Design and Specification (L3) Flashcards
(108 cards)
1
Q
What design guidance do you follow specifically relating to schools?
A
- BB100 - Design for fire safety in schools
- BB103 - Design guidance for space requirements in mainstream schools
- BB104 - Design guidance for space requirements in special educational needs schools
- DfE guidance on school building design - Advice on standard for school premises
2
Q
What does SEMH mean?
A
- Social, Emotional, and Mental Health
3
Q
Are there any design standards you used for SEMH?
A
- BB104 - Space requirements for special enducational needs
- BS8300 - Design of an accessible and all inclusive environment
- DfE Guidance for SEMH school designs
4
Q
How could plasterboard be strengthened?
A
- Double lining plasterboard
- Thicker plasterboard
- Installing plywood backboards
- Impact resistant plaster boards such as reinforced fibre plasterboard
- Adding bracing to studs or extra adhesive
5
Q
What type of block did you specify?
A
- Medium density facing concrete block, strength of 7kN/m2
6
Q
What other materials did you specify?
A
- Polyfloor PUR Slip resistant vinyl flooring
- Armstrong ultima suspended ceiling panels
- Knowles timber solid core fire doors with pyro glazing, extended steel kick plates and d bar and push plates, with finger guards
- Bauer total roofing system
- Kingspan 90mm PIR Insulation wallboard
- Timber pinewood bullnose skirting
- Elite air tight paint for block work walls
- BioClad hygiene cladding
7
Q
What are the requirements for a block work wall in schools under Building Regulations Part E?
A
- Doors and windows to be sealed for sound insulation
- Minimum of 45dB in schools for walls
8
Q
What design measures were needed for air tightness?
A
- Plaster boarding the underside of the roof deck with fire rated plasterboard and sealant to improve air tightness and provide fire barrier
- Proper sealing to openings and penetrations
- Sealing around frames
- Fire stopping to penetrations for M&E installations
- Minimise complexity in design and layout
- Good design principals and worksmanship
- DuPont Tyvek Air and Vapour barrier to concrete walls
9
Q
What building regulations relate to airtightness?
A
- Building Regulations Part L - Conservation of fuel and power
- Test to be undertaken at prior to completion to prove airtightness and signed off by BCO
- 8m3/h.m2 at 50 Pascals using blower door system, large fan in an external doorway
10
Q
What guidance is there in relation to trees? What is the root protection area?
A
BS5837
- Tree survey guidelines
- Methods for calculating RPAs
- Which trees to be removed or retained
- Construction methods to adopt to protect trees
Root protection area is 12x the diameter of the tree trunk at 1.5m height
11
Q
What is the classification for protected trees?
A
- TPO - Tree preservation order
12
Q
What root protection measures did you use?
A
- Hand dig areas around trees to identify roots
- Protective fencing and barriers around tree
- Lift soft play surface using base crates around tree base to avoid damage to tree roots
- Porous soft pour surface allowing rainwater to drain through to roots
- Pruning if required; consult with arboriculturist
13
Q
What was the specification of the surface around the tree?
A
- Soft surfaces system
- Permeable wet pour surface, plastic grid crates to build up area in RPA
- Type 2 stone base to allow for a sustainable drainage system allowing water to drain through the soils
14
Q
EIA Landscaping - Soft pour near trees. What is sustainable about the construction method?
A
- Allowed for a permeable surface to allow rainwater to pass through to roots of the tree, therefore a sustainable method
- Type 2 stone base allowed for a sustainable drainage system controlling water flow during storms
- Aesthetic integration with green colours to blend in with environment
- Soil health
15
Q
Talk me through the stages of RIBA 2020?
A
- Stage 0 - Strategic Definition
- Stage 1 - Preparation and Brief
- Stage 2 - Concept Design
- Stage 3 - Spatial Coordination
- Stage 4 - Technical Design
- Stage 5 - Manufacture and Construction
- Stage 6 - Handover
- Stage 7 - Use
16
Q
RIBA Plan of Work - What were the changes in the 2020 version?
A
- Sustainable project strategy
- BIM integration
- Changes of names to stages
- More supporting information
- Planning improved guidance
17
Q
What design considerations are there for a flat roof?
