Case Study

Question 1

What is the remedial solution for limestone decay caused by sulphur staining.

Answer 1

• Undertake a pre-cleaning survey to establish the condition of the stone.
• Decide on a method of cleaning inc. brushing, water based methods, chemical methods or even lasercleaning.

Question 1

What are some common defects of Bath stone?

Answer 1

• Limestone decay is caused by sulphur dioxide trapping pollutants and impacting the natural flow of water. This can be worsened near roads.

Question 2

What is the current Bath office market?

Answer 2

• ## 2-5k office is the sweet spot so no need to subdivide the space further.

Question 3

What causes the asphalt terrace upstands to crack?

Answer 3

Lack of maintence and prolonged weathering. It is anticipdated that the asphalt covering is in excess of 30 years old.

Question 4

What was the reason you chose an Intermediate Contract w/ CDP?

Answer 4

• Trad Procurement
• Tender documents complete
• ## Slightly more complex of a project than a MW with some lighting installations

Question 5

Was the provisional sum for the terrace repairs, defined or undefined?

Answer 5

Undefined , as the extent of the works was unknown until further investigations were undertaken.

Question 6

What were the works priced against?

Answer 6

A specification.

Question 7

What documents are issued under the JCT Intermediate Contract

Answer 7

Certificates
Cert if non-completion
Certificate of Practical Completion

Question 8

What section is the CDP Design Work in for Intermediate Contract?

Answer 8

2.32

Question 9

Why did you chose a negotiated over a two stage?

Answer 9

• Quicker into contract.
• ## Client wanted cost certainaty prior to entering into a legal agreement

Question 10

How long should code 4 lead flashing be?

Answer 10

typically no more than 1500mm, however for asphalt it is recommended not to exceed 1000mm lengths.

Question 11

Why Code 4 over other codes of lead?

Answer 11

It is more durable than 3, and more malleable than 5-8.

Question 12

What does the Code of lead refer to?

Answer 12

Its weight and thickness.

Question 13

Do you need building regs approval to apply the polyurethane liquid applied covering?

Answer 13

This would not require building regs approval as it is not considered a roof it is a terrace/ gutter.

Question 14

What is the guidance under Part M, you are referring to for the installation of the latex?

Answer 14

For accessible entrances , it is recommended that a threshold level does not exceed 15mm, and if above 5mm it is chamfered or rounded.

Question 15

What is the working at height regulations hierarchy?

Answer 15

The hierarchy pyramid states;
- Avoid work at height
- Collective fall protection
- PPE Work restraint
- PPE Fall arrest

From most to least effective Fall protection

Question 16

What are the eight controls for working at height?

Answer 16

1. Avoid Working at height
2. Ensure all those working at height are properly trained and supervised
3. Select work equipment that prevents falls
4. Ensure equipment is suitable, stable and strong
5. Regularly check and maintain equipment
6. provide necasssary PPE and proection from falling objects
7. Ensure the working environment is safe
8. Plan for emergencies and rescues

Question 17

Did you need to obtain building control approval?

Answer 17

No these works did not require building control with no alteratering to building structure, just removal of demountable partitions.

The lighting work was undertaken by a Part P competent electrician who can certify there own installations and provided the test certs to prove it.

Question 18

How could you have chosen a suitable contractor to begin negotiating with?

Answer 18

A list of improved contractors that my firm holds that have been categorised for suitability in different sectors and project sizes.

Question 19

Why did you have a CDP and what was it?

Answer 19

This was for the design of the lights, and we did this as although having an mep consultant undertsake the design would enable more control, with the tight programme it was felt that getting into contract and onsite quickly was the best bet.

Question 20

What were some of the agreed amendments to the contract?

Answer 20

• Wording around the liabilty of the employer making it more specific for the the corporate fund structure and limiting liability of the employer to ensure the contractor has no recourse over assets in other sister trusts.
• changes in the standard payment terms

Question 21

How did you identify the dampplaster?

Answer 21

Visibly and bubbling flaking plaster

Question 22

Would you need BCA for the liquid applied ovrcoating?

Answer 22

No i did not consider this to be required due to it only being the gutter which comprises less than 25% of the building envelope and less than 50% of the roof.

Question 23

Was the carpet coverig the contractors responsibility?

Answer 23

No the contract amends stated rhst unseen site conditions would fall under a relevant event under the jct contract and entitle the contractor to an EOT.

