Hot Topics Flashcards
(38 cards)
What does BIM stand for?
Building Information Modelling.
What Is BIM?
BIM is a highly collaborative process that allows architects, engineers, developers, contractors, manufacturers, and other construction professionals to plan, design, and construct a structure or building within one 3D model.
What are the key benefits of BIM?
A building information model can be beneficial for the following reasons:
- Visualisation: 3D renderings can be easily generated.
- Fabrication drawings: It is straightforward to generate fabrication drawings for various building systems.
- Cost estimating: BIM software has built-in cost estimating features. Material quantities are automatically extracted and updated when any changes are made in the model.
- Construction sequencing: A building information model can be effectively used to coordinate material ordering, fabrication, and delivery schedules for all building components.
- Conflict, interference, and collision detection: Because building information models are created to scale in 3D space, all major systems can be instantly and automatically checked for interferences. For example, this process can verify that pipework does not intersect with steel beams, ducts, or walls.
- Forensic analysis: A building information model can be easily adapted to graphically illustrate potential failures, leaks, evacuation plans, and so forth.
- Facilities management: Facilities management departments can use it for renovations, space planning, and maintenance operations.
What is clash detection?
- Individual models are created by each design discipline (M&E, architectural, structural, etc.).
- These models are then combined into a federated model using software.
- Clash detection is the identification, inspection, and reporting of collisions between elements in a structure’s model: Like a pipe running through a steel beam.
How is BIM information shared among the project team?
This information in a BIM model is shared through a mutually accessible online space known as a common data environment (CDE), and the data collected is referred to as an ‘information model.
What is a BEP and how does it relate to the EIRs?
- The EIRs (Employer’s Information Requirements) is a document prepared by the employer, that clearly defines what information is required during, and more importantly, what is required at the end of the project to enable the asset to be managed effectively.
- The BEP (BIM Execution Plan) is produced by the professional team in response to the EIRs, detailing how the requirements will be met.
Why might a building be listed?
- A listed building is one that has special architectural interest, adds value to the area, and is part of our national heritage.
- Listed buildings have statutory protection against demolitions or alterations which could affect their character.
What are the three categories of listings in England and Wales?
- Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest, only 2.5% of listed buildings are Grade I
- Grade II* buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest; 5.8% of listed buildings are Grade II*
- Grade Il buildings are of special interest; 91.7% of all listed buildings are in this class, and it is the most likely grade of listing for a homeowner.
What is a curtilage listing?
- ‘Curtilage’ is generally used to refer to a parcel of land attached to a building and forming one enclosure with it.
- The law provides that buildings and other structures that pre-date July 1948 and are within the curtilage of a listed building, are to be treated as part of the same listing.
- This means that curtilage listed structures receive the same level of protection as the principal listed building.
Do you need consent to make alterations to a listed building?
Once a building is listed, consent is normally required for:
- Its demolition, in whole or in part.
- Any works of alteration or extension that would affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest.
- Any repair work that could affect the historic character of the building.
Replacement of historic features, fittings or fabric.
What is a conservation area?
- A conservation area is an ‘area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance’.
- It is the quality and interest of the area rather than that of individual buildings that are the prime considerations. Buildings, open spaces and landscape features, including trees, may all contribute to the special character of a conservation area.
What is planning permission?
- Planning permission is the legal process of determining whether proposed developments should be permitted.
- Responsibility for planning lies with local planning authorities (usually the planning department of the district or borough council).
- The process is in place to deter inappropriate developments.
- Planning permission is usually required when building a new structure or making extensive changes to an existing one.
What are planning conditions?
- Where an application is made, the local planning authority may grant planning permission subject to conditions as it thinks fit.
- When used properly, conditions can enhance the quality and mitigate the adverse effects of the proposed new development.
- These conditions might require additional approvals for specific aspects of the development (such as the colour of materials) or might restrict the use of the site (for example, by limiting operating hours).
What are reserved matters in planning?
- Reserved matters are items that are excluded from an outline planning application because they will be determined by future planning approval or have not yet been developed to a satisfactory degree.
- If outline approval is given, an applicant has three years to submit a new application to gain approval for the reserved matters left off the previous application.