A
- Thickness of existing construction of a refurbishment
- Part L requirements for improved insulation to achieve 0.18 u value
- Presence of nearby windows and openings to accommodate thicker roof construction
- Planning legislation and consideration of height of roofs
- Warm roof or cold roof system
- Structural supports
- Access and maintenance
- Drainage falls to roof outlets
- Green roof considerations; irrigation system and inverted roof system
18
Q
Re roofing - What are the relevant Building Regulations?
A
- Part A - Structural loading
- Part B - Fire spread
- Part C - Resistance to moisture
- Part F - Ventilation
- Part H - Rainwater drainage
- Part K - Protection from falling
- Part L - Conservation of fuel and power
u Values
Roofs = 0.18w/m2K
Floors = 0.18w/m2K
Windows = 0.16w/m2K
Walls = 0.26w/m2K
19
Q
Higham Roofs - How did you approach core sampling?
A
- Review asbestos management plan of the site ahead of any core sampling
- Approach reputable roofing specialists to ensure quality assurance of repairs
- Undertake core samples to multiple areas to ascertain a clear understanding of the condition and roof build up across the roof
- Consider safety and access, undertake appropriate risk assessment
- Undertake assessment, visual and monitor meter reading
- Report findings and advise the client on follow up and next steps
20
Q
Higham Roofs - What was included on the manufacturers warranty?
A
- Conditions of the warranty, I.e maintenance and operation
- Details of the roof system and manufacturer product codes
- Length of warranty and expiration date of the warranty
- Projext details, address, client details
- Scope of coverage, I.e materials and workmanship
- Exclusions and liability limitations
- Claim process
21
Q
Was cover for consequential damage included?
A
- Was available to purchase, however the client decided not proceed due to budget
- To be covered by buildings insurance in the event of any damages
22
Q
Tell me about your understanding and application of spatial parameters and requirements?
A
- Understand client requirements and brief
- Review relevant design guidelines such as British Standards, Building Regulations, Building Bulletins
- Proportions and scale, relate to surroundings
- Consider accessibility
- Functionality, I.e private, education
- Visual impact, aesthetics
- Light and ventilation, natural light, openings
- Flexibility and adaptability
23
Q
Tell me about your preparation of sketch designs to demonstrate compliance with a clients brief, whilst satisfying statutory requirements?
A
- Review client brief, budget, quality expectations
- Consider usage and proposed functionality of the building
- Check relevant design guidelines such as Building Regulations, Building Bulletins, British Standards
- Integrate clients requirements with statutory requirements to ensure both are achieved
24
Q
How do you detail how components are installed, connected and performing?
A
- Provide clear and concise drawings and specifications
- Provide any design guidance and employers requirements
- Plans, elevations, details or specific components
- Clear specifications such as NBS specifications to inform the installer, including product and performance specifications
- Regulatory compliance, specify codes and standards
25
How do you develop initial proposals to a detailed stage and obtain statutory consents?
- Consult with statutory bodies such as approved inspectors and planning authority during design stage
- Retrieve approvals prior to proceeding to tender
- Manage planning process and clear documentation
- Finalise proposals, client approval, detailed design
26
What design guidance is available in construction projects?
- Building Regulations / Approved Documents
- British Standards
- Building Bulletins
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Health and Safety Guidlines
- BREEAM / LEED
- NBS
- Digital design tools, BIM, CAD etc
27
Talk me through the preparation of DRA of the proposed design, to satisfy requirements of the health and safety requirements?
- Review CDM Regulations for duties of clients, designers, principal designers
- Review HSWA 1974
- Gather project information, and stakeholder engagement
- Consider the health and safety impact of the development from design stage to building use
- Regular design team meetings to review construction design and practices being implemented and risks associated with them
- Prepare the design risk register and assign risks to various stakeholders, who is at risk, the likelihood and severity of the risk, and mitigating factors
- Regularly review the DRA and revise as necessary
28
How can you express recognised standards and guidance?
