General Questions Flashcards
(132 cards)
1
Q
What is the role of a PD ?
A
Responsibility for co-ordination of H&S during the pre-construction phase. Gives responsibility for CDM to an individual that has the ability to influence the design.
2
Q
How did you assist as PD?
A
Issued an F10 Notice.
3
Q
What is required for an F10 Notice?
A
Construction work is likely to last longer than:
30 working days/20+ workers working at any point in the project,
exceeds 500 person days.
4
Q
Who do you submit an F10 Notice to?
A
HSE
5
Q
What did CDM 2015 replace a PD with?
A
the role of CDM co-ordinator (CDMC)
6
Q
What does CDM stand for?
A
Construction Design and Management Regulations (2015)
7
Q
What is the purpose of CDM?
A
To cover the health and safety and management of Construction projects?
8
Q
What are the five key parts of CDM
A
1) Interpretation
2) Client Duties
3) Health and Safety Roles and Duties
4) General Requirements
5) Transitional Arrangements.
9
Q
How many regulations are in CDM 2015
A
39
10
Q
How many key dutyholders are listed under CDM 2015?
A
5
11
Q
Who are the five key dutyholders under CDM?
A
Client, Principal Designer, Principal Contractor, Designers and Contractor.
12
Q
How does a Principal Designer meet the criteria to act as PD?
A
HSE suggests you demonstrate through technical knowledge, ability to understand manage and plan the PCS, CPD Records or being a member of the Association for Project Safety. Self assessing using PAS 91.
13
Q
Difference between a PD and a CDM advisor?
A
PD= Legal duty under CDM regs
CDM advisor- not recognised role under CDM
PD cannot transfer legal duties to CDM advisor.
14
Q
What is CLEAPSS?
A
Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Services
15
Q
What is CLEAPSS and how did they assist
A
Advisory service in the United Kingdom providing support in science and technology. I had early consultations with CLEAPSS to understand best teaching practice prior to submitting the feasibility report.
16
Q
What is FFE?
A
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
17
Q
What is a single stage traditional (fully designed) open tender?
A
Went to tender with completed design and specification. Contractor prices the schedule of work. This was uploaded to the DPS, which was an open tender allowing anyone to submit a tender to supply the goods or services
18
Q
What is included in the Feasibility Stage 1 report
A
Establish client requirements and objectives, undertake desktop investigations and on-site investigations. Produce design options with technical considerations including initial drawings and a budget cost estimate.
19
Q
What is a budget cost plan?
A
An early initial cost appraisal, using BCIS, quotes from manufacturers and similar projects to establish a likely cost of the project.
20
Q
What types of surveys were undertaken at Feasibility?
A
- Measured survey
- CCTV drainage Survey
- Condition Survey
- R&D Asbestos Survey
21
Q
How did you merge the concept-technical design and why?
A
A full report was requested by the client at RIBA Stage 1 and 4, for RIBA stages 2 and 3 a technical review took place.
22
Q
What was some of the considerations in the stage reports?
A
Design/options, Cost Plan, Risk matrix, Procurement strategy, Logistics, Drawings, Next steps.
23
Q
What software did you use to specify the works
A
NBS Specification (aware of new Chorus software)
24
Q
What third parties/statutory bodies did you deal with?
A
Building Control, Strategic Procurement (Haringey)
25
What was included in the tender documents?
3 Folders (Introduction, Preliminaries and Contractual Requirements and Appendices).
26
What was included in the Introduction folder?
Form of Tender, Instructions, Tender evaluation criteria, qualitative delivery proposals (QDP) and scope of works.
27
What was included in the Preliminaries and Contractural Requirements?
Prelims, Pricing Document, Specification Document, and a Virus JCT clause amendment.
28
What about the Appendices?
Key dates, Calcuation of LDs, Risk Register, Drawings register and drawings, certificate of non collusion and non-canvassing, soft landing handover.
29
Did you assist with the Qualitative Design Proposals?
Yes although these were reviewed by Haringey. I had to produce 5 questions whilst Haringey also produced 5 questions. 9 were chosen.
30
Do you have an example of a question you recommended in the QDP questionnaire?
In the event of a further lockdown, can you demonstrate financial and managerial stability to withstand the repercussions?
