Design and Specification Flashcards

1
Q

For Appleford Court, how do you determine if items should be repaired or replaced?

A

Schedule of condition with client and loss adjustor. Determine whether can be replaced to ensure they were in same condition as previous otherwise replace.

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2
Q

For Appleford Court, how did you establish the repair and replacement costs?

A

Condition survey with client and loss adjustor to determine if could be repaired to original condition, if not replace

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3
Q

For Appleford Court where any works specified in relation to the exterior?

A
  • Rebuild of the cavity wall
  • New windows installed
  • Roof installed
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4
Q

How did you specify replacement of the windows for Appleford Court?

A

Form openings in external timber clad wall construction for windows as indicated and detailed on drawings … including installing proprietary cavity closers at the jambs and sills OR carefully take out existing upvc double glazed windows, prepare existing opening

Provide and install the following purpose-made uPVC double glazed windows as indicated and detailed on Architects drawings … complete with all cills, weather strips frames, architraves and cover fillet, and for all ironmongery to generally match existing and for securely fixing to new construction and for all bedding and mastic with colour sealant.

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5
Q

Regarding the Contractor’s Design Portion, what element of specialist design did you co-ordinate in preparation of the Appleford Court schedule of work? What Did You Do to Ensure Quality?

A

M&E design
- I requested a collateral warranty to be formed between the consultant and client so there was a contractual link
- I reviewed their drawings and made comments on plug socket positions etc
- I checked the on site work was in accordance with the dwgs
- I ensured we received as builts for the design

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6
Q

For Appleford Court, did you specify any fire protection works? How did you do this?

A

Yes, fire engineer specification detailed that fire stopping of any penetrations through the compartment walls were to be fire stopped and steels were to have an intumescent spray applied.

Included the item in the schedule of works to ensure all required fire stopping had occurred.

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7
Q

What were the works and what was your role for the Burnham Road project?

A

Employers Agent, I took over the project from a colleague that had left the company after handover and dealt with the defects period thereafter

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8
Q

In relation to Appleford Court explain the works that took place?

A

Appleford Court involved the rebuild of one no. flat and the refurbishment of 4 no. flats following a gas boiler explosion.

Examples of works include wall rebuild, replastering, PIR board installation, floor finishes, decorations, kitchen and santitaryware fittings

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9
Q

For the ECFRS decorations, where would you include details regarding LA approvals required?

A

Contract administrator - Ensure included within prelims of SoW

EA - Include within the employers requirements

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10
Q

For ECFRS decorations, what type of specification and standards did you use when specifying the works?

A
  • Preambles
  • BS8000-12 - workmanship on construction sites, code of practise for decorative wallcoverings and paintings
  • Manufacturers guidance
  • BS8102 protection of below ground structures against water ingress
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11
Q

For the ECFRS decorations project, what method of procurement did you recommend and why?

A
  • Client retain control over design
  • Contractor does not include costs for design risk
  • Traditional single stage means fixed costs achieved
  • Simple to analyse tenders
  • Simple to deal with contract variations through a CI
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12
Q

Are you aware of any materials recently banned by Building Regulations?

A

ACM cladding in buildings 18m+ because of its combustibility.

Any cladding not A1 or A2 S1 D0 rated above 18m+.

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13
Q

What other details would you expect to be provided in a PCI for a multi storey building? What attachments are included in a PCI?

A

PCI:
- Description, site location, etc
- Client requirements
- Existing site risks / hazards
- Risks / hazards from undertaking the works
Attachments:
- Asbestos surveys
- Fire Risk Assessment
- Risk Tracker

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14
Q

For the ECFRS decorations project, did you produce any other documents in addition to the SoW to complete the specification?

A
  • SoW
  • Drawings
  • Invitation to tender
  • Client produced form of tender
  • H&S documentation received from PD
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15
Q

For Styles House, what tools did you use to relay the design info to the contractor?

A

Schedule of works
Finishes schedule
Dwgs
Communication with contractor
Tender clarifications

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16
Q

How did you present the different TMO requests to the client for Styles House?

A

Highlighted them within the Schedule of works including a TMO request section. I also highlighted TMO requests on the floor plans and finishes schedule.

