Section 4 Quiz

Question 1

At what phase should the commissioning agent ideally be engaged?

Answer 1

Design. Engaging a commissioning agent early in the design phase allows coordination on installation, performance, and training, reducing the likelihood of costly changes during construction and enhancing building efficiency and equipment longevity.

Question 2

When is the best phase to engage a commissioning agent if design-phase involvement is not possible?

Answer 2

Ideally, the commissioning agent is involved during the design phase. If that isn’t possible, engaging them in the construction phase is the next best option.

Question 3

Which items are components of procurement documents?

Answer 3

Addenda: Modifications to the project manual and/or contract drawings issued during bidding to be included in the bid.

Project Manual: Contains text-based contract documents and procurement requirements for the bid.

Contract Drawings: Graphic illustrations of the project being bid.

Question 4

If utilizing BIM, which phase of the project generally requires the least staffing?

Answer 4

Construction administration services
The MacLeamy Curve shows that, in BIM-supported projects, later phases often require fewer staff due to early detection and resolution of construction issues in the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) process.

Question 5

In an IPD project, why would the design development phase require more staffing than construction administration

Answer 5

Design development requires significant staffing because, like schematic design, IPD projects allocate more resources upfront. This allows the project team to resolve complex design issues early, enabling reduced staffing needs in later phases.

Question 6

Why does schematic design require higher staffing levels in an IPD project?

Answer 6

Schematic design in IPD requires a larger team because the project’s potential impact is maximized during early stages. By resolving issues in these initial phases, the project team can reduce complications later on.

Question 7

Why would the construction documents phase in an IPD project still need more staffing than construction administration?

Answer 7

Although IPD projects address many details early on, the construction documents phase still requires sufficient staff to finalize drawings and specifications for bidding. This phase demands more resources than construction administration to ensure the project’s success.

Question 8

Who bears the additional costs for redesign and reconstruction if the kitchen designer changes the scope after construction has begun?

Answer 8

The owner is responsible for these costs, as the changes originated from their kitchen designer after initial design decisions and construction had started.

Question 9

Is the architect responsible for additional costs if the owner’s kitchen designer makes changes to the scope after construction starts?

Answer 9

No, the architect is not responsible. The changes made by the owner’s kitchen designer are outside the architect’s control, especially since the owner chose a fast-track process, which increases the risk of change orders.

Question 10

Would the concrete contractor be responsible for costs associated with reworking foundations due to a design change after installation?

Answer 10

No, the concrete contractor is not responsible for these additional costs, as the foundation redesign resulted from a late-stage scope change initiated by the owner’s kitchen designer.

Question 11

Is the general contractor liable for additional costs if the owner’s kitchen designer changes the scope after construction has begun?

Answer 11

No, the general contractor is not liable for these extra costs. The owner’s fast-tracked project approach increases the chance of change orders from design revisions made without complete information.

Question 12

How does BIM improve coordination with MEP engineers?

Answer 12

BIM improves coordination by utilizing built-in clash-detection systems, which help identify coordination issues earlier in the design process, reducing the amount of coordination needed later.

Question 13

How does BIM impact the time it takes to receive building permits?

Answer 13

BIM software does not significantly impact the time it takes to receive building permits. While BIM can help finish projects more quickly, it doesn’t affect the permit review time.

Question 14

How does BIM affect a firm’s ability to take on more projects with fewer employees?

Answer 14

BIM software does not reduce the amount of work on a project. It automates and organizes systems, leading to more precise drawings. However, firms may need to hire additional BIM coordinators to manage the software.

Question 15

How does BIM affect design fees across projects?

Answer 15

BIM software does not typically reduce design fees. While contractor and material fees may decrease due to more accurate quantity take-offs and early clash detection, design fees generally remain the same.

Question 16

Why is it easier to maintain design continuity in a vertical structure?

Answer 16

In a vertical structure, having the same staff on one project team from start to finish ensures that design decisions align with the initial design intent, maintaining design continuity.

Question 17

Why is it more difficult to staff projects in a vertical structure?

Answer 17

In a vertical structure, assembling the staff can be difficult because the strengths of each team member must be carefully evaluated to ensure they provide equal expertise in each phase of the project.

Question 18

Why does a project in a vertical structure not require fewer staff as it progresses?

Answer 18

Staffing is typically consistent throughout the project in a vertical structure, and staffing is not usually reduced as the project progresses.

Question 19

What type of structure benefits from cross-departmental collaboration, unlike a vertical structure?

Answer 19

A horizontal structure benefits from cross-departmental collaboration, whereas a vertical structure does not emphasize this.

Question 20

What energy code applies to a project?

Answer 20

The energy code in effect at the time of filing with the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) applies to the project. This may vary by jurisdiction.

Question 21

Which of the following is the best way to clearly communicate outstanding tasks and responsibilities?

Answer 21

Action item list.
An action item list clearly documents required tasks and assigns responsibility, minimizing confusion and helping recipients easily identify their accountable tasks.

Question 22

Which of the following is not ideal for communicating outstanding tasks and responsibilities in a project?

Answer 22

Memoranda.
Memoranda are meant for detailed descriptions of tasks and are typically appropriate for one person, not a group.

Question 23

Which of the following would not be effective for clearly communicating outstanding tasks and responsibilities?

Answer 23

Meeting summary.
A meeting summary is too general and may include irrelevant information, making it less effective for clearly outlining specific tasks.

Question 24

Why is marking an email “urgent” not the best approach for communicating tasks and responsibilities?

Answer 24

Marking an email “urgent” does not guarantee that recipients will read the meeting minutes carefully, and it does not simplify the communication of necessary tasks and deliverables.