- Include references to guidelines and building codes on detail drawings
- The use of NBS specification to produce operational and installation specifications outlining standards and codes
- Quality assurance and control plans
- Documentation and reporting
29
How have you investigated suitable sustainable features and incorporated them within the design?
- Initial research and site analysis
- Understand client requirements, targets and goals
- Utilise benchmarking standards, I.e BREEAM
- Agenda on design team meetings during concept design
- Compliance with local planning authority requirements and guidelines
- EIA Landscaping, review BS5837 for incorporating a sustainable design solution for construction of surfacing around trees
30
Moulton - What was your role in Stage 1?
- Regular meetings with client to understand brief and requirements, timeframe, budget, quality expectations
- Document key decisions and liaise with the client team and set targets for next stage
- Prepare high level project programme
- Establish roles and responsibilities
31
Moulton - How did you prepare your spatial requirements (Stage 2)?
- Use client brief and requirements as a schedule to provide options for review
- Sketch plans using CAD and provide feasibility of different solutions ensuring client requirements are met as well as regulatory compliance
- Understanding clients brief, scope, intended use, preferences
- Consult stakeholders and end users
32
Moulton - What is the key difference between Stage 1 and Stage 2?
- Stage 1 is establishing key stakeholders and responsibilities, understanding clients brief and requirements, initiating design stage
- Stage 2 is implementing those requirements set out in stage 1, developing proposals whilst considering regulatory compliance, generating ideas
33
Moulton - How did you prepare your designs?
- Using digital design software, I.e CAD
- Clients requirements, space requirements, names, quantities
- High level regulatory compliance, I.e ADB and and ADM, relevant Building Bulletins
- Highlight risks and discussion points
34
Higham Lane - Why did you meet with a roofing contractor?
- Expert guidance, inform decision process
- Ensure compatibility with existing roofing system
- Material advancements and installations insights, best practices
- Innovative solutions
35
What is the difference between flat and tapered insulation?
- Flat roof is implementation of uniformly sized and thickness of boards across the roof, slight falls are already present for drainage
- Tapered insulation is varying thickness and gradients to create a a slope towards drainage points
36
Higham Lane - Why was a complete strip out required?
- Down to roof deck, results of core samples showed complete saturation of existing PIR insulation
- Insulation was no longer providing any thermal efficiency and no longer serving its intended use
- Water pooling was visible beneath the insulation
- Risk of decay to supporting timber roof structure
- More reliable and durable roofing system as opposed to overlaying which would not come with a guarantee and likely to fail in the near future
37
Higham Lane - What was the contents of your specification?
- Drawings, plans, details
- Project overview, project description
- Material speciations, modified bitumen, underlay, insulation, VCL, adhesives and sealants, flashings
- Installation guides such as BS6229
- Guarantee requirements
- Performance criteria, I.e BBA approved (British Board of Agrément) indicating a high quality, experienced and reliable product
38
Higham Lane - How did you assess the guarantee requirements?
- Review project speciations and manufacturers literature
- Evaluate industry standards such as BBA approval
- Determine duration and coverage, I.e workmanship and materials
- Establish maintenance and claim process
- Final review and approval
- Unserstnd manufacturer requirements, I.e approved installers
39
Tell me about your preparation of the design and specification from outline proposals to completion of the design and specification process?
- Understand client brief and requirements, budget, quality expectations, preferences etc
- Review relevant standards and regulatory compliance
- Concept design, detailed design
- Specification process
- Approvals
- Value engineering and alternative system considerations
- Coordinate with stakeholders
- Manage and document the process
- Ongoing communication and site inspections
40
Talk me through your experience of the specification process, including detailed knowledge on the methods of specification?
- Understanding clients brief and building use
- Specify products in line with client requirements and preferences
- Produce specifications using NBS for a consistent and understandable format and approach
A) Prescriptive Specifications
- Describing how the product should interact
- Little room for interpretation
B) Proprietary Specifications
- Specific systems or products, I.e specifying manufacturer and the product name with little room for change or alternatives
C) Open Speciations
- Contractors choice of product or specification based on employers requirements
- Multiple acceptable products
D) Performance Specifications
- Outline performance requirements for the product or system, allowing for some flexibility for product and system choice
- Desired outcome and specify how element will be utilised
41
How have you dealt with the design and speciation process and its relevance and importance to the procurement and execution of the selected contract for the building works?
