Design and spec Flashcards
Tell me about your preperation of the design and specification of a building project from outline proposals to compeltion of the design and specficiation process.
I have recently been involved with the specification design and delivery of a cyclical redeocration project. The outline proposal was developed from a detail condition survey of the scheme, which reommendations were then included within a report. A significant item was to replace the timber walkway balustrades. However, due to budget constraints and leaseholder S20, the client requested their repair rather than replacement. I completed a detailed survey of all balustrades and quantified the different repairs required. I then specified the type of materials, treated softwood, fixings and decoration requirments.
Talk me through your experience of the specification process, including detailed knowledge of the main methods of specification.
I have been involved with different projects through the entire design and specification process. The process can be intitated at RIBA Stages 0 and continues at 5. For example, in my case study intital design requirements were determined at the strip out stage where a descrptive specifcation of elements meeting building regulations were discussed. For example the requirement of fire compartmentation to the hall and acoustic requirements to the party wall. I would then develop a performance specification that could be issued to the contractor outlining exact materials, methods and standards to be completed. During the project I was completed a prescriptive specifiction of the fire curtain for the contractor to implement that would meet the requirements of buildng regulations part B.
How have you dealt with the design and specifiction process, and its relevance and importance to the procurement and execution of the contract selected for the building works?
I have been involved with projects that have been procured through different contracts. I have developed specifications for fire door sets that are descriptive so that the works can procured through a JCT MW with contractors design to allow for the specialsied contractor to procure materails that met performance requirements.
How have you managed the design process to incorporate design works by other in the specification?
With reference to Hillcrest, the project involved elements of asbestos removal and replacement of meters and electrical services. At my appointment, I informed the client that specialist consultants should be appointed to design the areas around these elements. I appointed an M&E and Asbestos consultant from our internal approved consultant list. I communicated with them and met them onsite to ensure that the objectives/brief was understood. A plan of work and M&E spec was developed that I included within my overall specification.
Hillcrest Fire Remedial Works
What materials did you specifiy for the compartmentation to the gas services in the duct?
I specified a gyproc shaft system that would meet the 30 minute fire resistance requirement. I also included a FD30s intumescent grills and mainteance hatches.
Hillcrest Fire Remedial Works
How did you deal with the ventilation and what guidance a part from the building regulations did you follow?
To address the ventilation within the riser we introduced an intumescent grill at the top of the riser and at the bottom of the riser. We then allowed for the floor slab to core drilled to allow for natural ventilation. I referred to BS 6891 table 6 which outlined a requirement for the grills to be 0.05m2.
Hillcrest Fire Remedial Works
How did you design access into the duct for mainteance purposes?
To ensure that mainteance access was available to to all of the risers, I specified that a FD30 maintence hatch was installed at high and low levels.
Hillcrest Fire Remedial Works
Did you check the duct where the pipework went into individual flats or other areas?
The view of the gas services were obstructed by the asbestos insulation board within the cupboard. As I was unable to prescribe firestopping works to be priced exactly, I included a schedule of rates within the specification for a range of firestopping works for the contractor to price. I also included within the specification an item for the CA to inspect all areas once asbestos had been removed and new services had been installed.
Hillcrest Fire Remedial Works
What building regulations did you comply with?
All works related to firestopping and the new riser fire doors were compliant with building regulations. Riser doors to FD30 and firestopping to maintaint the 60min compartment line. The electrical components of the project would all be self certified. Approved document B.
Wigston Close, Structural works
How did you incorporate the structural engineers’ requirements into your specification?
I included the structural eningeers requirements as an appendix to my specification document. I then ensured that all prescriptive standards for materials and workmanship were included in my document.
Wigston Close, Structural works
What if any immediate work did you specify?
Due to the wall being deemed as a dangerous structure, immediate works involved decanting residents, proping the walls with accrow props and steel beams and hording the external wall to secure the property.
Wigston Close, Structural works
What were the additional items that you added to the specification?
Additional items included adding decorations and floor covering to the specifiction.
What is the difference between a performance and a prescription specification?
Performance specifcation - also known as open
Prescriptive specification - also known as closed
Performance provides more freedom to contractor to achieve the desired end goal, therefore potentailly finding best value for money. Typically used on straight forward projects.
Prescriptive specification sets out exactly what will be expected from the contractor at the end of the project. This enables the client to be sure of what they will get for their investement. Often used in projects where specialist systems are requried.
What type of specifcation did you use in your case study?
The specification used for St Francis house was a mixture of performance and prescriptive. I used presriptive methods for elements that required building regulation control i.e. inuslation, acoutsic plaster board and structure.
What is the defintion of an adaptable dwelling under building regulations part M?
