Design & Specification Flashcards

Question

What are the approved documents?

Answer 1

They provide general guidance on performance and materials expected in order to comply with the functional requirements of the building regulations.

Answer 2

Building control services: 1.Local Authority. 2.Approved Inspector.

Answer 3

Dependent on the nature and the scale of the works. Full plan application: Plans and construction details need to be reviewed prior to starting on site. There may be conditions attached to the approval. Lasts 3 years from notice of approval. Building notice: Allows work to commence upon giving notice. No need to wait for prior approval before commencing the works.

Answer 4

Magistrates Court can penalise the offending party up to £5,000. They can then issue a fine of £50 per day for every day that the works continue to contravene the building regulations. Local authority can issue an enforcement notice which requires for the works to be made compliant or the local authority can undertake the works themselves then recover the associated costs if the building owner does not.

Answer 5

The person who carries out the works. So if the owner does themselves they do but if employing a contractor it is the contractor’s responsibility. Should bear in mind that ultimately the building owner will be served an enforcement notice.

Answer 6

Generally more responsive and open to giving advise. Often present lower costs compared to building control

Answer 7

Plan Certificate: AI / LA review plans and proposed works to confirm whether the works will comply to the building regulations in principal. Final Certificate: AI / LA issue following inspection of the completed works to certify that they are compliant with the building regulations.

Answer 8

Ensure the client is aware of their client duties under the regulations prior to undertaking any design work. Take into account any pre-construction information provided by the client / PD. Eliminate foreseeable health and safety risks to anyone affected by the project (as practically possible). Take steps to reduce and control residual risks. Provide design information to the PD to include in the pre-construction information and health and safety file. Provide design information to the principal contractor (or contractor on single contractor projects) to help them comply with their duties e.g ensuring Construction Phase Plan is prepared. Communicate, cooperate and coordinate with: 1. any other designers to ensure all designs are compatible and ensure H&S. 2. all contractors to utilise their experience of building design.

Answer 9

Breakdown of the works required for a project and their anticipated costs. Document is prepared to indicate the budget needed for a project. Allows client to present the budget to the board to apply for funding and to determine whether the project is financially feasible. Would form part of feasibility studies during stage 1 of RIBA.

Answer 10

Covers England and Wales. Places responsibility for anyone who has some sense of control in a premises to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of fire and make sure people can escape safely if there is one. The order applies to all premises whether they are permanent of temporary. The fire safety act 2021 has now amended the act which means any premises with two or more domestic dwellings must undertake a Fire Risk Assessment which takes into account the structure and external walls (from outer cladding to internal plasterboard), attachments to the external walls (balconies and green walls etc), doors and windows within external walls, doors between domestic premises and common parts (flat entrance doors) and any common parts.

Answer 11

The responsible person – any person who has a sense of control over a premises, this can include: Employers Owner. Landlords. Occupier. Anyone else with control of the premises e.g facilities manager, managing agent etc. If there is more than one responsible person, these individuals are expected to work together to meet their responsibilities.

Answer 12

- When am I required to provide increased thermal performance? - Thermal elements subject to renovation should be improved to achieve improved u value requirements provided the area is greater than 50% of the surface of the individual element or 25% of the total building envelope

Answer 13

- Where an element falls below the threshold value, it should be upgraded to achieve an improved value. Upgrading thermal elements – U-values W/m2K: - Wall cavity insulation – threshold 0.70 improved 0.55 - Wall external / internal insulation – threshold 0.70 improved 0.30 - Floors – threshold 0.70 improved 0.25 - Pitched roof insulation ceiling level – threshold 0.35 improved 0.16 - Pitched roof insulation rafter level – threshold 0.35 improved 0.16 - Flat roof with integral insulation – threshold 0.35 improved 0.16

Answer 14

- Applies to existing building with total useful floor area over 1000m2, where the works consists of or includes; an extension, the initial provision of any fixed building services, an increase to the installed capacity of any fixed building services. - Where the works fall into the above, additional works should be undertaken to ensure the building complies with part L, providing a payback of 15 years can be achieved.

