Current Affairs Flashcards
What has changed in the industry since Grenfell?
No combustible materials over 18m
- Sprinklers for all buildings above 11m
- Hackitt review
Why did Carillion go into liquidation?
- Took unacceptable risk on PFI projects
- Very large debt pile which was unmanageable
- Very high liabilities (FM projects)
What changes should we learn from the Carillion collapse?
- Better risk aversion and not take on projects which cannot be afforded.
How will brexit affect the industry?
- less low skill workers
- OJEU
- Training initiatives for UK workers
- Supply of materials may be affected by delays, tariffs and taxes
- Potential for less foreign investment
What is the RICS doing about Covid19?
- Section on the RICS website
- Assessments by MS Teams
- Free training and CPD
- Advice for professions to return to work
- Providing research on Covid-19 (for eg. rethinking city centre living and reopening for businesses)
How has Covid 19 affected the construction industry?
Staff furlough
Social distancing on site
Slower project completion
MS Teams meetings
What are the contractual provisions under JCT regarding Covid-19?
No specific requirements however Contracts are keen to introduce a new covid-19 clause which will entitle them to an R.E should works stop due to covid
What are the changes to building regs?
With Government currently reviewing the consultation response from industry, the amended Part L and Part F 2020 regulations are likely be published mid-2020, ready to become legally enforceable before the end of the year.
What was the impact of Carillion going into liquidation on the indsutry?
- Contractors more risk adverse
- Unemployment
- Many supply chain into liquidation
What does it mention in the latest Modus?
Covid-19 no recovery of property market until 2025 RICS response to Covid-19 Working from home Homeless facilities Metal wellbeing
How has Covid affected your role as a QS?
- Offices closed - using Microsoft teams and skype to communicate
- Sites closed - nil valuations
- Sites closed - force majeure claims ( no tried and tested case in courts yet)
What is the current update regarding construction projects on Cvoid19?
- Covid-19 Relevant Event
- Labour shortage
- Materials shortage – deliveries from outside UK have stopped
- Manufacturing stopped – materials/ products created in UK have stopped currently
What do you think about the inequality of Black Asian Minority and Ethnic in the construction industry?
Lack of RICS qualified surveyors who are black which is at 1.2%, when the population of black people in the UK is 3.3%.
Encouragement to increase this
How do you think procurement routes may change due to Covid-19?
- Contract amendments to include risk transfer due to covid 19
- Contractors may be more risk adverse and opt for 2 stage routes or construction management
- As contractors are struggling, more simple works may be bid for a low cost due to contractors becoming desperate.
What has the cabinet office produced in relation to construction contracts and Covid-19?
The cabinet office published non-statutory guidance on Covid 19
Encourage all parties to act responsibly and fairly in the national interest in performing and enforcing their contracts to support the covid 19 pandemic and to protect jobs and the economy.