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17
Q

For Chapel Gate, what other risks in relation to the new build site did you determine?

A

party wall, ground contamination, travellers, Brexit, knotweed, ecologist, land ownership, TPOs.

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18
Q

How did you categorise the Chapel Gate risks?

A

High, medium and low risks.

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19
Q

What factors mean a risk is defined as high?

A

high likelihood and high severity in terms of cost and programme impact

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20
Q

In relation to Chapel Gate, can the pre-construction risks remain until completion?

A

Yes pre-completion risks can remain until completion if they cannot be eliminated. Mitigation measures should be introduced and the risk reviewed regularly.

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21
Q

For Chapel Gate, can you give me an example of a low / medium and high risk?

A

Low risk - Party wall / Rights to light / covid
Medium risk - Travellers / ground contamination / council election change
High risk - Land not owned / Brexit / Ukraine / ecology

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22
Q

How do you make a planning application?

A
  • Planning portal
  • Local Authority website
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23
Q

What information do you include in a planning application?

A

The necessary plans of the site (including location and site plan)
The required supporting documentation
The completed form
The correct fee.

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24
Q

What supporting documents do you submit with a planning application?

A
  • Site plan
  • Location plan
  • Detailed dwgs
  • Design and access statement
  • Refuse and recycling statement
  • Any other information requested by the council such as the FRA and appliance parking plan and riser calcs
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25
Q

How long does it take for a planning response to be received? How long does the approval last?

A

Usually takes 8 weeks for minor application and up to 13 weeks for larger applications.

Lasts three years from the date granted.

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26
Q

Identify the RIBA Stages of Work.

A

Stage 0 - Strategic Definition
Stage 1 - Preperation and Briefing
Stage 2 - Concept Design
Stage 3 - Spatial Coordination
Stage 4 - Technical Design
Stage 5 - Manufacturing and Construction
Stage 6 - Handover
Stage 7 - Use

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27
Q

When could a RIBA stages of work stage overlap? Please provide an example?

A

Yes they could overlap to accelerate the time taken in design.

For instance, stage 2 concept design and stage 3 spatial coordination could overlap so a planning application is submitted quicker.

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28
Q

What impact does planning have on design?

A

Planning policies can set out the design outcomes that development should pursue as well as the tools and processes that are expected to be used to embed good design. Since they grant planning permission for a development, planning can have a considerable impact on the appearance, size, layout, contributions, location, etc.

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29
Q

What impact do the Approved Documents / Building Regulations have on design?

A

Building Regulations and the Approved Documents on permit certain designs. It ensures that H&S and people are put at the forefront and requires minimum standards for items such as access, ventilation, thermal efficiency, fire, etc.

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30
Q

What impact does the CDM Regulations have on design?

A

CDM Regulations ensure that H&S is considered at all stages and therefore design may need to be altered accordingly, e.g. scaffold lighting installation or internal window access and cleaning.

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31
Q

What are the different types of specification?

A
  • Prescriptive specifications provide step-by-step details about the required materials and the preferred means of installation.
  • Performance specifications describe the operational requirements of the finished project. Rather than providing step-by-step instructions for each task, this leaves the details of execution up to the contractor as long as they achieve the final performance objectives.
  • Proprietary specifications detail very specific material and resource requirements for the project. The information might describe the existing structural materials and provide a list of matching or similar materials necessary for project completion.
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32
Q

What RICS guidance can influence design?

A
  • RICS Design and Specification Guidance Note 1st Ed 2013
  • Any other advice or guidance issued by RICS, e.g. encouraging sustainable principles.
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33
Q

What are the modern methods of construction? Please provide some examples.

A

MMC is a process which focuses on off-site construction techniques, such as mass production and factory assembly, as alternatives to traditional building.

Modular, panellised, pod, prefabricated units such as roof trusses, pre cast concrete

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34
Q

What are the pros and cons of MMC?

A

Advantages:
- Programme savings
- Factory tolerances and workmanship is of a higher quality
- There tends to be less waste.
- Independence from adverse weather and winter working.
- An alternative means of production where there may be shortages of local skilled labour.
- Greater programme certainty.
- The factory environment can allow better safety than the construction site.

