Case Study Questions

Question 1

The property was in a conservation area – what implications did this have?

Answer 1

As part of this project, we also planned to replace the existing shop front window. Therefore this element of the works would require planning approval. However, as the property is located within a conservation area, we were restricted on what materials we could use. the original proposal allowed for replacing the exiting timber frame, with a aluminum frame. However, this option was not favorable with the local planners, therefore the compromise was to replace the shop front frame with hardwood, but to include a double glazing unit to improve energy efficiency.

Question 2

What information did you supply to building control?

Answer 2

Plans and specification, which includes;
Details and spec of floor upgrades 
heating system design and spec
FA system upgrades
Information of the replacement shop front window. 
Partitions systems and Fire doors. 
Lighting/emergency lighting and ventilation. 
Information on M doc accessible w/c

Question 3

What negotiations were required with the planning officer? How did you carry these out?

Answer 3

Due to the limited timescale and a oversight by myself, the planning application was submitted to the local authority, with out obtaining per-planning advice on the best suitable option for the replacement shop front window. However, I did contract the planning department to find out what there thoughts were, and it was at this point that it was established that the original proposal would not be approved. Therefore, I planning to meet the Planners on site to discus the option available, and it was advised that the frame would need to be Timber, and I was able to negotiate that the glazing to be double glazed, as I was able to point out some of the surround shopfront windows had been replaced with a double glazing unit.

Question 4

The project was based in Wales. Were there any additional considerations to make when compared to it being based in England?

Answer 4

In Wales, Building Regulations that previously applied to England and Wales continue to apply, but from 01 January 2012, any revisions to the English regulations apply to England only. New regulations and guidance are the responsibility of the Welsh government (ref Welsh Government: Building Regulations). Approvals are granted by the local authorities.

Question 5

What do you understand by stakeholder management? Did you utilise any stakeholder management on your project?

Answer 5

There is no single answer or approach for Stakeholder Management, however below are a good recommendation;
Communication 
Consult early and often 
Remember they're only human 
Plan it
Relationship are key 
Simple, but not easy
Just part of managing risk
Compromise
Understand what success is
Take responsibility

Question 6

Why did you use JCT MW with Contractors design? What elements did the contractor design? Were there any warranties in place for these works?

Answer 6

We used JCT MW with CD as we required the contractors were required the design the replacement heating system, as per my clients requirements.

Question 7

How did you arrive at the figure of £600 LADs?

Answer 7

Professional/management fees
Loss of meeting room hire
General inconvenience for the client.

Question 8

You have said that you would require a contractor to open up the floor to allow to undertake the intrusive survey, what other methods are there?

Answer 8

I could have looked at using a borascope, however, i felt that in order to get a real feel of what is going on, opening up the floor voids would be the best option.

my opinion may have been different, if the floor was occupied at the time of inspection, as i would not want to course unnecessary disruption to the staff, however, as the floor was vacant, and we have approval from the LL, this was not a problem.

Question 9

At what point are alterations required to meet the guidance contained within approved document L2B.

Answer 9

Under Part L2B consequential improvement is required in buildings with a total useful floor area greater than 100m2, and greater that 25% of the total useful floor area of the existing building.

Replacement shop front window = 1.8 W/m2.K for the whole unit.

Rear roof = 0.18 (W/m2.K)

Floor = 0.25 (W/m2.K)

Question 10

How would the provisional sums in key issue 2 option 2 be expended? What would be the implication on programme?

Answer 10

The PC Sums were defined, therefore the contractor would have allowed for these works in his programme.

if they had been undefined PC Sums, then the contractor would have been allowed to claim for additional costs suffered and a extension of time.

Question 11

You have said you used a framework contractor. How is this process managed?

Answer 11

Sorry, this was a mistake, the contractors were not on a framework, but were selected from a pre approved list of contractor on my employers approved contractor list.

Question 12

How much additional time did you allow the contractor for the additional works? How was this figure arrived at?

Answer 12

we allowed 2 additional weeks, for the structural works. this was calculated from discussions with the structural engineer, the contractor and previous experience from other similar projects.

Question 13

What information is contained within a license to alter? Who agrees the license?

Answer 13

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Question 14

Did the removal of the asbestos roof require any party wall notices? Which one (s)?

Answer 14

Yes, was it bridge both my client property and the adjacency owner property.

Part structure notice was required.

Question 15

Was the removal of the asbestos roof notifiable? Why?

Answer 15

No, as this was identified as non notifiable works in the R&D survey and the HSE also have a useful guide on what is and what is-not notifiable.

Question 16

What knowledge from the contractor did you find beneficial?

Answer 16

Having the contractor on site to open up the floor, was useful as this allowed for a clear interpretation of what works would be required. also, the contractor was on site when the engineer was on site looking at suitable design solutions for the structural works. this allowed the contractor to have a very good understanding of what works would be involved, and a much quicker turn around in obtaining his undated costs. the contractor was also able to have a impute on the build-ability of the scheme, and also build a element of trust with the project team. .

Question 17

How did you note that valuations exceeded the works to date? How did you deal with this?

Answer 17

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Question 18

You replaced the front window with timber. Why did you choose this material? What other options were there?

Answer 18

As the property was in a conservation areas, we were allowed to replace the unit with a similar timber frames unit.

Question 19

Why isn’t the operative in your photograph wearing appropriate PPE??!

Answer 19

Good question, I asked the contractor to take progress photos when I was not on site. The site manager took this photo, and send it across to me. The first thing i did, was to cal the contractor, to ask why his site oprotive were not wearing the correct PPE, and required the all site staff were re-inducted to the site, and were notified of the correct PPE procedure.

Question 20

What was the timber treated with?

Answer 20

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Question 21

How did you decide how much insulation was required in the floor structure?

Answer 21

I completed a online calculation with kingspan to determine the correct level of floor insulation, and then check with the approved building inspector.

Question 22

How did you appoint the structural engineer on the project?

Answer 22

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Question 23

How did you know that you had sufficient ventilation?

Answer 23

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