SoE - Construction technology and environmental services Flashcards

1
Q

What are the main types of curtain walling?

A

spandrel panel
shopfront window
rain screen cladding

Cladding = Cladding is the application of one material over another to provide a skin or layer. In construction, cladding is used to provide a degree of thermal insulation and weather resistance, and to improve the appearance of buildings

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2
Q

What is the RIBA plan of works ? and what are the stages ?

A

The RIBA Plan of Work organises the process of briefing, designing, constructing and operating building projects into eight stages and explains the stage outcomes, core tasks and information exchanges required at each stage.

0 - Strategic Definition
1 - Preparation and briefing
2 - Concept design
3 - Spatial Coordination - PA
4 - Technical Design - BC & T
5 - Manufacturing and Construction
6 - Handover
7 - In Use
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3
Q

How does the RIBA plan of Works 2020 differ from 2013?

A

More sustainable feature, sustainability, title of some of the riba stages, spatial coordination

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4
Q

Can you name some brick bonds?

A

Stretcher
Header
English
Flemish

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5
Q

What are some building ages/eras ?

A
Georgian - 1714 - 1830
Victorian - 1837 - 1901
Edwardian -1901 - 1920
Post war
etc
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6
Q

How would you identify Japanese knotweed ?

A

RICS have an information paper

  • Red or green/purple tinge
  • Bamboo like appearance
  • Zig zag stem
  • Cream flowers
  • Shovel shaped green leaves
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7
Q

What is a green roof ?

A

A green roof or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems.

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8
Q

Can you name some British standards ?

A

BS 8300 - Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment
BS 9999 - Fire safety in the design management and use of buildings
BS 9991 - Fire safety in the design management and use of buildings Resi
BS 845 - Specification for ancillary components for masonry - Wall ties, tension straps, hangers and brackets
BS 8000 - 12 - Decoration and wall coverings
BS - EN 459 - Building Lime
BS EN 998-2 - Specification for mortar for masonry

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9
Q

What is the built up of a warm roof ?

A
  • Roof covering
  • Insulation
  • Vapour barrier
  • Roof deck
  • Joists
  • Plaster board and plaster
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10
Q

What are the benefits of a single ply membrane ?

A
Benefits include :
• Easy to install so in turn cheaper installation costs
• Resistant to UV damage
• Durable
• Cheap to repair
• Hardwearing
• Various colour choices
• Low maintenance
• Recyclable
• Longer lifespan
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11
Q

What is the use or need for a vapour barrier in warm roof construction?

A

To stop the internal moist air moving into the insulation and roof covering section. (interstitial condensation)

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12
Q

What are some additional considerations in relation for a cold roof?

A
  • Floor to ceiling heights
  • External roof heights
  • Existing roof covering
  • Ceiling joists location
  • Cross ventilated cavity (to avoid interstitial condensation)
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13
Q

What potential material could you use for flashings?

A
  • Galvanized steel, which is inexpensive but lacks the durability of other metals.
  • Lead-coated copper.
  • Anodized aluminium.
  • Terne-coated copper.
  • Galvalume (aluminium-zinc alloy coated sheet steel).
  • Polyvinylidene fluoride.
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14
Q

What is a flashing ?

A

Flashing is a sheet of thin, impervious material used to prevent water penetration or seepage into a building and to direct the flow of moisture in walls. Flashing is particularly important at junctions such as roof hips and valleys, joints between roofs and vertical walls, roof intersections or projections such as chimneys, dormers, vent pipes, window openings, and so on.

There are two categories of flashing, exposed and embedded. Exposed flashings are partially exposed to the outside and usually made of a sheet metal, while embedded (or concealed) flashing can be metal or non-metal and are typically used at the base of cavity walls, above openings, at sills and shelf angles (a structural steel member that supports and transfers the brick’s dead load back to the building frame), and under copings.

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15
Q

Can you name some items of the roof structure ?