31
What is involved in the tender analysis?
I produced a tender evaluation report, which had a 60% price weighting and a 40% quality rating. Review the priced documents and received quality scores from Haringey, produced final table based upon the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT).
32
How did the clerk of works assist the project?
Was commissioned by Haringey and attended regularly to ensure the works were of a good standard. His reports were issued to the Project Manager before being issued to me.
33
How did the client-side design advisor assess the proposals?
Was appointed as an independent quality assessor by Haringey. I had to send my reports in draft one week prior for comment along with the final versions for their review.
34
What were the clients initial investigative reports?
It was an independent review by Saviac Design into the introduction of a bulge class of 27 pupils, they found under-provision in science teaching and toilet facilities.
35
Who were the key-stakeholders?
Interim Assistant Director Schools and Learning, Head of Project Delivery, Chair of governors, the headteacher and Schools Property Manager (Landlord)..
36
Who was the project sponsor?
Assistant Director for Schools and Learning.
37
Who was the client?
P1 Programme Manager (Haringey)
38
What is a P1 Programme Manager?
A strategic project-management professional whose job is to help oversee and coordinate the various projects in an organisation.
39
Who were the quality assurance stage review group?
Haringeys technical advisor, coroprate landlord, senior project manager, strategic procurement, finance manager, head of project delivery.
40
What satutory/advisory bodies were involved
CLEAPPS, Building Control, Strategic Procurement Department.
41
Did the client have any KPI's?
1) Design and layout of the scheme meets service requirements- achieve 90% positive feedback from client/project sponsor.
2) No health and safety incidents
3) Project is undertaken within the agreed timescales.
42
Were there any council wide policies you had to consider?
Borough Plan 2019-2023.
| Sustainable sourced timber 2013.
43
With the given delay to October, why did you not postpone the works until the following summer?
The client was keen to ensure the Science room and toilet provisions were delivered in the current school year.
44
Why was the final account value higher than the contract sum?
There was two major variations, the new structural redesign and the costs for weekend working.
45
Why was the clients expectations of the spatial planning optimistic?
They wanted to include aspects such as fume cupboards without taking into consideration the spatial restrictions.
46
What are the current DfE guidelines for Science rooms?
DfE 2017 Output Specification (May 2019 Amendment): appropriate content from Generic Design Brief
Technical Annexes
47
What are some of the technical annexes you referred to?
Annex 1A: Definiton of Spaces
Annex 2A: Sanitaryware
Annex 2D: Internal Elements and Finishes
Annex 3: Fittings, Furnityre and Equipment
48
What did you discuss with CLEAPPS? (effective teaching environments)
The school were a member, so I had an initial consultation where we discussed the possible design options and effective teaching strategies.
49
What did you discuss with Science FFE Manufacturers?
I provided them with the existing plans from my measured survey and requested some design options for the Science classroom which included both modern and traditional designs.
50
Why did provide an option that was rejected before submission?
I wanted to incorporate as many of the clients requests and provide differing options at feasibility. Following review of the DfE guidelines, the room was not compliant.
51
How did you work with the M&E consultant to ensure buildability?
Through regular contact and transparency of information, I provided the architectural drawings for M&E input and attended site with the M&E engineer to discuss any arising matters.
52
What were the limitations of working with third parties such as the M&E Engineer?
Achieving deadline responsibilities are outside of my control, communication of technical matters come through me to the client.
53
What is Key Issue 1?
Spatial Planning of Science Classroom with limited existing space.
54
What is Key Issue 1- Design option 1?
Flexible traditional- moveable benches, cheapest and shorter lead in time.
Pupils would have back to teacher, less maneuverability, lesser storage and services available.
55
What is Key Issue 1- Design option 2?
Fixed Modern- Flexibility for theory/practical, under bench storage, cheaper that option 3.
Longer lead in times, circulation is restrictive in certain areas, greater distance between pupil and teacher,costlier than loose furniture.
56
What is Key Issue 1- Design option 3?
Hybrid amalgamation- Greater flexibility theory/practical, under bench storage, no tight spaces, no backs to teacher.
Longer lead in times, costliest option.
57
What is Key Issue 2?