Disadvantages:
- Road transport maximum widths and height restrictions.
- Maximum load capacities of site craneage and temporary gantries.
- Additional cost of pre-assembly in the factory prior to dismantling for transport and delivery and transport bracing.
- The insitu work abutting prefabricated assemblies requires a higher degree of accuracy than is normally associated with on-site building work to avoid interface problems.
- A mistake in the mass production of prefabricated elements ahead of the measurable site work is a serious risk.
- Sustainability is an issue regarding the transportation of the materials to the construction site.

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35
Q

What are the pros and cons of prefabrication?

A

Advantages:
- Programme savings
- Factory tolerances and workmanship is of a higher quality
- There tends to be less waste.
- Independence from adverse weather and winter working.
- An alternative means of production where there may be shortages of local skilled labour.
- Greater programme certainty.
- The factory environment can allow better safety than the construction site.

Disadvantages:
- Road transport maximum widths and height restrictions.
- Maximum load capacities of site craneage and temporary gantries.
- Additional cost of pre-assembly in the factory prior to dismantling for transport and delivery and transport bracing.
- The insitu work abutting prefabricated assemblies requires a higher degree of accuracy than is normally associated with on-site building work to avoid interface problems.
- A mistake in the mass production of prefabricated elements ahead of the measurable site work is a serious risk.
- Sustainability is an issue regarding the transportation of the materials to the construction site.

36
Q

What are key aspects of a client brief?

A

Client should explain the ins and outs of a project and shares their vision for how they want the end result to look. The brief should also describe their overall client needs, project image and set expectations regarding timelines and strategy.

37
Q

What are usual key drivers for a client?

A
  • Cost
  • Quality
  • H&S
  • Sustainability
  • Time
  • Specific client needs
38
Q

What are different types of tenure?

A

Freehold and leasehold. Social rent, shared ownership and private properties.

39
Q

What did you include in the preliminaries for the internal decorations project?

A
  • Contract conditions
  • Project details
  • Client requirements
  • Welfare facilities
  • Access
  • VAT
  • Site Management
40
Q

What did you include in the preambles for the internal decorations project?

A
  • Decoration requirements
  • Repairs requirements
  • Relevant BS and Approved Docs to be met
41
Q

In relation to the Chapel Gate project, what factors can increase risk?

A
  • Impact to design
  • Likelihood of occurrence
  • Programme implications
  • Cost implications
42
Q

Give an example of a high risk you categorised for the Chapel Gate project, and how you mitigated that risk?

A

Strip of land not owned by the client. Categorised as high as impact would be considerable to design and programme if they did not successfully acquire land.

43
Q

In regards to Chapel Gate, how did you ensure all risks were accounted for financially? How did you determine contingency?

A

There was a section included within the risk register for contingency for the items and I worked with the QS to determine cost allowances required.

44
Q

For Chapel Gate, what is a TPO? What is the purpose?

A

Tree Protection Order ensures the protection of selected trees which would have an impact on the environment if removed.

45
Q

What do you submit in an ordinary planning application?

A
  • Planning application (site details, applicant, materials, works, area, etc)
  • Standard application form
  • Location plan
  • Site plan
  • Design and access statement
  • Application fee
46
Q

Can you provide examples of planning applications that you have submitted?

A
  • Montague Graham Court
  • St Marks
  • Kelsey Street
47
Q

Who do you submit a planning application to?

A

Local Planning Authority

48
Q

What are the timescales associated with submitting a planning application?

A

Most planning applications are decided within eight weeks, unless they are unusually large or complex, in which case the time limit is extended to 13 weeks.

Each planning application has a fixed 21 day consultation period.

49
Q

What do you normally include in a design and access statement?

A

introduction, the process, use, amount, layout, scale, landscaping, appearance, access, refuse and recycling, planning policy context, conclusion, photos

50
Q

For Appleford Court, what information did you have to implement into the schedule of works?

A

Architect’s dwgs and specification
MEP specification
Client Requirements

51
Q

For Appleford Court, what were the different sections included in your schedule of works?

