projects. The property administrator and the audit team work together to determine the scope of the audit.

Step 2 - Data Collection

Data collection consists of compiling physical information on the site and reviewing existing as-built drawings along with available historical data (maintenance history). This information is recorded on a spreadsheet that forms an integral part of the final report and Accent's customized database.

Step 3 - Data evaluation and analysis

In the final step, the inspection forms are collected, verified for completion, and a building evaluation summary is completed. A full description of the condition of the building components, along with digital photographs are presented for each project. The individual spreadsheet is presented in this format:

Primary Systems

• Foundations
• Exterior Walls
• Windows
• Roofing

Secondary Systems

• Partitions and Doors
• Walls and Finishes
• Floorings
• Ceilings

Service Systems

• Mechanical
• Plumbing
• Electrical
• Lighting
• Other Mechanical Plants and Refrigeration Systems

Life Safety Standards

• Fire Alarm System and Safety Lighting
• Fire Safety Plan
• Security

Site work

• Perimeter Hard Surfaces
• Lighting
• Signage
• Fence Enclosures

Barrier Free Standards

• Entry, Egress and Interior circulation
• Washroom Facilities / Fountains
• Ramps / handrails

Environmental and Energy Management Assessment

Each building component is discussed and maintenance and capital items that require urgent action are highlighted.

Step 4 - Reporting to Property Manager

Draft reports are submitted to the property administrator for review. Accent Building Sciences Inc. developed its own innovative programs to compile all findings in a database where inquiry may be made by building component (roofing, balconies, etc.), year or address. This was created as a tool for asset management and capital planning and allows building specialists / controllers to continually identify and prioritize their capital projects for the next 10 to 20 years.

Click here to contact our building consultants for more information
or call our office at (416) 298-8448.