24 - Hot Topics

Question 1

982 - What does BIM stand for?

Answer 1

Building information modelling

Question 2

983 - What is BIM information used for? (3)

Answer 2

1) Used to design, manage and construct projects.
2) The BIM model can help construction clients and project stakeholders to make the right decisions at the right time.
3) Create the basis of an asset database / register to support maintenance and operation for the end user.

Question 3

984 - What are the benefits of BIM? (5)

Answer 3

1) Helps identify design clashes.
2) Can reduce cost with more efficient design.
3) The model can be used to calculate material quantities (assist in the cost planning process).
4) Assists FM teams in maintaining the building post completion.
5) Assists the team (including the employer) understand the design prior to construction.

Question 4

985 - What is the BEP and how does it relate to your EIR? (2)

Answer 4

1) The EIR (Employers Information Requirements) is a document prepared by the employer, which sets out the information to be delivered and the standards or processes to be adopted by the supplier as part of the project delivery process.
2) The BEP (BIM Execution Plan) is produced by the supply chain as a response to the EIR, detailing how its requirements will be met.

Question 5

986 - What is clash detection? (2)

Answer 5

1) It is important to know if there are any clashes in the design, for example, parts of the structure clash with M&E equipment.
2) Individual models are created by each design discipline (M&E, architectural, structural etc.), these models are then combined into a federated model using software. This software carries out clash detection to highlight potential issues.

Question 6

987 - Why might a building be listed? (4)

Answer 6

Buildings may be listed for several reasons;

1) Architectural interest (such as design, decoration or craftsmanship).
2) Historic interest.
3) Historic association (association with nationally important people or events).
4) Group value (part of a larger ensemble).

Question 7

988 - What are the three categories of listing in England and Wales? (3)

Answer 7

1) Grade I - Buildings of exceptional importance.
2) Grade II - Buildings of more than special interest.
3) Grade III - Buildings of special interest.

Question 8

989 - What are the three categories of listing in Scotland and Northern Ireland? (2)

Answer 8

1) SCOTLAND - Grade A, Grade B and Grade C(s).
2) NORTHERN IRELAND - Grade A, Grade B+ and Grade B.

Question 9

990 - What is curtilage? (2)

Answer 9

1) An area of land around a listing building within which other buildings predating July 1948 may potentially be considered listed.
2) The word ‘curtilage’ is generally used to refer to a parcel of land attached to a building and forming one enclosure with it, where their relationship is such that they constitute an integral whole.

Question 10

991 - What works can be undertaken on listed buildings?

Answer 10

It is a criminal offence to alter listed buildings without listed buildings consent and the local planning authority can have works reversed if they do not have consent. Historic England is the body who will make a decision on what can and cannot be undertaken on a listed building.

Question 11

992 - What is a conservation area? (2)

Answer 11

1) Conservation areas are areas that have been designated as being of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.
2) It is a criminal offence to undertake work in a conservation area without consent and the local planning authority can insist that the work is reversed.

Question 12

993 - What are planning conditions? (3)

Answer 12

1) A condition imposed on a grant of planning permission (in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990).
2) Usually, these conditions should be discharged prior to starting work; or, prior to the development becoming operational (in use).
3) Conditions include time limits on development, undertakings regarding environmental issues and the external appearance of the development.

Question 13

994 - What are reserved matters on a planning permission?

Answer 13

Reserved matters are those aspects of a proposed development which an applicant can choose not to submit details of with an outline planning application (they can be ‘reserved’ for later determination).

Question 14

995 - What are Section 278 agreements?

Answer 14

A Section 278 agreement (or S278) is a section of the Highways Act 1980 that allows developers to enter into a legal agreement with the council to make alterations or improvements to a public highway, as part of a planning application.

Question 15

996 - What are Section 106 agreements?

Answer 15

A Section 106 agreement (or S106) is an agreement between a developer and a local planning authority about measures that the developer must take to reduce their impact on the community. A Section 106 agreement is designed to make a development possible that would otherwise no be possible, by obtaining concessions and contributions from the developer.

Question 16

997 - What might a Section 106 Agreement cover? (4)

Answer 16

The most common contributions / agreements include;
1) Public open space.
2) Affordable housing and education.
3) Highways.
4) Town centre improvements.

Question 17

998 - What is the Latham Report? (2)

Answer 17

1) The Latham Report, titled ‘Constructing the Team’, was an influential report written by Sir Michael Latham, published in July 1994. Latham was commissioned by the United Kingdom government and industry organisations to review procurement and contractual arrangements in the UK construction industry, aiming to tackle controversial issues facing the industry during a period of lapse in growth.
2) Latham identified industry inefficiencies, condemning existing industry practices as ‘adversarial’, ‘ineffective’, ‘fragmented’, ‘incapable of delivering for its clients’ and ‘lacking respect for its employees’.

Question 18

999 - What are Latham’s recommendations? (8)

Answer 18

1) Proposed that the client should be at the core of the construction process and that the industry should move away from its adversarial structure, adopting a more integrated approach with greater partnering and teamwork.
2) As the largest single procurer of construction, the government should commit itself to becoming a best practice client.
3) The New Engineering Contract (NEC) should be adopted.
4) Partnering should be used to encourage the establishment of long-term contracting arrangements.
5) There should be greater standardisation and better integration of contract documents.
6) There should be compulsory latent defects insurance.
7) There should be publication of several codes of practice and guidance documents to clarify, coordinate and standardise practices across the industry.
8) Take steps to avoid conflict, speedy dispute resolution and adjudication.

Question 19

1000 - What is CSR?

Answer 19

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to the belief that companies should have a positive impact on the community and wider society rather than simply generating profit.

Question 20

1001 - How can construction companies incorporate CSR into usual business activity? (5)

Answer 20

1) Supporting education programmes and apprenticeships.
2) Supporting local community groups.
3) Good design and construction of community spaces, such as lighting, cycle paths, landscape etc.
4) Flexible working for employees.
5) Work-from-home plans, gym memberships, subsidised public transport and other employee benefits.