Design & Spec Flashcards

Question

What are preliminaries?

Answer 1

- In construction, preliminaries refer to the general project requirements and costs that are not directly related to specific construction activities or building elements, but are essential for the overall execution of the project. cover the site-wide services, management, and overheads needed to support the construction process.

Answer 2

- a formal process used to identify, evaluate, and manage risks associated with the design phase of a project. It ensures that potential hazards are considered early—before construction begins—to protect workers, users, and the public, and to comply with legal and safety obligations. Purpose of a Design Risk Assessment: * Identify hazards that may arise from design decisions (e.g., structural complexity, access issues, material choices). * Evaluate the level of risk associated with each hazard. * Mitigate or eliminate risks through design changes or control measures. * Document decisions to demonstrate compliance with regulations (e.g., CDM Regulations in the UK). - Provide an example: good one is edge protection to an existing roof - identified that it was required to allow for safe access.

Answer 3

- stands for Building Information Modeling. - It’s a digital process used in the construction and architecture industries to create and manage information about a building or infrastructure project throughout its entire lifecycle—from design and construction to operation and maintenance.

Answer 4

retrofit refers to the process of modifying or upgrading an existing building or structure to improve its performance, safety, or functionality—without completely rebuilding it. - Fabric first approach

Answer 5

- In areas where specialist expertise are required - Specialist systems and installations (MEP, Fire Protection, BMS) - Temporary works (scaffolding, formwork, falsework, site access etc.) Why Use a CDP? - Leverages contractor expertise in specialist areas - Speeds up project delivery by overlapping design and construction - Allows for value engineering and cost-effective solutions - Transfers design risk for specific elements to the contractor Disadvantages of Using a Contractor’s Design Portion: 1. Loss of Design Control * The client or lead designer may have less influence over the final design of CDP elements, which can lead to inconsistencies with the overall design intent or aesthetic. 2. Quality Risks * If not properly specified or monitored, the contractor may prioritize cost or speed over quality, leading to suboptimal materials or detailing. 3. Coordination Challenges * Integrating contractor-designed elements with the rest of the project can be complex, especially if communication between design teams is weak. 4. Increased Risk of Design Errors * If the contractor lacks sufficient design expertise or oversight, errors in the CDP can lead to costly rework or delays. 5. Ambiguity in Responsibilities * Poorly defined CDP scopes can lead to disputes over who is responsible for design issues, especially if problems arise during construction or post-completion. 6. Longer Procurement Time * Reviewing and approving contractor designs can add time to the project schedule, particularly if multiple iterations are needed. - Norwich MC Fire Doors example here 7. Insurance and Liability Complications * Design liability may shift from the consultant team to the contractor, which can complicate professional indemnity insurance arrangements. 8. Potential for Value Engineering Conflicts * Contractors may propose cheaper alternatives that meet performance specs but compromise on durability, aesthetics, or long-term value.

Answer 6

- a key part of the project specification that outlines the quality standards, materials, and methods to be used in the construction process. - It ensures that the contractor delivers work that meets the client’s expectations, industry standards, and regulatory requirements. - can be a separate doc to the specification

Answer 7

a set of legal requirements in the UK designed to improve health, safety, and welfare throughout all stages of a construction project—from initial design to completion and maintenance. - The purpose of the CDM regs is for the whole lifespan of a construction project (design, construction & management) - They clarify responsibilities for all key parties involved in a project Example: A designer under CDM must consider how a roof will be safely accessed for future maintenance. A contractor must prepare a Construction Phase Plan outlining how health and safety will be managed on site

Answer 8

Doesn't sit well with CDM regs - it is personal protection, which should be considered if collective protection is not possible.

Answer 9

· 1:1/1:10 · 1:2/1:20 · 1:5/1:50 · 1:100/1:200 · 1:500/1:1000 1:1250/1:2500

Answer 10

· If the fire exit door also serves as a compartment door, it must have the correct fire resistance rating (e.g., FD30 or FD60). Tested to BS EN 1634 or BS 476. A fire exit door is primarily for escape and may not always need a fire resistance rating unless it forms part of a fire compartment. · Approved Document B requires FD30S for doors on escape routes that could otherwise allow smoke to compromise the means of escape. If the door is within 1.8 m horizontally of an external escape route. · Door must open in the direction of escape (towards the exit route) if more than 60 people use it. No steps or obstructions immediately outside the door. · Push bar or push pad (panic device) complying with BS EN 1125 or BS EN 179. Push bar (BS EN 1125) for public spaces. Push pad (BS EN 179) for low-occupancy areas. Allows quick opening without a key or special knowledge. (Can also say the door was a key entrance to the building for staff) · Fire exit signs above or adjacent to the door, complying with BS ISO 7010. Must be visible even in low light (often illuminated or photoluminescent). · If the door is also a fire door, it must have a self-closing device to maintain compartmentation. · Smoke & intumescent seals: Required for doors that also act as fire doors to prevent smoke spread. · Door width and hardware must comply with Approved Document M for inclusive design. No excessive force required to open. · Door and hardware must be third-party certified and installed per BS 8214 for fire doors.

