Works Progress and Quality Management

Question 1

In relation to Acorn House, what specific construction elements were included in the progress evaluation of the weekly reports?

Answer 1

service disconnections, site set up, demolition, drainage, frame, external walls, cladding, floor, internal walls, roof covering, windows and doors, 1st fix m&e and joinery, plastering, screed, telecoms, 2nd fix, kitchens, sanitary ware, finishes, decorations, externals, snags.

Question 2

For Acorn House, give examples of the British Standards you referred to during the project?

Answer 2

BS8102:2022 protection of below ground structures against water ingress.
BS8000:2014 workmanship on construction sites.
BS7671:2018 requirements for electrical installations
BS8214:2016 timber fire door assemblies
BS9999:2017 fire safety in the design, management and use of buildings
BS8000-12:1989 workmanship on construction sites. code of practise for decorative wall coverings and paintings.

Question 3

For the Acorn House project, why did the Structural Engineer and Fire Consultant have to be engaged regarding the concrete panels?

Answer 3

Structural Engineer to advise on whether panels could be replaced.

Fire consultant to advise on compartmentation.

Question 4

For Acorn House, what observations did you make against the Building Regulations?

Answer 4

Part M toilet distances, Part K handrail height and flexes calculations required, Part B non combustible cladding verification, Part A structure concrete panel removal.

Question 5

What could you look for on site to ensure that materials are of good quality?

Answer 5

Quality marking
BS number
Kite marking
Note material name and research

Question 6

For Acorn House, how did you assess quality on site? If quality was poor, what actions would you take?

Answer 6

• Reviewed the drawings, checked the BS noted on dwgs were being adhered to, checked materials had kite marks etc.
• I would advise the contractor, hold back payment for that item and only pay once the item had been rectified accordingly.

Question 7

For the Fire Service decorations, what records did you keep during inspections?

Answer 7

• Operatives on site
• Weather conditions
• Photographs
• Notes on progress made and any issues raised

Question 8

For the Fire Service decorations, why did you note the operatives on site? How would you obtain this number?

Answer 8

To determine whether there was enough resource in site.

I used observation in this instance but for larger sites I would observe the sign in records.

Question 9

For the Fire Service decorations, why would you note weather conditions? Is this a relevant event or matter?

Answer 9

In case the contractor claims for inclement weather can determine if it differs from average for time of year.
Relevant event if so.

Question 10

For the Cambridge Riverside project, how can you check the fire stopping was carried out correctly?

Answer 10

• Fire stopping labels
• Fire strategy
• Fire engineer specification
• Manufacturers guidance

Question 11

For the Cambridge Riverside project, who produced the programme? Why was a tracker required?

Answer 11

The contractor produced an original programme and dropline programme but not on regular basis.

I therefore reviewed progress and produced a tracker to ensure I inspected each flat before, during and after.

Question 12

For the Cambridge Riverside project, what did the report include to demonstrate compliance?

Answer 12

The report include before during and after photos, drawings showing the compartment walls and explanations

Question 13

What was included in your report for the Cambridge Riverside project?

Answer 13

• Introduction
• Description and explanation
• Conclusion
• Photos before during and after
• Drawings with compartment walls
• Fire engineers specification and manufacturers guidance

Question 14

What forms detailed progress and quality records? Why are these important?

Answer 14

• Track progress of stages with percentages
• Weather conditions
• Labour on site
• Quality comments
• Contractor responses and rectification comments
• Photographs
• Drawings

Question 15

Why may early communication prevent delays?

Answer 15

• It allows all parties to know of the delays
• Potential solutions can be produced and mitigation measures can be put in place
• Client and contractor can prepare and work together
• It will not come as a surprise

Question 16

Can you give examples of any mitigation measures?

Answer 16

• Increasing trades on site
• Resequencing works
• Shortening material lead in times
• Altering scope of works

Question 17

How can you review the effect of any delays on site?

Answer 17

• Determine the length of delay by reviewing original programme.
• Liaising with contractor to determine how it will affect trades and materials.
• Considering mitigation measures to reduce delays.
• Review reason for delay and whether contractor is entitled to additional time and money.

Question 18

What documentation specifies programme and quality requirements?

Answer 18

Schedule of works and form of tender
It may refer to british standards or approved docs.

Question 19

What is the difference between Building Regulations and British Standards?

Answer 19

Building regulations in the United Kingdom are statutory instruments or statutory regulations that seek to ensure that the policies set out in the relevant legislation are carried out.

British Standards are the specification of recommended procedure, quality of output, terminology, and other details, in a particular field, drawn up and published by the British Standards Institution.

Question 20

What is the difference between being CA and CoW? Should a CA comment on progress and quality?

Answer 20

The Contract Administrator role may include inspections to monitor progress and quality of work, however for more complex projects, a Clerk of Works should be appointed who will review workmanship and ensure compliance at every stage of a build.

Question 21

What different sections were included in your Acorn House reports?

Answer 21

work in progress, programme review, h&s, site comments, resolved queries, photos

Question 22

Give examples of quality related observations you made and the legislation it did not comply with for Acorn House?

Answer 22

• WC distances not meeting approved doc M
• Fire door measurements not complying with fire door certificates
• LD1 system not installed in accordance with fire strategy
• Fire stopping not undertaken to compartment wall so not meeting approved document B

Question 23

In regards to Acorn House, why were the gaps caused by concrete panel removal an issue?

Answer 23

Each concrete slab floor was a compartment and it had to be ensured that fire and smoke could not spread from floor to floor through the gaps and therefore concrete repairs were approved by the fire engineer.

