Project and Practice Management

Question 1

advantages of sole proprietorship

Answer 1

• ease of setting up
• total management control by owner
• possible tax advantages because business losses and expenses may be deducted from the gross income of the business

Question 2

disadvantages of sole proprietorship

Answer 2

• owner is personally liable for all debts and losses of the company
• more difficult to raise capital and establish credit unless the owner’s personal credit rating and assets are adequate
• business may depend on the work and reputation of the owner

Question 3

advantages of a corporation

Answer 3

-personal assets of stockholders are not at risk if corporation is sued

Question 4

disadvantages of a corporation

Answer 4

• double taxed
• initial cost and the continuing paperwork and formal requirements necessary to maintain the business

Question 5

Joint venture

Answer 5

a temporary association of two or more persons or firms for the purpose of completing a project

-typically used by architectural firms when a project is too large to be completed by one firm

Question 6

departmenatl organization for a firm

Answer 6

• project moves through the office from one department to another
• marketing department, design dept., specs dept.,
• efficient but communication between departments is a challenge
• departmental organization makes discourages anyone to gain breadth of knowledge

Question 7

studio organization for a firm

Answer 7

• each studio is responsible for completing an entire project
• projects can be assigned to studios based on their expertise (studio for retail, studio for industrial)
• type of organization works well with a strong project manager system
• encourage close immediate conversation among studio members

Question 8

For the architect, there are 3 ways duty is established:

Answer 8

1) terms of a contract, whether written or oral
2) legislative enactment, building codes and architectural licensing laws
3) established ny architect’s conduct

Question 9

liability

Answer 9

-the legal responsibility for injury or damage to another person or property

Question 10

negligence

Answer 10

-the failure to use due care to avoid harming another person or property

Question 11

indemnification clause

Answer 11

-past of the contract that attempts to hold harmless both the owner and architect for any damages, claims, or losses resulting from the performance of any work on the project whether by the contracto or others with whom the architect has no contractual relationship

Question 12

copyright protection for an architectural work falls into two categories:

Answer 12

1) copyright for drawings, specs, and other pictoral graphical representations of the architect’s work
2) copyright for the building itself

Question 13

The architect informs the owner that because of budget constraints and ceiling heights, the sprinkler piping must be exposed. The owner directs the architect to delete the sprinkler system. Prior to deleting the system, the architect should check the requirements for sprinklers in

Answer 13

the building code

Question 14

according to ADA/ABA guidelines, what is the minimum clear floor space for one stationary wheel chair?

Answer 14

30 in

The minimum clear floor space required for one stationary wheelcahri is 30 in. This critical dimension is the basis for many other accessibility guidleines.

Question 15

According to the IBC, an assembly occupancy with an occupant load of fewer than 50 persons whould be classified as occuapncy group…

Answer 15

…B

An assembly occupancy with an occupant load of fewer than 50 persons woulf be considered a group B occupancy (IBC Sec. 303.1)

Question 16

Which of these events triggered revisions to the building codes?

a) Chicago Fire of 1871
b) San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906
c) the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001
d) all of the above

Answer 16

d) all of the above

The biggest changes to the codes tend to follow disasters, when the shortcomings of the previous requirements become apparent

Question 17

In the IBC, occupant load factors are calculated based on the…

Answer 17

net gross floor area, depending on the occupancy

• Occupant load factors are calculated based on either net or gross floor area, depending on the occupancy
• the area of the space is divided by the area assigned per person.
• occupant load represents the number of people that the code assumes will occupy a space or building
• this number is then used to determine egress requirements

Question 18

According to the ADA/ABA, what is the maximum distance an object may protrude into the path of travel when it is mounted to a wall between 27 in and 80 in?

Answer 18

4 in

This requirements is intended to minimize onstructions that a person with impaired vision may possibly walk into.

-Obstruction placed lower than 27 in may project more than 4 in as long as other requirements for access are maintained, because a person using a cane can detect the obstructions

Question 19

An office in a non sprnklered building has an occuapncy load of 290. In a non-spronklered building, the IBC requires a minimum exit width of 0.2 in per person based on the occupant load. Which of the following exit door combinations would most minimally meet the exit width required by the IBC?

a) a pair of 30 in entry doors and a 36 in door remotely loacted
b) two 36 in doors on opposite sides of the building
c) three 32 in doors remotely loacted
d) three 36 in doors remotely located from each other

Answer 19

b) two 36 in doors on opposite sides of the building, 290 people, by 0.2 in/person

To find the total exit width required, multiply the occupant load

290(0.2)=58 in

Any exit door must provode a clear width of at least 32 in. Three 36 in doors would be acceptable by the question asks for minimal requirements.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about standards and testing are false?

a Trade association standards must be followed by a building code adopted in a jurisdiction

b) the American national Standards Institute (ANSI) does not write standards
c) ASTM International does not perform tests
d) Building codes prescribe which laboratories must perform requried tests

Answer 20

d) Building codes prescribe which laboratories must perform requried tests

Building codes only prescrbe which tests and standards a material or construction element must meet in order to be acceptable. Any qualified Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) may perform a test, as long as the lab follows procedures described in the test

Question 21

Measured vertically from the nosing of the stair, how high must a handrail be for barrier free design?