A
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16
Q

Can you some parts of a typical residential dwelling (the construction) ?

A
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17
Q

What sections of the building regulations did you consider in your case study project?

A

Section 2 Fire:
* wall linings,
* escape lighting,
* communication
Section 3 Environment:
* wastewater drainage,
* sanitary facilities,
* ventilation
Section 4 Safety:
* electrical safety
* fixtures,
Section 6 Energy:
* heating system,
* insulation of pipes and ducts,
* artificial lighting,
* mechanical ventilation,
* commissioning,
* written information

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18
Q

Sketch a warm roof

A
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19
Q

Sketch a cold roof.

A
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20
Q

What options are available for houses that cannot be connected to the main drains/sewers?

A
  • Septic tanks
  • Rain water harvesting
  • Grey water irrigation
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21
Q

What is the first fix stage in construction?

A

First fix (sometimes described as shell and first fix ) is a short-hand term used to describe the processes that are undertaken during construction works up to the point of applying internal surfaces – typically plaster. It is normally used in relation to the work of specific trades such as carpenters, plumbers and electricians.

Generally first fix will include constructing the structure, cladding, flooring, doorframes, stairs and so on and installing cables for electrical and ICT distribution, pipework for water and gas distribution and heating ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) distribution. First fix is not normally visible when looking at the finished building. Where possible first fix should be tested before second fix (for example, plumbing riser stacks).

  • Electrically – Installation of conduits and back boxes and pulling through cables ready for final connection.
  • Mechanical – pipe and duct work put down or run accordingly ready to be boxed in
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22
Q

What is the second fix stage in construction?

A

Second fix takes place after the internal surfaces have been applied. It comprises those items that are visible in a finished area and are held back to avoid damage, or sadly sometimes theft. This may include fitting internal doors, skirting, architraves, handrails, fixtures and fittings, including connection of appliances (such as electrical equipment, sanitaryware, radiators, and so on) testing and commissioning.

Typically there will be a change of trades operating on the site, and a break in activity for some trades between first and second fix.

  • Electrically – Cable connections and closing of plugs and switches, installation of lights and sensors.
  • Mechanical – Mounting radiators, extending pipework to fixtures and fittings. Installation of ventilation.
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23
Q

What are the elements of a domestic heating and hot water system?

A
  • Cold water storage
  • Expansion tank
  • Boiler
  • Hot water cylinder
  • Radiators
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24
Q

What are the elements of a domestic electric system?

A
  • DB Board
  • Consumer unit
  • RCD - Residual-current device
  • MCB – Minatare circuit breaker
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25
Q

What are the typical distances between ceiling joists in a rafter and purlin roof?

A

400-450mm centres

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26
Q

What is the difference between a gable, hipped and mansard roof?

A
  • Gable – Triangular end supporting the two slopes.
  • Hipped – all roof pitches meet at multiple or single ridge and slope down to all the walls.
  • Mansard Roof – Steep front face pitch with a shallow pitch/flat roof on top. Usually have dormer windows projecting through.
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27
Q

What is the difference between a jack rafter and a common rafter?

A
  • A common rafter is any rafter extending between the exterior wall and the ridge.
  • A Jack rafter is a shorter secondary rafter used in the construction of a hipped roof
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28
Q

What is a flitch beam?

A

A timber beam sandwich. A steel plate is bolted between two timber beams to add strength. Lighter system to steel beam.

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29
Q

What issues should be considered when replacing a flat roof?

A
  • Age
  • Extent of repairs required
  • Access
  • Costs
  • Planning requirements
  • Use of the room
  • Insulation
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30
Q

What are weep holes ?