Question 25

Which of the following is incorrect regarding the federal tax filing process for an LLP?

Answer 25

File one LLP certificate for the firm.
An LLP certificate is filed with the secretary of state, not the IRS.

Question 26

What is a company that limits liability and is similar to a corporation in this regard?

Answer 26

A limited liability company (LLC).
An LLC is a company that limits liability, similar to a corporation.

Question 27

Which business structure protects partners from a firm’s business liabilities but not from their own professional actions?

Answer 27

A limited liability partnership (LLP).
An LLP can protect partners from a firm’s business liabilities, but not from liabilities arising from their own professional actions.

Question 28

Which type of company allows individual owners to protect their personal assets from some of the firm’s business liabilities but not from the liabilities of their professional actions?

Answer 28

A professional corporation.
A professional corporation allows owners to protect personal assets from some of the firm’s business liabilities, but not from professional liability.

Question 29

Which business structure makes each partner personally responsible for all actions of the firm?

Answer 29

A partnership.
In a partnership, each partner is personally responsible for all actions of the firm.

Question 30

Which business structure holds the owner personally liable both professionally and financially for all actions of the firm?

Answer 30

A sole proprietorship.
In a sole proprietorship, the owner is liable professionally and financially for all actions of the firm.

Question 31

Which tool is ideal for creating a fully collaborative environment where multiple stakeholders can contribute throughout the design process?

Answer 31

Building information modeling (BIM).
Utilizing BIM allows for a fully collaborative environment where multiple stakeholders can be brought in throughout the design process. The model is constantly updated, and design can be coordinated in real time and space.

Question 32

Which tool is primarily used for assisting with site drawings and schematic design but offers limited collaboration benefits for large, complicated projects?

Answer 32

Geographic information systems (GIS).
GIS is useful for site drawings and schematic design, but it provides very little assistance for collaboration in large, complicated projects.

Question 33

Which method is great for generating highly detailed existing condition drawings but is less helpful for collaboration in the design process?

Answer 33

Point clouds.
Point clouds are great for generating highly detailed existing condition drawings, but they are less helpful for collaboration during the design process.

Question 34

Which design tool does not provide the same level of collaboration and coordination as BIM?

Answer 34

Computer-aided design (CAD).
CAD-generated drawings have been used for a long time, but they do not offer the level of collaboration and coordination that a BIM model affords.

Question 35

What should a firm do to ensure it can effectively use BIM applications?

Answer 35

Review hardware requirements.
BIM applications require reasonably up-to-date hardware. The firm should compare the hardware requirements of BIM programs with their existing hardware to ensure compatibility.

Question 36

Why is it important to invest in BIM training for all employees in a small office?

Answer 36

Invest in BIM training for all employees.
All members of the staff should be well-versed in BIM due to the different nature of design from 2D software. It’s important that everyone understands the new terminology and how the drawing sets and buildings come together. BIM also requires 3D, spatial thinking, which may change the way projects are designed and how QA/QC processes are performed.

Question 37

What is a better approach for transitioning to BIM software than switching all projects at once?

Answer 37

Allow employees to gradually transition to the new software.
Transitioning from 2D to BIM software can be time- and learning-intensive. Allowing employees to gradually transition will help them learn at a comfortable pace while still meeting project deadlines.

Question 38

What is a more productive approach than hiring new BIM-capable staff and laying off non-BIM-capable staff?

Answer 38

Train existing staff in BIM.
BIM training for existing staff is more productive because they are already familiar with the firm’s standards, workflow, and projects. The firm can outsource BIM training or hire BIM managers to handle the workload, depending on firm size.

Question 39

What should a firm create to ensure consistent quality of work when using BIM software?

Answer 39

Create BIM office standards.
Just like with any other tool, firms should create BIM office standards to ensure consistent, readable drawings. This will help employees produce high-quality work while using the new software.

Question 40

What method is used to detect conflicts between trades in a BIM model before or during documentation?

Answer 40

Electronic collision detection.
Collision detection in a BIM model can identify conflicts between trades early in the design process, before or during documentation.

Question 41

Why are in-house reviews not as effective for identifying conflicts at the schematic design phase in BIM?

Answer 41

In-house reviews.
At the schematic design phase, many drawings are not fully on paper, making it difficult to conduct thorough in-house reviews using traditional methods.

Question 42

What is a potential drawback of a third-party review when looking for conflicts in BIM models?

Answer 42

Third-party review.
While a third-party review can help identify errors, the outside source may not know the drawings as well as someone working directly on the project and might miss collision points.

Question 43

Why are team meetings not as thorough as electronic collision detection for identifying conflicts in a BIM model?

Answer 43

Team meetings.
Team meetings can identify potential known collisions, but they are not as thorough or effective as electronic collision detection in the BIM model for identifying conflicts.

Question 44

What should the general contractor submit first for clarification of a design detail?

Answer 44

Tell the general contractor to submit a request for information (RFI).
To maintain proper communication protocols, the general contractor should submit an RFI to the architect for clarification of the detail.

Question 45

Why is it incorrect to tell the general contractor to submit a change order request first for design clarification?

Answer 45

Tell the general contractor to submit a change order request.
The general contractor should first submit an RFI for clarification, as the clarification may not require a change order.

Question 46

Why is it incorrect to send the general contractor a construction change directive before clarifying the design?

Answer 46

Send the general contractor a construction change directive.
The general contractor should first submit an RFI to clarify the design. The clarification will determine if a construction change directive is necessary.

Question 47

Why is providing clarification over the phone to the general contractor not ideal?

Answer 47

Provide clarification to the general contractor over the phone.
Verbal clarification does not create a proper paper trail for design clarifications, which is essential for maintaining documentation and accountability.