Design & Specification Flashcards
1
Q
How would you determine a client’s brief?
A
- Establish client priorities regarding time, cost, quality.
- Establish functional and design requirements.
- Establish client requirements for a project.
- Establish timescales.
- Establish budget.
2
Q
What is a feasibility report?
A
Establishes whether a project is viable or doable within the early stages of a project.
May include information regarding:
- existing site considerations.
- statutory obligations e.g. requirements for planning permission.
- budget cost estimates.
- procurement options.
- limitations of a site and how this could affect a building’s intended use.
3
Q
How can you ensure you control the quality of work in your design and specification?
A
- Outline relevant specifications (performance or prescriptive), Building Regulations and British Standards to be adhered to.
- Produce detailed designs.
- Request third party testing and certification.
- Nominate certain materials or products.
4
Q
How can ensure you control the quality of work when being carried out on site?
A
- Plan the frequency and extent of inspections based on the nature and complexity of the works.
- Employ someone to closely monitor the work on site, such as a Clerk of Works.
5
Q
What types of testing may be carried out during a construction project?
A
- Acoustic testing.
- Flow rate testing of extract ventilation using an anemometer.
- Electrical testing (NICEIC).
- Gas appliances testing (Gas Safe).
- Solid fuel appliance testing (HETAS).
- Air tightness testing.
- Checks undertaken by building control.
6
Q
How should a schedule of work be set out?
A
- Location references.
- Order of sequencing.
- Cross referencing to relevant documents.
7
Q
Do you know what the RIBA plan of work stages are?
A
- It is produced by the Royal Institute of British Architects and describes the stages necessary to complete the briefing, design, construction and operation of a building.
- The plan of work outlines the stages, core tasks and information required at each stage.
- 0 – Strategic Definition.
- 1 – Preparation and Brief.
- 2 - Concept Design.
- 3 - Spatial Coordination.
- 4 – Technical Design.
- 5 – Manufacturing and Construction.
- 6 – Handover.
- 7 – use.
8
Q
What are the differences between a performance specification and prescriptive specification?
A
- Prescriptive Specifications provide suppliers with a full design resulting in improved client certainty but create less opportunity for contractor innovation.
- Performance specifications outline the desired outcome and performance of something (design to be completed by others).
9
Q
Can you name some types of modern methods of construction?
A
- Volumetric / Modular construction.
- Panellised construction.
- ICF (insulated concrete formwork).
- 3D printed concrete walls etc.
- Timber frame construction.
- Cross laminated timber.
10
Q
What are some of the benefits of modern methods of construction?
A
- Increased speed (works can commence on site whilst works are being undertaken off site).
- Produced in a controlled factory setting (better quality and safer.
- Less waste
11
Q
What is the purpose of the CDM Regulations and how do these impact upon the design, construction and refurbishment of buildings?
A
- Intended to improve health and safety and to ensure that any health and safety matters are fully considered prior to construction, during construction and throughout the use and maintenance of buildings.
- They ensure that health and safety hazards have been designed out of schemes as much as possible.
- They ensure documentation is in place following a project, including operations and maintenance manuals.
- They ensure that the right people (dutyholders) have been appointed and assign duties for each dutyholder.
12
Q
You mention that asbestos had been identified within Herriot Hospice and this was included within your strip-out specification. What were the different types of asbestos?
A
Chrysotile – pipe gaskets to existing boiler system, thermoplastic floor tiles and asbestos cement undercloaking.
13
Q
Were the asbestos removal works notifiable / licensed?
A
No – the works were short duration, the materials to be removed were in good condition and able to be carefully removed without breaking.
14
Q
When does Regulation 9 (notification of work with asbestos) and Regulation 22 (health records and medial surveillance) not apply?
A
- The works are sporadic and of low intensity.
- The exposure to asbestos will not exceed the control limit of 0.1 asbestos fibres per cm3 of air, averaged over a continuous four-hour period.
- The work involved short, non-continuous maintenance (only to non-friable materials)
- Removal without deterioration of non-degraded materials
- Encapsulation or sealing of ACMs in good condition.
- Air monitoring works and collection of samples.
15
Q
When would work with asbestos require a licensed contractor?
A
- Most higher-risk works must only be undertaken by a licensed contractor.
CAR 2012 define licensable work as:
- Where the exposure of workers to asbestos is not sporadic and of low intensity.
- The risk assessment cannot clearly demonstrate that the control limit will not be exceeded (0.6 f/cm3 over a 10-minute period for non-licensed work or 0.1 f/cm3 over a 4 hour period for licensed work).
- work on asbestos coating.
- work on asbestos insulating board or asbestos insulation for which the risk assessment demonstrates it is not short duration work, for example:
- it will take no more than 2 hours in any 7-day period, and no person works for more than 1 hour in that 2-hour period.
16
Q
What are some examples of licensable work with asbestos?
A
- Removing sprayed coatings (limpet asbestos).
- Removal or other work which may disturb pipe lagging.
- Any work involving loose fill insulation.
- Work on asbestos millboard.
- Cleaning up significant quantities of loose/fine debris containing ACM dust (where the work is not sporadic and of low intensity, the control limit will be exceeded or it is not Short duration work).
- Work on AIB, where the risk assessment indicates that it will not be of short duration.
17
Q
What must be done before licensable works are carried out?
A
All licensable work must be notified to the appropriate enforcing authority using the ASB5 form at least 14 days before the work starts.
18
Q
What are the notice periods associated with notifiable non-licensed asbestos work?
A
There is no minimum notice period.
19
Q
What did you make sure to have in place before the asbestos removal works were undertaken?
A
- Contractor’s RAMS.
- Notification to HSE.
20
Q
Other than asbestos, what hazards did you identify as part of the works at the hospice in Thirsk?