Answer 15

- Removal of all fixtures and fittings, including cubicles, soap dispensers, WC pans, basins, waste pipework and dead legs, existing doors, flooring, etc. - Hand dryers are on hire so advised to set aside re installation - Cap all pipework and take all cabling back to supply

Answer 16

- Sanitaryware to be connected to fresh and foul water supplied to effectively supply and discharge as necessary - Waste pipework to MUPVC to BS 5255 or PVC-C to BS EN 1566-1 - 2no. standard WC pans with 4.5litre dual flush valve - 2no. urinals waterless in vitreous china w/ concealed cistern - 1200mm solid surface wash trough with 12mm compact grade laminated access panels

Answer 17

- 12.5mm compact grade laminate with black core and radiused edges and anti-trap hinges - 18mm melamine faced chipboard, satin anodised aluminium fittings - Colours to be chosen by the school - Cubicles to be plugged and screwed into the concrete flooring

Answer 18

- Break out existing floor tiles, back to floor slab (concrete) - Prepare existing floor screed and apply 3mm latex finish - Install 2.0mm PUR floor covering, bonded to screeded floor using approved adhesive and laid in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions o Provide guarantee of 10 years defective materials - Why – long-lasting, waterproof, and non-slip materials for wet room such as WC and comes with guarantee

Answer 19

- Strip existing walls of all paint - Supply and install 12.5mm insulated dry lining plasterboard throughout all walls - Add skim coat onto plasterboard for smooth finish - Installation of white rock panel from floor to ceiling o Ensure for 2-3mm gap between each panel and abutments – ceiling windows, etc. o Use Altrofix W139 for all welded installations o Apply adhesive to back of panel 25-30mm from edge and check it is level

Answer 20

- Align thermal liner squarely on wall, allow 15mm expansion joint at top and bottom - Trowel continuous ribbon of adhesive around wall edges, openings and services penetrations - Place thermal liner into position and tap into position using straight edge - Vertical dabs at 300mm cs 25mm from edge, dabs 50-75mm wide and 25mm deep to allow for temping – total contact 20% of wall - Ensure 50mm continuous ribbons at top and bottom and around openings - When adhesive is dry, fix 2 mechanical fixings through the centre of the board

Answer 21

- Included within the specification a section for each detailing what is required - Specified requirements for sanitaryware: o 2no. WCs, 2no. urinals (boys) 4no. WCs (girls) wash troughs for each o Water heater – to be installed beneath sink in vanity unit - Specified requirements for lighting / electrics: o Thorlux lighting in each room – lux level 100 – IP rating IP24 o Hand dryer o Small power and fused spurs – in locations away from each of pupils

Answer 22

- Flooring – Polyflor verona - Lighting – Thorlux down lighting - Decorations – dulux trade/ white rock - Cubicles

Answer 23

- Fresh and foul water pipework – BS 5255 or BS EN 1566-1 - Vinyl flooring installation – BS 8203:2001 - Electrical installation – lighting installations – BS 7671 - Electrical installation – test switches – BS 5266 - Plasterboard installation – openings and service penetrations – BS 8121: 1986 & BS 800: Part 8: 1994

Answer 24

- Project preliminaries and summary - Materials and workmanship (preambles) - Schedule of works - Appendices: o Drawings o Asbestos survey o Finishes schedule o Data sheets o Pre-construction information

Answer 25

- Form of product specification outlining materials desired – e.g. flooring, wall and ceiling materials, doors, colours for decorations, specified lighting

Answer 26

- When works out of my area of expertise – e.g. M&E or recommending structural works

Answer 27

- 450mm minimum

Answer 28

- Using a pendulum test – anything above 36 is classed as a safety / non-slip floor - Verona PUR PolySafe flooring - RRL Pendulum Test - >36 (wet test – 4S, Rubber/Slider 96) classification P3 - Wet slip resistance is sustainable throughout the guaranteed life of the product in adherence with HSE guidelines - Pendulum arm swings slider over test sample in wet and dry conditions - Readings taken referred to as British Pendulum Number (BPN) - Higher the number, the better the slip resistance value (SRV) Pendulum mean BPN: - >55 – P5 - 45-54 – P4 - 35-44 – P3 - 25-34 – P2 - 12-24 – P1 - <12 – P0

Answer 29

- Approved Document F (Ventilation) - 25l/s per WC / urinal – minimum intermittent extract rate

Answer 30

- Correct height WC pans o 300-305mm for 3-6 years o 355mm for up to 11 years - Correct height sinks o Early years – 500mm o KS1 – 700mm o KS2 / primary – 750mm o Secondary / adult – 750-850mm - Correct height cubicles o Early years – 1200mm o KS 1 – 1350mm o KS2 – 1500mm o KS4 / adult – 2000mm - Temperature of taps – 32 degrees to avoid scalding children - No exposed pipework – keep within vanity units / boxing