A

Cover
Index
Preliminaries
Preambles
External fabric
Communal Areas
The Flats
External Works
M&E
Provisional Sums
Summary

52
Q

For Appleford Court, what did the nature of works consist of?

A
  • Following a boiler explosion and therefore involved the reinstatement of one number flat and the refurbishment of a further four number flats. Works included rebuilding external wall, replacing windows, re-plastering, installing PIR board internally to walls, kitchen and sanitaryware replacement.
53
Q

For Appleford Court, can you give a item by item breakdown of specific work that had to be undertaken?

A
  • Rebuild of the cavity wall
  • Insertion of a roof truss
  • Form openings in wall construction and insert windows and doors
  • Form uPVC ventilation / eaves structure
  • Renew mastic asphalt to floor
  • Construct timber stud partitions
  • Make good screeded floors and install vinyl / carpet
  • Install PIR board to external walls
  • Kitchen and sanitaryware fittings
  • Decorations
  • M&E; above ground drainage, water, gas and heating installation, pipework insulation, ventilation fan, door access, TV system, lightning protection.
54
Q

Why did the Loss Adjustor not replace the radiators for Appleford Court? How did you produce the cost comparison between repair and replacement?

A

Since an inspection confirmed the radiators could be repaired back to their original condition.
Replacement included in SoW for pricing.
Repair broke down works to remove, flush out existing radiator, allow for valve replacement, paint and reinstate. Spoke to contractor and reviewed Spons for costs.
Sanitaryware spoke to contractor and reviewed Spons for overhaul costs.

55
Q

What documents formed your tender for Appleford Court? What were the Appendices to the SoW and PCI?

A
  • Covering letter
  • Form of tender
  • ITT
  • Schedule of works, incl architect dwgs/photos/MEP specification
  • PCI incl FRA/hazard tracker/H&S file checklist.
56
Q

For Styles House, what information was included in the voids policy?

A

Standard information on kitchen fittings, sanitaryware, DSSOs, cupboard space, fire stopping, etc.

57
Q

What were the different categories for the Styles House project and how did you present this?

A

Required works, optional works, TMO requests. I categorised the SoW accordingly so the client and TMO were aware.

58
Q

Can you provide examples of necessary items for the Styles House project?

A

handrail installation, fire stopping, DSSO installation.

59
Q

Can you provide examples of optional items for the Styles House project?

A

wall tiling works, external decorations, record trickle vents.

60
Q

Can you provide examples of TMO requested items for the Styles House project?

A

wardrobe install, kitchen island counter, shower curtain installation.

61
Q

Did the client decide to omit any of the optional items proposed for Styles House?

A

Yes, they decided to omit the external decorations to the flat.

62
Q

What did the works comprise of for the Styles House project?

A

The refurbishment of 4 no. void units in accordance with the voids policy.

Works include retiling, replastering, decorations, handrail installation, rechording trickle vents, replacing blinds, kitchen unit installation, fire stopping investigations.

63
Q

For Styles House, can you give a item by item breakdown of specific work that had to be undertaken?

A

Refurbishment of four no. voids units in accordance with the HHSRS and voids policy.

Works included:

  • wall tiling
  • kitchen unit replacement
  • sanitaryware replacement
  • internal and external decorations
  • handrail installation
  • replaster and remastic
  • fit vinyl flooring to cupboards
  • clean
  • Recording trickle vents
  • fit DSSO
  • counter saw cut and fit leg and trim.
64
Q

What were the different categories included in the Styles House works section?

A

Highlighted to differentiate between required, optional and TMO items.

  • Generally (requirements)
  • Preparatory (asbestos removal/existing services/remove fittings)
  • Fitting Out and Finishings (fire stopping, re-mastic, re-plaster, balcony works, clean, decorations, sundries, sanitaryware and kitchen fittings)
65
Q

What are the key aspects of Part L?

A
  • Lower u-values
  • Move away from gas fired boilers
  • Encouragement of ASHPs and GSHPs
  • Renewable technologies
  • SAP calculation and EPC changes
66
Q

What other Approved Documents have been recently updated?

A

Approved Document F Ventilation
Approved Document L Conservation of Fuel and Power
Approved Document O Overheating
Approved Document S Infrastructure for Electric Charging Vehicles

67
Q

When are gas fired boilers banned from new homes? When are they banned from installation altogether?

