Design and specification

Question 1

• Outline the key stages of the RIBA plan of work.

Answer 1

Client bridge,
Develop ideas
Refine scope
Design development
Technical design
Production information (DATA SHEET)
Tender
Handover

Question 2

• Following a client instruction, how might you ensure that their brief if met?

Answer 2

Clarify the brief, have it written, create a project plan, have regular client meetings, document all decisions. Ensure the brief alaigns with client expectations

Question 3

• What do you understand by the term, modern methods of construction?

Answer 3

Offsite manufacturing.
Panel systems
Automated construction
Lightweight construction

Question 4

• Give me some examples of modern methods of construction which you have experience/knowledge of.

Answer 4

Cross laminate timber,
Modular build construction
Timber frame construction

Question 5

• What is the purpose of the preambles in contract documentation?

Answer 5

Sets standards for the project, Guidance on how to interpret the contract documents, describes site condition and general obligations.

Question 6

• When are design risk assessments required?

Answer 6

As Part of CDM – in the tender pack when designing anything.

Question 7

• Why is CDM important in the design process?

Answer 7

Ensure H&S compliance in design, management and maintenance of a property.

Question 8

• What technical standards are you aware of and do you use?

Answer 8

BS – British standard, 8300, 9999, 5250 (moisture in buildings) & Building regulations.

Question 9

• How might a building be made more energy efficient?

Answer 9

EWI, insulation upgrades, energy consumptions. Heat pumps

Question 10

• What information is included in the RICS Guidance Note on Design & Specification?

Answer 10

Design process, client brief, Regs complains, spec writing, material selection, sustainability

Question 11

• At what stage would a Building Regulation Application be made?

Answer 11

Construction stage for building notice
Design stage for Full plans application.

Question 12

• Explain the key difference between Prescriptive and Performance specifications.

Answer 12

Performance is what the client wants and a pre design/indication
Prescriptive is employers’ requirements and is the full plans.

Question 13

• Why might you recommend the use of a performance specification?

Answer 13

It is faster to procure – and for design responsibility .

Question 14

• How do you determine the length of contract period for a project - what factors are considered

Answer 14

H&S – can the task be done safely in that time frame.
Client requirements
Project complexity
Design development times
Seasonal consideration.
Regulatory compliance.

Question 15

• How do you make your client aware of their duties under the CDM Regulations?

Answer 15

Letter of Client duties, site meetings.

Question 16

• What are the benefits of using specification writing software such as NBS?

Answer 16

Collaboration, Its tried and testing, a lot faster and contains all the right format. And kept up to date.

Question 17

• List the various different constituent parts that make up a specification.

Answer 17

Prelims
M&W
SoW
Tender collative page
Form of Tender,
Designer risk assessment
PCI
Appendices.

Question 18

MJ - * Explain what your involvement with preparing the M&E specification was.

Answer 18

I instructed the M&E consultant on behalf of the client. But I prepared the cad drawings, the speed bump system and the trenching of the data cables.

Question 19

MJ * Did you prepare the specification for the barriers?

Answer 19

No – but I prepared the CAD drawings for the location

Question 20

MJ Were there any builders works that you specified?

Answer 20

Trenching works, depth of the new pad foundation and the concrete used was C30 concrete, vegetation works, thermoplastic line markings.
I also designed the Speed bump system.

Question 21

MJ Did you prepare CAD drawings?

Answer 21

I prepared the CAD drawings.

Question 22

MJ* Did you design the trenching ?

Answer 22

Yes, the trenching for data cables at 450 (GREY) and electrical (RED) at 450mm depth but 200 m apart.

Question 23

MJ PORTAKABIN* What element of the concrete slab did you design and what did the engineer design?

Answer 23

I specified the location and size of the slab, whilst implementing the SE advice on the depth of the foundation.

Question 24

MJ PORTAKABIN * Explain the content of the specification you prepared for the portacabin.

Answer 24

PCI, Designers risk assessment, M&W. SoW. Appendices.

Question 25

MANOR JOINERY CCTV - * Can you explain what advice you gave?

Answer 25

I advised the client the client that the internet/data connections may be intrupted when they wanted a wireless system. Subsequently, it worked in their favour that it was a wired connection.

Question 26

WQ * Explain what the content of the specification was and any advice you gave

Answer 26

Specification was a aco drainage which diverted in to a sump pit and then was extracted into the existing drainage directly.