Design and Specification - Level 2

Question 1

West End Art’s Library - What is a DRA and why is it used?

Answer 1

A design risk assessment (DRA) is a formal process where designers identify, evaluate, and control potential health and safety hazards associated with a project’s design throughout its entire lifecycle.

Question 2

West End Art’s Library - Follow on from question 1 - Why is it important?

Answer 2

Legal Compliance: Fulfills duties under regulations like the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) in the UK.

Question 3

West End Art’s Library - How did you manage design risk in a live building?

Answer 3

I managed design risk by preparing a designer’s risk register at pre‑contract stage and embedding mitigation measures into the design for a live public building.

Question 4

West End Art’s Library - What risks did you identify in the designer’s risk register?

Answer 4

I identified public safety, live‑environment interface risks, and access constraints associated with working in an operational library next to a busy street.

Question 5

West End Art’s Library - What Guidnace would you refer to?

Answer 5

I referred primarily to my duties under the CDM Regulations 2015, using a designer’s risk register to manage risks in a live public building.

Question 6

Haymerle School - What is a SoW and how do you produce a schedule of works?

Answer 6

• Refer to British Standards
• Refer to the approved documents
• Consult manufacturers info
• Consult previous specifications
• Look on the NBS

Question 7

Haymerle School - If you were specifying a flat roof are any other approved documents you would refer to?

Answer 7

• Part A – Structure
• Part B – Fire Safety
• Part L - Passive of Sound

Question 8

Haymerle School - Who was the specialist roofing supplier and why did you approach them?

Answer 8

Baulder, repuation garentees and compaabiliuty with the existing building

Question 9

Haymerle School - What is a U-Value and how is it calculated?

Answer 9

• The rate of heat transfer through a building element, such as a window, wall, or roof. A lower U-value means better insulation, as it shows a lower rate of heat loss.
• A U-value is calculated by first determining the total thermal resistance (R-value) of a building element by summing the R-values of all its individual layers and surface resistances.

Question 10

Haymerle School - Was the flat roof and cold or warm roof, what’s the difference?

Answer 10

• Cold Roof – Insulation layer is below the structural deck and installed between the ceiling joists (Flat Roof).
• Warm Roof – Insulation layer is installed above the structural dec and roof coverings laid on top.

Question 11

Haymerle School - Describe the roof building up in the warm flat roof design.

Answer 11

Structural Deck
vapour control layor
insulation
waterproofing

Question 12

Haymerle School - Why did you choose a warm roof construction?

Answer 12

The warm flat roof was best the the exiting constrcution, consideration was made for a cold roof but would have required more insrusve work and changing from the existing design.

Question 13

Haymerle School - How did you ensure compliance with Approved Document A?

Answer 13

I ensured compliance with Approved Document A by confirming the replacement roof build‑up did not increase loads or alter the existing structural performance and had the propsoed roof check by a structrual engnner.

Question 14

Haymerle School - How did you ensure compliance with Approved Document B?

Answer 14

I ensured compliance with Approved Document B by specifying a BROOF(t4) roof covering, checking boundary distances, and confirming the works did not compromise fire compartments or means of escape.

Question 15

Haymerle School - How did you ensure compliance with Approved Document C?

Answer 15

I ensured compliance with Approved Document C by redesigning the roof to achieve design falls of 1:40 and a minimum finished fall of 1:80, preventing ponding and moisture ingress.

Question 16

Haymerle School - What Guidnace would you refer to?

Answer 16

I referred to the relevant Approved Documents, BS 6229 for flat roof design, manufacturer guidance, and CDM 2015 to ensure the works were compliant and robust.