what is in your structural inspection bag
 

what is in your structural inspection bag?
fairly new structural engineer here. i'm looking to fill a grab bag with all of the necessary tools needed for a structural inspection of an existing structure. currently my list is:
100 foot tape
25 foot tape
calipers
hammer & nails
string
4 foot level
hardhat
shovel
good flashlight
headlamp
protractor
clipboard
knife

camera, binoculars, crayons, eye protection, high visibility jacket
pocket card to measure crack widths, marble
spare batteries for digital camera & flashlight, extra writing utensil
in addition to the above items, i use a pocket microscope to view cracks and it measures in 0.1 mm. i also have zip lock bags, alcohol swabs, a compass (for north), scalpel blades, jewellers screwdrivers, tweezers, fluorescent tape, concrete temperature thermometer, notebook, gloves and a voice recorder.
this is supplemented by two temperature data loggers, an infrared temperature device, a hilti laser measuring device, a hilti laser level, an incremental borer, and a 5 second theodolite.
dik
make sure you have pencils to take notes - if your notepad gets wet in the rain then pens will often not work but pencils always do (this is particularly important in the uk.)
a compass is sometimes useful when you dont have existing drawings and you want to be able to refer to the north wall e.t.c.
but usually all i have are helmet boots, drawings tapemeasure and notepad this covers 90% of visits.
another marble, for when the first one gets away from you?
hg
icepick for probing old timber, respirator if you are crawling around in attics with pigeons.
steel tip boots with a one inch heel, masonry hammer, eye protection, old raingear, chain drag...
sforesman,
f250 to haul all this stuff in.
handheld ultrasonic range finder ($25+ us) or handheld laser range finder ($100+ us). very handy to get both horizontal and overhead approximate distance measurements by yourself.
ultrasonic type is ok for short distance measurements to large flat surfaces (walls, ceilings, etc.).
laser type is more versatile, accurate and better for longer distances (say 25+ ft)