A

Small openings in the outer wall of masonry construction and are found around openings above
Brick and stone are porous materials and can absorb and store water. The inclusion of weep holes in masonry walls is intended to serve two purposes:

Drainage: They provide an opening that allows the drainage of any moisture that may reach the back of a wall, or the inside leaf of a wall (such as a cavity in cavity wall construction) from the outside through penetration, capillary action, condensation, leakage or flooding.
Ventilation: They allow ventilating air to the back of a wall to help prevent mildew, dry rot and damp which might otherwise reduce the life or performance of building materials such as cavity wall-ties, cavity insulation and so on.

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31
Q

What is the spacing between weep holes?

A

Generally 600mm centres bust 450mm is better practice

32
Q

Where are they typically found (Weep Holes) ?

A

Where there are penetrations in a wall for openings with a cavity barrier. Where flat roofs meet the wall, door or window openings, where the slab meets the walls etc

33
Q

What material are cavity wall ties made from ?

A
  • Fishtail, wire butterfly, modern stainless steel
  • Originally used to be galvanised steel. This used to corrode and crack the wall. Plastic was then introduced but this was not adequate so the use of stainless steel ties was introduced.
34
Q

What is the typical width of a cavity?

A
  • Traditional cavity would be 50mm

* Modern cavities are 100mm but can be greater for better thermal efficiency.

35
Q

What is the spacing between wall ties?

A
  • 450mm vertically
  • 900mm horizontally
  • 300mm vertically from the vertical edges of all openings, movement joints and roof verges
  • 225mm horizontally from the vertical edges of all openings, movement joints and roof verges
  • Ref Approved Doc A – Structure – 2C8
  • BS EN 845-1
36
Q

How would you identify cavity wall tie failure? Why does it occur and what are the remedies?

A
  • Bowing walls
  • Horizontal cracking every 4 or 5 courses
  • Potential staining to the mortar
  • Failed ties are due to corrosion
  • BRE Digest 239
37
Q

What is a movement joint and why are they used?

A

An expansion joint or movement joint is an assembly designed to safely absorb the heat induced expansion and contraction of construction materials. Allows some movement from settlement or differential settlement.

38
Q

What type of brick bonds are there and what can they show?

A
  • Garden wall – two stretcher courses with a header course on top
  • Flemish – stretcher course with a stretcher and header course on top
  • English Bond – Alternating stretcher and header courses.
  • Stretcher – alternating stretcher faces
  • Stacker – stretcher face stacked directly above each other.
39
Q

What is OSB? How is it different to plywood?

A
  • Orientated Strand Board is formed by layering strands or flakes in specific directions and compressing the strands with resin.
  • Plywood is laminated layers of wood.
  • OSB is cheaper and can warp if exposed to moisture. Ply tends to hold nails better.
40
Q

What is the difference between windows and glazed curtain walling?

A
  • Curtain walling does not take any structural load but can withstand wind.
  • Windows have a lintel detail above to ensure the structural integrity.
41
Q

Describe two methods available to prevent penetration of water and moisture into basements ?

A
  • Type A – Barrier Protection
  • Type B – Structurally Integral Protection
  • Type C – Drained Protection (Cavity Drain System)
  • BS 8102:2009
42
Q

What are the comparatives between steel and concrete framed construction?

A
  • Programme – Steel is quicker to erect and the reduced time on site reduces overheads.
  • Quality Control – Pre-fab of steel means better quality control to pouring concrete frames in situ. Offsite pre-fab increases the overall speed and improves safety.
  • Design Flexibility – Both can create large open column free spaces. Concrete can form any shape whereas steel is limited to how you can shape it.
  • Sustainability – steel is recyclable but concrete buildings are generally more energy efficient.
  • Cost – Steel is more expensive but programme savings may make up for this.
43
Q

What is glulam?

A

Structural timber constructed by laminating sections of wood. Prior to bonding, sections are placed together with the grain of each piece running parallel to the grain of the next piece.

44
Q

What is an RSJ and how is this different to a UB?

A
  • Rolled steel joist include tapered flanges which required tapered washers.
  • Universal beams had parallel flanges and are easier to work with as the web has uniform thickness.
45
Q

Outline the different types of foundations and when they would be used.

