Site establishment and maintenance

Question 1

What are the key things that need to be confirmed before setting up a construction site?

Answer 1

Contract in place with the customer.
Establish scope of work.
Confirm consents are in place.
Confirm drawings and specifications provide a complete scope of work.
Develop a detailed plan and construction programme.
Establish protocols for reporting progress and other communication.

Question 2

What is the difference between lot numbers and street numbers, and when are each used?

Answer 2

Lot numbers identify a specific parcel of land.
Street numbers identify a building or structure on a street, used for navigation and mail delivery.

Question 3

What are some special features that need to be identified, protected, and/or managed during construction?

Answer 3

Boundaries.
Location of the building relative to site surroundings.
Terrain.
Special features like trees and gardens.
Location of existing or new services.
Proposed driveway locations.

Question 4

What facilities are required to allow work to start and progress safely on a building site?

Answer 4

Typical signage (hazard board, location of services, PPE requirements, company name, sign-in procedures).
Drinking water, toilet, and safe area for breaks.
Site temporary fencing.
Site access.

Question 5

What is a Gantt chart, and how does it help outline a construction programme?

Answer 5

A Gantt chart is a visual project management tool that shows tasks and their timelines. It outlines the construction schedule, indicating start and end dates for each task and how they overlap or depend on each other.

Question 6

What is a lead time, and why is it important in construction projects?

Answer 6

A lead time is the time between placing an order for materials, scheduling labor, or obtaining equipment, and when the resource becomes available on site. It’s important to ensure timely availability of materials and prevent delays.

Question 7

What factors can affect the flow of a construction project timeline?

Answer 7

Weather conditions.
Material delays.
Labor shortages.
Design changes.
Poor project management.
Unforeseen site conditions.
Health and safety incidents.

Question 8

What steps should be taken when a delivery is due onsite?

Answer 8

Advise the site of the expected delivery schedule.
Ensure an adequate traffic management plan is in place.
Identify a storage area for delivered goods to minimize double handling.

Question 9

How can materials be stored and stacked to minimize handling and keep them accessible on site?

Answer 9

Trusses can be landed on top of framing to minimize lifting.
Timber and cladding can be placed near the cutting station.
Sheets of gib can be placed in rooms or large open spaces, calculated by the amount needed per room.

Question 10

What are some examples of poor access on a construction site?

Answer 10

Narrow, poorly maintained roads.
Limited space on site.
Blocked access.
Poor site layout or planning.
Difficult terrain.
Restricted working hours.

Question 11

What are some strategies to improve poor access for deliveries?

Answer 11

Use smaller transportation when possible.
Use specialized equipment, e.g., Hi-abs with extended boom arms.
Coordinate with logistics teams to adapt to site constraints.

Question 12

How should waste materials be managed on a construction site?

Answer 12

Have an adequate waste management plan in place.
Designate separate areas for general waste, recycling, and green waste.
Manage hazardous waste according to manufacturer specifications.
Implement protection against runoff, fences to minimize waste blowing off-site, and designated washdown areas.

Question 13

What are the temporary protection requirements for materials and completed work on a construction site?

Answer 13

Protect materials, especially flooring and internal linings.
Use Gib Weatherline to protect internal elements.
Use building wrap and cover roof framing to minimize rain exposure.
Deliver materials as close to their use time as possible to minimize exposure to weather.

Question 14

What is involved in the disestablishment of a site ready for handover?

Answer 14

Completing snagging/remedial/making good lists.
Ensure all administrative tasks are completed, such as CCC, warranties, producer statements, insurances, and payments.

Question 15

What is the final inspection for a consented building project called?

Answer 15

The Final Inspection or Code of Compliance Inspection (CCC).

Question 16

What is the purpose of a Code of Compliance Inspection (CCC)?

Answer 16

To ensure the building complies with relevant codes and laws.
To ensure the property is safe to live in.
To ensure all required documentation is provided (e.g., engineer producer statements, as-built plans).

Question 17

Who performs the CCC inspection, and who issues the certificate?

Answer 17

The Local Council performs the inspection and issues the Code of Compliance Certificate (CCC).

Question 18

How does the CCC inspection affect the completion and handover of a project?

Answer 18

If the inspection is not passed or documentation is incomplete, the property may be deemed unlivable, delaying final invoicing and affecting contract terms, warranties, insurances, and penalties.

Question 19

What is the process of receiving a list of things that need fixing or remediation called?

Answer 19

The process is called the snag list or remedial list.

Question 20

What is typically involved in a snag list?

Answer 20

During the walkthrough with the client, they may identify touch-ups or unsatisfactory work that requires rework or remediation.

Question 21

How are defects determined in a construction project?

Answer 21

The process should refer to:

• The contract, drawings, specifications, and schedule of quantities (if relevant).
• The building consent and supporting documentation supplied to the Council.
• Manufacturer’s specifications and installation instructions.
• Any defect tolerance schedule agreed upon in the contract.
• Any relevant NZ Standard.

Question 22

What are some examples of documentation required for a Code of Compliance Inspection (CCC)?

Answer 22

Producer Statements.
As-Built Plans.
Warranties.

Question 23

How do lead times impact project management in construction?

Answer 23

Lead times impact the availability of materials, labor, or equipment, affecting timelines and coordination. Delays in lead time can lead to project delays, affecting budgets and subcontractor schedules.

Question 24

What is the importance of developing a detailed plan and construction programme?

Answer 24

It helps in coordinating tasks, managing resources, ensuring compliance with regulations, and tracking progress, thus reducing risks and improving efficiency.

Question 25

What is meant by poor access, and how can it impact deliveries on a construction site?

Answer 25

Poor access refers to limitations like narrow roads, restricted space, or blocked access, which can delay deliveries, complicate logistics, and impact the overall timeline. Solutions include using smaller transportation or specialized equipment.