Construction Technology and environmental services Flashcards
What are the RIBA Stages?
0 – Strategic definition 1 – preparation and brief 2 – Concept design 3 – developed design 4 – technical design 5 – construction 6 – handover 7 – in use
What happens at each RIBA Stage?
0 – Strategic definition – business case, core requirements, programme
1 – Preparation and brief – programme, budget, feasibility
2 – Concept design – test fit, prelim costs, finalise brief
3 – Developed design – costs, outline tech specs, design programme
4 – Technical design – architectural, structural, M&E, subcontractor design
5 – Construction
6 – Handover
7 – In use
Can you give an example of how elements of building work inter-relate?
- Types of partitioning/acoustics
- M&E services – types
- Location of drainage
- Natural lighting
- Substructure – All work below underside of screed or lowest floor finishes including the damp-proof membrane. Excavations and foundations. Function is to transfer the load of the building to the ground and isolate it horizontally to the ground. Foundations – shallow- strip, pad, raft, deep – Piles, mini piles, pile walls, diaphragm walls,
- Superstructure
Frame: (Steel, portal, concrete, timber) loadbearing framework; Main floor and roof beams; Ties and roof trusses of framed buildings; Casing to stanchions and beams for structural or protective purposes
Upper floors: Suspended floors, services floors
Roof, roof structure, roof coverings (Felt and batten, plain tiles, interlocking tiles, slates, flat roofs), roof drainage, rooflights, roof features (canopy, cold roof, flat roof, green roof, long span, pitched, shingle, warm roof).
Stairs and ramps
External walls (Rainscreen cladding, masonry, Curtain wall system, timber, metal profile, brick slips
Windows, doors)
Internal walls, partitions, balustrades, moveable room dividers,
Doors, hatches and other openings
What are the key considerations when reviewing the design of a space?
- Occupancy levels
- Natural light
- M&E services (where are they placed, individual controls)
- Access/ egress
- Building control compliance
- Cellular vs open plan
What are the water quality guidelines?
• BSRIA – (British Services Research Information Association)
What are the implications of water outside the guidelines?
- Build-up of pseudomonas in closed water system
- Occurs in stagnant or low flowing water
- Clogs the pipe and reduces efficiency
What is the rectification process for water outside the guidelines?
- Dosing the system will chemicals
- Flushing the system
- Testing for levels of pseudomonas
- Ongoing maintenance
What is high acoustic performance?
- 55- 60db rating – shouting not audible
- 45db – shouting audible but cannot be distinguished
- 40db – loud speech faintly audible
How are acoustics measured?
• Using a decibel meter
What advice do acoustic consultants provide?
- Review design/building
- Advise on acoustics
- Test post completion
How can acoustic performance be specified in the ER’s?
• In the performance specifications, the acoustic performance for rooms can be specified
What happens if the acoustics do not reach the specified performance? How do you check this?
Test post completion
What are the Building Regulations documents?
The Department for Communities and Local Government publishes guidance called ‘Approved Documents’ on ways to meet building regulations.
These contain:
- general guidance on the performance expected of materials and building work to comply with the building regulations
- practical examples and solutions on how to achieve compliance for some of the more common building situations
What enforces building regs?
- Construction Act 1984
What levels of approval are there?
- Outline – initial docs
- Full plans – review of site on completion
What happens if you do not comply with building regulations?
Failure to comply with the Building Regulations can result in a fine and/or an enforcement notice requiring rectification of the works.
What event has led to a review of the Building Regs?
• Grenfell Tower
What are the operation and maintenance post contract?
- On completion set of detailed O&M’s issued
* Includes details of products used, drawings and specs, guarantees and warranties, cleaning instructions
What are the impacts of different design solutions and construction processes on cost and programme?
Examples may include: • Acoustics – slab to slab, double glazed, cross talk • Control of M&E – location of services, • Ceiling types (solid/non) • Flooring • Location of kitchens/wet services • Joinery • Cellular offices vs open plan
What types of ventilation are there?
- Natural
* Mechanical
What types of Air con systems are there?
- VRF/VRV – Variable refrigerant flow (water/refrigerant) has highest level of control
- VAV – Variable air flow – air (no water) - AHU
What are building regulations?
A minimum standard for design, construction and alterations to virtually every building. The regulations are developed by the UK government and approved by Parliament.
Can you name some of the approved documents?