A
  • Strip Foundation – shallow foundations for lightweight structures, typically houses.
  • Raft Foundation – Used to spread the load from a structure over a large area. Normally the entire area of the structure.
  • Pad Foundation – Used to support individual point loads for example, from columns in an industrial unit.
  • Displacement Piled – Pile shaft is driven into the ground resulting in the soil being displaced. Pile transfers load down to sound ground conditions.
  • Non Displacement Piled – Soil is removed and the hole is filled with concrete or a pre-cast concrete pile is dropped into the hole.
46
Q

What is an underpinning sequence and why is it necessary ?

A

Underpinning requires removing the subsoil beneath the foundation and filling it with concrete. If it is done in one go over large spans, the structure will drop. Therefore, underpinning is carried out in sectional sequences so that the structure is still supported fully whilst the new concrete is poured and cures.

47
Q

Can you name some none traditional construction ?

A
  • 13.1.1 Whimpey No Fines (1940’s – 1960’s)
  • No-fines houses were built with a ten-inch (254mm) concrete shell cast in-situ
  • The concrete for the entire outer structure was cast in one operation using reusable formwork.
  • Ground floor was also concrete; the first floor was made with traditional timber joists and floorboards.
  • Interior walls were a mixture of conventional brick and blockwork construction. To weatherproof the structure, the external facade was rendered.
48
Q

What is a king post truss ?

A

A king post (or king-post or kingpost) is a central vertical post used in architectural or bridge designs, working in tension to support a beam below from a truss apex above (whereas a crown post, though visually similar, supports items above from the beam below).

In aircraft design a strut called a king post acts in compression, similarly to an architectural crown post.

49
Q

What is a queen post truss ?

A

A timber roof truss is a structural framework of timbers designed to bridge the space above a room and to provide support for a roof. Trusses usually occur at regular intervals, linked by longitudinal timbers such as purlins. The space between each truss is known as a bay.

Rafters have a tendency to flatten under gravity, thrusting outwards on the walls. For larger spans and thinner walls, this can topple the walls. Pairs of opposing rafters were thus initially tied together by a horizontal tie beam, to form coupled rafters. But such roofs were structurally weak, and lacking any longitudinal support, they were prone to racking, a collapse resulting from horizontal movement. Timber roof trusses were a later, medieval development. A roof truss is cross-braced into a stable, rigid unit. Ideally, it balances all of the lateral forces against one another, and thrusts only directly downwards on the supporting walls. In practice, lateral forces may develop; for instance, due to wind, excessive flexibility of the truss, or constructions that do not accommodate small lateral movements of the ends of the truss.

50
Q

What are strip foundations ?

A

A continuous strip of concrete supporting load-bearing walls. For a single storey building strip foundations will typically be 450mm wide and at least 200mm deep, and for two storey building 600mm wide and 200mm deep. Strip foundations are used to support a line of loads, either due to a load-bearing wall, or if a line of columns need supporting where column positions are so close that individual pad foundations would be inappropriate.

51
Q

What is a raft foundation ?

A

A reinforced concrete raft or mat is used on very weak or expansive soils such as clays or peat. They allow the building to ‘float’ on or in the soil. A raft is used where the soil requires such a large bearing area that wide strip foundations are spread too far, making it more economical to pour one large reinforced concrete slab. A raft is an alternative to piles as it can be less expensive.

Raft foundations are used to spread the load from a structure over a large area, normally the entire area of the structure. They are used when column loads, or other structural loads are close together and individual pad foundations would interact.

52
Q

What is a pad foundation ?

A

Used when isolated loads need to be supported, for instance to support the columns of a steel or post and beam frame house. The load is concentrated on a small area.

