Construction tech Flashcards
Esmond Road Feasibility
What were the alternatives you considered?
Due to the size of the plot available and the requirements of the nationally described space standards for new dwellings, which required 79m2 for a new dwelling, the only viable method for introdcing a new dwelling was to use a basement excavation. The unit was self contained and included a light well.
Esmond Road Feasibility
What were the national space standards you described?
The national space standards set minimum gross internal areas for new dwellings. Due to the size and layout of the site, I knew any orientation of the two bedroom dwelling would be over two storeys. Abiding by the national space standards meant the dwelling needed to have a gross internal area of 79m2.
Warley Hill, office refurb
Before reocmmending cavity wall insualation what British Standard did you consult?
I refered to PAS 2035, which is the publically availbel specification for retrofit of UK buildings. I consulted with a PAS 2035 retrofit assessor to determinet the most suitable method for improving the thermal perofrmance of the property.
Warley Hill, office refurb
What inspection did you recommend before cavity wall insulation was adopted as the design solution?
I recommended that we complete an inspeciton of the cavity to understand the existing levels of insulaiton within the cavity and also to determine the cavity width. This would also allow for us to determine the peformance requirment of the newly installed caivty wall insulation.
Warley Hill, office refurb
What were the grants and under what scheme?
The scheme was Eco3, which is a government scheme for energy suppliers to fund the installatino of energy improvement measures to households. The grant that was available was for the payment of cavity wall insulation to dwellings that had an energy performance E or lower.
Warley Hill, office refurb
How were the grants applied for?
During the project I applied for the grant through EDF. This involved meeting a surveyor on site, they completed a survey of all of the dwellings at the property and requested EPC surveys. Once the energy perofrmance of the dwellings had been confirmed, polysterene insulation was installed and for the dwellings that met requirements the cost was removed.
What are the characteristics of JCT MTC?
Used for regular programme of works with single contractor
Generally used for maintenace or minor works
Defined timer period and buildings
Agreed schedule of rates
Client issue orders for works to be done
What are the functions of trickle vents?
Allows fresh air to brought in property
Takes polluted air out
Without loosing excessive heat
SBHG
How did you complete snagging inspections to ensure the quality of works to the windows?
I used a 6 point checking system to check for:
1- Frame damage, 2- Function of windows
3 - Prescense of trickle vents 4- Damage of panes
5- Locks and keys 6 - Seals and junctions
Do you know of any BRE guidance on repairs?
The BRE good reapir guide provides infromation on good building works and apprpriate repairs for different elemetns undergoing different damage.
SBHG
How did you advise that the windows not having trickle vents meant they would not meet building regulations?
Building regulation part F gives minimum ventilation
3 bedroom flat of the size required 50000m2
Background ventilation
Only one window to the rear had trickle vents
Inadequate ventilation
SBHG
How did you overcome the issue of windows not having trickle vents?
Asked the contractor to provide a detail for bottom rail trickle vents
Reviewed detail and presented to planners
Once approved instructed contractor to fit retrposectively
Emma House
How did you determine the constrction?
Requested as built drawings from the client
Intrusive inspections have been complted by FFT
Completed a site inspection of balconies and penthouse
Emma House
What was the wall construction
Cavity masonry substrate
Timber battens and cladding on top
What is Euroclass?
Euroclass is a classification system that groups materials based on how much it contributes to the development of a fire in its early stages.
What does Euroclass A2 mean?
Non-combustible material and no noticeable contribution to fire.
On Emma House, why did you use A2 materials?
ntrusive investigations were carried out to the property prior to my involvement to allow a fire engineer to complete the EWS form. He concluded that in order for the property to be classified as option A Euroclass A2 materials were requried.
What is an external wall system?
External/Outside wall of a residential building inc:
Cladding
Insulation
Fire break systems
What is an EWS1 process and form?