Dwellings that have some features of a fully accessible dwelling such as wider doors but with some omissions. Allowing for the property to be adapated to meet the requirments of the occupants over time.
What is the purpose of Adaptable dwellings?
Occupants who do not require accesible apartments are relcuctant to live in them, this allows for the property to be used and adapted easily.
Warley Hill
How did you apply building regulations to the design of the entrance?
External landing with a minimum width of 1200mm
Light outside entrance with motion detecotr
Minimum clear width opening of 850mm
Accesible threshold - level threshold
Warley Hill
How did you apply the building regulations to the circulation areas and the door widths?
All doors had a clear opening of 900mm
Clear width of hall or landing 900mm
Localised obstructions (radiators) not in front of door ways
Warley Hill
How did you apply building regulations to the design of the habitable areas
Minimum clear space in front of kithcen appliances of 1200mm
Opener in living room 1200mm above floor level
750mm free space to either side of bed
Warley Hill
How did you apply building regulations to the design of the bathroom
Door opened outward into the hallway
Shower had potentaial for level access adaptation
Access zones for basin and WC
Warley Hill
How did you apply building regulations to the desing of the services?
All sockets, stopcocks, controls between 450 and 1200mm above floor level and 300mm away for wall
Consumer switches mounted between 1300a nd 1450mm
Hnadles to windows located at 450mm and 1400mm from floor level
Wireless thermostat controls
Warley Hill, Office Refurb
What was the relevant building regulation and how was it applied to the specification of the polypearl porcuct?
The relevant building regulation is Part L. It required the improvement in thermal performance of the existing elements to have an improved U-value of 0.55 W/m2.k. The polypearl system improved the U value to 0.23.
Tottenham Feasibility
Why did you present a range of different options to solve the security issues?
There were leaseholders within the block
Client asked for a range of options relating to cost
Options that included the renewal or modifcation of door entry system
The was scope to re-arrange the bin store within the car park to solve the issue subject to cost
Client wanted to present options during S20 process
Tottenham Feasibility
What options did you present to your client?
Installing a manual swing gate on the existing property
Installing a automatic swing gate on the existing boundary line
Installing a cantilever gate system on now boundary to maximise space
Moving the boundary line to incorporate a parking space that was currently outside the existing wall
Tottenham Feasibility
How did you determine the space outside the existing boundary belonged to your client?
I procured the title plans from the land registry which outlined that the space outside existing boundary was included within the clients freehold
Tottenham Feasibility
Were there any regulatory issues you encountered?
Neighbour had an easement through the car park
Client ahd to follow the S20 process
Planning would also be required due to nature of works
Tottenham Feasibility
What issues did you encounter with your suggestions
Any automated gate would need to be interegrated with existing entry system
I attendted site with a specclist contractor to determien whetehr it was feasible
Due to age and current condition of system, it could nto be intergrated
Therefore, there was a signifcant cost to renew the system
Explain your understanding of the RICS Design and Specification Guidance Note 2013
Provides professional practitioners with best practice guidance relevant to the tasks and processes of design and specification (small to medium projects)
Guidance covers;
Roles of the lead consultant
Management
Common considerations (compliance, sustainability, safety)
Design Process Management Documetnation (documents, NBS, standardsiation)
Design Process (RIBA)
Specifciation and preperation
Legilsative compliance
Construction stage
Comissionin/Occupation
What should be included in a client brief?
Statement of the problem they want to solve
Address of property
Vulnearble residents/ contact details
Hazards/Asbestos Register
Instruction f services they want to include
Access provisions
What is a client brief?
The purpose of a client brief is to provide a firm foundation for the initiation of the project.
It is a formal statement of the objectives and functional and operational requirements of the finished project.
It should be in sufficient detail to enable the integrated project team to execute the specification and detailed design of the work and is therefore an essential reference for the team
You mention technical standards, name some?
Architects Journal Guidance & Articles
British Standards
BRE Digests and Good Repairs Guides
English Heritage Journals and Guides
Explain your understanding of the RIBA Works Stages 2020
0- Strategic Definition (clients business case and strategic brief are assessed)
1-Preparation and Brief Developing the detail of the brief to ensure that everything needed for the design process is in place.
2-Concept Design Getting the concept right and ensuring it meets the clients requirements.
3-Spacial Coordination spatially coordinate the design before detailed design is prepared.
4- Technical Design Developing the information to manufacture and construct.
5-Manufacturing and Construction Building gets built
6- Handover PC cert, Insurances, release of 2.5% retention, H&S (O&M)
7-Use Building is in full use until its end of life.
What sustainable considerations do you make during the design stage?
Depends on the project
Future proof the building? Working to upcoming changes?
Local sourced materials
Waste management plan (no longer compulsory)
uPVC Windows made from recycled plastics etc.
Re-Use materials where possible