Pad foundations are used to support an individual point load such as that due to a structural column. They may be circular, square or rectangular. They usually consist of a block or slab of uniform thickness, but they may be stepped or hunched if they are required to spread the load from a heavy column. Pad foundations are usually shallow, but deep pad foundations can also be used.

53
Q

What is a piled foundation ?

A

Pile foundations are deep foundations. They are formed by long, slender, columnar elements typically made from steel or reinforced concrete, or sometimes timber. A foundation is described as ‘piled’ when its depth is more than three times its breadth (ref. Atkinson, 2007).

Pile foundations are principally used to transfer the loads from superstructures, through weak, compressible strata or water onto stronger, more compact, less compressible and stiffer soil or rock at depth, increasing the effective size of a foundation and resisting horizontal loads. They are typically used for large structures, and in situations where soil is not suitable to prevent excessive settlement.

54
Q

What are the types of piled foundations ?

A
  • Bored Piling.
  • Driven Piling.
  • Screw Piling.
  • Mini Piling.
  • Sheet Piling.
55
Q

What is a Type A System?

A

A Type A system uses a barrier protection geo-synthetic method typically applied during construction. E.g Bonded sheet membrane, liquid applied system, cementitious systems and crystallization powders and slurries.

Three methods of application: External Applied, Sandwiched or Internal Applied.

56
Q

What is a Type B System?

A

Type B systems rely on the structural integrity of the construction materials typically watertight concrete with a free water content at 0.45 or below.

Low permeability concrete with good joint detailing.

57
Q

What is a Type C System?

A

A type C system is known as a cavity drainage protection. Type C doesn’t resist hydrostatic pressure like a type A & B but provides protection via water management using drainage channels and pumps.

58
Q

What is substructure?

A

All structure below the superstructure i.e. all structure below the ground including the ground floor bed.

59
Q

What is superstructure?

A

All internal and external structure above the substructure.

60
Q

What is meant by primary superstructure?

A

External walls, stairs, structural walls, roofs

61
Q

What is meant by Secondary superstructure?

A

Raised floors, suspended ceilings, balustrades, doors

62
Q

At what stage would you go to tender ?

A

Stage 4 - Technical Design

63
Q

At what RIBA stage would you go for a planning application ?

A

Stage 3 - Spatial coordination

64
Q

At what stage would you go to for Building Regulation application ?

A

Stage 4 - Technical Design

65
Q

What are the main changes from RIBA 2013 - 2020 ?

A
  • Renaming of stages
  • introduction of BIM
  • Sustainability
66
Q

What are MMC ?

A

Although ‘modern methods of construction’ (MMC) is a 21st century term, it describes an approach to building properties more quickly, reliably and sustainably that has been developing over several decades.

67
Q

What are the difference between cold and warm roof ?

A

A cold flat roof insulation requires more work, taking off old boards and replacing them and the roof surface. The thermal efficiency isn’t as good as with warm roof insulation.

A warm deck roof is much easier to install, offers great thermal performance but adds height to the flat roof. As a result of the height difference, warm roofs cannot be used on balconies and flat roofs extensions with doors leading onto the roof. In these cases, a cold roof is a preferable alternative to warm roof insulation.

68
Q

What are the RIBA stages ?

A
  • 0: Strategic Definition -During Stage 0, the project must be strategically appraised and defined, so that a detailed brief can be drafted. This is done to ensure that the client’s business case has been properly considered and addressed.
  • 1: Preparation and Briefing - Stage 1 involves developing the project brief and conducting any necessary feasibility studies. Factors like site information, spatial requirements, budget restrictions, risk analysis and project outcomes must all be considered.
  • 2: Concept Design - The initial concept design for the building will now be produced in line with the project brief. At Stage 2, the team will also develop several key project strategies, like security and sustainability.
  • 3: Spatial Coordination - The concept design will be further developed, and the architectural, building services and structural engineering designs are coordinated and checked by the lead designer.
  • 4: Technical Design - Stage 4 involves refining the architectural, building services and structural engineering designs in greater detail. Technical designs will be developed. Designs by any specialist subcontractors will be completed.
  • 5: Manufacturing & Construction - This stage is when the actual process of building starts. This includes manufacturing building systems and erecting any components of the building that have been made off-site. During Stage 5, the designer should also carry out site inspections and compile quality reports.
  • 6: Handover and Close Out - This phase focuses on the successful handover of the completed building, in line with the project programme and also includes completing initial aftercare tasks.
  • 7: In Use - This involves a post-occupancy evaluation of the building to determine the project’s performance. It is also when facilities and asset management is implemented.
69
Q

