1
Q
What is substructure?
A
All elements of work that are undertaken below the damp proof course that provides the basis for the superstructure to be constructed upon.
2
Q
What is the external envelope?
A
- The materials and components that form the external shell or enclosure of a building
- These may be load or non-load bearing.
3
Q
What are the Building Regulations?
A
- Statutory instruments that set out the minimum performance standards for the design and construction of buildings.
- Supported by the Approved Documents and other codes of practice.
4
Q
What are the approved documents?
(A-T)
A
A. Structure.
B. Fire safety.
C. Site preparation and damp proofing.
D. Toxic substances.
E. Sound proofing.
F. Ventilation.
G. Hygiene.
H. Drainage and waste disposal.
I. Not in use.
J. Heating appliances.
K. Protection from falling, collision and impact.
L. Conservation of fuel and power.
M. Disabled access and facilities.
N. Glazing.
O. Overheating.
P. Electrical safety.
Q. Security
R. High Speed Electronic Comms Network
S. Electric Vehicle Charging
T. Toilets
5
Q
What are British Standards?
A
- Publications issued by the British Standards Institution prefixed BS.
- They give recommended minimum standards for materials, components, design and construction practices.
6
Q
What are international standards?
A
- Publications issued by the International Organisation for Standardisation – prefixed ISO.
- They are compatible with and complement the British Standards.
7
Q
What is superstructure?
A
- All internal and external works items above the damp proof course.
- This is made up of:
- External walls.
- Stairs.
- Roof.
- Structural walls.
- Suspended ceilings.
- Raised floors.
8
Q
What are the typical components of site investigations?
A
- Their objective is to collect and record data to help with the design and construction process. This should include matters in relation to the site that may impact the development for example:
- Boundary hedges & fencing.
- Existing trees.
- Size, depth and location of services including gas, telephone, electricity, water & drains.
- Existing buildings.
- Ground water conditions.
- Soil investigations.
- Trial pit information.
9
Q
What is the purpose of soil investigations?
A
- Their purpose is to determine the suitability of the site for the proposed works and determine adequate and economic foundation design.
- The investigation should determine the potential difficulties associated with the ground conditions and assist with identifying a suitable foundation solution.
10
Q
What are the main site considerations?
A
- Access considerations.
- Storage considerations.
- Accommodation.
- Temporary services.
- Plant.
- Fencing & hoarding.
- Health & Safety risks.
11
Q
What is a retained façade?
A
- The facade of the building is retained whilst everything behind the front wall is demolished.
- Allowances needs to be made for a temporary support structure and also cleaning & restoration works to the retained façade.
- Retained facades are often required as a result of listed building requirements.
12
Q
What are temporary works?
A
- Temporary works do not normally appear on construction drawings but may be required depending on the construction methodology being used.
- Temporary works may also be required as a result of health and safety requirements to ensure a safe method of construction for example temporary propping.
13
Q
What is a tower crane and what are some considerations during its erection and operation?
A
- A tower crane is a tall crane used for lifting objects into high places.
- The boom allows a longer reach with 360° access.
- A longer boom reduces the payload capability.
- You would usually use a smaller crane to erect a tower crane.
- Weather conditions could prevent it from working, in particular high, strong winds.
14
Q
What is a scaffold?
A
- Scaffold is a temporary working platform erected around the perimeter of a building or structure to provide a safe working place at a convenient height.
- Scaffold is usually required for work 1.5m above ground level.
15
Q
What is shoring?
A
- Shoring is a form of temporary support given to existing buildings.
- Its purpose is to provide a precaution against damage or injury due to collapse of the structure.
16
Q
What are the main components of concrete?
A
- Cement
- Aggregate (natural rock, crushed stone, gravel)
- Water
17
Q
What is a borehole?
A
- A borehole can be used for soil investigation or for geothermal heating solutions.
- Boreholes are the most suitable method of soil investigation when foundations are over 3m deep.
- Geothermal boreholes are permanent boreholes that use the Earth’s natural heat to raise the temperature of circulated water.
- This is a closed system and can be used to heat the building above which is adopted as a sustainable technology.
18
Q
What are piles?
A
- A series of columns constructed or inserted into the ground to transmit the load of a structure to a lower level of subsoil.
- They are used where no suitable foundations conditions are present near ground level or if there is a high water table.
19
Q
What are the different types of piles?
A
- Sheet piles
- Secant piles
- Bored piles
- Pre-cast piles
20
Q
What are sheet piles?
A
- A deep trench is excavated and concrete is poured in situ.
- The piles can be used to form basement walls or act as retaining walls.
21
Q
What are secant piles?