Answer 31

- Safety flooring - Whiterock cladding for all walls - Good quality ironmongery - Extract fan - Moisture resistant paint - Moisture resistant plasterboard

Answer 32

- Quality of doors throughout circulation areas and classrooms - Identifying presence of fire-stopping to services - Looking into roof voids to look at compartmentation between classrooms

Answer 33

- Gaps, missing self-closers, damaged smoke seals to doors - Corridors – open vents between classroom walls and circulation areas - Lack of fire-stopping to services - Incorrect signage to non-fire rated doors - Lack of separation between classrooms in roof voids

Answer 34

1. Check for fire rated labels – e.g. BMTrada or FIRAS certified 2. Check for signage – e.g. fire door keep shut 3. Door levers & furniture – operatives smoothly and returns to position 4. Lock and hatches – latch should hold door firmly in place without rattling 5. Intumescent fire and smoke seals – swell up and expand in a fire to stop smoke / toxic gases 6. Hinges – 3 hinges each with 4no. screws should be in place 7. Gaps – an even gap around the door and frame should not exceed 3mm 8. Mechanical door closer – should be fitted securely, free from damage, no leaking oil 9. Electro-mechanical hold open devises – should be linked to fire alarm system and traced

Answer 35

- To enable a specialist sub-contractor to design the fire upgrades to satisfy BS 8214: 2016 - To ensure specialists were in place to certify all new upgrades - To provide documentation at the conclusion of works to enable the school to have accurate records for future reference

Answer 36

* Should be appropriately fire rated and the associated frame should have the same fire rating! * Should open in the direction of escape if more than 60 people are anticipated to be using the escape route. * Intumescent strip and cold smoke seal fitted to the tops and side of the door leaf or the frame itself. * Door closer. * 3 sets of fire rated hinges to each door. * Vision panels formed of fire rated glass (if the fire doors on escape routes divides corridors or the door is hung to swing both ways) * Gap between door and frame should be 2-4mm. * Fire door signs should be fitted to both sides of the door. * Fire door retainer (dorgard) can be installed to legally hold open the fire door - the system holds the door open but will automatically release in response to the sound of a fire alarm.

Answer 37

- FD30 fire rated doors to each classroom - FD60 fire rated doors to double doorsets in circulation areas - Filling each open vent with FD30 fire rated plasterboard (pink plasterboard) - 1 layer of fire-rated 12.5mm pink plasterboard, 1 layer 18mm ply, fire-rated insulation infil in cavity with stud partitions, 18mm ply, 12.5mm pink plasterboard

Answer 38

- Rockwool Firepro HS firestop compound o Unsupported spans up to 1800mm o High load bearing capacity o Multiple or single service penetrations o Formed into blocks o Setting time between 30 and 90 minutes - Installation: trowel stiff mix into opening to correct depth, using non-combustible shuttering material to support the mix until it sets for larger holes o Pre-cast into blocks o Fit closure device / material fitted to each services before installation (e.g. pipe collars) - Rockwool firepro pipe collars CE o High performance intumescent o Up to EI240 fire resistance o Suit plastic pipes ranging from 32mm to 160mm - Installation: o Solid block, masonry walls – need min thickness of 100mm o Ensure firestop compound is used around the penetration o Lock the pipe collar around the pipe by closing the fixing strap, push collar flush to surface of the wall o Fasten with fire rated fixings - 3no 80mm steel pigtail screws - Rockwool firepro high expansion intumescent sealant o Sealing combustible pipe and metal pipes with combustible insulation o Compatible with cPVC pipes - Installation: o Prepare joint by cleaning surface, gun firmly into the joint to give good solid fill to required depth

Answer 39

- FIRAS certification or equal and approved - BMTRADA for the fire-stopping to services, each of which were labelled with: o Reference number to trace information o Installer operative details o Product details and brand (Rockwool) o Date of installation o Fire rating – 60 minutes o Type of fire stopping – e.g. to penetrations

Answer 40

- Fire resisting construction cavity barriers, with fire stopping as necessary - Installation of - Approved Document B defines as cavity as “any concealed space”, cavity barriers should be provided in the following situations: o To divide cavities at junctions and cavity closures o Close the edges of cavities at junctions and cavity closures o To protected escape routes o To cavities affecting alternative escape routes - Fire doors with frame and furniture, must meet requirement of BS 476-22 or BS EN 1634-1 - Extending each partition into the roof space to ensure compartmentation of each classroom

Answer 41

- Approved Document B2 – Buildings Other than Dwelling Houses - In a common parts, forming part of a protected stairway the doors must be FD30S - In compartment walls separating buildings must be a minimum of FD60

Answer 42

- Basis provided in approved document M2 (access and use of buildings other than dwellings) - 750mm for existing buildings, 775mm at right angles to access routes at least 1200mm wide. - BS9999 provides a more fire engineered calculation, based on the use, risk categories and occupancy characteristics.