Commencement Uncertainty- school refusing access to the site, due to a lack of welfare and invalid parking permits.
58
What is Key Issue 2- Design option 1?
Commencement with mitigations- Contractors to park in Leisure Centre, and rejig programme until permanent welfare is in place.
A= Reduced programme imps, less cost risk, equipment delivered on time.
D= School relationship, could still turn away Contractors, Covid-19.
59
What is Key Issue 2- Design option 2?
Delay programme- Agree working days buffer period (4 days)- agree Covid plan, welfare location, parking permits.
A= Retain relationship, Mitigate C19, Programme loss mitigated.
D= EoT, Costs, Redelivery risk.
60
What is Key Issue 2- Design option 3?
Abort Programme- Postpone works until Summer Holidays.
A= Relationship, UK Vaccine rollout, Less disruption.
D= Costs (Storage/abortive), School under-provisioned, C19 uncertainty.
61
Who are the SP Team and how were they involved?
As the value of construction work exceeded £160k, the procurement (tender exercise) was led by Haringey’s Strategic Procurement (SP) Team. SP will assist in facilitating soft market testing, expression of interest and tender exercise including clarifications.
62
Did you produce the contract?
SP Team did, I had to review the Schedule of Amendments, and also produce the tender documents.
63
What impact did Covid-19 have on the initial delays?
It prevented the works going ahead as planned in Summer due to the furlough scheme.
64
Why were the parking permits an issue?
It was a misunderstanding from the School, the parking permits were valid which was evident having reviewed in the emergency meeting.
65
Why were the portaloos an issue?
The School had a new Covid-19 policy with toilet facilities, as the school already had an underprovision they had to provide portaloos. These were placed without warning in the Contractors proposed welfare site.
66
Why did the client prioritise time & quality
Time was key due to the under-provision currently at the school and quality was important as they needed a robust and useable facilities.
67
How did you manage the risk of the long lead in times for FFE?
Regular communication with manufacturer, advised client/contractor as a high risk item, inserted into the Schedule of Work, and raised as an agenda item in the pre-start/pre-contract meetings.
68
How did you amend the welfare to suit?
We had a slight readjustment of allocated car park spaces.
69
What was the three tier system currently under action in the UK?
Local COVID Alert- Medium, High and Very High that was published on 12th October 2020.
70
How did the school/Contractors merge their Covid policy?
Contractors reviewed the schools policy, amended to suit and sent across to Arcus and School for agreement. Included things like one way systems, mask wearing.
71
How did you resolve the delays for the project?
Delays were resolved by additional working hours by the Contractor and 2 Extension of Time.
72
How did you deal with variations?
I reviewed each variation order and requested quotes/breakdowns where possible. I checked costs against similar Variations and a Senior Chartered Quantity Surveyors opinion if they were reasonable if I had doubt.
73
Tell me about your process when you had to review the Extension of Time claim by the Contractors?
Following the Adjustment of Completion Letter, I reviewed the information available that caused the delay and then granted an extension of time through a Notice of Adjustment to Completion Date and the completion date was adjusted.
74
What was EOT 1?
'Related to the remobilisation. Under relevant Event: 'Delay in giving the Contractor possession of the site'. 4 working days.
75
What was EOT 2?
Related to the Structural redesign, resultant additional works and School Closure, due to the structural redesign and Building Control requiring written confirmation from the SE. The Government also closed all schools the day before the Christmas break due to Covid. 17 working days. Relevant Events: Variations, changes in statutory requirements.
76
How long did you have to settle the contract instructions after Valuations?
I made an effort to issue a Contract Instruction as soon as possible to prevent delays, the draft Contract Instruction had to also go through Haringeys Change Control procedure.
77
Why did the school limit intrusive surveys?
Because of the noise/disruption to classes and lack of staff available after school hours.
78
Did you carry out any intrusive surveys?
Yes, an R&D.
79
How did you deal with not having any as-built drawings?
Had to converse with the other consultants to form best practice assumptions.
80
Why did you not include provisional sums?
The client was keen to ensure the Science room and toilet provisions were delivered in the current school year.
81
What were the late stakeholders concerns?
Passive Supervision of the Unisex Toilet and Blackout blinds specification.
