Works Progress and Quality Management

Question 1

How do you check the product is correct as used by the contractor?

Answer 1

• Check the specification
• Reference British Standards
• Check Manufacturers data
• Physically inspect

Question 2

What do you if the contractor comes to you with an alternative product?

Answer 2

• Check the suggested difference
• Ensure the same standard is reached or improved.
• Consider costings
• Consider guarantee
• Consider suitable application

Question 3

When you carry out site inspections, what do you include in the inspection report?

Answer 3

• Date
• Time
• Weather
• No operatives on site
• Health and safety
• Progress
• Discussions had on site
• Action points
• Progress
• Requests for information

Question 4

What tests on concrete can you carry out on site?

Answer 4

• Slump test
• Rebar cover
• Schmidt hammer

Question 5

How can progress be recorded on a project?

Answer 5

Check the work on-site against the programme.

Question 6

Why is it important to record progress?

Answer 6

• To ensure the programmed is evolving and to try and meet the construction programmed.
• Proof that you were monitoring the progress against the project timescale should any disputes arise.

Question 7

How regularly might site visits be undertaken and why?

Answer 7

• Dependent on complexity and size.
• I normally carry out weekly inspections unless prompted for more.

Question 8

What is clerk of works?

Answer 8

Their role is to check the quality and progress of the works carried out on site according to the specification and report this back to the client/CA. They have no authority to administer any contractual changes.

Question 9

How do you prepare site reports?

Answer 9

I will list out who carried out the inspection, who I met with, the date, time, weather, what I went to see, if there are any issues with what I had seen, if previous issues had been addressed and the agreed date for the next inspection. I then formulate this in an easy to read format that can be tracked using bullet points which can be referenced easily.

Question 10

What would you normally find on a pre-start meeting agenda?

Answer 10

Attendees/Apologies
Key dates
Roles
Contract Information
Site Security
Access
Legislation
Contact Information
Method of communication
Further Visits
Confirmation of payment terms
Other Business

Question 11

A sub-contractor tells you he hasn’t been paid. What do you do?

Answer 11

Make a note of this for the records and remind the contractor that the contract is with the contractor and needs to handle it through them. This could be an early warning sign regarding cash flow issues for the main contractor.

Question 12

What is ISO 9001?

Answer 12

The ISO 9000 family of quality management systems is a set of standards that helps organisations ensure they meet customer and other stakeholder needs within statutory and regulatory requirements related to a product or service.

Question 13

What does ISO stand for?

Answer 13

International Organization for Standardisation

Question 14

How can you check quality control?

Answer 14

• Sample panel
• Snagging
• Site inspection
• Compare specification
• Check against reports