Design and Specification Flashcards
1
Q
What is the RIBA Plan of Work?
A
- It is produced by the Royal Institute of British Architects and describes the stages necessary to
complete the briefing, design, construction and operation of a building. - The plan of work outlines the stages, core tasks and information required at each stage.
2
Q
What are Preliminaries?
A
- Preliminaries provide a description of the project that allows a contractor to assess costs which,
whilst they do not form part of any package of works, are required by the method and
circumstances of the works. - Their purpose is to describe the works as a whole and to specify general conditions and
requirements for their execution. - They include the following:-
o The site (description, access and parking).
o The works.
o Contract conditions (rectification, payments, insurance and collateral warranties).
o Management of the works (working hours and supervision requirements).
o Security, health and safety.
o Site setup and welfare requirements.
3
Q
Tell us about your understanding of specifications?
A
- Specifications describe the materials and workmanship required for the project.
- They do not include cost, quantities or drawn information and need to be read alongside other
information such as:-
o Bill of Quantities.
o Schedules.
o Drawings. - Specifications vary dependent on the project.
- Performance Specifications gives suppliers more scope to innovate and adapt cost effective
solutions. - Prescriptive Specifications provide suppliers with a full design resulting in improved client
certainty but create less opportunity for contractor innovation. - Proprietary Specifications give reference to a single type of product to be used resulting in
complete client certainty whilst sacrificing contractor innovation.
4
Q
What Specification Software are you aware of?
A
- The National Building Specification (NBS) - Describes materials, standards and workmanship for
construction projects. - The NBS also contains preliminaries documents.
- It is regarded as the UK industry Standard and provides all the latest legislation and British
standards relevant to the works.
5
Q
What are Preambles?
A
- Preambles are there to provide an explanation of how a document is to be used in order to help
with its interpretation. - Preambles do not form part of the cost of the project and may include:-
o A description of the parties to the contract.
o A description of the competence of the parties.
o A background of the project.
o Summaries of any negotiations that have taken place.
o The tendering procedure that has been adopted.
6
Q
Please explain your understanding of the term schedules of work?
A
- A schedule of works provides an instructional list of the works required.
- The schedule should allow the contractor to identify any significant work and materials that will
be required. - References to requirements around quality criteria are provided through supporting specifications.
- The location and size of the project is provided on accompanying drawings.
7
Q
What are Provisional Quantities?
A
- Provision quantities are defined by the New Rules of Measurement (NRM) as:-
o An item of work where the quantity cannot be accurately determined at the time of
agreeing the contract sum.
o Where the work can be described and given in terms in accordance with the tabulated
rules of measurement, an estimate of the quantity shall be given and identified as a
`provisional quantity’.
8
Q
What is a Schedule of Rates?
A
- A schedule of rates is used when the nature of the work is known but cannot be quantified.
- In the absence of an estimate, the contractor will provide unit rates against the items that are intended to cover all likely activities that might form part of the works.
- As the extent of the works is unknown, the rates are used to provide for overheads, profit and general prelims such as scaffold, power, supervision and welfare etc.
- On projects longer than 18 months, escalation provisions may apply which are based on annual percentage increases or stipulated indices.
9
Q
What is a Bill of Quantities?
A
- A document prepared by the cost consultant (Quantity Surveyor) that provides project specific
measured quantities of items of work identified by the drawings and specifications in the tender document. - They are typically used on larger projects and new builds.
- They provide fair and accurate tenders and avoid any misinterpretation of the quantities required.
- Bill of Quantities takes precedent when errors or discrepancies occur between drawings, specifications and the Bill of Quantities.
- They provides rates for variations and valuations.
- They must be prepared in accordance with NRM or recognised methods of measurement to avoid ambiguity and misunderstanding.
10
Q
Please explain the British Standards BS 7000 Guide to Managing
Design in Construction different stages?
A
- The guide was published by the British Standards Institute.
- The guide provides guidance on the Construction Design process at all levels for all organisations
and all types of construction projects. - It also establishes principles to ensure the design management process is more efficient and
provides principles and a common reference for project protocols. - BS 7000 applies to purpose-built constructions, equipment and components and is
recommended for use by those who work in and with the construction industry,
particularly designers and those managing design throughout the life-cycle of
a construction project. - Its contents are:-
o Framework for Design Management.
o Design Resource Management.
o Design Process Management.
11
Q
Please explain your understanding of Statutory Effects on Design?
A
- Building regulations in the United Kingdom are statutory regulations that seek to ensure that new buildings, conversions, renovations and extensions are safe for the people in or around those buildings.
- The approved documents that form part of the Building Regulations specify different criteria for the following aspects of buildings all of which affect their design:-
o Approved Document A – Structure.
o Approved Document B – Fire Safety.
o Approved Document C – Site Preparation and resistance to contaminates and moisture.
o Approved Document D – Toxic Substances.
o Approved Document E – Resistance to Sound.
o Approved Document F – Ventilation.
o Approved Document G – Sanitation, hot water safety and water efficiency.
o Approved Document H – Drainage and waste disposal.
12
Q
What is Building Information Modelling (BIM)?
A
- Building information modelling describes the process of creating and managing the digital information of a built asset.
- The different BIM Maturity Levels are:-
o Level 0: Low Collaboration – This is the information gathering process and doesn’t involve any level of cooperation. It is essentially using computer aided design to create drawings using IT software.
o Level 1: Partial Collaboration – Involves the use of CAD to generate suites of 2D
information and non federated 3D models.
o Level 2: Full Collaboration – Requires the sharing of project information generated within the 2D and 3D models to be shared across the project disciplines and team members.
o Level 3: Full Integration – Includes a single collaborative project model including
construction sequencing, cost and lifecycle management information.
13
Q
What is a Designers Risk Assessment?
A
- Designers Risk Assessments are used by designers to identify hazards or any hazardous activities in order to eliminate or reduce them.
- Through their use, the risks identified are aimed to be designed out at the design stage and those that cannot be omitted are highlighted for mitigation where possible.
- The HSE publish a red, amber, green list to assist designers in ascertaining what should be encouraged or eliminated for example:-
- Red items to be eliminated include:-
o Lack of preconstruction information.
o Large quantities of dust generating processes.
o No safe provision of access for maintenance. - Amber items to be eliminated or reduced:-
o Manholes in circulation areas.
o Use of Solvent based products particularly in confined spaces. - Green items to be introduced or encouraged:-
o Permanent means of access.
o Edge protection.
o Off site fabrication.
14
Q
What are the Building Control Performance Standards?
A
- The Building regulations set the standards to be achieved within the construction of Buildings.
- The Building Control performance standards are produced by the Building Control Performance Advisory Group which help ensure uniformity between local authorities and approved inspectors to adopt a consistent approach when assessing compliance with the standards.
- The performance standards are made up of:-
o Policy Performance and Management Systems.
o Resources.
o Consultation.
o Pre-application contact and provision of advice.
o Assessment of plans.
o Site Inspection.
o Communications and Records.
o Business and professional Ethics.
o Complaints Procedure.
15
Q
Please explain your understanding of the term Dead Load?
A
- A constant load contained within a structure such as a building or bridge that is made up of the weight of its members, superstructure, substructure, permanent attachments and accessories.
