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APC - Building Surveying Pathway > SoE Design and Specification > Flashcards

SoE Design and Specification Flashcards

1
Q

What RICS documentation/guidance is available regarding this competency?

A

RICS GN Design and Spec 2013

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2
Q

What is the critical path of a project ?

A

The critical path is the primary route followed that any delays will have an effect. Such as foundations for an extension would fall under the critical path and walls, roof etc cannot follow until this item is complete.

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3
Q

What is a design and access statement ?

A

This is a document that accompanies a planning application submission. It details the process that has led to the development / proposals and explains the design. They help the planners to understand the project and ensure consideration has been given to these elements. Titles contained can include design principles and concepts

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4
Q

Can you describe the contents of the RICS Design and Specification Guidance Note ?

A 
The  2013 Guidance Note, recommended good practice includes
•	Principles behind the role – aimed at small and medium size construction projects
•	Design process management
•	Establishing the project
•	Outline design and spec
•	Detail design
•	Design production
•	Towards building occupation
•	Similar to RIBA
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5
Q

What is pre-construction information ?

A 
This is information that is in the client’s possession or which is reasonably obtained relevant to the proposed works and is of appropriate detail and proportionate to the task, including
•	The project
•	Health and safety hazards
•	Design hazards
•	Construction hazards
•	Details of asbestos
•	Site plan
•	Any existing information form a health and safety file
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6
Q

Can you name an industry model for me that you build up the design and set out the clients requirements ?

A

RIBA Plan of Works 2020

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7
Q

What is BIM (Building Information Modelling) used for ?

A

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a very broad term that describes the process of creating and managing digital information about a built asset such as a building, bridge, highway or tunnel. There are levels of BIM from level 0 to level 3. Fundamentally, BIM is used to ensure that appropriate information is created and suitable at the right time to make better decisions throughout the design, construction and operation of the building.

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8
Q

Have you read any design and specification guidance ?

A
  • RICS Guidance Note - Design and Specification 1st Edition
  • BS 8300 Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment
  • Approved Doc M – Access to and use of buildings
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9
Q

Where on a warm roof deck is a vapor barrier positioned ?

A

On the warm/under side of the insulation.

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10
Q

What is the Green Guide to Specification ?

A

The Green Guide is part of BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) an accredited environmental rating scheme for buildings. The Green Guide contains more than 1500 specifications used in various types of building. Since the previous edition, information on the relative environmental performance of some materials and components has altered reflecting both changes in manufacturing practices, the way materials are used in buildings, and our evolving environmental knowledge.

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11
Q

Talk me through preparation of a Design Risk Assessments ?

A

A good designers risk assessment should identify the hazards and evaluate the risks that may arise from the design. Dependent upon the hazard and level of risk, designers are encouraged firstly to eliminate risk by designing it out – and should this be impractical, identifying control measures to minimize the risk. Remaining risk must be highlighted and passed on, so that they can be taken into consideration by those who are planning, preparing and managing work. While doing this, designers must take into account the Pre-Construction Information and also the Principles of Prevention and Protection:

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12
Q

What is BS8300 ?

A

BS8300 is a British Standard that sets out how buildings should be designed, constructed and maintained to create an accessible and inclusive environment for disabled people.

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13
Q

How do you determine the length of contract period for a project - what factors are considered?

A
  • Lead in period
  • Statutory applications/consent
  • Materials
  • Complexity
  • Size of contractor
  • Clients objectives
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14
Q

What are the benefits of using specification writing software such as NBS?

A
  • Collaboration
  • Consistent standards
  • Audit trial
  • Up to date information
  • Collaborative approach
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15
Q

What current challenges is Covid and/or Brexit bringing to Design & Specification?

A

Shortage of labor shortage of materials, material delays, cost increased, labour and isolation issues

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16
Q

What would you look at for disabled access?

A
  • Who is using the building?
  • What are their needs?
  • Is there enough width to get a wheelchair through, are there any steps that need to be avoided, how do we deal with fire safety?
  • Will there be any changes to their needs in the future?
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17
Q

What is a schedule of work ?