82
How did you provide client care?
Kept the client informed throughout with regular progress reports, dealing with the statutory bodies and ensuring I was always available to contact or have someone in place that could deal with any queries.
83
An example of Building Pathology?
Ensure that CCTV Drainage survey was undertaken at feasibility to prevent any drainage problems with the new toilet facilities.
84
How did you provide contract practice?
Advised parties of the soft landing handover process, and developed the tender documents.
85
Give an example of communication and negotiation?
Regularly chairing meetings, and issueing minutes. Also attended site to discuss issue with third parties.
86
How did you deal with construction technology and environmental services
Working through the RIBA Stages, understanding loads to the glass blocks and design suitability.
87
How did you manage works progress and quality management?
Undertook regular quality and progress inspections- relaying my findings in report format to all parties discussing these in progress meetings.
88
Did you act ethically? Give an example?
Turning down a Christmas Hamper, as I did not want my actions to be perceived negatively by the Client when negotiating the Final Account.
89
As CA, what were your key responsibilities?
Issued instructions and certificates in accordance with the contract.
90
How did you ensure no conflict avoidance, management and dispute resolution?
Ensured all interim payment certificates were issued on time, and allowed all parties to discuss any concerns they had at progress meetings.
91
How did you design and specify this project?
Used my AutoCAD skills to produce drawings, and NBS to produce the Materials and Workmanship Clauses.
92
How did you work in a diverse, inclusive and teamworking manner?
Ensuring that all parties were kept informed of progress/amendments and encouraged all parties to table their thoughts.
93
What Health and Safety aspects did you consider?
I produced a risk register as a working document throughout the project, this included Covid-19 risks, manual liftings, storage of materials, one way car park.
94
How did you calculate the LAD's?
I used a proforma document issued by Haringey, which included the contract sum multiplied by 3.5% (Contract Sum £100k-£1mill) / contract period in weeks to get a total per week.
95
What legal/regulatory compliance matters did you have to comply with?
Building Regulations, and followed the OS output and technical annexes.
96
How did you propose sustainable technology?
I proposed retaining materials that did not need to be replaced, requested that the Contractors recycle any reusable materials and specified LED lights/PIR, economical flushing toilets, self-closing taps and low energy hand dryers.
97
What Fire Safety aspects did you consider?
I considered the FD30 fire door replacements and compartmentation/fire stopping of the new partition, and reviewed the existing Fire Safety Policy. The M&E engineer designed a CO detector and ventilation system in the lab. Works to upgrade the fire alarm system were expected in the short term.
98
You assisted as PD – could you not act as principal designer?
As I was not chartered my company deems graduates not to have enough skill knowledge and experience to be PD however I assisted and still drafted the Pre construction information that was QAd.
99
Can you tell me some of the roles of a principal designer?
1) Informing client of duties / planning / monitoring h&s in the pre-construction phase
2) Preparing preconstruction info
3) F10 Notification on behalf of the employer / ensuring everyone has sufficient skills, knowledge etc.
100
What were some issues caused by Covid-19
1) Labour shortages
2) Material / plant shortages
3) Instruction to cease works by employers
4) Government restrictions (COVID ACT) no site closure
5) ACOP (CLC site operating procedures)
Payment delays
101
What are the duties of the client?
Make sure:
* other duty holders are appointed as appropriate
* relevant information is prepared and provided to other duty holders
* the principal designer and principal contractor carry out their duties
* Issue the F10 notice to HSE if required
* sufficient time and resources are allocated
* welfare facilities are provided
102
What are the main H&S regulations?
CDM 2015, Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999
103
How do you know if a job is notifiable?
30 days with 20 + people on site or 500 person days.
104
Did you follow any tendering guidance?
JCT Tendering Practice Note 2017
105
What are the options for errors?
* Alternative 1 - Correction of tender price is not permitted
* Alternative 2 - Correction is permitted
106
What guidance did you follow in respect to Covid?
JCT released guidance on contracts and Covid 19
107
Why did you use JCT? Why is JCT favoured as a contract type?
I selected the JCT standard form of contract because it is familiar to all those involved -CA and contractor.
JCT is the longest standing suite of construction contracts.