Answer 43

- Mentioned in approved document B, however in 2017 the BWF (British Woodworking Federation) recommended that FD20 standard no longer be recognised.

Answer 44

- Combustible cladding/materials banned on new high rise homes over 18m tall - Testing and classification of composite fire door sets – 28th August 2018

Answer 45

- On the 31st July 2018 the department of Housing, communities and local government wrote to building control bodies alerting them to the need to check the performance of fire resisting door sets.

Answer 46

- A new regulatory framework for multi-occupancy higher-risk residential buildings that are more than 10 stores in height - A joint competency authority, comprising building regs, Fire and Rescue and HSE to oversee safety risks in these buildings - New dutyholder roles aligned with the CDM regulations

Answer 47

- Code of Practice for timber based fire door assemblies

Answer 48

- BS 476: Part 22 - Fire tests on building materials and structures

Answer 49

- Building bulletin 100: Design of Fire Safety in Schools - Required FD30S for enclosing a protected stairway - FD60S in walls separating buildings

Answer 50

- Within a critical area as defined in approved document K - Falling into a zone 1500mm from the floor within a door, 300m horizontally from the edge of the door - 800mm from the floor surface in all other areas - Fire rated glass must be used within fire doors

Answer 51

- Toughened - Annealed - Laminated - Heat strengthened

Answer 52

- Tested under BS476 part 22 - Certificate provided – FIRAS, BMTrada or equivalent

Answer 53

- BS1935 – Building Hardware – Single Axis Hinges - BS EN 1154 – Building Hardware – Controlled door Closing Devices - BS1155 – Electrically Powered Hold Open Devices

Answer 54

- FIRAS Certification for the installers - BWF Certifire certification

Answer 55

- Door type, location, size, fire rating, date of installation

Answer 56

- BWF CERTIFIRE tickers, states the fire door rating.

Answer 57

- A door set that is not certified, but in the opinion of an assessor would hold back the fire for a specified period of time.

Answer 58

- FIRAS Installer Certification Scheme

Answer 59

- ASDMA (Architectural and Specialist Door Manufacturers Association) – Guidance on installation. - BB100 – Design for fire safety in schools - Approved Document B, Volume 2 – Buildings other than dwelling houses - BS9999: 2017 – Fire Safety in design - BS EN 1935 – Single Axis Hinges - BS EN 1154 – Door Closers - BS8214: 2016 – Timber based fire door assemblies

Answer 60

- Intumescent strips - Self-closers - Hold open devices - Fire rated door glazing - Push plates, kick plates, d-handles - Stickers/markings on the top edge noting the fire resistance, certification and manufacturers information.

Answer 61

- BS9999 – where fire doors with smoke control strips the gap should be less than 3mm in height.

Answer 62

- Placed between the door and frame on all sides, used to prevent smoke passing through the gaps

Answer 63

- Intumescent strips are chemically designed to expand when exposed to heat, used to seal the gap around the frame.

Answer 64

- BS 5534: 2014 – Slating and tiling for pitched roofs and vertical cladding - BS 5250: 2011 – Code of practice for condensation control in buildings

Answer 65

- Ensure underlays are installed with a maximum drape of 15mm - Avoidance of underlay exposure for more than a few days during installation - Checking of underlay zonal classification label - Standard states this may not be suitable for roofs on historically or architecturally important building.