- Traditional procurement - Understanding the process the client has proceeded with for consultancy services to produce drawings and specifications, and establishing the level of detail and input required
- Outlines clear contract requirements and reduces ambiguity and liklihood of disputes arising
- Detailed speciations allows for accurate pricing during tender stage
- Promotes transparency and accountability
42
What advice have you provided to clients regarding sustainability issues surrounding the proposals for their building?
1. Sustainable Design Principles
- Maximising natural light
- Airtightness considerations
- High performance insulation
- Reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling systems
- Absence detection for lights
- Radiant heating
- Robust high quality materials
- Consider pre fabricated elements
- Utilise industry standard design guides and setting targets, I.e BREEAM, SKA
2. Material Selection
- Locally sourced materials
- Recycled materials
3. Water Management
- Sustainable drainage systems
- Stone and perforated pipe controlling storm rainwater
4. Waste Management
- Re use materials / excavated grounds
- Reduce waste
43
How have you managed the design process to incorporate design work by others in the specification?
- The use of RIBA Plan of works and understanding importance of collaboration with other disciplines and key milestones prior to progressing to next stage of design
- Establish communication channels, keep record of discussions and minutes for action
- Chair regular design team meetings to promote collaboration and team working
- Have drawings schedules with key dates for outputs from each discipline and encourage discussions in design team meetings
- Define roles and responsibilities
- Digital design tools such as BIM, DLM on workspace
- Review and revise
44
Queensbury - What is the purpose of design team meetings?
- Collaboration, sharing ideas and coming together to create the best solution for the client
- Review clients brief to ensure key requirements are being met
- Review H&S practices and risks during the design stage to feed into DRA
- To agree and advise on construction materials and technologies to be incorporated and consider compatibility of methods
- Record key decisions and design elements, and document
- Progress review, ensure key milestones are being met
45
Queensbury - What was the clients challenging brief?
- To ensure all areas have of the building were suitable for SEMH students with severe behavioural issues and vulnerable to self harm
- Limited access to the site through playing field
- Site topography
- Working in live school environment during term time
46
47
Queensbury - What other internal finish considerations did you have?
- Anti slip vinyl flooring, R10 for areas that are largely dry, R11 for occasionally wet, R12-13 for wet rooms
- Finger guards to internal door sets
- Plasterboard to office areas only used by staff
- Oak veneer fire doors for less maintenance
- Full height hygiene cladding in WCs
- Timber skirtings
- Suspended ceiling, providing flexibility and low maintenance
48
Queensbury - How did you select the airtight paint?
- Attended CPD session within my office of appropriate internal finishes
- Elite airtight paint formulated to fill small cracks and gaps in surfaces, providing a more airtight seal
- Prevents air leakage through block work
- Fully washable surface
49
Queensbury - What is a Tree Preservation Order?
- Legal designation set to trees of specific importance or trees attributing to the local characteristics or landscaping
- Protects specific trees or greenland from being cut down, pruned or otherwise harmed without express permission from the local authority
- Planning application required for works affecting protected trees
- Violating TPO could lead to fines or legal action
50
Queensbury - Why did you consider root protection measures?
- TPO on tree within proposed
51
Queensbury - Why did you consider root protection measures?
- TPO on tree within proposed playground area
- Tree health and structural stability of tree
- Future health of tree and requirement for a permeable surface
- Environmental benefits, sustainable construction
- Legal compliance
52
How did you conduct your research on new methods?
- Reviewed the relevant standard such as BS5837
- Includes guidlines on root protection measures and construction practices around trees
- Existing levels should be retained within the RPA
- Soft surfaces speciation of wet pour, rubber safety flooring to playground
53
Queensbury - What did you require to submit with your planning application in reference to the works near the TPO?
- Tree protection plan
- Report from suitably qualified arboriculturalist
- Submit an arboricultural method statement
54
EIA Trust Landscaping - What is the build up and how is the soft pour laid?