A

A schedule of work is a description of the work, in a list format, a specified schedule of work’ includes (part of) the specification. Often used on small alterations projects and prepared by designers

18
Q

What is a bill of quantities ?

A

Document prepared by the QS/cost consultant and provides project specific measured quantities of items of work identified in specifications and drawings. Advantage is that all contractors pricing same quantities which allow for a fair and accurate tender evaluation - this assists with any variations, interim payments and schedule of rates. Usually used on larger projects.

19
Q

Explain what is included in a specification?

A
  • Preliminaries
  • Preamble,
  • Specification
  • Materials
  • Workmanship
  • SOW
  • Drawings
  • Photos
20
Q

What is a Preamble?

A

A preamble is an explanation of a document, commonly found in contracts, specifications and bills of quantities. It can help with the interpretation of the document.
A preamble might include:
• A description of the parties to the contract.
• A description of the competence (or lack of it) of the parties to the contract. This can be taken to set a general standard for the quality of goods or services expected, or the level of support required.
• The background to the document.
• A summary of the negotiations.
• Tendering procedures.
• The objectives of the project.
• Other related documents or previous contracts and their relationship to the current document.
• It should only include important information and should avoid including or repeating rights or obligations which should be set out in the main body of the document.

21
Q

What are preambles?

A

A list of quality standards stipulated at the start of the specification that will detail how works should be carried out to achieve the required standard. It will stipulate things such as how to decorate walls and joinery etc. and what materials to use.

22
Q

What is the purpose of the preambles in contract documentation?

A

An explanation of the document description of the partied, additional information that is relevant to the works, not for pricing

23
Q

What are modern methods of construction? Provide examples

A

Construction process using innovative new methods. Often involves pre-fabricated components. They aim to improve efficiency, quality, sustainability and predictability of timelines. Examples include flat packed units which are pre fabricated and delivered on site or assembled on site.

24
Q

1) What is the RIBA plan of works?

A

A scheme initiated to provide framework for architects to use on projects for greater clarity to the different stages of a project.

25
Q

2) What are the RIBA design stages?

A 
0 – Strategic Definition
 1 – Preparation and Briefing
 2 – Concept Design
 3 – Spatial Coordination
 4 – Technical Design
 5 – Manufacturing and Construction
 6 – Handover
 7 - Use
26
Q

Explain the key difference between Prescriptive and Performance specifications.

A

Performance Specifications address the operational requirements of an installation. The focus is on the project outcome, indicating how the final project must be able to function. Prescriptive Specifications contain detailed descriptions of what specific materials must be used as well as the installation instructions.

27
Q

Explain the advantages of a prescriptive specification.

A

Prescriptive specifications give the client much more certainty about the end product when making investment decisions (such as when they appoint the contractor), and place a greater burden on the designer to ensure proper installation rather than the contractor.

28
Q

Why might you recommend the use of a performance specification?

A

The performance of the works are specified, the contractor reserves the option of design. Performance specification gives the contractor and suppliers more scope to innovate and adopt cost effective methods of work, potentially offering better value for money.

29
Q

4) What are the types of specifications? (prescriptive, performance and proprietary)

A
  • Prescriptive – where you provide detailed descriptions of specific materials to use and how to install it.
  • Performance – Address the operational requirements of an installation. Focus is on the project outcome indicating how the final project must function. Up to the contractor how they want to achieve the outcome
  • Proprietary – Demands only one product be used for a given installation, commonly used where a project requires certain performance that only one product can achieve.
  • Open Spec – Designer doesn’t name specific supplier or product and allows substitutions from the contractor. Dictated by a set of standards.
  • Closed Spec – Lists specific products and systems with no option for substitutions. Seen where you need to match an existing building or when duplication is important.
30
Q

What kinds of specification software are you aware of?