Answer 66

- Marley vapour permeable membrane with BS 5534 25x38 treated battens - Acme clay classic plain tiles – hung on 2no. nail fixings (aluminium 38mm – do not rust) - Double course to eaves and ridges - Tile & half’s to alternate courses at abutments and verges - Marley 10mm eave vent system to eaves - Marley dry vented ridge system with segmental ride - Code 4 lead soakers, code 5 cover flashing to abutments - Code 5 lead flashings to chimneys and back gutter

Answer 67

- Pitched coverings were approx. 25% patch replaced – safe assumption that the system is failing and roof tiles need to be replaced in their entirety - Health and safety incident whereby a roof tile slipped into the courtyard – assessment made of condition of existing battens / tiles

Answer 68

were the existing roof coverings? - Tile coverings - Cold deck construction

Answer 69

- Mansard & pitched – 1898 Victorian building

Answer 70

- High pitch with 65mm head lap

Answer 71

- Yes – incorporated insulation at loft level (not rafter) to achieve 0.16 U-value due to consequential improvement - Insulation – Knauf loft roll 44 270mm insulation

Answer 72

- Breathable & non-breathable

Answer 73

- Non-breathable are non-permeable (e.g. bituminous or polypropylene) o Most cost effective and functional o Low level (eaves) and high level (ridge) ventilation systems o Locations where roofs require counter-battens to ventilate the batten void - Breathable (low resistance) – lightweight, durable, easy to install o Vapour permeable – used as roof ventilation but must be used with high-level ventilation according to BS & NHBC o Vapour and air permeable

Answer 74

- BS 5534 o Ensure underlays are installed to max 15mm drape – prevents transfer of wind loads (ballooning) roof covering o Avoid leaving underlays exposed – over exposure to UV light or freeze/thaw could lead to degradation of underlays – underlays should not be exposed for more than a few days - BS 5250 o In case of LR vapour-permeable underlays, designers must ensure manufacturer’s stated water vapour resistance values are suitable for application o These underlays should comply with BS EN 13859-1

Answer 75

- Building Control - Planning permission – was enquired, and a meeting with planning officer was arranged – was advised spec was in line with regulations so no planning permission required - Windows – self certification

Answer 76

- Rainwater goods original – not wide enough to accommodate more rain - Caused breakdown of asphalt roof coverings & walls – water ingress internally - Corroded steel filler joists which expanded their volume and pushed brickwork outwards - Significant cracking

Answer 77

- Remove soldier course across all elevations down to creasing tiles, keep intact bricks for reinstallation – any defective bricks replaced with matching - Remove creasing tiles and mortar and dispose - Take down brick courses to 2no. courses beneath cracking - Rebuild brickwork using NHL 3.5 mortar, with the same or matching bricks o Provisional rate allowed for, for each parapet wall section - Install new creasing tiles & soldier course with NHL 5 mortar

Answer 78

- Ensure building remains watertight at all times – areas of the roof remained in a single day must be done so ensuring the provision of night joints - Heat up lumps, rolls, blisters, cracks, etc. in asphalt and iron out to provide a smooth surface - New 3-layer waterproof system to be installed with insulation - New system incorporating new internal gutter channels using lead chutes linking to existing cast iron rainwater goods - In accordance with the manufacturer’s specification

Answer 79

- Ensure provision of night joints - Top hat scaffold required - Strip asphalt from roof, including to upstands and main roof field down to concrete deck - Break out clinker concrete slab & safely remove filler joists - Install new timber joists (75mm x 220mm) at 600mm centres, ensure for hard packing e.g. slates or tile to bed into mortar in brickwork - Joists placed on fixed wall plate bedded into mortar on top of the inner skin and strapped using galvanised holding-down straps - Install roof deck of exterior grade 18mm plywood, embedding into brickwork - 3-layer waterproof system with 130mm insulation to achieve 0.16W/m2K U-value

Answer 80

- Installation of helical bars – threaded bars embedded into mortar joints - Rake out or cut slots into horizontal mortar beds minimum 500mm either side of crack - Clean slots and thorough soak substrate within the slot - Inject a bead of resin along back of the slot - Push helical bar into grout to obtain good coverage - Use further bead of resin over exposed bar, finishing 12mm from face - Repoint mortar bed and make good vertical crack

Answer 81

- Mean compressive strength after 28 days

Answer 82

- Contractor to undertake tap test with CA in attendance to assess bonding of existing – remove all loose render - Hack off blown sections, cut back to brickwork, form square undercut edges - Rake out brickwork joints to provide a key - Apply 12mm scratch coat of lime mortar to smooth contours of the wall, leave to dry 5-7 days – NHL 3.5 x 2 coats - Apply levelling coat not exceeding 12mm, scrape back with straight edge to level surface, leave to dry NHL 3.5 x 2 coats - 5-7mm finishing coat, progressively thinner / weaker lightly rubbed to achieve smooth finish – NHL 3.5 x 1 coat - Requested provisional sqm quantities from the contractor