Question 24

What other part M guidance are you are of?

Answer 24

Clear widths of accessible doors
800mm on new buildings and 750mm on existing buildings

Question 25

What did you put in place as CDM PD?

Answer 25

PCIP
- Summary of significant construction hazards inc. occupied building, rof works, asbestos, fire, etc
- project details
- CDM lead in period
- requirment of the PC and there deliverablles

Question 26

When was the cdm lead in period?

Answer 26

I run this concurrently within the contract finalisation stage, allowing a further qeek of access before a gard start on site.

Question 27

How did you ensure that compliance with Part M was maintained when installing the latex floor finish?

Answer 27

I know that the tollerance under Part M is 15mm with any step over 5mm requiring a chamfered edge.

When installing i instructed the contractor to slightly raise the level of the lobby carpets to provide a flush entrance threshold into the demise.

Question 28

Throughout the project, how did you manage communication with the client and other stakeholders to keep them informed and involved in decision-making processes?

Answer 28

I provided weekly feedback to the client during the construction period, sharing progress photos and email updates on work on site and any variations.

I met with the contractor fortnightly on site to walk and discuss progress.

I regularly provided updates to the property manager to feedback to the tenants on upcoming works within the building.

Question 29

Could you provide examples of how effective communication impacted project outcomes?

Answer 29

Through concise and regular communication with the client i was able to receive prompt approval on any instructions ensuring that the project programme was not impacted.

Question 30

Reflecting on your role as Contract Administrator, how did you manage the various aspects of the project from the pre-contract phase through to completion?

Answer 30

As Contract Administrator, i am aware my role commences following the execution of the contract, however as the Project manager i was involved during the the pre-contract stages in collating the client brief, putting together a detailed scope of work, undertaking procurement process.

During the post-contract phase, i administered the contract whilst also ensuring that the contractor was keeping to the construction programme.

Question 31

Considering the complexities of the refurbishment, how did you identify and mitigate risks during the project?

Answer 31

Although not a complex project, i created a risk register that captured potential project risks and their liklihood ensuring that mitigating procedures were in place should this occur.

• Weather - undertaking the terrace works required dry weather

Question 32

When preparing for this instruction, using your knowledge of 1980s construction, what potential defects did you discuss with your client and the project team?

Answer 32

• Limestone Decay
• Conc reinforcement decay i.e. Carbonation or Chlorides
• ## Deleterious Materials

Question 33

What is bath stone?

Answer 33

Is a form of limestone and is used extensively in bath and across the south of england.

Question 34

During your project, what considerations did you give to the fact the client has Plans to redevelop in 2023?

Answer 34

• Undertaking replacement works on the old VRF system.
• Replace the single glazed windows

However would have required disruptive and expensive works, that would be easier to undertake with full vacant possession.

Question 35

Using the chosen procurement route (negotiated), are there any other measures you can introduce to help protect your client against costs?

Answer 35

• benchmarking with other tendered rates
• review against internal parameters
• employ a QS to provide expertise
• use cost databases

Question 36

Can you talk me through your process for comparing the rates previously received and how you might benchmark these to today’s standards?

Answer 36

I pulled out the rates used for comparable works.
- i applied inflationary indices off BCIS
- I ensured that quantities were similar where possible and took this into account where it wasn’t

Question 37

How did you ascertain that the anchor point was safe to use?

Answer 37

I reviewed the working at height regulations and went through the hierachy of fall protection in coming to this solution.

Question 38

Did you consider any other methods to safely inspect the area of roof in question?

Answer 38

• I considered using drones, however would not have been able to get a good look in this area of the gutter and upstand.

Furthermore knowing that works would likely be required access to this area would be required and therefore emplying the same systme for both the investigations and repairs seemed wise.

Question 39

I assume that you presented a cost breakdown of each of they systems. Can you talk me through the costs of each repair method.

Answer 39

• £1200 EPDM repair
• £4,500
• £16,500 for liquid applied of whole gutter detail
• £7,300 for around affected areas with scaffold to these elevations (c. 5200 scaffold cost for works to the few elevations.

Question 40

What is the methodology for installing a EPDM membrane patch repair.

Answer 40

• Prepare the substrate by cleaning and sanding if required
• self adhesive reinforced 1.3mm strip