A
- Interlocking piles (male and female, often different diameters and hardness) are bored to provide a combination of foundations and basement walls.
- They support in providing a waterproof structure and are often seen when a top down construction method is used.
22
Q
What are bored piles?
A
An auger is used to excavate the soil and then concrete is poured in once complete.
23
Q
What are pre-cast piles?
A
Piles are and hammered into the ground. This is not often favoured due to the high noise levels associated with installation and the lack of flexibility in terms of depth required.
24
Q
What is a raft foundation?
A
- Raft foundations spread the load of the superstructure over a large base and reduce the load per m2 of the area.
- Raft foundation solutions are useful in low bearing capacity soils.
- They can be a solid raft slab or beam and slab raft such as a ground beam system and suspended PC concrete ground floor.
25
Under what conditions would you expect a raft foundation to be used for a substructure?
* A raft can be used for lightly loaded buildings on sites with poor soils.
* Heavy loads to the raft have the potential to cause the raft to move sideways as a result of raft foundations not being very deep.
26
What is a strip foundation?
* Strip foundations are formed by creating a shallow continuous excavation to support the perimeter and internal walls.
* They are also referred to as strip footings and are suitable for most subsoils and a light structural design.
27
What are pad foundations?
* Pad foundations provide a base for reinforced concrete or steel columns.
* They are usually formed by making an isolated excavation in the shape of a square or rectangle.
* They often have reinforcement mesh as part of the construction and spread the load to a layer of bearing soil or rock below.
28
What are retaining walls?
* They act as an earth retaining structure for the whole or part of their heights.
* They are used to support and retain soils laterally so that it can be retained at different levels on the two sides.
29
What are the main types of excavation for forming basements?
* Open excavations that use battered excavation sides which are cut back to a safe angle. This eliminates the need for temporary earth work support and can be used to construct basement walls. This requires additional excavation costs and significant working space when compared to other methods.
* Perimeter Trench Excavation can be used to form basement walls. This method requires earthwork support with the basement walls being constructed and then the inside of the basement is excavated.
* Complete Excavation can be used in firm subsoils. The Centre of the basement is excavated first, then the basement slab cast while the sides of the excavation are supported by struts.
30
What are the technical advantages of steel frames?
* Steel frames are often quicker to assemble in comparison to alternative methods.
* They are 100% recyclable and inorganic meaning they will not warp, split, crack or creep.
* They offer the highest strength to weight ratio of any building material.
* Steel frames are not vulnerable to termites or any type of fungi or organism.
* They are dimensionally stable and do not expand or contract with moisture or temperature changes.
* Due to strict manufacturing controls, consistent material quality can be obtained due to production taking place in line with strict standards.
* Steel is non-combustible so it will not contribute to the spread of a fire.
* Steel frames are lighter in comparison to concrete frames and will often benefit from a cheaper foundation solution.
31
What are the technical disadvantages of steel frames?
* Steel frames require fire protection to be retrospectively installed.
* Fixing components may require replacement over time.
* The price of steel often fluctuates and can result in a lack of cost certainty.
* Installation of steel frames requires experienced builders at an additional cost. Resources can also be difficult to acquire depending on market conditions.
32
What are the technical advantages of concrete frames?
* Fire protection is often provided inherently as part of the structure.
* Due to offering a slower form of construction in comparison to alternative methods, this will likely result in reduced cash flow expenditure early on in the development.
* Maintenance requirements associated with concrete frames are relatively low in comparison to alternative methods.
* Concrete frames often provide good sound and heat insulation properties in comparison to steel frame constructions.
33
What are the technical disadvantages of concrete frames?
* In comparison to steel frames, they are more time consuming to install.
* There may also be complications during the install resulting from colder and inclement weather conditions.
* The need for steel reinforcement can lead to issues around price fluctuations and cost uncertainty associated with steel frames.
* Concrete frames are often heavier and require larger foundations.
34
Whats the difference between a warm and cold flat roof?
A Warm flat roof has the insulation aginst the waterproof membrane, and above the ceiling void, making the roof warm.
A Cold flat roof has the insulation above ceiling level below the void, meaning the roof itself is cold.
34
What is an inverted flat roof?
* A roof in which the insulation is placed on top of the waterproof membrane.
* No vapour control is needed.
* The roof void and deck are maintained at similar temperature to the room.
* The insulation protects the membrane from damage but must be anchored down.
35
What is a parapet wall?
The parapet wall or dwarf wall is built along the perimeter edge of the roof. The wall height extends above roof level. Where the wall intersects with the roof, a flashing or water proofing detail will be required.
36
Describe a pitched roof detail
* Pitched roofs typically are made up of rafters which span from the apex of the roof and are fixed to the top of the external wall by a wall plate.
