Core questions from submission Flashcards
What are the main types of decay?
The majority of defects I have seen are caused by excessive moisture and dampness; typically this is caused by a lack of maintenance or poor construction detailing
What environment does a fungal attack need to survive?
Fungus and inspect attacks typically only occur in damp environments, when properties rea dried out the fungus will die off.
What are the limitations of damp meters?
- They are primarily designed for use in timber and not plaster/ brick or stone and the pins only measure surface dampness.
- They can give false readings when there are salts present or the timber has been treated for instance with a insecticide
- They can be useful as part of a holistic investigation to look at comparative readings across a wall.
What is the difference in symptoms between Sulphate attack and cavity wall tie failure?
Sulphate attack will present as a crazing to cement renders or swelling of the mortar joints on chimneys, causing leaning.
Cavity wall tie failure will creak linear cracking at regular intervals with the mortar courses, typically every 6 courses.
What are the health implications of Mould?
Mould growth in a home where people are spending large amounts of time can lead to health issues, particularly to those with health conditions, the very young and the elderly. However, to comment on the specific health problems would be out of my competence.
name some construction techniques.
- tradtional masonry construction with ethier blockwork or bricks
- mass concrete ether precast or cast in situ
- steel frame
- mass timber such as CLT or glulam
- modular construction
What is the RIBA plan of works?
An industry standard framework for construction projects.
the RIBA plan of works consists of 7 stages that cover the concept to demolition of a buildings life cycle, setting out the suggested tasks for a project team at each stage.
the stages are:
0 - strategic definition
1 - preparation and briefing
2 - concept design
3 - spatial coordination
4- technical design
5 - construction
6 - handover
7 - in-use
At what stage in the RIBA plan of works might you submit your planning application
stage 3 to 4
What is BS 5250?
The British standard for control of condensation in buildings.
How does BS 5250 relate to roof design?
One of the key principles in BS 5250 is the requirement for a ventilation gap between insulation and the roof membrane.
Name some types of insulation.
PIR foam - a oil based foam product widely used in ridgid boards
Rock wool - a flexible insulation made from minerals
Wood fiber insulation - can be rigid or flexible, made from wood
Aerogel - is a high-tech and expensive insulation with high performance and breathability
What is the role of the contract administrator?
The contract administrator oversees the contract throughout the works, ensuring the contract is adhered to by both sides. This can include issuing contract instructions, assessing claims for extension of time and loss and expense, and issuing the practical completion certificates.
What are liquidated damages?
Liquidated damages cover the financial loss suffered by the client if the contractor is late.
What are third-party warranties?
Third party warranties create a contractual link between the contractor or subcontractor and parties with a connection to the works that are not named within the contract.
What are provisional sums and when are they used
Provisional sums can be used in tenders and contracts where the work cannot be fully defined. A nominal sum is entered into the contract or tender, which can then be fixed later when the full extent of the work is known. This allows parity in tender returns where the interpretation of an undefined item might present significantly different contractor allowances.