Answer 21

34 in

According to the ADA/ABA, for barrier frre design a bandrail must be 34 in to 38 in high, measured vertically from the nosing of the stair

Question 22

An archtiect has been hired to prepare a design for remodeling toilet room to them accessible. The archiect finds it is impossible to provide adequate clearance on one side of an entrance dooe. What is the most economical course of action?

a) apply to the building department for a hardship exemption because compliance is not really achievable
b) tell the client that walls shouls be demolisehd and the toilet room replanned to privde the necessary clearances
c) specify a power-assisted door openener that meets accessibility standards for the noncompliant door
d) plan for accessbile toilet room in another location in the building where all requirements can be adequately met

Answer 22

c) specify a power-assisted door openener that meets accessibility standards for the noncompliant door

Question 23

Which of the following ramp configurations meets barrier free design requirements?

a) 1:14 slope with max rise of 24 in
b) 1:12 slope with max rise of 34 in
c) 1:10 slope with Max rise of 8 in
d) 1:8 slope with max rise of 4 in

Answer 23

a) 1:14 slope with max rise of 24 in
- Max slope complying with ADA is 1:12 but the max total rise between landings is 30 in

Question 24

a ramp build with a slope 1:10 is allowed if the rise is no more than…

Answer 24

…6 in

Question 25

a ramp build with a slope 1:8 is allowed if the rise is no more than…

Answer 25

…3 in or less

Question 26

For aesthetic reasons, the architect’s specs in a bulding project call for a specific method of constrcuting a concrete wall and slab that is not in accordance with normal construction practices. The contractor tells the architect that the contractor believes the specified method will create unsafe conditions. According to AIAI A201, what actions must the contractor take?

Answer 26

give written notice to both the owner and architect of the safety concerns, and wait for instruction from the architect.

• generally, the contractor is soley responsible for the means and methods of construction, unless the contract documents give specific instructions to the contrary
• if the contractor determines that the specs create and unsafe situation, the contractor must give timely written notice to both the owner and architect of the situation and not proceed with work until architect responds with instructions
• if contractor is instructied to proceed regardless of the safety concerns, the owner becomes soley responsible for any losses or damages

Question 27

if a GC fails to pay a subcontractor, the subcaontractor can protect its financial interests by using

a. a performance bond
b. a conractor’s affidavit of payment
c. builder’s risk insurance
d. a mechanic’s lien

Answer 27

d. a mechanic’s lien
- a mechanic’s lien is a claim by one party against the property of another party for the satisfaction of a debt
- used by a material supplier, subcontracto, or contractor who has a financial interest in the project ro gain payment

Question 28

as an alternative to liens…

Answer 28

…a labor and material payment bond can protect the owner against claims by subcontractors and suppliers who are not paid by the GC

-bond gives these parties right to collect payment from the surety (company that issued the bond)

Question 29

according to B101, the architect must prepare cost estimates for the project during what phases?

Answer 29

schematic, design development, and construction documents phases

Question 30

When deciding on the types of insurance needed for a project, which of the professionals whould the owner rely on?

Answer 30

• owner should seek advice from his or legal counsel and isurance agent on matter of insurance
• architect should not give legal advice
• contractor should only be involved with the various types of insurance that contractors must carry for the project

Question 31

WHich of the following section of the ADA apply to the design and construction of public facilities (choose 2)

a. title I
b. title II
c. titile III
d. title IV
e. title V
f. title VI

Answer 31

BC

• title II (Public Services)
• title III (Public Accommodations)

Question 32

On a large, privately funded project, the lowest bid is 15% higher than the owern’s original budget, Under the provisions of AIA B101, the owner electsto revise the project scope and quality to reduce the cost. In this case the architect must….