A
- Existing services to be removed.
- Working at height – re-roofing works.
- Dust produced from strip-out works.
- External works adjacent to public footpath and nearby properties.
21
Q
Can you please explain the methodology, materials and applicable standards for the repointing works at The White House?
A
- Rake out existing cement mortar to a minimum depth of 25mm (depth to be twice the width of existing joints).
- Brush down the perpend and bed joints to remove loose dust and debris before rinsing with water.
- Ensure joints are thoroughly dampened before repointing (to reduce suction, improve adhesion of the mortar and prevent the mortar from drying/curing too quickly).
- Apply dampened hessian cloth to pointed areas to prevent mortar curing too quickly.
- Point in the joints with a NHL 3.5 (2.5 : 1 sand/lime ratio).
- Joints to be left for 48 hours before having joints tidied and beaten with a brush.
22
Q
You said you specified the use of lime mortar at The White House, what type of lime mortar was it?
A
- NHL 3.5 – to be used to point up stonework to external walls.
- 2.5 : 1 mixing ratio (2.5 sand : 1 lime).
23
Q
When would you use the different types of NHL mortar?
A
- NHL 2 – Internal plastering or pointing up soft masonry.
- NHL 3.5 – General bedding and pointing mortars.
- NHL 5 – Limecrete floors and exposed areas.
24
Q
You have mentioned value engineering at Wentworth Mews, can you explain the difference between value engineering and value management?
A
- Value management is concerned with the overall objectives and goals for a project / client.
- Value engineering related to steps that can be taken to meet those goals and to achieve the desired outcomes by making changes to specifications.
25
What are the risks of the client instructing the scaffold direct, and not the contractor?
* Client is responsible for the design of the scaffold and weekly checks of scaffold to ensure it is safe for use.
* May lead to delays if the scaffold is not correctly erected / allowing access to all areas necessary to carry out the works.
* Health and safety responsibilities.
26
Regarding the waterproofing at Moyola, what is a type B system and why was this not used?
* A type B system is structural waterproofing.
* This was not used as the works related to an existing building.
27
Can you provide an example of a type B waterproofing system?
Cast in-situ concrete with waterproofing additives.
28
What is a type A system and why was this not used?
* A type A system is a barrier system applied either externally, internally or as a ‘sandwich’ type installation.
* This wasn’t used due to external refurbishment being recently carried out (replacement of render), as well as due to the risks of ingress from poor workmanship and difficulty in gaining access should there be any issues with the system.
* The client’s preference was to use a type C system.
29
What was the proposal for discharging of the water collected using the type C system?
* Sump pump.
* Gravity drained system could not be used due to the site being relatively level.
30
What changes have been made to type A systems within the 2022 update of BS 8102?
* Sandwich systems have been removed from the standard - inaccessible for maintenance and difficult to undertake repairs.
* Requirement for a waterproofing specialist to be involved.
31
Why were a combination of waterproofing systems specified?
- A type A and type C system were specified.
- In the event that the type A system failed, the type C system would act as a secondary barrier / management system.
32
What does BS8102:2022 cover ?
Code of Practice for Protection of Below Ground Structures Against Water Ingress.
33
What does BS8102:2022 say regarding installation of a waterproofing system to an underground structure?
Makes reference to:
* Adoption of a design team (use of a waterproofing design specialist – CSSW – appointed at RIBA stage 3 at the latest).
* Water table classification.
* Defects and remedial measures.
34
Can you give me an example of a method of Type A, Type B, and Type C?
* Type A Waterproofing – Barrier Protection (Tanking) – Internally applied liquid or sheet membrane or slurry, external cementitious render.
* Type B Waterproofing – Structurally Integral Protection – Typically reinforced concrete structures with admixtures used to prevent capillary action and to block pores within the concrete.
* Type C Waterproofing – Drained Protection – Non-structural wall incorporating a waterproof membrane, allowing water to drain into a sump before being pumped away from the building.
35
What are the main differences in the approach of type C systems when compared with type A and B systems?
Type C systems are designed to manage moisture rather than act as a physical barrier.
36
What must be incorporated within a type C system to safeguard the functioning of the installation?
* A dual sump pump in the event that one of the pumps fails.
* A battery backup in the event of a power cut.
* High water alarm.
37
What part of the Building Regulations relates to the resistance of moisture?
Part C – Resistance to contaminants and moisture.
38
What floor and wall build-ups did you specify in conjunction with the type C basement waterproofing system at Moyola House?
Floor (new insulated concrete floor – U-value of 0.18)
* 150mm hardcore
* Sand blinding
* DPM
* Insulation
* Newton floor drain
* Newton floor membrane
* Screed
* Laminate floor finish
Walls (U-value of 0.18)
* External wall
* Newton wall membrane
* Rigid insulation
* Plasterboard fixed to timber battens
* 3mm skim and paint finish
* Timber torus skirtings
39
How would you design and specify the decoration of an existing wall in a 50 year old house?
* Based on desired finishes.
* Paint finish to newly plastered walls – apply mist coat (base coat), followed by two coats of emulsion.
40
How would you design and specify the foundations of a new two storey house?
* This should be designed and specified by a competent structural engineer with the necessary experience and insurances.
* The foundations would be designed considering the imposed loads of the structure, the soil type, contamination or made ground, bearing capacity, topography of the site, water table and proximity to trees.
* A typical low-rise residential property would be constructed with strip foundations.
* Strip foundation depths should be at a minimum depth of 450mm (to avoid frost) and minimum width of 600mm for external walls. Strip foundations in clay soils should be cast at a depth of a minimum of 750mm.
* In some instances, raft or pile foundations may be used if the soil is of poor quality or low bearing capacity.
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