* At the apex of the roof are the ridge tiles which are supported by the ridge board.
* The roof covering whether slate or concrete tiles are typically fixed to roof battens.
* Supporting the rafters and roof coverings are the struts, purlins and roof beams.
* A soffit and eaves board may be fixed to the end of the rafters along with the guttering and rain water goods.
* Vent tiles may also be used to provide natural ventilation to the roof space.
37
Describe a cladding rainscreen detail
38
Describe a Cladding Stick System
39
Describe a Unitised cladding system
40
Describe a Panellised systems
41
What are the common components you would expect to see within a steel frame construction?
* Beams.
* Columns.
* Purlins.
* Rafters.
* Eaves.
* Eaves Haunch.
* Base Plate.
* Apex Haunch.
* Cladding Rails.
* Cross bracings.
* Fixings.
42
What is the size of a brick?
Standard bricks are 215mm x 102.5mm x 65mm.
43
How many bricks are in a m2?
There are about 60 bricks per m2.
44
What are the different types of screed?
* Bonded Screeds which are laid on to a ready prepared rough, cleaned concrete base.
* Unbonded Screeds which are laid on to a sound clean bitumen damp proof membrane.
* Floating Screed which is laid with steel or fibre reinforcements on to the insulating board, which in turn can be laid on to a suitable damp proof membrane.
* Resin Bonded Screed which is laid on to a clean, rough pre-prepared concrete base. The resin acts as a ready installed damp proof membrane to the top screed.
45
What is top down construction?
* “Top down” is used to speed up the construction process of a building with basement levels.
* The ground floor slab is cast with an access hatch.
* The ground below is excavated and another slab is formed. If there is another level, the process is repeated. Piles are usually used as foundations and also act as retaining walls. It allows the building above to be constructed at the same time as the basement.
46
What is bottom up construction?
* “Bottom up” forms the basement and then works upwards in a traditional manner. This offers a simpler construction than top down methods of construction but will often carry a longer programme duration.
47
What is a three phase electrical supply?
* A three phase supply is an AC (Alternating Current) supply that consists of three AC voltages 120 degrees out of phase with each other.
* Three phase electricity is cheaper and an easier way to transmit electricity compared to single phase electricity.
48
Explain how power is distributed to floor boxes in a raised floor?
* The incoming power supply connects to a low voltage switchboard, which in turn connects to a distribution board.
* The distribution board will have an under floor busbar connected to it. The busbar has a number of sockets to which the floor box plugs into via a flexible lead. The floor box has sockets to which the appliances can plug into.
49
What is Cat II lighting?
* Cat II Lighting are light fittings suitable for use with VDU screens. The light fittings should be designed in such a way so as to limit the amount of glare from computer screens and such like.
50
What is a syphonic drainage system?
* A syphonic drainage system is an alternative to the gravity drainage system. In syphonic drainage, water is sucked from the guttering in to the drain pipe so there is no need to have pipes set at a gradient and to rely on gravity to pull the water to the drain (a vacuum is created to achieve this).
* Syphonic drainage has the advantage that narrower down pipes can be used.
51
What fire safety provisions would you expect to find in an office block?
* Maximum occupancy listings.
* Fire exits with signage above that can function in a power failure.
* Placing fire extinguishers and fire alarms in easily accessible places.
* Restricted use of flammable materials.
* Installing fire alarm control panels for quick detection and warning of fire.
52
What are automatic fire sprinklers?
Automatic fire sprinklers are individually heat-activated and tied into a network of piping with water under pressure.
When the heat of a fire raises the sprinkler temperature to its operating point (usually 165ºF), a solder link will melt or a liquid-filled glass bulb will shatter to open that single sprinkler, releasing water directly over the source of the heat.
53
Describe a VAV (Variable Air Volume) AC System?
* VAV systems vary the airflow at a constant temperature.
* These systems utilise a supply duct that distributes cooled air.
* The temperature is kept constant and the air flow varies to meets the rising and falling heat gains within the thermal zone that is being cooled.
* The system is made up of supply and return ductwork, a VAV box also referred to as a VAV terminal unit and air terminals.
54
Describe a VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) AC System?
* VRF systems can be made up of a heat pump system or heat recovery system which can provide simultaneous heating and cooling.
* The heat pump is connected to multiple indoor units which can heat and cool independently of each other.
* The energy recovered from one zone can be utilised to heat a separate zone meaning VRF systems are more efficient in comparison to other systems.
* The system is made up of units a heat pump, a compressor and pipework that takes up much less space than traditional ductwork.
55
How are fire barriers formed in suspended ceilings and what happens when services pass through the barriers?
