Construction Technology Flashcards
What does the RIBA stand for?
The Royal Institute of British Architects
What are the RIBA stages?
- Strategic definition
- preparation & Brief
- Concept design
- Spatial design
- Technical design
- Construction
- Handover
- In use
What is the difference between the strategic definition and the brief?
Strategic definition is a statement of need.
Brief is the progression of the needs and compilation of objectives, KPIs and a document that can be used to appoint members of the team going forward.
How do you as PM ensure the deign is coordinated?
Ensure regular workshops are being undertaken and sure the correct design team are appointed and in good time. Such as acoustics, specialist lighting and IT/AV to ensure these specialist items are considered.
‘Different design solutions interact’ what do you mean by this?
This is in terms of how systems must be considered as a whole rather than individually and how they must be closely coordinated.
What is a traditional form of construction?
The term ‘traditional’ is often used to describe the types of linear construction, where each individual step is not only constructed entirely (or largely) on site, but also needs to be completed before the project can move on to the next phase.
What is a modern method of construction?
Modern methods of construction is a process which focuses on off-site construction techniques, such as mass production and factory assembly, as alternatives to traditional building.
The process has been described as a way to produce more, better quality homes in less time.
What is a prefabricated pod? And when would these be typically used.
They are an example of modular design often for bathrooms or items with high repetition. They are constructed entirely off site and transported and installed at the final stage.
What are the benefits if modern methods of construction?
Time, less waste due to precision engineering in factories, less costly due to refined processes.
Drawbacks, less bespoke options, high level of transportation to site.
Are O&Ms a requirement at PC?
O&Ms are a requirements of PC. These will be ideally issued at PC but often stipulated to be issued in an agreed time frame following the issue of the final certificate.
What do you include in O&Ms?
- Details of the project and type of construction.
- As built drawings in DWG and PDF
- MEP drawings
- Asset register
- Operation and maintenance manuals
- Manufacturers instructions
- Copies of guarentees or warranties
- Fire, gas and electrical certificates
Who collates the O&Ms?
The contractor
L2 - Walton on Thames. How tall was the building?
Higher than 18m as confirmed within the existing building O&Ms and my client was the developer of the original build.
What is the Hackett Report?
Following Grenfell Dame Judith Hackett undertook an independent review of the Building Regulations and in particular their impact on fire safety. The key findings included:
- the roles and responsibilities of those procuring, designing, constructing and maintaining buildings are unclear.
- the processes that drive compliance with building safety requirements are weak and complex with poor record keeping and change control in too many cases;
- the product testing, labelling and marketing regime is opaque and insufficient
- the voices of residents often goes unheard, even when safety issues are identified
Recommendations (fire safety act 2021:
- a set of rigorous and demanding roles and responsibilities for “duty holders” (i.e. building owners) to ensure a stronger focus on building safety;
- a series of robust gateway points that will require duty holders to show that their plans are detailed and robust;
- clearer rights and obligations for residents to maintain the fire safety, working in partnership with the duty holder
- a package of regulations that is simpler to navigate but genuinely reflects the level of complexity of building work
What legislation did you consider when undertaking this instruction?
- Fire Safety Act 2021
- Building Safety Act 2022
What are the key features of the Building Safety Act?
The legislation is intended to enhance regulations for building safety and ensure residents have a stronger voice in ensuring safety in buildings.
- Accountability for the duties of those responsible
- Resident ability to contribute to maintain safety
- Enforcement to deter non compliance
- A national framework for the suitability of materials
- removal of combustible cladding to buildings over 18ms
- Three gateways to ensure compliance at planning, pre-construction and pre occupation
What is an ACM panel?
Aluminium composite material. A sandwich cladding material with a polyethylene core.
What survey was undertaken which exposed the lack of fire breaks in the building? What stage of the project was this?
An investigation was instructed by my client to make the most of having the scaffolding being in place around the building. This was following the advise of Building Control who advised similar buildings in the area had been found at fault.
The project had commenced on site and therefore these works were instructed under the D&B contract.
What is a fire break?
A physical barrier inserted to a wall to prevent the spread of fire. Typically rockwool insultation product or concrete.
Who discovered that the fire breaks had not been installed?
The main contractor
What is the role of building control?
Building Control is primarily about ensuring building work complies with minimum standards for Health and Safety of persons in and around buildings, conservation of fuel and power, and accessibility.
What is an approved inspector?
An approved inspector is a company that provides an alternative route to local authorities to review work completed to ensure alignment to the Building Control standards. They are normally quicker in response to local authorities.
What is the golden thread?
The information that allows you to understand a building and the steps needed to keep both the building and people safe, now and in the future.
Please explain the process undertaken for the cladding replacement
The cladding was removed in a methodical manor around the building via scaffolding. A hoist was installed to allow materials to be swiftly lifted to the correct level