- Two layer system
- SBR base layer
- EPDM top layer
1. Mix EDPM rubber granules with binder
2. Pour the base layer onto the prepared sub base
3. Spread the rubber crumb across the ground
4. Screed the rubber crumb to create a flat surface at the required depth
55
EIA Landscaping - Why did you deem this to be a sustainable construction method?
- Preserves roots of tree within the propose playground area
- Permeable surface which allows water to drain through, reducing risk of flooding
- Removes risk of unlawful conduction process and possible financial penalties for the client
- Contributes to landscaping and surrounding characteristics
56
What is the green guide to specification?
- Sustainable building materials and practices developed by the BRE
- Construction products and their environmental impacts
1. Material ratings, based on their sustainability
2. Lifecycle assessment, of environmental effects
3. Sustainable choices, alternatives for more environmentally friendly materials
4. Integration with BREEAM, sustainably assessment method for projects
57
What do you understand by the concept ‘Modern Methods of Construction’?
- Technological and material advancements developed to provide more environmentally friendly practices
- Enhance efficiency, sustainability and quality
- Prefabrication, manufacture of materials off site to reduce time and waste on site
- Modular building construction; quick effective process without the need for traditional construction methods
- Advanced materials, such as engineered timber
- Digital technology, such as BIM allows better planning
- Suitable sustainability models and assessments such as BREEAM
58
What low or zero carbon technologies are you aware of that may help to meet Building Regulations Part L?
- PV panels for solar energy
- Enhanced natural ventilation
- Radiant heating panels
- Absence detection for lighting
- LED lighting, energy efficient lighting
- Heat recovery units
- Using recycled materials
59
What does the term sustainable development mean?
- Sustainable development is developments that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
- Economic sustainability
- Social sustainability
- Environmental sustainability
60
What regulations and codes of practice govern the construction industry’s approach to sustainability?
- Building Regulations Part L - Conservation of Fuel and Power
- BREEAM - British Research Environmental Assessment Method
- LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
- ISO 14001 - Environmental Management Systems
- Local planning policies, I.e Birmingham Development Plan, statutory framework to guide decisions on development and regeneration by 2030
- Waste Management Regulations
- HSWA 1974
- CDM 2015
61
Tell me your knowledge and understanding of preambles to contract documentation?
- Outlines objectives and intentions
- Definitions and terminology
- General conditions
- Instructions for bidding
62
What would you describe as modern services?
- BIM (Building Information Modelling)
- Pre fabrication and modular buildings
- Sustainable design consulting such as BREEAM, LEED
- VR, Drone Technology
- Use of electronic devices to produce reports
63
When was the RIBA Plan of Work last updated?
- 2020, improving collaboration
64
What RICS guidance relating to design and specification are you aware of?
- RICS Guidance Note on Design and Specification 2013
65
Name 3 different types of approaches to communicating requirements in a specification?
- Proprietary Specifications
- Prescriptive Specifications
- Performance Specifications
66
Under what circumstances would you improve thermal rating of a building?
- Legal and regulatory changes, I.e updated Building Regulations, MEES
- During refurbishment projects
- Energy Cost reduction
- Sustainability goals
- Market value improvements
67
Can you give me some examples of manufacturing and quality standards?
- ISO 9001 - Quality Management Systems
- ISO 14001 - Environmental Management Systems
- BS8500 - Standards for Specifying Concrete
- FSC Certification, timber and wood products from responsibly managed forests
68
How do you go about setting out a specification for a new build from start to finish?
- Establish client brief and understand key requirements and targets
- Understand use of the building and any specialist system requirements
- Legal and regulatory standards
- Collaborate with design team and consultants
- Clear and effective communication
- Review and approvals
- Clear documentation
- Clear drawings and specifications outlined within contract documents
69
Explain what a designers risk assessment is?
- Risk assessment of health and safety procedures and practices identified during the design
- Collaboration between stakeholders to assign responsibilities and mitigation
- Eliminate where possible and put safe measures in place
- Regularly reviewed and revised as design progresses
- Documentation and record keeping
70
71
What would a designers risk assessment include?
