Hot Topics Flashcards
1
Q
What is the RICS guidance on Social Media?
A
- RICS Guidance Note ‘Use of Social Media: Guidance for Members Version 1’ took affect from 2021
- Sets out rules in the Rules of Conduct and how these don’t change when using social media
2
Q
How do you operate in accordance with Use of Social Media Guidance Note?
A
- Use social media in a responsible and professional manner
- Use professional and respectful language
3
Q
When would the RICS investigate a social media post by one of its members?
A
- If it is discriminatory
- Dishonest
- Abusive or threatening
- Likely to cause significant harm, distress or offence
4
Q
What does RAAC concrete stand for?
A
Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete
5
Q
When was RAAC concrete commonly used?
A
Between the 1950s and 1990s in schools, hospitals etc
6
Q
What are the properties of RAAC concrete?
A
- Used to form panels or planks
- Has no aggregate like concrete
- Normally used in flat roofs, wall panels or floor panels
7
Q
What are the concerns with RAAC concrete?
A
It has recently been linked to structural failure due to damage due to water ingress, corrosion of reinforcement, excessive thermal degradation and poor original installation
8
Q
How do you identify RAAC concrete?
A
Light grey or white panels, smooth on underside, inside of planks appear bubbly
9
Q
What is the RICS Inclusive Employer Quality Mark?
A
- RICS launching this scheme to improve diversity and inclusion in construction and property sector
- Requires employers to pledge their commitment to adopting and continually improving against the following 6 principles: leadership and vision, recruitment, staff development, staff retention, staff engagement and continuous improvement
- Firms must assess against the criteria on a biannual basis
10
Q
What are the benefits of diversity and inclusion?
A
- Attract skilled professionals from diverse backgrounds
- Sense of belonging
- More connected
- Increases productivity
- Reduces staff turnover
- Allows employees to feel valued and accepted
11
Q
What is the RICS doing to improve diversity and inclusion?
A
- Set up diversity and inclusion panel
- Includes initiatives such as International Womens Day, Pride etc
12
Q
What are the pros and cons of Hybrid working?
A
Pros
- Less distraction
- More productivity
- Less cost and time spent on travel and food
- Encourages work life balance and flexibility
- Savings on office space
Cons
- Loss of social connection
- Reduced collaboration
- Risk of burn out / hard to switch off
- Less recognition
- Productivity depends on quality of work space
13
Q
What was the Birchard Review?
A
- Commissioned by RICS in 2021 into purpose, strategy and governance of the RICS
- Followed on from Levitt review
- Advised on recommendations such as: introduction of diversity and inclusion panel, improvement of technology, commercial activity separated from other activities, RICS Matrics should give young members a voice by putting them on Governing Council
14
Q
How do you define Professional Standards vs Practice Information?
A
- Professional standards set out requirements and expectations with a focus on baseline expectations in terms of competence and ethical behaviour.
- Practice information sets out supporting guidance in delivery specific services or working in specific areas of practice, guidance is not mandatory.
15
Q
What is the guidance around the use of the RICS logo?
A
- Guidelines split into Rules of Conduct for Firms and individuals
- Contain info regarding correct usage approved by Standards and Regulation Board
- As a qualified member you have the right to use logo for personal use i.e., email signature, business cards etc
- Font and colour must not be adjusted, minimum clearance equivalent to the size of the R in RICS
16
Q
What is IPMS?
A
- International Property Management Standards
- Coalition of 80 global professional organisations
- Various versions - IPMS office, IPMS residential, IPMS retail
- IPMS All Buildings introduced in Jan 2023, superseding all previous versions
17
Q
Why was IPMS recently updated?
A
- Shorter and more concise format
- Definitions deliberately unique to prevent confusion amongst existing standards
- Organised into 4 volumes
- Thought to encourage adoption of the simplified version of the standard
18
Q
What is the RICS Futures Report?
A
- Launched in 2015
- Highlighted key trends such as urbanisation, disruption of big data and climate crisis as key challenges to property and construction industries
- 2020 report findings included:
- Construction industry produces a huge amount of data, 95% of which is wasted. RICS set up innovation and technology hub to provide expertise on how data can be put to good use.
- Rapid urbanisation in China
- Rapid increase in use of drones - compliance issues
19
Q
What steps would you take if a main Contractor became insolvent?
A
- Termination of contract, corporate recovery and insolvency guidance note covers this
- Secure site
- Move off site materials to secure premises
- Exercise any relevant clause in the contract
- Call in bonds that may be due
- Consider appointing insolvency expert
- Keep detailed records of current progress
- Prepare and issue statement of valuation
- Prepare a notional final account
- Make schedule of works to complete the project
- Liaise with any administrators
20
Q
What key challenges does the Global Economic Recession present to your area of surveying?