Approved documents provide guidance for how each ‘part’ of the building regulations can be complied with when undertaking building work.
Part A – Structure Part B – Fire Safety Part F – Ventilation Part K – Protection from falling, collision and impact Part L - Conservation of fuel and power Part M – Access to and use of building
Can you describe different types of foundations that you are aware of from your projects?
soil. Generally used on most stable subsoil types that are able to distribute loads for small dwelling or light commercial buildings. Formed of mass concreted.
Deep strip foundation – also known as trench fill. Used to reduce labour costs and reduce the risk of damage on heavy clay soils. The trench width usually matches a standard bucket width for the excavator.
Raft foundations – Usually for light structures on subsoils with poor bearing capacity. May need structural steel reinforcement.
Pile foundation – used on weak soils. Only suitable for subsoils that have no large stones and in which the hole does not collapse during excavation.
What are HVAC systems?
Heating, ventilation and air conditions systems. A system that does any one of those tasks is a HVAC system. The objective of the system is to ensure that an indoor environment is both safe and comfortable for humans. Safety concerns IAQ which should have enough oxygen and be free of noxious gases. Comfort is based on human perception.
Most common AC system has 3 components, a central plan, a distribution system and a rejection unit.
What are LTHW and CHW systems?
Closed water heating and cooling systems – not domestic systems.
Heating systems to provide ideal thermal comfort conditions under which the occupants can live and work, ensure that the products being used, store or manufactured I the space are protected from the cold, to protect the building fabric from the effects of cold weather.
Closed water systems are carefully designed to create precise and adaptable environmental conditions within buildings or process plant. The design necessitates the use of small bore control and regulating valves. If corrosion debris, installation debris or sludge are present these small orifices may become blocked and the system will not operate to design parameters. The presence of debris will make microbiology control more difficult. Ultimately if systems are not cared for the pipework and fittings may fail prematurely due to corrosion and other contributory factors. Water quality and treatment are therefore very important.
Heating and cooling systems for comfort.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a steel frame?
Advantages:
- Strength - higher strength density than timber and concrete therefore heavier. Less steel is necessary to provide the same amount of support as C&T. Knock on advatnages - reduced material shipping costs, reduced labour, simplified design of foundations.
- Longevity - lasts longer than steel and concrete.
- Versatility - can be fabricated into different shapes but maintaining its strength.
- non-combustible so it is not a fire risk.
- Fast build times
- Can be fabricated off-site
Disadvantages
- susceptible to corrosion .
- high maintenance costs.
- extensive fireproofing costs.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a concrete frame?
Advantages:
- costs less than steel
- Fire protection as part of the structure.
- maintenance is low.
- Cladding can be fixed t it and replaced easily.
- Good sound and heat insulation.
Disadvantages:
- More time consuming.
- Edges may not be as square and surfaces not as flat as steel.
- Possible need for steel reinforcement.
- Heavier so requires larger foundations.
What do you know about Part M of the building regulations/
Access to and use of buildings. It requires every building to have provision of easy access to all parts within the building . This also includes facilities of circulation for those who are disabled.
Everybody, including disabled, should be able to access all parts of the building.
Sanitary conveniences should be made available for all.
If there is seating arrangement available in the building for large audiences, there should be reasonable provision made for the seating of disabled people.
Looks at access into the building, around the building.
Stairs, entrances, reception desks.
What is a coffered structure?
A series of sunken panels in the shape of a square, rectangle or octagon in a ceiling, soffit or vault.
What is thermal mass?
Describes the ability of a material to absorb, store and release heat energy.
What is night time purging?
It can be necessary to provide cooling to building during warm weather, sometimes referred to as comfort cooling. Thermal mass can be used to help cool buildings. night time purging used the thermal mass of a building to absorb heat gains during the day and then cools the mass at night using external air and discharging accumulated heat to the outside so the temperature of the thermal mass is lowered ready for the next day.
the construction of the building needs significant thermal mass. maybe exposed concrete floor slabs or in RCPath’s case, exposes concrete structure.
What are the outputs for stage 2?
Architectural concept cost plan project strategies outline specs project brief agreed programme planning advice via pre-app planning application
What are the alternatives to the RIBA Plan?
I am aware of the APM plan for project management, and learnt about this during the time that I was study for my APMP but I haven’t used it in my experience. concept, definition, development/delivery, closure.