- The risk, likelihood and severity of the risk
- The assigned individuals for the risk
- Mitigation of the risk
- Who the risk is posed upon
- Communication and documentation
- Monitoring and review
72
How is a risk categorised?
- Health and safety risks
- Operational risks
- Environmental risks
- Financial risks
73
What do you understand about the RICS Guidance Note on Design and Specification 1st Edition 2013?
- Outlines the design and specification process and key stages
- Provides best practice advice for professionals
1. Purpose and objectives, clear and consistent
2. Scope of work, how to develop detailed specifications
3. Risk management
4. Regulatory compliance
5. Sustainability
6. Quality assurance
7. Collaboration
74
What is Stage 3 design?
- Spatial coordination
75
What do you consider in design for a flat roof?
- Depth and height of construction
- Ventilation / warm roof, flat roof
- Drainage outlets and falls, I.e tapered insulation
- Structural loading requirements
- Legal / Regulatory compliance, I.e thermal performance in line with Part L - Conservation of fuel and power
- Access requirements / edge protection for maintenance
- Guarantee requirements
76
What are the advantages and disadvantages of overlaying a flat roof system?
Advantages:
- Cost effective
- Quick construction process
- Easy to implement and non complex
- Will address immediate water ingress issues
- Reduced waste
Disadvantages:
- Limited warranties for overlaying
- Doesn’t address long term water ingress issues if moisture is trapped within the roof system
- Insufficient thermal performance from saturated or defective insulation
- Not compliant with regulatory standards
- Additional weight and loading requirements
77
What are core samples?
- Intrusive investigations beneath the waterproofing layer of the roof
- Allows you to inspect the condition of the insulation and substructure, water ingress beneath the water proofing layer, and depth of existing construction
78
What’s included in manufacturer literature for roofing?
- Guarantees and warranties
- Operations and maintenance requirements
- Materials and specifications
- Hazardous substances
- Health and safety considerations
- Compatibility
- Limitations and exclusions of guarantee
- Testing and certification
- Installation guides
79
What’s included in a tender package?
- Cover letter and invitation to tender with tender submission rules and marking criteria
- Details of employers agent and architect for correspondence
- Contract preliminaries
- Drawings and specifications
- Pricing schedule / SoW
- Form of Tender / Contract Sum Analysis
- Pre Construction / Health and Safety Information
80
Queensbury - Why exposed block work? Benefits of this?
- Durable hard wearing wall surface less prone to damage
- Minimal maintenance requirements
- Quicker construction as opposed to plaster boarding and dry lining
- Fire resistance and compartmentation
- Readily available product
- Sustainability
- Flexibility
- Acoustic properties
81
What is airtightness requirements in Part L?
- Maximum 8 m3 air changes per hour @50 Pascal
- Maximum <8m3/(h-m2) @50 Pascals
82
Who and what is an air test?
- Test for measuring airtightness performance of a building
- Required to prove energy efficiency
- Comfort
- Moisture control
- Building regulations
- Undertaken by certified indoor air quality specialists UKAS accredited
83
What is the build up of a soft play area?
- 2 layer system
- Sub base of Type 1 or Type 2 stone
- EDPM rubber granules and binder
- Rubber crumb on top and screed out to flat level surface with a choice of colours
84
EIA Landsacping - What was the tree?
- Silver birch tree
85
What is the RIBA Plan of Work 2020?
- Framework for stages throughout the lifecycle of a project
- Standardised stages referred to within the industry for consistency
- Sets out key tasks and milestones for each stage of the process
- Stage 0 - Strategic Definition
- Stage 1 - Prepartion and Briefing
- Stage 2 - Concept Design
- Stage 3 - Spatial coordination
- Stage 4 - Technical Design
- Stage 5 - Manufacture and construction
- Stage 6 - Handover
- Stage 7 - Use
86
How do you interpret the requirements of a client brief?
- Understand cost, quality and time expectations
- Understand key targets and goals
- Establish intended use and relevant regulatory and statutory requirements
- Understand key requirements and meed for specialists
- Outline risks and impact on the design and construction
- Weigh out the client expectations with realistic possibilities and advise accordingly
87
Why is incorporating British Standards important?