Question 24

For Acorn House, what were the concrete panels replaced with?

Answer 24

concrete, insulation, concrete, cavity, brickwork to sfs, insulation, cavity brickwork

Question 25

For Acorn House, why was a Structural Engineer and Fire Consultant required?

Answer 25

• Structural engineer was required to confirm the external build up of the wall.
• Fire consultant required to confirm the fire proofing to prevent fire spread through the gaps caused by removing the panels.

Question 26

For the external decorations project, how did you determine that completion would not be met?

Answer 26

Reviewed programme against on site progress. Evident the contractor was behind and after warnings did not increase resource on site.

Question 27

In regards to the external decorations project, why did you note the number of operatives and weather conditions?

Answer 27

In case the contractor made a claim for inclement weather and to highlight the contractor was not proceeding regularly and diligently with the works.

Question 28

For the external decorations project, how did you undertake performance reviews with the contractor?

Answer 28

I undertook performance reviews by raising the matter on site with the site manager. I then included this in my reports. I also held regular meetings with the client to discuss on site concerns and minuted this.

Question 29

Why did you produce a tracker for the Cambridge Riverside project? What did you include in your tracker?

Answer 29

I produced a tracker to ensure the contractor was proceeding in accordance with their original programme and to ensure I had inspected all properties before, during and after so that none were missed.

Included in my tracker was the flat blocks and flat numbers, confirmation as to whether works had started, was underway or complete, then a note as to whether I had inspected yet.

Question 30

How did you track progress for the Cambridge Riverside project?

Answer 30

• Was regularly inspecting sites so viewed progress in each apartment.
• Spoke regularly with the contractor and requested updates.
• I updated my tracker to confirm whether the contractor had commenced the fire stopping, completed the fire stopping and closed up so I knew when the next inspections needed to take place and whether the contractor was meeting their original programme.

Question 31

At what periods did you visit the different flats for the Cambridge Riverside project? How did you know when the flats were near completion?

Answer 31

Before works started, once works were complete and ready to close up, and once all closed up.

I knew they were near completion because I was regularly inspecting site, I was tracking flats against the contractor’s programme and was regularly liaising with the contractor.

Question 32

For Cambridge Riverside, how did you know the fire stopping had been carried out correctly?

Answer 32

Observation
Fire labels
Fire engineer’s specification
Manufacturer’s guidance

Question 33

What did you include within your Cambridge Riverside report to residents?

Answer 33

• Introduction
• Description and explanation section
• Inspection
• Conclusion
• Appendix A photographs
• Appendix B dwgs
• Appendix C comments and responses

Question 34

For Cambridge Riverside, how did you demonstrate the quality standards had been met within your report?

Answer 34

Before and after photos, drawings, guidance met and descriptions

Question 35

What can contractually ensure a contractor mitigates delay?

Answer 35

Contracts normally require contractors to use their best endeavours to mitigate delay. The threat of liquidated damages and the delay not being deemed a relevant matter will also ensure delay is mitigated.

Question 36

For Cambridge Riverside, what fire stopping did you review?

Answer 36

ablative batts, fire collars, graphite and acrylic fire stopping, putty pads

Question 37

What was the ventilation strategy for Acorn House?

Answer 37

bathroom and kitchen mounted extract fans installed which run on constant trickle and boost. Windows have trickle vents installed.

Question 38

For Acorn House, how were the concrete panels replaced?

Answer 38

Breaking out the area where the concrete slab met the panels and removing the panels with a crane.

concrete, insulation, concrete, cavity, brickwork changed to sfs, insulation, cavity, brickwork.

Question 39

How do you ensure good quality of concrete?

Answer 39

Cube tests check the compressive strength throughout whilst trowelling will even out the concrete.

Question 40

Talk me through the process of handing over properties at Cambridge Riverside. How did you know when a property was complete, how did you confirm fire stopping was complete.

Answer 40

• We were not project managers and were only appointed for the inspection and reporting role.
• We inspected each property once works were complete and then once ceilings were closed up and included in our reports.
• I knew when a property was complete because i was tracking on site, checking the programme and liaising with the contractor.

Question 41

What were the Cambridge Riverside works trying to achieve?

Answer 41

Fire safety to the building to ensure the remedial works meant the building was compliant and safe for occupants to live and my role was to report to the client and tenants and demonstrate this.

Question 42

Give an example of a time when you have compared progress of construction works against the contract programme or cash flow?

Answer 42

For Morden College, I compared progress of the chimney repairs against the contractors programme and reviewed which chimneys the contractor was up to on a specific date. I issued monthly cash flow statements to track forecasted amounts against actual amounts.

Question 43

Give an example of a time you have prepared reports for clients detailing the effects of additional instructions or amendments and the effect on progress?

Answer 43

Appleford Court - reported on effect that saturated walls would have on programme. Confirmed the reasons why it had occurred, the likely delay and whether it would be a relevant matter. Proposed dehumidifiers and heaters to mitigate delay and confirmed the costs.

Kelsey Street - I reported on the different options available to the client. I confirmed the effects that each would have on programme and that it would be a relevant matter because there had already been a delay to giving an instruction to proceed and an asbestos survey should have been undertaken before works commenced.

Question 44

What is the critical path?

Answer 44

a chain of linked tasks that directly affects the project finish date.

Question 45

You noted combustible materials cannot be installed to the external wall, but where else should there not be combustible materials?

Answer 45

• Balconies
• Escape routes
• Anywhere not compliant with the fire strategy