Hot topics / CPD Flashcards
Covid-19
- Construction allowed to continue through Covid
- Industry has had to adapt
- Massive drop off of construction activity
- Good recovery
- CLC roadmap for reviving construction industry post-lockdown
- Modification of planning conditions - Govt Guidance Note
- CLC Site Operating Procedures
- Force majeure?
What impact has Brexit had on the construction industry?
Movement of people:
- 10% of industry from EU
- new immigration system, employers to register as sponsors
- in longer term we will continue to need foreign labour
Movement of goods:
- most traders moving goods will not have to pay tariffs
- prices likely to increase due to the additional border checks/admin
- short-term shortages and price increases but shouldn’t have long-term effect
Services:
- restrictions on UK service companies operating in the EU
What’s the difference between RIBA Plan of Work 2013 and 2020?
1) Adapted to increased use of BIM
2) Aftercare/plan for use activities starting in Stage 6: Handover
3) Different options for planning permission depending on the procurement route
4) Reinforces intention that Stage 4: Technical Design includes all the design information required for construction
5) New Sustainability guidance, and reinforces requirement to appoint a sustainability champion to create a sustainability strategy at the outset of the project
6) Stage name changes: Developed design is now Spatial Coordination; Construction is now Manufacturing and Construction
What are the new RICS Rules of Conduct?
- Comes into effect 2 February 2022
- Combines the ethical standards and rules of conduct into a simplified set of five rules
- Introduce new example behaviours expected of RICS professionals globally, including behaviours that embed sustainability and respect
Rule 1: Members and firms must be honest, act with integrity and comply with their professional obligations, including obligations to RICS.
Rule 2: Members and firms must maintain their professional competence and ensure that services are provided by competent individuals who have the necessary expertise.
Rule 3: Members and firms must provide good-quality and diligent service.
Rule 4: Members and firms must treat others with respect and encourage diversity and inclusion.
Rule 5: Members and firms must act in the public interest, take responsibility for their actions and act to prevent harm and maintain public confidence in the profession.
What is Force Majeure? Is Covid-19 a Force Majeure?
Force majeure clauses are contractual clauses which alter parties’ obligations and/or liabilities under a contract when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond their control prevents one or all of them from fulfilling those obligations.
Whether COVID is a force majeure will depend on what is written in the contract. Some contracts specify the FM events. Some clauses give relief when progress is hindered. Others only when progress is impossible which is more onerous to prove. JCT is silent on FM definition. Likely that Covid would be a FM relevant event in JCT and in NEC would be a compensation event for time and cost.
Who is the CEO of RICS?
Richard Collins (interim)
Who is the RICS President?
Clement Lau
Tell me about a CPD you did recently?
- Extension of time analysis
- Learnt about different methods of analysis and pros/cons of each
- Discussed case law
How do you keep up to date with the latest construction news?
- Isurv
- Modus
- Mainstream media
- Internal CPD
- Self-study
Discuss something you’ve read recently that interested you?
In Modus magazine - post-Grenfell cladding issues
Discusses the problems faced in dealing with the issue in relation to:
1) RICS work on valuations for leasehold properties with cladding - new guidance note published March 2021
2) Who should pay for the remediation works - Govt has set up a £5bn fund for buildings >18m
3) The work of RICS in setting up a Global coalition of fire safety leadership organisations
4) RICS work on surveying cladding in >18m buildings
5) Inconsistency in EWS1 requests - now not needed for buildings <18m or without combustible cladding
Why do you want to be chartered?
- Achievement of a leading professional qualification
- Future career prospects
- Being part of the RICS network
- Recognition in the industry and by clients
What sustainability initiatives are RICS launching to tackle environmental impact?
- Sustainability Hub
- Built Environment Carbon Database
- International Building Operations Standards
What are the RIC’s strategic priorities for the next year?
1) Build confidence in the Institution
2) Increase engagement with members
3) Become a gold standard membership body
4) Inspire the next generation
5) Propose the usefulness of the profession
What has happened as a result of Grenfell?
- Hackett Review (2018) independent review of fire safety management
- Combustible cladding banned in buildings over 18m
- Sprinklers in buildings over 11m (6 storeys)
- Fire Safety Act (April 2021) - makes amendments to the Fire Safety Order 2005. Extends FSO to following parts of multi-occupied residential buildings: building structure, external walls and common parts, and all doors between domestic premises and common parts. Responsible Person identified.
- Building Safety Bill (draft) - further clarify responsibility for fire safety throughout design, construction and occupation of buildings in scope. Measures to include: new regulator, changes to law of limitation, changes to regulation of construction products, changes to FSO regarding maintenance of fire safety records, new duty holder and Accountable Persons regimes.
What was the Hackett Review?
Investigation in to the processes of building safety surrounding Grenfell disaster. Made recommendations to go in to the new Safety Bill such as:
- No clear regulator
- Confusing roles and responsibilities
- Lack of specific people responsible for certain areas
- Lack of consultation/consideration of occupiers
- Information loss between project stages