Answer 11

· fire doors and frames must be third-party certified and installed in accordance with BS 8214. BS 8214:2016 is the Code of Practice for Fire Door Assemblies. It ensures the door performs as tested during a fire. · Why? Certification ensures the door and frame have been tested together as a system for fire resistance. · What to check: * Permanent label or plug showing fire rating (e.g., FD30S or FD60S). * Certification from schemes like BM TRADA Q-Mark or Certifire. * Hardware (hinges, closers, seals) also needs certification for fire performance. · Key requirements: * Correct frame type and material. * Gaps between door and frame: 2–4 mm (sealed with intumescent strips). * Use of fire-rated fixings and sealants. * Self-closing devices fitted and adjusted properly. * No site modifications that compromise certification (e.g., cutting vision panels without approval).

Answer 12

Yes, Building Control approval is generally required for fire door replacement, because it is considered “building work” under Regulation 3 of the Building Regulations. Regulation 3 defines building work to include: Material alteration of a building or a controlled fitting. * A fire door is a controlled fitting because it affects fire safety and compartmentation. * Replacing a fire door changes the building’s fire protection system, so it falls under Building Regulations Part B (Fire Safety). Local authority Building Control approval is usually required unless: * The work is carried out under a Competent Person Scheme (though these schemes rarely cover fire doors). * The installer can self-certify under an approved scheme (currently very limited for fire doors). · Fire doors must comply with Approved Document B and be installed per BS 8214. · Third-party certification (e.g., BM TRADA Q-Mark, Certifire) is essential, but does not replace Building Control approval. · Failure to obtain approval can lead to enforcement action under the Building Safety Act (penalties now extend up to 10 years).

Answer 13

Generally, NO for minor repairs, provided: * You are not altering the door’s fire performance. * Repairs involve like-for-like replacement of components (e.g., seals, hinges, closers) without changing the door leaf or frame. * The door remains compliant with its original certification. Approval IS Required When: * The repair compromises or changes the fire resistance rating. * You replace the door leaf or frame (this is considered a material alteration). * You modify the door (e.g., cutting a vision panel without manufacturer approval). * Work is in a Higher-Risk Building (HRB) under the Building Safety Act – even minor changes may need formal approval. Best Practice * Always use third-party certified components and installers (BM TRADA Q-Mark, FIRAS). * Record repairs in the fire door maintenance log for compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. * If in doubt, consult Building Control before starting work.

Answer 14

BM TRADA’s Q-Mark Fire Door Maintenance Scheme sets out approved repair techniques to ensure a fire door retains its certified performance after repair. ✅ Core Principles * Repairs must not compromise the door’s fire resistance or certification. * Only like-for-like replacement of components is allowed unless manufacturer-approved. * All work must follow BS 8214 and BM TRADA guidelines. ✅ Approved Repair Techniques 1. Intumescent & Smoke Seals ○ Replace damaged seals with identical size and type. ○ Use manufacturer-approved adhesive and ensure full contact. 2. Ironmongery (Hinges, Closers, Locks) ○ Replace with fire-rated hardware of the same specification. ○ Maintain correct number and positioning of hinges (usually 3 for FD30/FD60). 3. Door Leaf ○ Minor surface repairs (e.g., filling small chips) allowed with approved materials. ○ No cutting or resizing unless approved by the door manufacturer. 4. Vision Panels ○ Replace glass only with fire-rated glazing and intumescent seals. ○ Must follow original tested configuration. 5. Frame & Gaps ○ Maintain gap tolerances (typically 2–4 mm). ○ Use approved intumescent mastic for sealing frame-to-wall gaps. 6. Self-Closing Devices ○ Adjust or replace with same specification fire-rated closer.

Answer 15

Gap Requirements Between Door and Frame: ○ Sides and Head: Maximum gap of 2–4 mm (commonly 3 mm) to ensure intumescent seals work effectively. ○ Bottom (Threshold): Typically 8–10 mm clearance unless a smoke seal is required, in which case it may be reduced to ≤3 mm. Fire Stopping: The joint between the frame and the wall must be adequately fire-stopped using non-combustible or intumescent materials. Use approved intumescent mastic for sealing frame-to-wall gaps.

Design & Spec Flashcards

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