* If a suspended ceiling is not fire resistant, fire barriers will be required within the ceiling void if the walls stop at the underside of the ceiling.
* The barriers will be installed between the soffit of the floor above and the suspended ceiling resulting in the ceiling void being compartmented.
* It is also important to consider whether smoke stops are also required.
* When services run through the barriers it is important that they are sealed to prevent fire spreading through the service gap.
56
What is a UPS and why does a building require one?
* An uninterruptible power supply, or UPS, is a device or system that maintains a continuous supply of electric power to certain essential equipment that must not be shut down unexpectedly.
* Typically, it is installed in hospitals for life critical equipment and in businesses for business-critical equipment.
57
What type of building work is covered by the Building regulations?
* The Erection or extension of a building.
* Installation or extension of a service that is controlled by the regulations.
* Alteration projects which will temporarily or permanently affect the building in terms of structure, fire & access.
* Insertion of insulation into cavity walls.
* Underpinning building foundations.
58
What would be a typical programme for a new build structure?
* Site clearance.
* Enabling works.
* Site setup.
* Haul & access roads.
* Setting out.
* Excavate to reduced levels.
* Excavate foundations.
* Cast foundations.
* Frame erection.
* Cladding.
* Roof.
* Floors.
* Services.
* FF&E.
* Testing.
* Commissioning.
* Landscaping.
* Snagging.
59
What type of piling would you see in central London?
Replacement due to proximity to other buildings, services, tubes etc
CFA - Continuous Flight Auger
Cast in situ - made onsite
60
If temporary works are included in the CSA but not used is the money still paid for them?
Yes - if the contractor figures out a way to do the works without them they are still owed the payment for them
61
Are sprinklers required for CLT projects
Yes, even if the building wouldn't ordinarily need it. Insurance requires
62
What types of concrete finish are there?
Basic
Ordinary
Plain
Special
63
What is the biggest carbon contributor in a project?
Superstructure - 50%
64
When does a building need a wet riser?
50m or above or if a dry riser inlet is unnatainable
65
What types of cabling are there?
- Armoured
- Comms
- Fiber Optic
- LV
- Ethernet
- Coaxial
- Twisted Pair
- Structured
66
When is fire rated ductwork required?
Smoke extract systems
If it passes through a fire compartment
67
What is a brown roof?
A type of green roof that aims to increase biodiversity and recreate the ecology of a brownfield site that was lost during construction.
Brown roofs are designed to self-seed and self-populate with plants and wildlife.
68
What is the difference between passive and active cooling?
Active cooling uses external systems to remove heat (FCUs)
Passive cooling uses natural processes (windows)
69
What different types of refrigerant are there?
R-32 - the most sustainable we use
70
What is a grade A office space?
A high-quality office building that meets the highest standards for design, functionality, amenities, and location.
71
How many air changes per hour do you see in Office and Helathcare buildings?
3 - Office
6 - Healthcare
72
How much does concrete cost per m3?
£450/m3
73
What methods are there of basement waterproofing?
Monolithic
Tanking
Cavity Wall
74
What types of slab are there?
Precast
Hollow Core
Metal Deck
75
How much does it cost per m2 of facade?
£1,000 - £2,000 per m2
Depends on Method/ Materials
76
How much per m2 of RAF?
£70 - £80/m2
77
What is the differnece between U & G Values?
U Values - Heat Transfer
G Values - Solar Transmittance
78
What is a Grade A office and where does the definition come from?
BCO defines it as a top teir commercial office space that meets high standards in terms of location, building quality, design, specification, energy efficiency, and tenant amenities.
Typical Features of a Grade A Office:
- Prime location — usually in a central business district (CBD) or key urban hub.
- Modern construction or recently refurbished to a high standard.
- High-quality finishes and design throughout.
- Large, open-plan floorplates offering flexibility in layout.
- Excellent natural light and energy-efficient glazing.
- Raised access floors and suspended ceilings.
- Advanced HVAC and MEP systems.
- BREEAM, LEED, or WELL certifications for sustainability and occupant health.
- On-site amenities — e.g., reception areas, bike storage, showers, breakout space, and sometimes gyms or cafés.
- High levels of security and smart building technology.
79
What are SUDS?
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
Aimed to slow down and manage surface rain water, reduce flood risk, improve water quality and provide biodiversity and amenity benefits.
Examples include:
- Blue/ Green/ Brown Roofs
- Attenuation Tanks
80
What are hot and cold roofs?
Hot Roof - keeps heat in
Cold roof - keeps heat out
81
What type of piling is typically used in London?
CFA
Replacement
Reduce Vibrations
APC Revision
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