- Reserved matters can include any of the following:
- Access: Access to and within the site, circulation routes, and how these fit into the surrounding access network.
- Appearance: Aspects of the building or place that determine its visual impression.
- Landscaping: The treatment of the land to enhance or protect the amenities of the site and the surrounding area, including screening and tree planting.
- Layout: The height, width and length of the proposed buildings.
- Scale: The height, width and length of the proposed buildings.
What are Section 278 agreements?
A Section 278 agreement (or S278) is a section of the Highways Act 1980 that allows developers to enter into a legal agreement with the council to make alterations or improvements to a public highway as part of a planning application.
What are Section 106 agreements?
- A Section 106 (or S106) agreement is a legally binding agreement or “planning obligation” between a local planning authority and developer.
- The purpose of a S106 agreement is to mitigate the impact of the development on the local community and infrastructure.
- The agreement will set out the terms binding on the owners or developer to provide, facilitate, or fund the provision of infrastructure, services, or other measures that may be needed for the development to be acceptable in planning terms.
What are Section 104 agreements?
- Section 104 Agreements relate to sewer adoption arrangements entered into with regional water and sewerage companies (“sewerage undertakers”).
- The developer who is constructing or proposes to construct a new sewer may request that a sewerage undertaker enters into a Section 104 Agreement to adopt the new sewer, so that the sewerage undertaker will then become responsible for maintaining the sewer at their own expense.
What is CSR?
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is about the impact that an organisation makes on society, the environment and the economy.
- The aim of CSR is to promote ethical and sustainable activity, while generating goodwill and a positive reputation.
- The overarching purpose of CSR is to give back to the community, to take part in charitable causes, and to provide positive social value.
How can construction companies incorporate CSR into their usual business activities?
- Supporting education programmes and apprenticeships.
- Supporting local community groups.
- Good design and construction of community spaces, such as lighting, cycle paths, landscape, etc.
- Flexible working for employees.
- Work from home plans, gym memberships, subsidised public transport and other employee benefits.
What is RAAC?
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete is a form of lightweight concrete used in construction in many buildings between the 1950s and 1990s
What is the role of BRPD?
The Building Regulations principal designer (PD) must plan, manage monitor design work, and cooperate, coordinate and communicate to ensure the design work, if built, complies with building regulations.
Became a requirement under the Building Safety Act 2022. Changes have been applicable since October 2023
- BRPD is the person or organisation responsible for ensuring that the design of a building complies with relevant building regulations.
What is the Building Safety Act 2022?
- Introduced in wake of safety concerns for occupants of high-rise buildings after Grenfell Tragedy 2017
- the legislation is intended to improve the design, construction and management of high risk buildings.
- The new legislation particularly affects High-Risk Buildings (‘HRBs’) – buildings 18m and/or 7 storeys high, with at least two residential dwellings - and brings a raft of procedural, competency, paperwork and programme changes, with the new Building Safety Regulator (‘BSR’) being the building control authority for all such buildings.
- New Mandatory codes and standards are now required for all Building Regulation Approvers and Inspectors.
- Provides positive step forward in resolving the building safety crisis, providing greater protection for leaseholder and delivering a new building safety regime
- Will fundamentally change how we design, build and manage properties, but with hundreds of clauses there are still items that need clarification through secondary legislation
What are classed as high-risk buildings?
- Under the Building Safety Act 2022 - high risk buildings are those with at least 2 residential units which are at least 18m high or have at least 7 storeys.
What are some of the changes brought in under JCT 2024 suite of contracts?
Modernising and Streamlining – including adoption of gender neutral language, and increased flexibility around the use of electronic notices.
New for JCT 2024 – the introduction of a new contract family, JCT Target Cost Contract (TCC), comprising main contract, sub-contract, and guide.
Legislative changes – major updates in relation to the new Part 2A of the Building Regulations, Termination accounting and payment provisions reflecting the Construction Act, new insolvency grounds reflecting the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020.
Future proofing – including changes to reflect the objectives of the Construction Playbook, and the incorporation of previously optional supplemental provisions relating to Collaborative Working, and Sustainable Development and Environmental Considerations, into the main document.
