Hot Topics

Question 1

982 What is BIM? (410)

Answer 1

Business information Modelling.

Question 2

983 What is it used for?

Answer 2

• Design – Manage and construct projects
• Decision making – Can help Clients and stakeholders make decisions at the right time.
• Creates the basis of an asset database to support maintenance and operation

Question 3

984 What are the benefits of BIM?

Answer 3

• Helps identify changes
• Can assist with clash detection and sequencing
• Can be used to produce a BoQ
• Can assist with procurement and programme
• Can help the Client understand the design prior to construction

Question 4

985 What is a BEP and how does it relate to your EIR?

Answer 4

BEP is a BIM Execution Plan and is a plan prepared by the supplier to explain how information modelling aspects of a project will be carried out. This should be a direct response to the EIR or Employers Information Requirements. The EIR is a document produced by the Client which details out the information to be delivered to the standards or processes to be adopted by the supplier.

Question 5

986 What is clash detection?

Answer 5

Softwear that stops individual elements being placed in the same location in building plans

Question 6

987 Why might a building be listed?

Answer 6

• Architectural interest (certain design, type, construction etc)
• Historic interest
• Historic association (related to a historical figure)
• Group value (part of a larger group of properties, maybe on an estate)

Question 7

989 What are the three categories of listing in Scotland and Northern Ireland?

Answer 7

Scotland – Grade A, B & C
Northern Ireland – Grade A, B+ and B

Question 8

990 What is curtilage? (418)

Answer 8

An area of land around a listed building within which other buildings predating July 1948 may potentially be considered listed
Or is generally used to refer to a parcel of land attached to a building and forming one enclosure with it. Where their relationship is such that the constitute and integral whole.

Question 9

991 What works can be undertaken on a listed building?

Answer 9

It is illegal to alter listed buildings without prior consent from the appropriate authority. This is referred to as listed buildings consent. Historic England is the body that will decide what can or cannot be undertaken. If works are carried out without consent the local planning authority

Question 10

992 What is a conservation area?

Answer 10

This is an area that have been designated as being of special architectural or historic interest. The character or appearance of which is desirable to preserve or enhance.
It is an offence to undertake work in a conservation area without the prior approval of the local planning authority. Who can insist that work is reversed.

Question 11

993 What are planning conditions?

Answer 11

• A condition imposed on a grant of planning permission (under the town and country panning act 1990)
• Usually to be discharged prior to starting the work or before the development becomes operational
• Conditions include time limits, environmental issues and the external appearance of the development

Question 12

994 What are reserved matters on a planning application?

Answer 12

Those aspects of a proposed development which the applicant can choose not to submit details of with an outline planning application (they can be “reserved” for a later determination)

Question 13

995 What is a section 278 agreement?

Answer 13

Also referred to as S278 is a section of the highways act 1980 that allows developers to enter into a legal agreement with the council to make alteration or improvement to a public highway as part of a planning application.

Question 14

996 What is a section 106 agreement?

Answer 14

Is an agreement between developer and the local panning authority about measures the developer must take to reduce their impact on the community. It Is designed to make a development possible that would otherwise not be possible by obtaining concessions and contributions from the developer.

Question 15

997 What does a section 106 agreement cover?

Answer 15

Most commonly
* Public open spaces
* Affordable housing and education
* Highways
* Town centre improvements

Question 16

998 What is the Latham report?

Answer 16

Report entitled “Constructing the team” was an influential report written by Sir Michael Latham, published in July 1994. Commissioned by the Government and industry organisations to review procurement and contractual arguments in the UK construction industry. Aiming to tackle controversial issues facing the industry during a period of lapse in growth. It identified industrial inefficiencies, condemning existing industry practices as “adversarial, ineffective, fragmented, incapable of delivering for its Client and lacking in respect for its employees.

Question 17

999 What did Latham recommend?

Answer 17

That the Client should be at the core of the construction process and that the industry should move away from its adversarial approach adopting a more integrated one with greater partnering and teamwork.
* As the largest procurer of construction, the Government should commit itself to becoming a best practice Client
* The NEC should be adopted
* Partnering should be used to encourage the establishment of long-term contracting arrangements
* There should be greater standardisation and integration of contract documents
* Should be compulsory latent defects insurance
* There should be publication of several codes of practice and guidance documents to clarify, coordinate and standardise practices across the industry
* Take steps to avoid conflict, speedy dispute resolution and adjudication

Question 18

1000 What is CSR?

Answer 18

Corporate Social Responsibility refers to a belief that companies should have a positive impact on the community and wider society rather than simply generating profit.