A

2025 banned from new homes. 2035 install gas fired boiler install banned in all homes.

68
Q

When might Building Regulations affect future specification? Please provide some examples from projects?

A

For Appleford Court, PIR board was installed to meet u-values stated in Part L.
For Acorn House, non combustible cladding was installed to the exterior of the building. MVHRs were installed to ensure adequate ventilation.

69
Q

How might a PCI impact specification? Please provide some examples from projects?

A

Requiring heras fencing, scaffold lighting, edge protection, asbestos removal, pelican crossing, etc.

70
Q

What is difference between preliminaries and preambles?

A

Prelims are items necessary for the works execution whereas preambles are materials, workmanship and other background information

71
Q

Talk me through the process of preparing a specification for Styles House?

A
  • Briefing meeting with client and noted key drivers
  • Met with TMO
  • Access arranged so I could inspect properties, measure and note works required
  • Reviewed the HHSRS and Approved Documents
  • Produced SoW, Finishes Schedule and dwgs
  • Issued to client and TMO and amended accordingly therafter
  • Issued to contractor
72
Q

What effect can planning have on the design process? Please provide an example where planning can influence design?

A

Planning can grant permission, give conditions, deny or suggest alternatives during the design to comply with the town and country planning act 1990. For instance, planning may refuse for a building to have a certain appearance, energy strategy or landscaping.

73
Q

How do you incorporate spatial parameters and requirements when specifying works?

A
  • Refer to nationally described space standards or similar
  • Include requirements within ERs or preliminaries
74
Q

What is a Design Risk Assessment? Give an example of a time you produced a Design Risk Assessment to satisfy the health and safety regulations?

A
  • A risk management activity that decreases the uncertainty in the design product or process. Performing a design risk assessment requires the team to consider all aspects of each phase of the design process including the final product, design process, and project environment.
  • Chapel Gate project I produced a design risk assessment which also considered any H&S issues which could affect design and contacted the PD for comment once appointed, such as internal and safe window cleaning and asbestos removal.
75
Q

Provide an example of a time you have incorporated suitable sustainable features within a design?

A

Kelsey Street - Proposed reclaimed flooring as an option.
ECFRS - Aluminium door, can be recycled and long lasting.

76
Q

Give an example of a time you have advised clients on sustainability issues surrounding the proposals for their building?

A

Kelsey Street reclaimed flooring.
Kodak site - electric vehicle charging points.
ECFRS Floor Refurbishment - Sustainbility considered in minutes (waste, travel, etc)

77
Q

For Styles House, did you use any guidance notes or literature to assist with your specification?

A

HHSRS, Approved Docs, NBS guidance, voids policy.

78
Q

For the fire Service Internal Decorations how did you produce the preliminaries?

A

Used the company preliminary template and implemented information received from client and design team.

79
Q

What are reserved matters on a planning permission?

A

Approval of Reserved Matters is required following the granting of an outline application.
A reserved matters application sets out outstanding details of the proposal including access arrangements, siting, design and landscaping, while taking into account any conditions that have been given in the original outline consent.

80
Q

What are the differences between pre cast concrete and in situ?

A
  • Cost - PC tends to be cheaper - fewer ancillary costs.
  • Access - use of PC restricted by poor access.
  • Quality - PC - may be of poorer quality due to bulk manufacture off site
81
Q

Why are different stages included in the Plan of Work?

A

The stages are included as a means of defining stage payments and identifying team member responsibilities when assessing insurance liabilities.

82
Q

What is RIBA?

A

Royal Institute of British Architects

83
Q

What is RIBA?

A

Royal Institute of British Architects

84
Q

What options other than gas fired boilers could you advise your client to install?

A
  • ASHP
  • GSHP
  • Biomass heating system
85
Q

What factors should you consider when specifying in accordance with part L?

A
  • The energy efficiency
  • U-value
  • Limiting heat gain and losses
  • Usual other factors such as cost/time/quality
86
Q

Are you able to specify any products in relation to fire safety?

A

PII does not allow me to specify fire stopping products, other than where input has been given by a specialist.