A
- Rising inflation rates - large increase in borrowing costs
- Create challenges for developers/ funders who created budget prior to increased inflation
- Financial viability of developments no longer stacks up
- Decrease requirement for office space and shopping centres, increase requirement for logistics and data centres
21
Q
What were the effects of the Ukraine conflict on the construction industry?
A
- Energy price increases
- Costs of building products such as steel, brick, plastics and ceramics increased
- Intensified an already turbulent market
- Delay and disruption due to material and labour shortages
22
Q
What effects did Brexit have on the construction industry?
A
- Free movement of people ended 31st Dec 2020
- Labour increases due to labour shortages
- Material price increases
- Movement of materials - traders have to meet Rules of Origin
- Employers have to register as sponsors to recruit from abroad
23
Q
What is the RICS Guidance on Brexit
A
- RICS have provided a number of position statements highlighting concerns with Brexit
- Highlights what the UK Government should be doing such as encouraging diversity of construction workforce
- Loss of EU funding could impact project delivery in the UK
24
Q
What is COP?
A
- Conference of the parties
- Attended by countries who signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
- Takes place every year, members discuss progress of previous agreements and put in place future initiatives to tackle climate change
25
What is the Paris Agreement?
- At COP 21, Paris Agreement was formed
- Parties agreed to pursue efforts to prevent temperatures rising more than 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels
26
What are green mortgages?
- Rewards purchaser or owner of an energy efficient home
- Lower interest rates or receiving cash back when you take out a mortgage
27
What is the urban greening factor?
- Tool that evaluates the amount of urban greening (vegetation cover and planting around buildings) to aid the appropriate planning of greening on future developments
- Aim to increase amount of green cover around buildings
28
What is ICMS3?
- International cost management standard
- Provides framework for life cycle cost data and carbon emissions from inception to completion
- Provides format for defining, measuring, recording and presenting life cycle costs and carbon emissions associated with construction projects
29
What is embodied carbon?
- Carbon emissions generated from extraction, manufacture, transportation, assembly, repair/ replacement and deconstruction of construction materials or products
30
What components are included in Contract Documentation?
- Depends on form of contract
- D&B - ER's and CP's, including CSA
- Standard - Drawings, spec and pricing document - Schedule of Rates or BoQ
- ER's include Prelims, PCI, planning, drawings, spec, legal documents
31
How do valuations define parties obligations and rights
- Have to stick to payment timescales in the Contract
- Contractor must submit within 7 days of the IVD or QS makes an assessment
- Employer must pay by Final Date for Payment or Contractor can suspend works
- If QS doesn't issue Payment Notice, Employer will have to pay what the Contractor applied for
32
Why did you advise a Standard Building Contract for the Restaurant scheme?
- Quality was a key driver for the Client and this way they could retain design control
33
Why did you use a Schedule of Works for the pricing doc for the Restaurant?
It was a Standard Building Contract without quants which is most appropriate in this instance
34
What was included in the CDP?
- Stairs
- Lift
- M&E
- Roller shutter
35
How did you manage the CDP when on site?
- Contractor submitted drawings from Subcontractors for the design team to review and comment/ approve
- Collateral warranties provided
36
How did you assess variations
- Check Contract Documents to check it should not have been included at Contract
- Look at Schedule of Rates to assess rates if applicable and of similar character
- Measure quantities
- Use Spons / check rates with Subcontractors/ Suppliers
- Present to the Client if legitimate and once reviewed
37
What are the main effects of Brexit on the construction industry?
- Movement of personnel restricted
- Movement of materials restricted
- Material cost increases
38
How have the RICS dealt with Brexit?
- Providing a number of position statements highlighting concerns
- Advised Government to encourage growth and diversity of construction workforce
- Calling for Government to keep EIB funding or introduce a new lending mechanism
39
What material was used in Grenfell that contributed to the fire?
ACM cladding - aluminium composite material, was thought to contain combustible materials that contributed towards the spread of fire. This cladding is now banned on high rise homes.
40
What is an EWS1?
External Wall System Fire Review Certificate
41
What was agreed at COP 26?
- Failed to raise the $100bn annual climate funding to vulnerable countries
- Explicit plan to reduce use of coal, phase down rather than phase out approach
- Significantly increase money to help developing countries cope with the effects of climate change
42
What was agreed at COP 27?
Loss and damage fund agreed for countries most affected by loss and damage due to weather
43
What is ICMS3?
- International cost management standard
- Provides framework for cost and carbon management in construction from concept to completion.
44
What is the RICS futures report?
- Focuses on key trends, such as rapid urbanisation, climate crisis and technology
- Results in 2020 Futures Report included introduction of innovation and technology hub to deal with data, online courses to help surveyors learn how to use drones compliantly etc.
45
