Construction Technology and Environmental Services

Question 1

St Cecilia’s - What qualifications are required to replace the boiler.

Answer 1

Engineer should be gas safe and the requirements of approved document J - covers hearths, flues, air supplies etc. Boiler will be efficient. All new and modified wet system to have TRV fitted to every radiator except for the one where the room has a programmable thermostat. Notify the local authority and issue compliance cert.

Question 2

Evelyn - Why was a specialist sub-contractor required for the hygienic wall boarding?

Answer 2

The product was subject to a supply and fit by the supplier to ensure quality control - Saniclad.

Question 3

Evelyn - Were there any specific challenges or considerations you had to address in implementing Option 2?

Answer 3

Installation as per the manufactures instructions.
How it met the vinyl flooring.
Check if the base walls were suitable.
Fire ratings.

Question 4

Evelyn - How was the wall board fixed?

Answer 4

Fixed directly to the painted brick walls with adhesive.

Question 5

Evelyn - What was the wall boarding made of?

Answer 5

PVCu / 2.5mm.

Question 6

Evelyn - Why was Option 1 more cost effective?

Answer 6

Material cost, but could be an argument for increased labour cost.

Question 7

St Cecilia’s - Why was it necessary to commission the services of an asbestos consultant?

Answer 7

To comply with CAR2012 and the duty to manage asbestos.

Question 8

St Cecilia’s - Why was the asbestos identified as high risk?

Answer 8

ACM classed as sprayed coating.

Question 9

St Cecilia’s - What implications did this have for the project?

Answer 9

Greater degree of health and safety required. Asbestos consultant used to drill holes for pipework hangers.

Question 10

St Cecilia’s - Why did both options require the involvement of a licensed contractor?

Answer 10

High risk ACM, to comply with the requirements of CAR2012 & HSE.

Question 11

St Cecilia’s - What Is the difference between licensed and non-licensed?

Answer 11

The risk and the type of ACM.

Question 12

St Cecilia’s - Were there any specific regulatory or safety considerations?

Answer 12

CAR2012, Gas Safe, Building Regulations AD J and Certification.

Question 13

St Cecilia’s - How did your recommendations align with the overall goals and priorities of the project?

Answer 13

Due to existing services and disruption a managed approach was favoured. This reduced the programme and down time of the boiler for hot water and heating.

Question 14

15 Magdala - What was the maximum U-Value needed?

Answer 14

AD L Section 4 - 0.15 W/m2K

Question 15

15 Magdala - How did you check you complied with the maximum value?

Answer 15

u-value calculator and building control application.

Question 16

15 Magdala - Did you carry out a condensation risk analysis?

Answer 16

Marley Roof complied with - BS 5250 examines the causes and effects of surface and interstitial condensation as well as other sources of moisture in buildings and how to manage risk through design, construction and operation. Cross ventilation to be provided by a
proprietary eaves ventilation strip
equivalent to a 25mm continuous
gap at eaves level with insect grill
and 50mm air gap between felt and
insulation. A continuous 5mm wide opening or the equivalent area is required to the length of the ridge.

Question 17

15 Magdala - 270mm sounds very thick. Why?

Answer 17

As per requirements of AD L - Section 4 - 0.15 W/m2k 100mm Rockwool between ceiling joists and 170mm over.

Question 18

15 Magdala - How did you Insulate the existing roof?

Answer 18

Full roof replacement, no existing roof.

Question 19

Canning Street - Why couldn’t you obtain listed building consent for the flue?

Answer 19

Pre-planning advice stipulated flue was prohibited.

Question 20

Canning Street - Why did you opt for an electrical heating system instead of alternative solutions?

Answer 20

Gas wasn’t suitable due to flue constraints. Oil boiler wasn’t an option.

Question 21

Canning Street - How did achieving an EPC rating of D instead of E benefit the parties?

Answer 21

More energy efficient property for the incoming tenant and the landlord could legally let the property.

Question 22

What is a u-value?

Answer 22

U-value is a measure of the rate of thermal transmittance through a structure or material, which shows how good a thermal insulator or conductor that material is.

U-values are measured in W/m2K and when it comes to insulation, low U-values indicate solutions which offer excellent thermal performance capable of reducing heat loss, improving energy efficiency and promoting indoor comfort.

• U-value is a measure of how much heat is lost through a given thickness of a particular material – the lower the value the better.

** W/m2K - watts per metre squared per degree kelvin (the kelvin is a unit of temperature).

Question 23

What is the RIBA plan of work?

Answer 23

The RIBA Plan of Work organises the process of briefing, designing, constructing and operating building projects into eight stages and explains the stage outcomes, core tasks and information exchanges required at each stage.

Question 24

Explain a timber frame construction?

Answer 24

The use of timber framing in new build construction is becoming increasingly popular for sustainability reasons. This can be either using large section columns and beams or panelised construction.

It offers a light weight rapid construction solution requiring less foundation strength than with traditional brick and block construction, although cladding is normally provided with an external brick leaf.
These units are prefabricated off-site ensuring consistently high quality production as opposed to on-site formation with the associated risks; eg; Health and safety, weather; unsupervised workmanship; etc.

Question 25

Explain metal frame construction?

Answer 25

Steel – Steel frames are prefabricated off site as per precast concrete.

Question 26

What are British standards?

Answer 26

BSI defines a standard as ‘something that is generally accepted’. British Standard (BS) publications are technical specifications or practices that can be used as guidance for the production of a product, carrying out a process or providing a service.

Question 27

What is PAS?

Answer 27

Publicly available specifications (PAS) are fast-track standards, specifications, codes of practice or guidelines developed by sponsoring organisations, under the guidance of BSI, to meet an immediate market need. Within 2 years, they are reviewed to assess whether they should be revised, withdrawn, or whether they should become formal British Standards or international standards. See Publicly available specifications for more information.

Question 28

What is ISO?

Answer 28

ISO’s (International Standard Organisation) are international standards intended to be used throughout the world. EN-ISO’s are intended to be used throughout the European Union. BS-EN-ISO’s are published as Britain adopts EN-ISO’s.