What is a secant pile ?

A

A Secant Piled Wall is a retaining wall constructed for ground retention prior to excavation. The wall is formed by constructing alternating primary (female) and secondary (male) piles where the secondary piles partially cut into either side of the primary piles in order to form a continuous impervious structure.

70
Q

What is the thickness of a modern cavity ?

A

100mm

71
Q

What are the advantages of a concrete framed structure over a steel framed structure?

A
  • Concrete is a conventionally used material for construction while steel is now gaining momentum for its flexibility and reduced construction time. Both concrete and steel framed structures have environmental issues associated with their use, including a high embodied energy in their manufacture.
  • Concrete has some advantages; waste materials can be included within the mix, such as GGBS (Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag) and PFA (Pulverised Fuel Ash). In addition, moves are being made to assess the potential of using recycled concrete, however, issues such as moisture content and material variability dictate that it is economically unviable.
  • Steel, while having a high lead time, is known for its fast erection on site. However, steel needs fire protection whereas within concrete this is inherent. Prefabrication of steel can allow thin film intumescent coatings to be applied offsite.
  • Efficiency within concrete construction is being improved by the adoption of hybrid solutions and innovations in formwork such as self-climbing forms. The use of precast concrete construction can also help to significantly reduce build time particularly where vertical elements are considered to be the main limitation.
  • Sacrificial probes can be integrated within concrete to provide strength determination at an early age and this is likely to help further improve construction methodologies.
  • Steel, being fast to erect, can allow the building to be occupied sooner. In addition, reduced labour costs are possible through dryness of form in comparison with concrete.
  • The construction of a steel framework is comparatively lightweight, as much as sixty percent lighter than a comparable reinforced concrete frame solution which might allow for a less expensive foundation system. In addition, modification to the building can sometimes be facilitated by simple removal of a structural steel member.
72
Q

What are the components of a traditional pitched timber roof structure?

A
  • Wall Plate
  • Ceiling Joists
  • Rafter
  • Purlin
  • Ridge Board
  • Battens
73
Q

How might an internal partition be altered to provide better acoustic performance?

A

Sound proofing via insulation additional plasterboard and sound dampening

74
Q

Explain the key design features of staircase

A
  • Rise - 150-220mm
  • Going - 220-300 mm
  • Headroom 2m from pitch line
  • Handrail - 900 - 1000mm form pitch line, if stairs wider than 1000mm hand rail to both sides
75
Q

Explain why you might use a wall starter kit rather than toothing the new brickwork into the existing structure and bonding it through.

A

It is far more common to use a wall starter kit than to tooth brickwork these days. Wall starters are much quicker and easier, reducing construction time and therefore cost, and eliminate the difficulties of achieving adequate mortar bond at each ‘toothed’ connection.

76
Q

What do you understand by the term, “modern methods of construction”?

A

Modern methods of construction is a process which focuses on off-site construction techniques, such as mass production and factory assembly, as alternatives to traditional building. Creating panelled units in factories, which can be quickly assembled onsite to create 3D structures.

77
Q

Can you name the headings of each section from the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004?

A
  1. Structure
  2. Fire
  3. Environment
  4. Safety
  5. Noise
  6. Energy
  7. Sustainability
  8. Appendix A - Defined Terms
  9. Appendix B - list of standards and other publications