JL Submission - CPD Flashcards
What is the value toolkit?
- Government backed initiative designed to change the way the construction industry thinks about and measures value
- Aimed at policy makers, clients, advisors, construction industry
- Tools include value profile and indices, procuring for value, delivery model selector, asset and project monitoring
What impacts does the construction industry have on the environment?
- Emissions - construction contributes 40% carbon emissions, 80% of this from existing buildings. Construction contributes nitrogen emissions, sulphur dioxide emissions too
- Contamination - petroleum products can leak into soil and rivers. Air pollution with dust and sand
- Biodiversity - urbanisation can result in diminishing forests, especially in parts of Asia, Americas. Less biodiversity = less ecosystem productivity
- Materials - Concrete, PVC. Can lead to inhalation of fumes, lead to potential diseases
- Waste - over 2b tonnes waste from EU each year. Construction industry produces most waste in England (33%)
What are some methods of passive fire protection for structural steel?
- Intumescent fire stopping paints
- Fire stopping boards
- Fire stopping sprays
What are eurocodes?
- Europe-wide standards for aspects of structural design and development of buildings
- Refer to BSI for further info
Can you tell me a bit more about sustainable construction solutions you explored?
- Smart glass windows - change colour / opacity to manage light and energy efficiency
- Modular construction - mass manufacturing units, can be quicker time, 7 types
- Zero-energy buildings - designed to be off grid (self sufficient in energy production and use), very energy efficient, lots of insulation. Communities really useful (multiple homes sharing renewable energy source)
- Building certification (BREEAM, LEED)
- Sustainable materials - sheep wool, recycled plastic, bamboo, hemp
What can be done to ensure a smoother payment process throughout projects?
- Key payment date schedule
- Detailed breakdown of works
- Regular updates to cashflow with changes in programme
- Established payment procedures and invoice numbers
What are some of the impacts of Brexit on the construction industry?
- Skills shortage
- Materials shortage
- Additional admin to get to/from UK
- Cost increases
- Contractual elements - increased likelihood of contractors wanting fluctuations provisions
How do you put a bid together for new work?
- Organogram
- CVs
- Company policies
- Consider quality questions
- Fee structure
Is there any partnering relationships now in lieu of Private Finance Initiatives?
- Public Private Partnerships - concession contract (private sector provides something on behalf of public authority and public sector pays them, i.e. toll roads)
- institutional PPP, i.e. JV (2+ separate entities coming together), both sharing risk and reward
What is a private finance initiative?
- Public authority directly pays private sector company to finance and provide service
- £20m+ projects
- After set time (say 30 years) development reverts to only public sector ownership
- Significantly more expensive long term, inflexible, poor value for money
What to do upon discovering antiquities?
- Classes as relevant event and relevant matter - EoT and L&E
- St Botolph’s - current work at standstill until CA issues instruction with actions (i.e. examination, excavation)
- Usually significant delays on site, potential resequencing of works
- Under 1996 Treasure Act, discovery could class as ‘treasure’ and monies earned from selling could be shared to offset construction costs
What would happen if one party wanted to appeal / didn’t agree with adjudication decision?
- Decision temporarily binding - must comply with result unless overturned by other dispute resolution procedure (i.e. arbitration and litigation)
- Often results are similar outcome than adjudicator’s, unless adjudicator has vested interest, misinterpreted, or malpractice
- Accept and comply unless overturned
Different case law related to adjudication decision?
- St Andrew’s Bay Development vs HBG Management - adjudicator decision late (due to late payment of fees) and this wasn’t allowed, but decision wasn’t null
- Cubitt Building & Interiors vs Fleetgate - Adjudicator did not communicate decision in time but said he had completed decision by final day. Judge deemed if decision not reached within 28 days it’s considered nullity
- Lorraine Lee vs Chartered Properties - Adjudication decision extension request not accepted by one of the parties. Court decided adjudicator’s decision not enforceable
> different responses, chance that decision may be nullified, but if that’s the sole reason for appeal it’s not a strong argument in court
What to do in the case the contractor risks going insolvent?
- Keep eye on site progress, ensure correct amounts certified
- Look over contractor’s financial records (though historic so may not reflect current position)
- Consider whether more frequent valuations and payments may help
- Everything paid by client must remain onsite
- Look out for level of workmanship
- Check bonds, warranties, insurances in place
Who owns materials on site in the event of contractor insolvency?
- Site secured, materials and equipment safely stored from weather damage and theft
- Cannot remove from site without CA’s permission, regardless of whether paid or not
- CA responsibility to remove (or procure someone else) materials and equipment belonging to contractor, must have CA written permission
Who is responsible for paying to secure site materials upon termination?
Under contract, Employer takes reasonable measures to ensure site, works and materials adequately protected, assume Employer bears costs
Who is responsible for removing contractor’s materials from site?
Contract says contractor removes items, their responsibility
What are some of the talks you listened to at the London Build Expo?
- Creating culture to encourage discussion about mental health in construction (mental health first aid, social activities, looking at prevention, resilience training and crisis management)
- Future of cities - Public spaces considerations for feeling welcome (sustainable sourcing, neurodiversity considerations, accessibility)
- Sustainability - design for disassembly and its impacts