Process and resulting form to confirm status of EWS
Assessed by a suitable expert
Confirmed as safe or unsafe
In line with government guidance
Provides assurance to lenders/insurers/buyers
On Emma House, how did you ensure your proposed materials could be used with the existing substrate?
I contacted all of the manufacturers for the replacement cladding materials to understand the fixing systems and whether they could be used in conjunction with blockwork. For the timber strips, I attended site, took measurements and created detail drawings that I could send to manufacturers to ensure they would fit the existing steel frame.
On Emma Hosue, you mentioned you tried to reduce costs for the project by using existin substrate, how else did you try to value engineer the project?
Contacted a range of manufacturers
Requested costs for each of the materials
Presented the costs for each of the materials to the client
Emma House
How did choosing a materials that resembled the existing cladding maximise the chances of planning being accepted?
By choosing materials that resembled the existing cladding timber strips it would minimise the impact of the works and increase chances of approval.
What were the materials that you chose for Emma House?
I chose a cement fibre board product for the cladding from Rockpanel woods. This presented a Eurolcass A2 material that would resemble existing, and also had a propreitary fixing system that could be used in line with the substrate of the building.
For the balcony shading, I contacted various solar shading manufacturers for product that could be fixed to the existing steel frame. The product i chose was an aluminium box section as it had the correct classification and any RAL colour could be applied.
What should be included in a feasibility study?
Determine whether project is viable
Identify numerous feasible options
Identify any potential barriers and legislation to the project
What are the nationally described space standards?
Standard that deals with internal space of new dwellings
Defined at level of occupancy
Floor areas of key parts of rooms i.e. bedoroom and storage
How did you use the nationally described space standards at Esmond Road?
The report required the reconfiguration of the property to include a new 2 bedroom apartments.
2 bedroom apartments a minimum of 79m2 gross internal floor areas including storage.
In order to meet these regulations a basement excavation was required.
How did you advise the client on the potential budget costings of the feasibility options you provided?
Budget costings were developed through records of other simiar projects and the use of BCIS.
On Warley Hill what was the polypearl cavity insulation product used?
Insulation bead that is filled into the cavity
Beads are uniform in size and coated with glue to prevent settlement
Forms a matrix to allow for any penetrating water to drain down in the cavity as intended.
What was the benefit of using the Polypearl system as opposed to dry lining each flat?
Allowed for a government grant to supplement cost
Works would not be required in every flat
Removed the requirement for additional internal insualtion
Were there any negatives with the use of the polypearl cavity wall insulation?
In order for the government grant to be given each flat required an up to date EPC and for a survey to be completed for energy efficiency. This did present a risk of the project running past the completion date.
What was the relevant building regulation and how was it applied to the specfication and instruction of the polypearl product?
The relevant building regulation is Part L. It required the improvement in thermal performance of the existing elements to have an improved U-value of 0.55 W/m2.k. The polypearl system improved the U value to 0.23.
What was the government grant applied for int his project?
The Energy Company Obligation Scheme
ECO
Eliglble properties to save enery through subsidised Improvements.
What was the process of acquiring the grant?
Make contact with EON
Put in contact with relevant third party installer
EPC’s were required to all dwellings within the flat
Installation was completed
Flats with poor enough energy performance were removed from cost
Tell me about the impact of different design solutions and construction processes on cost and programme.
Typically more comprehensive and complicated method of construct may cause for increases in cost, for example the repair of timber window rather than its replacement. However, where a client finds value in a project should be determined, as a good quick fix may be of value to a client who is intending to address a more comprehensive repair in the near future.
Tell me about your advice on the selection and application of particular processes within your area of experience.
I have recently advised a client on the specification of fire door repair and replacement programme. I completed an inspection with prospective contractors to get an understanding on repairs to be specified. I advised the client that if they wanted to have better cost certaintity they should complete a survey sepeartely before tendering, which could delay the process, or they could procure the survey within the spec and use a shcedule of rates afteward