108
What are the difference between Minor Works and Intermediate contracts?
* More detailed procedures
* Relevant Events defined
* Early possession
* Sectional completion
* When named sub-contractors are required
* Collateral warranties for Sub contractor with design responsibility
* Bill of quantities
* Advance payment
109
How did you organise welfare on site.
Contractor had welfare that took up the car parksing spaces. This was provided with hand wash and sanitiser to help with Covid 19 compliance. Daily tempreture testing was recorded before entry to site.
110
What British standards and additional literature did you refer to when putting together the specification.
BS 8000- - Workmanship on building sites.
111
How else can you ensure quality when writing a specification?
Ensuring products specified are BBA approved. Using quality descriptors such as BS and building regs.
112
How was the contract executed
Under deed. Actions can continue to court within 12 years
113
What is the difference between under hand and under deed?
Different is the liminitation period:
Under hand - Disputes must commence to court within six years
As Deed - Disputes must commence to court within Twelve years
114
What insurance option was selected
Insurance option C was selected. Works and existing structures insurance by the employer in Joint Names.
115
What do you need to include in appointment documents?
Within appoint documents it is necessary to:
* identify the parties to the appointment;
* define the scope of works/services provided;
* Timescale;
* confirm the fee, method of calculation and payment;
* allocate and define responsibilities and liabilities;
* set out the conditions surrounding copyright, confidentiality and anti-bribery;
* set out the procedures and grounds for termination or suspension and their effects;
* set out methods of dispute resolution.
116
How long was the tender period?
4 weeks
117
Who set the lead in period of 4 weeks?
The contractor.
118
Talk me through the process of instructing the change in scope.
Advise client of the implications of a variation - EOT & Loss & Expense claim avaliable to the contractor.
Request contractor to advise on cost and programme implications prior to works being instructed so impliactions could be assessed.
119
How did you ascertain that an EoT claim was valid?
Requested the contractor to submit a claim detailing the reasoning why a claim is being made, as per the contract. Asessed this to determine if a relevant event had occurred.
120
Why did you advise an asbestos R&D survey was undertaken?
The building was built pre 1999 so an R&D survey is required to locate and identify any ACMs before work starts.
121
Are British Standards requirement by Law.
No, installing to the British Standard isn’t required by law BUT it can be included with a specification and upheld in a court if necessary.
122
What is the role of the designers?
* Prepare designs to eliminate foreseeable health and safety risks to anyone affected by the project
* take steps to reduce or control any risks that cannot be eliminated
* Provide information from the client to the Priciple Designer to include in the Pre-construction information
* Liaise with priciple contrator
123
As a designer under CDM what do you need to provide PD?
* Design risk assessment, pre-construction information
124
Whats included within a design risk assessment?
```
Any risks to health and safety that might be encountered during the works that should be included within the design
work at height;
manual handling;
noise;
vibration and
lead and
how they can be might be managed.
```
125
What information could / should you have checked prior to works commencing?
On site H&S file with the asbestos register
126
Was there any asbestos in the building?
The register and the building manager could confirm there was no ACMS in the works area.
127
When is an asbestos survey required?
When it cannot be proven that there is no asbestos containing materials on the site.
128
What about the areas that weren’t accessible? So were you comfortable in setting out to your client that all the asbestos and risk had been removed from the project?
* We had to assume the rest of the building was of the same construction and extrapolate the information we had obtained. Yes, it would have been unreasonable to gain access to all areas of the building.
129
How did you deal with the lack of limited intrusive surveys.
A- Made the client aware that there may be additional variations, resulting in an additional final contract sum. The contractors were made aware through provisional sum allowances for opening up works and investigations.
130
How does a Contractor deal with undefined Provisional Sums in a tender?
The contractor cannot be expected to make allowance for them in their programming, planning and pricing preliminaries. The contractor may be entitled to an extension of time and/or additional payments when the actual works are undertaken.
131
What does a defined provisional sum affect in the Contractors tender?
A- Nothing, described in sufficient detail that the contractor is expected to have made allowance for them in their programming, planning and pricing preliminaries.
132
What can a client get by merging RIBA Stage 3 and 4 design?
Merging the Developed Design with the Technical Design would include one report.
