Case Study Question Bank Flashcards
What is the age and construction of the property?
1980’s construction, steel portal frame with metal roof sheets, dividing blockwork walls, brick façade, pad foundations with concrete floor slab, mezzanine and two floors of ancillary offices
What typical foundations would you find in a steel portal frame?
pad foundation with ground bearing concrete slab
Why did you pick a JCT Intermediate with Contractors Design Portion?
requirement for named sub-contractors for the PV installation, professional indemnity insurance and collateral warranties
What was the Contractors Design Portion?
split air source heating and cooling, PV installation, Lighting design, drainage
Why did you choose an Intermediate with Contractors Portion over a Minor works with CDP?
named sub-contractors and collateral warranties, PI insurance
You mention that you are principal designer; however, in the personal involvement you do not reference this. Why is that?
assisted the cost consultant and PD, insurance requirement and office practice that only Chartered Surveyors carry out the lead role of PD and cost consultant to sign off variations
Procurement Section- you mention focusing on the costs rather than time and quality- why is that? Was this your preference
cost and programme were key client objectives, given the intention for a tenant to take the space and fit-out, bespoke furniture or fittings were not deemed critical
Can you explain how you managed client expectations in terms of sustainability goals versus budget constraints?
formed part of the feasibility study for appraising EPC objectives
During your initial site visit, how did you assess the condition of the roof, and what tools or methods did you use to identify water ingress issues?
internal inspection, identified points of ingress around lap joints, causing internal lining to fail, roof was inspected further once scaffolding was installed.
What is the difference between named and nominated sub-contractor?
Nominated subcontractors are pre-selected by the client and then imposed on the contractor once in contract. Such arrangements are usually borne out of working together earlier in a projects development, such as the feasibility stage, where the specialist has provided input which has in turn allowed the client to drive their project forward to the build stage. The naming of subcontractors allows clients to influence the tender list but does not result in them taking on the liability of the subcontractor’s performance. In effect, the client lists a minimum of three subcontractors they have deemed as acceptable to carry out the works. In many cases, the client may already have a quotation agreed for the works with each subcontractor.
- Benefits of nominated includes, feasibility of specialist input, starting procurement of long lead items, design certainty, may create trust with sub-contractor if the client routinely uses them
- Cons – performance delays or insolvency, Contractor must agree as may be taking on the burden if the nominated sub-contractor becomes insolvent, less competition (client is at risk for non-performance and contractor can be issued an EoT)
- Named sub-contractor shows that the Client has a preferred option and influences the tender list, but does not bind the main contractor to using them (nominated sub-contractor clauses have been removed from JCT)
What specification was used for the roofing system?
proprietary specification (In general, proprietary specifications are descriptions of materials that either cite a specific brand name or are written so restrictively that only one vendor or manufacturer can supply the desired items).
What were the minimum roller shutter U-Values?
1.4 w/m2.k minimum is 4.5 w/m2.k
What was the existing fire protection of the steel frame?
existing vermiculite was retained in the office areas and any damaged areas were replaced with cement board and intumescent mastic. Main portal frame did not need fire protection as does not form a compartment floor.
What was the existing EPC rating of Thomas Road Industrial Estate
EPC D rating
How are EPCs calculated?
Standard Assessment Procedure, considers end users and models building materials against benchmarks to establish thermal performance. Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) methodology, which underpins the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The assessment is based on standardised assumptions for occupancy and behaviour. This enables a like-for-like comparison of dwelling performance. Related factors, such as fuel costs and emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), can be determined from the assessment.
What do you need to be qualified to assess EPCs?
carry out a course, can either be Domestic Energy Assessor, On-Construction Energy Assessor (newly build homes) and Non-Domestic Energy Assessor (only commercial)
What way does the property face?
South West
How did you appoint your EPC assessor?
Agreed scope of services, fee draw down, capacity, PI insurance, assumptions & exclusions, Terms & Conditions
What assessments did you undertake for the proposal of the PV panels
this was undertaken by the PV manufacturer prior to undertaking the works.
Sub contractor used solar edge designer which works out orientation, generation, shading (no shading here) etc, but no glare assessment on this one - a glint and glare study is only usually required if requested by the client if you are near an airport
Was planning permission required for the PV panel installs?
no, fell under permitted development order 2015 (Class J, Part 14, Schedule 2 of the GPDO)
What consent can you look to obtain for permitted development if unsure
Certificate of Lawfulness of Permitted Use or Development
What was the specification for the lighting?
CIBSE guide for lighting, 140 lumens per watt 100% light output ratio. Typically require 500 lux level for offices and 300 lux for offices
What qualifications did the PV installer have?
MCS self-certification scheme (The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is a mark of quality assurance in the renewable energy sector. It’s aimed at businesses that install small-scale renewable or low-carbon heat and power solutions, and it indicates that these businesses operate to high industry standards, as outlined by the MCS)
Who regulates GDPR in the UK?
ICO - Information Comissioners Office