Answer 32

modify the contract documents as necessary, without additional compensation, to comply with the budget

Question 33

For the remodelign and renovation of an 1850s church, the archtiect retains the services of a historic preservation consultant using AIA C401. The consultant’s services include developing drawings showing the reapir and anchoring of existing stonework. During construction the contractor discovers that the anchoring methods specified by the consultant violate the local building code and have to be modified at additional cost. The party responsible for the cost of the modifications is…

Answer 33

…the consultant

-consultants are responsible for code compliance regarding their area of work and for the accurate production of their drawings

Question 34

according to AIA B101, which of the following services is not part of the architect’s basic services for project closeout?

a. forwarding written warranties to the owner
b. sending a consent of surety to the owner
c. commissioning
d. meeting with the owner to determine the need for facility operation services

Answer 34

c. commissioning

Question 35

Which type of architectural services fee structure is preferable when a client is embarking on his or her first architectural project and does not yet have a program?

Answer 35

• multiple of direct personnel expense
• clients undertaking theur first construction project without a program would spend a great deal of time and the archtiect’s time determining needs and making decisions
• programming is not considered part of the archtiect’s basic services
• cost plus fee method, such as a multiple fo direct personnel expense would ensure that no matter how much time was spent on the project, the archtiect would still cover expenses and make a profit

Question 36

Which of the following is false?

a. the architect is responsible for a defect in the work if he or she sees the defect during a site visit but fails to report it to the contractor
b. the owner has the sole right to make changes in the work but must do so through the architect
c. the architect does not have to verify soils test reports given by the owner
d. when the construction documents are almost complete, the architect must update the preliminary estimate of the cost of work

Answer 36

a. the architect is responsible for a defect in the work if he or she sees the defect during a site visit but fails to report it to the contractor

Question 37

a common way of evaluating staff productivity in a n architecture firm is to examine

a. direct salary expense
b. the time utilization ratio
c. the net multiplier
d. direct personnel expense

Answer 37

c. the net multiplier

net multiplier = net revenue/direct salary expense

• the net multiplier expresses how many dollars of revenue come into the firm for each dollar paid to employees
• employees must generate more revenue than their direct salary expense for the firm to conitnue to operate, pay for all indirect expenses, and remain profitable

Question 38

net revenues

Answer 38

total amount of revenue generated by the firm’s own forces

-excludes “pass through” income such as consultant’s fees and reimbursable expenses

Question 39

direct salary expense

Answer 39

amount paid to the firm’s work force, excluding the value of enefits such as insurance

-direct personnel expense includes the value of benefits

Question 40

time utilization ratio

Answer 40

compares the number of hours an emplyee charges to project to the total number of hours for which that employee is compensated

Question 41

affinity

Answer 41

• stupid word used to confuse you
• means: adjacency; describes the relationship between two functions that are interdependent or need to be in physical proximity to each other

Question 42

full wall schedule

Answer 42

• used to char tthe involvement and responsibilities of all members of the project team
• techinque requires everyone on the project to work on developing the project schedule
• facilitates discussion about work tasks, responsibilities, and project deadlines

Question 43

a tort may arise from

a. criminal activity of the architect
b. unauthorized downloading of software
c. negligence of the architect
d. theft of building materials from the project site

Answer 43

c. negligence of the architect
- tort is a civil wrong resulting form negligence as opposed to a criminal act

Question 44

which of the following is NOT and advantage of a sole proprietorship?

a. ease of establishment
b. liability is limited to the owner’s investment
c. management control by the owner
d. tax advantages

Answer 44

b. liability is limited to the owner’s investment
- a sole proprietor has unlimited liability for negligence or other claims against the company, and is subject to claims on personal property and other areas

Question 45

monitoring architectural fees and percentage of project completion is most often done

a. daily
b. weekly,
c. biweekly
d. monthly

Answer 45

b. weekly

Question 46

in AIA G612, there’s a checklist that owners can used to define project requirements as they relate to the general conditions. This firm requests that the owner consult with legal insurance counsel to discuss issues that will be addressed in the supplementary conditions and in the contract documents. This form does not request information about

a. liability insurance requirements
b. design schedule
c. method of procurement
d. equal opportunity requirements

Answer 46

b. design schedule

Question 47

drafting supplementary conditions is the responsibility of whom?

Answer 47

the owner

Question 48

the municipality in which a project is proposed has extremely stringent zoning regulations. In order to obtain zoning apporval, the municipality’s regulations require the archtiect to submit an extensive set of documents including dimensioned site plans, building elevations, color renderings, exterior material samples, landscape plans, signage details, and documentation demonstration compliance with lighting and stormwater regulations. Under the provisions of a AIA B201, the creation of these documents would most likely be considered..

Answer 48

change in services

Question 49

the traditional method of insuring quality by carefully checking documents before they are distributed to the owner or contract is called

Answer 49

quality control

Question 50

There are 3 questions an architect must answer at the beginning of a project to determine the permitted size and layout of the building:

Answer 50

1) What is the occupancy of this building?
2) What type of fire suppression system will be required
3) What type of construction should be used?