Case study questions

Question 1

Can you talk me through the construction of Freshwater Court?

Answer 1

Fresh water court is of cavity brick construction with hollow beam concrete floors and a timber flat roof

Question 2

How are you able to consider the age of the building?

Answer 2

I review old maps and photographs as well as the style of construction

Question 3

What challenges did the location of the building have on your project?

Answer 3

As the building was situated in an exposed seafront location it was particularly prone to prevailing south westerly winds.

Question 4

What caused failure of the roof?

Answer 4

In this case there was a strong south easterly wind during a storm. The UPVC trims and roof covering were stripped back.

Question 5

How did you go about checking for potential conflict of interest?

Answer 5

I used our conflict of interest check form which ensure I had no vested interest in the building, I had no relationship with the client, leaseholders, managing agent or loss adjuster.

Question 6

How did you go about preparing your specification?

Question 7

What was the requirement to take samples?

Answer 7

To understand The roof buildup including establishing the type of deck and also providing an indication of whether the installation and deck were saturated which would have led to an alternative repair.

Question 8

Why was wood wool slabs a risk?

Answer 8

Wood wool slab is classed a deleterious material as voids can form around the reinforcement. HSE Health and safety in roof work (Fifth Edition) also class them as fragile decks especially when exposed to water penetration. If retained fixing of insulation can be problematic and replacement will require structural engineering design.

Question 9

Why was the roof deck able to be retained?

Answer 9

The roof deck was found to be 18mm ply wood and was found to be dry in all areas where samples were taken.

Question 10

Why was it not a requirement to meet current building regulations

Answer 10

Because the waterproof membrane was not being removed

Question 11

Why would a high-performance buildup felt system have been appropriate?

Answer 11

It would have provided the client with a 25 year guarantee.

Question 13

How did you go about calculating insulation depth?

Answer 13

You value equals 0.6 what/M2 Kelvin
U value equals 1/0.16 equals 6.25 M2 K/W
Insulation type PIR board 100 mm r value

Question 14

What implication with the new parapets heights had on planning?

Answer 14

By raising raising the parapet roof edges by 150 mm wood not have affected planning in our local area however, anything over this may have and I would check this on a case by case basis.

Question 15

What association warranty would you have achieved with option two?

Answer 15

The contractor would have provided a 25 year warranty.

Question 16

Why was liquid applied system suitable?

Answer 16

I have worked with the system called poly roof which is a suitable overlay system for bituminous felt as it is able to take up the movement of the felt.

Question 17

What had caused does the bubbling?

Answer 17

Bubbling and booted can be caused by trapped air or moisture.

Question 18

What had caused the corroded fixings?

Answer 18

The fixings were a galvanised type which corrode over time exacerbated by the coastal location.

Question 19

How was your budget cost prepared for the various options?

Answer 19

I used costings from previous roofing projects such as William George court

Question 20

Why did you invite four contractors tender?

Answer 20

I invited 4 contractors to tender as the project was small and, needed a quick turn around and was coming upto a busy season. this worked well as one contractor failed to return meaning I had 3 valid tenders.

Question 21

How did you go about calculating the contingency sum?

Answer 21

I used information from previously completed projects.

Question 22

Under option one who would’ve taken the design risk?

Answer 22

The design risk could have been allocated to the employer or the contractor depending whether we produced a full design or allowed the contractor to design

Question 23

What are the pitfalls of letter of intents?

Question 24

Can you talk me through the principles of the JCT repair and maintenance contract?

Question 25

Why did you rectification period would be beneficial to the client?

Question 26

Why did you select JCT minor works compared to intermediate works?

Answer 26

The project was simple in nature with a short duration.

Question 27

How did you assess the contractors design?

Question 28

What insurance did you need to ensure?

Answer 28

Pi insurance, all risks insurance, pl insurance and employment liability.

Question 29

Can you talk me through one of the design details?

Answer 29

Yes I

Question 30

Can you talk me through a challenge that you experienced whilst the works on site?

Answer 30

We had an issue with wind on site. In my specification I had stated that no materials were to be stored on the roof and the contractor installed plastic sheeting. This make lots of noise in the wind and therefore this was removed and changed to plastic brick guards.

Question 32

Reflecting on the project can you taught me through other systems you may have explored?

Answer 32

Prior to tender I explored suprema and moy felt systems, I also investigated polyroof liquid applied system. Following the tender analysis I explored bailies and DANOSA systems.

Question 33

What would you do differently next time?

Answer 33

I have since explored a wide range of products including baileys, soprema and moy,

Question 34

How did you act ethically?

Answer 34

I could have recommended a complete roof replacement or repair given the unknown history of repairs which would have provided certainty over future repairs. This would have added significant cost to the project and as I was on a percentage fee, would have also increased my fee, however, this would not have been ethical. I could have also exaggerated the cost for repairs to the insurer to gain the client more funding but ultimately I had a responsibility to all stakeholders in the project

Question 35

What were your key achievements?

Answer 35

I completed the project to the satisfaction of the client and the stakeholders, I ensured the project was undertaken quickly and utilised scaffold to carry out essential maintenance.