- Provides tested methods and systems proven to be of a high standard
- Provides guidance on best practice for various systems and elements
- Consistency with required standards across the industry and quality assurance
- Legal and regulatory compliance, sometimes the British Standards are reffered to within the Building Regulations
- Safety and compliance
- Sustainability and environmental impact
88
What do you understand about the RICS Guidance Note on Design and Specification 2013?
- Detailed guidance on best practices for design and specification
1. Purpose and scope; responsibilities
2. Importance of design and specification
3. Key elements of a specification
4. Role of RICS professionals
5. Risk management
6. Collaboration
7. Sustainability
89
Moulton - What did you do during Stage 0-2?
- Established key stakeholders, roles and responsibilities
- Initiated project and client meetings
- Prepared client brief, client expectations, budget, quality and time
- Concept design, taking client requirements and producing sketched layouts based on clients brief
- Site inspection to take particulars and assess site conditions and logistical approach to project
- Refer to relevant legal and regulatory compliance matters such as Building Regulations, Local Planning requirements
90
Moulton - What was the clients brief?
- Double storey teaching block comprising of;
- GF 4 science lab classrooms, science prep rooms, staff room, store rooms, lift access
- FF 2 IT classrooms, library, office space
- Budget of £2.5m
- Works during summer holidays for excavations and continued into term time with segregated access
91
Moulton - How did you prepare the design?
- Undertook site inspection to records particulars and cross reference existing plans and information
- Review existing site topographical surveys and location of proposed building
- Plotted drawings and sketches using CAD
- Considered access and functionality of external circulation areas
- Considered building orientation for south facing areas and levels for access for entrances and fire exits
- Reviewed relevant legal and regulatory requirements such as Part B and Part M for concept design stage
92
Moulton - What is Stage 3? How did you advise your client on this?
- Stage 3 - Spatial Coordination
- Advised client that the shell and internal layout should be agreed and approved prior to further development of the design
- Consultation with structural engineers, civil engineers, M&E engineers on system and and outline specification to implement the chosen design prior to proceeding to Stage 4-Technical Design
- Prepare and submit planning application
- Prepared and submit building regulations application for approved inspector sign off
- Review against all Building Regulations and standards
93
Higham - What do you consider in a flat roof design?
- The existing depths of the construction
- Ventilation requirements, I.e cold roof or warm roof
- Drainage requirements, I.e tapered or flat insulation
- Legal and regulatory compliance, I.e thermal performance requirements set out in Part L - Conservation of Fuel and Power
- Access requirements / edge protection
- Health and safety matters
- Strutural considerations and loading requirements / services to roof
- Guarantee requirements
- Finishes / colours etc
- Budget and cost considerations
- Conditon of existing waterproofing
94
Higham - What are the benefits and risks of overlaying a flat roof system?
Benefits:
- Less expensive as opposed to complete system replacement
- Quicker constriction
- Short term water ingress issues addressed
- Sustainability / reduced waste
- Less disruptive works
Risks:
- Lack of guarantee offered
- Long term roofing defects not rectified, I.e building up of moisture within the existing system
- Thermal inefficiency of existing insulation
- Legal and regulatory compliance
- Additional weight and loading requirements
- Drainage issues
- Reduced lifespan
95
Higham - What is the difference between flat and tapered insulation?
- Flat insulation used insulation boards unform in thickness crating a flat level surface, relying on existing roof structure falls to drain rainwater
- Tapered insulation is a series of insulation boards with differing thicknesses and gradients to create slopes towards rainwater outlets
96
Higham - What are the benefits of undertaking core samples?
- Aids visual inspection and provides physical evidence of the outcome of the investigations
- Allows you to ascertain the condition of the elements deeper within the construction and beneath waterproofing layer, I.e insulation
- Inspect subsurface and substructure for degradation or decay
- Understand construction depths in preparation for design and specifying new system
97
Higham - What did you include on your detailed specification?
- Drawings and details of the existing and proposed system
- Guarantee requirements
- Relevant legal and regulatory requirements such as thermal performance requirements, 0.18w/m2K
- Manufacturer and name of the first roofing system
- Specification of roofing system, Vapour Control Layer, Underlay, PIR Insulation and thickness, Modified Capping Sheet and colour
98
What was included in the product literature and guarantees?
