Hot Topics Flashcards
(37 cards)
Birchard Inquiry
Intended to review the Institution’s purpose, governance and strategy.
Recommendations aim to hand decision-making to members and ensure the Institution’s activities are centred on the public advantage
Levitt Report
Alison Levitt published independent report that concluded that four non-Executive Board members, who raised legitimate concerns that a previous audit had been suppressed, were wrongly dismissed from the Management Board and that sound governance principles were not followed
Justin Sullivan issue
Justin Sullivan stepped down as RICS president following his role as an expert witness in a case concerning a moth-infested mansion
Justin Sullivan has referred himself to the RICS’ Standards and Regulation Board and requested an independent regulatory review into the High Court judgment handed down last month.
The judge was “unimpressed” with Sullivan’s grasp of the case details and described his judgment as “flawed” in several instances.
Trump tariffs
Don’t yet know the affect they will have. Likely to increase costs of construction materials, but may also be an opportunity to buy more Chinese products as they will not be going to America.
Ukraine conflict
Material costs increased, particularly steel, fuel and energy prices
Supply chain disruption
British steel
Costs could fluctuate significantly with the buyout of the Chinese owned steel.
Trump tariffs on steel and aluminium which are fluctuating regularly. Currently at 25% for UK but 50% for other countries. May be temporary if UK and US can’t complete their trade agreement.
Potential issues that US currently want all melting and pouring to take place in UK but we don’t do that. We import then export. Only melting plant we have is Chinese owned so will US treat that is UK or Chinese steel.
What are ESG/Sustainability hot topics at the moment?
Retrofit of social housing
BNG (Biodiversity Net Gain)
Tell me about retro fitting of social housing?
Retrofitting social housing refers to upgrading social housing to improve energy efficiency, comfort, and sustainability.
By 2030, the government has set a target for social housing properties to achieve an energy performance certificate band C, and 1.2 million properties in England will require retrofitting.
Help towards Net Zero Carbon target by 2050.
Tell me about BNG?
Biodiversity Net Gain
A way of creating and improving natural habitats.
BNG makes sure development has a positive impact (‘net gain’) on biodiversity, compared to what was there before development.
Developers must deliver a BNG of 10%.
3 ways a developer can achieve BNG:
1) Create biodiversity on site
2) If 1 can’t be achieved, create biodiversity on site and off site.
3) If 2 can’t be achieved, developers can buy statutory biodiversity credits from the government This is a last resort. Government invest money in habitat creation.
Planning requirement on many sites as part of Environment Act 2021.
What are the UK’s net zero targets?
The UK is committed to reaching net zero by 2050. This means the total greenhouse gas emissions would be equal to the emissions removed from the atmosphere, to limit global warming and resultant climate change.
The UK is also committed to 68% reduction in emissions by 2030
There are also interim carbon budgets with the current fourth carbon budget requiring a 52% reduction in emissions by 2027
How does the Building Safety Act impact the role of a Quantity Surveyor during the design and construction phases?
Increased responsibility to ensure cost plans support safety compliance
QSs must contribute to the Golden Thread
now more accountable for ensuring that value management does not compromise building safety.
Building safety act 2022 - Can you summarise the key objectives of the Building Safety Act 2022?
Improve building safety across the lifecycle of higher-risk buildings (especially those over 18m or 7 storeys).
Clarify accountability by introducing new duty holder roles and a stricter regulatory framework.
Ensure transparency through the “Golden Thread” of safety information and a new Building Safety Regulator body.
Strengthen resident rights, giving occupants a greater voice in safety concerns and access to building information.
Enhance oversight and enforcement including a new Gateway system for design, construction, and occupation phases.
Building safety act - What types of buildings are classified as “higher-risk” under the Act?
18m tall or 7 storeys with two resi apartments
Building safety act - Who are the new bodies introduced by the Act, and what are their responsibilities?
Building Safety Regulator - Part of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
BSR will oversee the safety and performance of all buildings, as well as having a special focus on high-rise buildings. Also to help professionals in design, construction, and building control, to improve their competence
National Regulator of Construction Products (NRCP) will oversee a more effective construction products regulatory regime and lead and co-ordinate market surveillance and enforcement in this sector across the UK
New Homes Ombudsman - will allow relevant owners of new-build homes to escalate complaints to a New Homes Ombudsman.
Higher level of competence required for Principal Designer and Principal Contractor
What are the new roles introduced by the Building Safety Act 2022?
Accountable persons - Someone who is responsible for repairing any of the common parts of the building such as the exterior, structure, lobbies, staircases and corridors.
Principal accountable persons - When buildings have a single accountable person, that organisation or person is also the principal accountable person.
When there are multiple APs, then whoever owns or has a legal obligation to repair the structure and exterior of the building is the PAP.
https://buildingsafety.campaign.gov.uk/building-safety-regulator-making-buildings-safer/roles-and-responsibilities-for-high-rise-residential-buildings/role-of-accountable-persons-for-high-rise-residential-buildings/
What is the duty of the Accountable Persons?
The role and responsibilities of accountable persons are to ensure that fire and structural safety is being properly managed for the part of the building they are responsible for.
What is the duty of the Principal Accountable Persons?
As well as their duties as an accountable person, the principal accountable person must:
register existing high-rise buildings with the Building Safety Regulator
register all new buildings and receive a completion certificate before they are lived in
Building safety act - What additional costs might a client incur as a result of the new safety requirements?
Additional costs for compliance
New Building safety regulator role
Additional golden thread information
Building safety act - How do you account for the costs of compliance — such as the safety case, gateway processes, or golden thread — in your cost planning?
This would require an increase to the professional fees allowance, as the consultants would pick up a lot of the additional costs.
Building safety act - What are the implications of the new duty-holder regime on cost and programme?
The duty holder regime is aimed at improving accountability across the built-environment.
Duty holders take on certain duties relating to compliance with Building Regulations and hold new competence requirements for design and building work.
Could lead to increased design fees and additional time required during design for duty holders to fulfil their requirement.
Building safety act - How do you price or manage costs for the new safety case requirements in higher-risk buildings?
Principal Accountable Person will be responsible for producing the safety case .
If I had to cost this I would research who would be undertaking this role and ask them for a quote for the works.
What is the ‘golden thread’ of information and how does it relate to your role as a QS?
The ‘golden thread’ of information, is a comprehensive, digital record of a building’s design, construction, and operation, ensuring safety and compliance throughout its lifecycle.
As a Quantity Surveyor (QS), understanding and contributing to the golden thread is crucial for cost management, risk assessment, and ensuring the building’s safety and regulatory compliance.
How do you ensure cost-related documentation contributes to a compliant ‘golden thread’?
You must manage and store information about a building, so that it is:
kept digitally
secure from unauthorised access
available when someone needs the information
presented in a way someone can use
a building’s single source of truth
accessible, by providing the information in a simple format that is easy to understand and written in plain English
compliant with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/keeping-information-about-a-higher-risk-building-the-golden-thread
What is the significance of the three ‘Gateways’ in the Building Safety Act 2022, and how does each one affect the project timeline and costs?
Gateway 1 – Planning Stage
Ensures fire safety is considered early (Fire Statement required).
May extend design phase and add consultant fees.
Gateway 2 – Pre-Construction
Full design and safety compliance reviewed by the Building Safety Regulator.
Mandatory approval before construction; adds design costs and may delay start.
Gateway 3 – Completion
Confirms the building is built as designed and safe for occupation.
Delays possible if documentation is incomplete; adds final testing and verification costs.