A

National Building Specification (NBS)
− Describes materials, standards and workmanship for construction projects
− Also contains preliminaries documents
− UK industry Standard
− It is used as it provides all the latest legislation and British standards
relevant to the works

Green spec
− Promotes sustainable building products, materials and
construction techniques
− Edited by practicing architects and specifiers

31
Q

How do you ensure quality within a specification?

A

Include a preambles detailing materials and workmanship. You can specify the usage of specific products and remove the option of alternative products. Request samples of areas to be completed for approval.

32
Q

What are the different types of specification and what type of procurement method would you use them with?

A

Prescriptive – Traditional
Performance – D&B
Schedule of Rates – Measured Term

33
Q

Why would you use NBS?

A

Easy to use standardised way of preparing prelims and preambles. Reduces the time required in preparing the tender docs and is familiar to most contractors.

34
Q

What is a specification ?

A

A specification describes the works by defining the materials to be used, the level of workmanship, the quality and the tolerances to which the components are assembled, both individually and as a whole, to form the building.

35
Q

Describe the specification of the expansion joint between the new and old brickwork.

A

NHBC recommend 10mm to be filled with a flexible mastic

36
Q

What is NBS Chorus ?

A

NBS Chorus is a collaborative specification platform supporting global design and construction, aimed at those professionals who need to produce high quality specifications efficiently. We see NBS Chorus as the future of specification and see true value for anyone who wants to come on this journey with us.

37
Q

What technical standards are you aware of and do you use when writing specifications?

A
  • BRE digest
  • BS - British Standards
  • Manufacturer Documents
  • Approved Documents
38
Q

What are Certificates of Design and what types are there?

A

A certificate that says an element (structure or energy) meets Building Standards.

An Approved Certifier for Design makes sure the house’s structure and/or energy efficiency meet building standards. (SER / EPC)

39
Q

What building standards are required to conform to for M&E installations?

A

Building regs:
* Section 2.10.3 Emergency lighting (conform to BS 5266:2016)
* Section 2.11.3 Fire detection and alarm categories (conform to BS 5839-1)
* Section 3.7.1 Sanitary pipework (conform to BS EN 12056-2:2002) system 3
* Standard 3.12 Sanitary facilities (BS 8300)
* Section 3.14.5 Mechanical ventilation (BS 5720:1979, CIBSE Guide B:2001)
* Section 4.5.1 Electrical installations (BS 7671:2008)
* Section 4.8.6 mounting control heights
* Standard 6.3 Heating systems
* Section 6.5.1 lighting installation
* Standard 6.6 Mechanical ventilation and air conditioning
* Standard 6.7 Commissioning building services for energy efficiency
* Standard 6.8 Written information - O&Ms

40
Q

You mention you advised your client that the VRF be a contractor’s design portion and also had M&E consultants commissioned; why did you advise CDP over a spec by the M&E consultants?

A

The M&E consultants only had enough time (within tight timescales imposed by client) to provide a performance specification, including temperature parameters and that it had to be a Daiken system i.e. VRV not VRF, but the exact design had not been formalised yet due to the potential removal of the ceiling grid - whether these would be fan coil units or cassettes. Following VE and retention of the suspended ceiling grid, the contractor’s proposal for VRV Daiken cassettes were approved by the M&E consultants.

41
Q

What would your duties as a designer under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015?

A
  • Ensure the client is aware of their client duties under the regulations prior to undertaking any design work.
  • Take into account any pre-construction information provided by the client / PD.
  • Eliminate foreseeable health and safety risks to anyone affected by the project (as practically possible).
  • Take steps to reduce and control residual risks.
  • Provide design information to the PD to include in the pre-construction information and health and safety file.
  • Provide design information to the principal contractor (or contractor on single contractor projects) to help them comply with their duties e.g ensuring Construction Phase Plan is prepared.
  • Communicate, cooperate and coordinate with:
    1. any other designers to ensure all designs are compatible and ensure H&S.
    2. all contractors to utilise their experience of building design.

APC - Building Surveying Pathway (26 decks)

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