- Installation guidance and instructions
- Requirement of staged inspections of manufacturer representative for sign off
- Duration and term of the guarantee
- Claim process
- Exclusions and limitations
- Testing and performance certifications and expected life
- Operations and maintenance guarantees
99
Queensbury - What are the benefits and risks of exposed block work walls?
Benefits
- Durable and hard wearing surface
- Low maintenance
- Load bearing capacity
- Sound insulation
- Fire resistance and compartmentation
- Quicker and more cost effective as opposed to player boarding and dry lining
- Simple and flexible construction
Risks:
- Decrease in air tightness and compliance with Part L - Conservation of Fuel
- Increased loading requirement for building
- Aesthetics and surface mounted M&E installations
100
Queensbury - What are the requirements for sound insulation in Part E?
- School and constitutional buildings must achieve 45 dB
101
Queensbury - What strength of block was required?
- 7kN/m2
- The facing brick was specified on this basis and was approved by the structural engineer
102
Queensbury - What additional measures for airtightness, Part L requirements?
- Ensuring openings are appropriately sealed
- High performance double glazed windows and doors
- Fire stopping penetrations to internal walls
- DuPont Tyvek Airguard membrane in the cavity wall
- Elite airtight paint to internal block walls
- Plasterboard to underside of plywood roof deck
103
What did you advise regarding an airtight paint?
- I advised the client due to the need of exposed block work walls internally, this would have an impact on air leakage and possible concerns regarding airtightness which needs to be achieved for Part L
- Due to the cracks and openings within the concrete block material, this makes them susceptible to escape of air
- Product on the market called Elite Airtight paint which is tested and cetyfied to improve airtightness in these instances
- Advised my client to consider the use of this paint, aesthetically it would appear as a normal washable white paint, however the paint acts as a liquid membrane which provides and air barrier when applied to block work walls, filling in gaps and cracks improving airtightness and thermal efficiency
104
How was airtightness tested?
- 3rd party airtightness testing contractor to undertake airtightness test
- Required for building control sign off to show compliance with Part L requirement for <8m3 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals
- All windows and doors are closed and blower door test is undertaken by placing fans within entrance doorway and sealing around the edges
- Measures air leakage and identifies areas where air is infiltrating or escaping
105
Tell me about your understanding of application of spatial parameters and requirements?
- Guidelines, dimensions, and conditions that dictate how a space or environment should be designed for safety and security
- Physical dimensions of spaces, I.e BB103 and BB104
- Accessibility. I.e Part M, BS8300, Equality Act 2010
- Aesthetic, sustainability, natural ventilation requirements, orientation. I.e Planning, Building Regulations Part L
106
Tell me about your speciations of sketch designs to demonstrate compliance with a clients brief, while satisfying statutory requirements?
- Set out spaces as per clients requirements and list out specific rooms and key dimensions
- Cross reference with relevant legislation and regulatory compliance such as Part M and Part B for access and fire escape routes
- Further checks on best practices for the specific type of building, I.e BB100, BB103, BB104
- Make adjustments where necessary to satisfy client and legal and regulatory compliance
107
What is an SBEM? And how does an SBEM work?
Simplified Building Energy Model
Queensbury New Build
- Design SBEM model was undertaken by the M&E engineers within ridge as a multi discipline service
- The specification for differing building elements were regularly fed into the model during the design to understand any further requirement for improved airtightness
108
Queensbury - How did you reduce solar heat gain?
- Specified windows to be installed with solar shading properties and G values in line with Building Regulations Part O to reduce solar heat transmission whilst still allowing daylight through. This reduces solar heat gain in the building and reduces need for using energy for AC systems during the summer.
- 90mm insulation boards installed to cavities to provide sufficient insulation to slow down heat transfer
- Good airtightness to prevent heat loss and gain
- Design sufficient cross flow ventilation in line with Building Regulations Part F
- Orientation, east facing windows installed with a lower G value to control solar gain
- Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MHVR) system which recovers heat from exhaust air and using it to pre-heat incoming air
