Construction Technology NK

Question 1

Build up of construction details

Question 2

What is Shell and Core vs CAT A VS CAT B fit Out

Answer 2

Shell and Core works will generally comprise the structure, cladding, base plant, completed common areas and external works. It will include fitted-out main reception, lobbies, staircases, toilets, lift shafts, basements, loading bays, car parking, and so on.

Category A (Cat A) generally describes the level of fit out that the tenant’s own space is completed to by the developer. There is no standard definition, but a category A fit out may include: RAF/ suspended ceiling/ M&E services etc.

Category B (Cat B) completes the fit out of the internal space to the tenant’s requirements. This may include: Final finishes/ ICT equipment/ furniture

Question 3

What roof was your next store extension

Answer 3

Gable Roof

Question 4

What was the build up to the wall on next store extension?

Question 5

What was the build up to the wall to the roof on next store extension?

Answer 5

New Profiled Metal Roof to Extension
-Steel profiled sheet roof decking with single layer waterproof membrane
insulation
vapour control layer
PPC Metal Fascia’s
Fall restraint system
Gutters
Downpipes

Question 6

How did you work out labour cost for the secure wall?

Question 7

What were the cost on the two different options of McLeay wall?

Question 8

What is service penetrations

Answer 8

An opening in a building’s floor or wall where pipes, cables, ducts, or other building services pass through.

Service penetrations require fire-stopping to maintain a building’s fire resistance and prevent the spread of smoke and fire.

Question 9

Talk me through what you did on BT Secure

Question 10

What is Lath and Plaster

Answer 10

a traditional building technique for finishing interior walls and ceilings.

Narrow strips of wood, called laths, are nailed horizontally across wall studs or ceiling joists.
Plaster is then applied to the laths.

Question 11

What did you advise on Argyll?

Answer 11

F&B
Labour intensive
3 coats of paint
consistent finish will be challenging due to uneven surfaces
Surface is lath and plaster in a historic building
cannot be patch repaired
Future maintenance would be costly as colour matching would be difficult
each batch of paint is different
Longer term maintenance cost
advise the client on the long term upkeep, overall costs of the works

Question 12

What did you advise on BT Secure?

Question 13

Service Penetration running through the walls - what were the key cost consideration that you advised the client of?

Question 14

What methods can be used to improve fire safety in construction?

Question 15

Name some modern methods of construction

Question 16

Two types of Air con system

Question 17

How is power provided to a project typically

Question 18

What are Part L Regulations?

Answer 18

Part L1A: Covers new dwellings
Part L1B: Covers renovations to existing dwellings
Part L2A: Covers new buildings other than dwellings
Part L2B: Covers existing buildings other than dwellings

Question 19

Different parts to Part L

Answer 19

Part L1A: Covers new dwellings
Part L1B: Covers renovations to existing dwellings
Part L2A: Covers new buildings other than dwellings
Part L2B: Covers existing buildings other than dwellings

Question 20

What type of design document would you expect at RIBA Stage 4

Question 21

How do building regulations impact construction methods and material choices?

Answer 21

You need to comply so for example you may have to ensure that you choose materials that reduce the spread of fire under Part B. Or in terms of Part L, you may need to increase the thermal performance of your external envelope/ cladding.

Question 22

Are you aware of any changes to the building regs

Question 23

How do you measure steel?

Answer 23

I would measure the lengths of the beams and then check the weight on British steel website per linear metre. Then the length of that beam/ column x kg/m = weight of beam.

Then allow appropriate cost/ tonne (usually speak to steel suppliers as market fluctuates).
The numbers are depth x width x kg/m, i.e.

203 x 133 x 25 (note 1000kg in Tonne)

Question 24

What is the difference between a hot and cold roof?

Answer 24

With a warm roof the insulation is on top of the rook structure (i.e. above ceiling, joists and structural deck) – this helps prevent condensation
With a cold roof the insulation is below the roof structure (between ceiling joists)

Question 25

What is the basic make up of a roof?

Answer 25

• Apex or ridge (top)
• Rafters - support members for roof coverings (between top and bottom)
• Purlins – Span between rafters
• Battens – Fixing medium for roof coverings
• Fascia (on eaves)
• Soffit (under eaves)
• Roof coverings, i.e. bituminous felt/ asphalt/ lead/ copper

Question 26

What was the build up of the secure walls?

Question 27

17. What is the build up to a raised access floor?

Answer 27

Pedestals which are adjustable to suit level (300mm on MLP). Placed on concrete slab and screwed into place in a grid system. Floor cassette is then laid on top of the pedestals and the finishes (carpet etc.) are laid on top of this)
Used for services/ power to floor boxes)

Question 28

18. What is the build up to a suspended ceiling?

Answer 28

Ceiling grid fixed to underside of the slab using hangers. Ceiling tiles then installed in grid. May also have a perimeter of plasterboard. May have fire barrier above the tiles (rockwool)

Question 29

What are the advantages of steel over concrete frame

Answer 29

• Long spans achievable
• Lighter – high strength to weight ratio
• Prefabricated so better quality control
• Quick erection times
• Less sound and heat insulation
• More expensive as a material cost
• Not as easy to incorporate change as concrete

Question 30

What are some methods of fire-proofing steel?

Answer 30

Intumescent paint (expands under extreme temperatures and protects integrity of steel)/ rigid board fire proofing/ cementitious spray/ concrete encasement

Question 31

How does an air source heat pump work?

Question 32

Tell me what legislation you are aware of following the Grenfell disaster and how this impacts construction technology?

Answer 32

The Building Safety Act

It covering building safety during design, construction and occupation, and the creation of a new regulatory framework for higher risk

• Materials used, how its being constructed.

Question 33

What Is meant by the term SUDS? - Give me an example

Answer 33

Sustainable urban drainage system

• Green Roof
• Water Butts

mimic natural drainage processes to reduce the effect on the quality and quantity of run-off from developments and provide amenity and biodiversity benefits

• helps reduce reliance on existing drainage infrastructure

Question 34

Advantages and disadvantages of using steel frame

Question 35

Advantages and disadvantages of using concrete frame

Question 36

Advantages and disadvantages of using Timber frame

Question 37

What are the main types of air conditioning systems available?

Question 38

What fire safety provisions would you expect to find in an office block?

Question 39

Can you describe how an MVHR system works?

Question 40

When would you recommend a steel frame over a concrete frame?

Question 42

What did you have to do to comply with the Part L Regulations

Answer 42

EO for 20mm insulation to new roof &
EO for 30mm insulation to floor for Part L regulation