Design & Specification (L2) Hallgate Primary - Classrooms

Question 1

Explain you brief, what was the objective of the project?

Answer 1

The current arrangement was you had to pass through one classroom to get to another. This is disruptive and not ideal for the school. My brief was to introduce a corridor providing accessing to both classrooms without compromising the existing arrangement of the rooms.

Question 2

What is Building Bulletin; does this supersede the Building Regulations?

Answer 2

No. The Building Bulletin is guidance for school buildings it does not supersede the Building Regulations.

Question 3

What was the construction of the partition walls and did you follow any guidance?

Answer 3

30 minutes fire rated walls.

The wall build up was:

15mm plasterboard and skim finish both sides
12mm plywood both sides
4 x 2” timber wall with studs at 400mm centres intumescent sealant to the perimeter of the frame.
50mm Isover Acoustic Insulation

I referred to building bulletin 93 and 100 for acoustic and fire requirements.

Question 4

Was anyone else involved in the scheme, if so, what were their duties and how did you coordinate with them as Principal Designer?

Answer 4

Electrical engineers for the lighting, sockets and network cables.

Question 5

What documentation did you comply with?

Answer 5

Approved Document B Vol 2
Approved Document E - resistance to sound
Approved Document M Vol 2 - Access in and around buildings

Question 6

What type of specification did you use and why?

Answer 6

Prescribed specification

It gave me greater control and certainty on the finished product.

Question 7

Could you have used another form of specification; if so, which?

Answer 7

Performance specification.

Question 8

What were your key design considerations?

Answer 8

Corridor widths, fire resisting walls, spatial requirements for the classrooms, lighting, fire safety design i.e. wayfinding.

Question 9

What are the types of noise transmission?

Answer 9

Impact and Airborne