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Examines the problem of dry rot appearing during a refurbishment contract. Discusses investigation techniques for dry rot, and the role and management of specialist treatment firms. Concludes that professional surveyors are potentially at risk from negligence suits if their advice does not set out a clear picture of risks faced by their clients, stating that the acceptance of a risk “on behalf of” a client, without seeking their opinion, is inappropriate.

Points to the decline of “craftsmanship” as a factor leading to the demise of the ability to control timber decay in an environmentally‐friendly fashion. Considers pesticides and other chemical‐based treatments as a lower‐cost, relatively recent, but often unsuccessful remedy to timber decay. Outlines major timber‐decay problems: dry rot, wet rot and woodboring insects, and their detection techniques. Includes diagrams and detailed discussion on remedial treatments. Concludes that timber decay cannot be effectively treated without an understanding of the interaction of the external environment, building materials, design and content, and the activities within and occupants of a building, and that manipulation of a single variable (timber decay organisms) is bound to be unsuccessful without such understanding.

Discusses aspects of the decay of buildings due to neglect through the restraints of financial stringencies. Examines factors in the spiral of decay and neglect, including problems caused by maintenance, occupancy, malicious damage, roof drainage, pigeons and plants, plumbing, moisture reservoirs and poor ventilation. Outlines processes of timber preservation, highlighting attention to moisture sources and ventilation, and discusses management techniques in maintenance projects. Concludes that the existing stock of buildings in the UK should be conserved not for cultural or historic reasons, but because they represent a major national asset.

Provides a glossary of some (around 150) English‐French and French‐English building and surveying terms. References the Technical help to Exporters service, and three specialist dictionaries dealing with architectural, real estate and building terms. Illustrates possible pitfalls of poor translation – ′hydraulic rams′ being translated in one firm′s technical literature as ′watery sheep.′

This paper sets out to analyse and interpret factors which bear upon building components and to explore underlying relationships among the number of building components forming a construction entity. The research hypothesis was set as follows: building surveyors do not agree in assessing the strength of each of design, construction, age, changing standards and vandalism as a causative factor for defects on building components. Previous studies have established the factors pertaining to defects in the building structure. What is in dispute is the extent to which these factors are important in causing defects. The objective of the study presented in this paper is therefore to assess the impact of each of five key factors ‐ design, construction, standards, vandalism and age ‐ on 28 selected building components with the aid of questionnaire information provided by 45 local authority building surveyors involved in the day‐to‐day diagnosis of defects in public housing stock. In so doing, the tangible influence of the factors in terms of how they affect defect causation in building components for the sample is established.

Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management Volumes 8‐17; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐17.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management Volumes 8‐17; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐17.

Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.