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CABE – Technical Report Name: BSc(Hons) Grad CABE

Current Membership Grade: Graduate

Membership No:

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Contents 1.0 Abbreviations of terms ................................................................................................................... 3

2.0 Background ................................................................................................................................... 3

3.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 4

4.0 Project Information ........................................................................................................................ 4

5.0 Quotation and Appointment ........................................................................................................... 5

6.0 Plan Appraisal ................................................................................................................................ 6

6.1 Initial Advice .............................................................................................................................. 7

6.2 Initial Appraisal .......................................................................................................................... 9

6.2.1 Item 1 - Requirement B1 (means of warning and escape) – Communal layout ........................... 9

6.2.2 Item 2 - Requirement B1 (means of warning and escape) – Internal Flat layouts ..................... 10

6.2.3 Item 3 - Requirement B1 (means of warning and escape) – Smoke Control ............................. 10

6.2.4 Item 4 - Requirement B1 (means of warning and escape) – Fire Alarm & Detection ................ 11

6.2.5 Item 5 - Requirement B5 (access and facilities for the fire service) – Fire mains ....................... 11

6.2.6 Item 6 - Requirement B5 (access and facilities for the fire service) – Firefighting Shaft ............ 11

6.3 Other Key Design Considerations .............................................................................................. 12

7.0 Fire Consultation ......................................................................................................................... 14

8.0 Key items/issues during the construction phase ............................................................................. 14

8.1 Compartmentation .................................................................................................................. 14

8.2 Acoustic testing ....................................................................................................................... 15

8.3 Project Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 15

9.0 Final Certificate ........................................................................................................................... 16

10.0 Reflective Analysis / Personal development ................................................................................... 16

Appendices ............................................................................................................................................. 17

Appendix A .......................................................................................................................................... 18

Appendix B .......................................................................................................................................... 19

Appendix C .......................................................................................................................................... 22

Appendix D ......................................................................................................................................... 26

Appendix E .......................................................................................................................................... 27

Appendix F .......................................................................................................................................... 34

Appendix G ......................................................................................................................................... 36

Appendix H ......................................................................................................................................... 38

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1.0 Abbreviations of terms

2.0 Background This report is intended to demonstrate a level of competence befitting to a Chartered Member of the CABE institute. It highlights my level of competence, decision-making and integrity while acting as a Building Control Surveyor on a large-scale project for my employer .

is a registered company licenced with CICAIR Ltd to undertake building control work in accordance with the Building Act 1984 and the Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 2010. As an Approved Inspector it is my role to act as an independent third-party check, to be satisfied within the limits of professional skill and care that the works comply with the functional requirements of Building Regulations. I have worked in Building Control for approaching 8 years; 4 years of which in a management position at . Prior to this I graduated from the University achieving a First Class (Hons) in Building Surveying. Given the imminent reform in the Building Control sector; it is imperative to display competence. I believe that being acknowledged as a Chartered Member of CABE will demonstrate that I am a competent professional who can be relied upon to work to the highest possible standards.

Competency Framework A1 A1 E4

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3.0 Introduction The project I have chosen to present is a change of use/conversion of a six-storey office building in the centre of into 76no residential apartments. I am presenting this particular project as I believe the complexities and decisions faced throughout; along with the actions taken, demonstrate a level of knowledge, competence and integrity that is required for this technical report. I have worked on numerous flat conversion schemes prior to this one, however, the scale of this project was considerably larger than those I had previously worked on. The opportunity to take this project on was the next step in my development. At this point in my career I had 4 years’ experience and felt ready for this challenge. I was the lead surveyor on this project from application to completion. I had the support of my Director as a secondary surveyor; as per our company policy for large-scale projects.

4.0 Project Information

Competency Framework E4 E2

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5.0 Quotation and Appointment When providing a quotation for a scheme of this nature, I believe in addition to looking at the complexities of the scheme, it’s prudent to also consider the Architects and Contractors appointed on the project. Their experience with projects of a similar nature and even our past experience with those professionals can be influential factors when risk assessing and providing a quotation. I consulted my colleague as I was aware that he had previous experience with aforementioned professionals and the Client on similar schemes in the area. This allowed me to make a more informed evaluation during this quotation process. Having an appreciation of the anticipated contract length is also an important factor. This allows me to gauge how many inspections will be required as a minimum; ensuring we inspect ‘at sufficient frequency to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations’ as per the recommendations of Section 6 of the Building Control Performance Standards 2017. On this particular project the Client advised a contract period of 24 months. Utilising the information to hand a fee quote was provided to the Client. The quote included for plan appraisal, on-site Inspections, consultation with the Fire Authority and provision of a Final Certificate upon satisfactory completion of the project. In hindsight, I now believe the fee proposal to be too low for a scheme of this nature. For a number of reasons the project length extended to 33 months, furthermore, there was a change in Contractor which subsequently increased my involvement in the project. Following the acceptance of the quote by the Client, I instructed the submission of the Initial Notice; in line with Section 47 of the Building Act 1984.

Competency Framework B1, B2, C1, C2, D1 A1 C1, C2 A1, D1

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6.0 Plan Appraisal This type of project is considered a Material Change of Use under Schedule 1 – Part 2, Regulation 5(b) of the Building Regulations 2010 – ‘the building contains a flat, where previously it did not’ As such the Requirements applicable on this particular scheme by virtue of Regulation 6 are;

The Requirements marked with * are highlighting the additional Requirements that are invoked by the particular change of use 5 (b) or due to this buildings height.

Competency Framework A1 A1, B1, B2 A1

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6.1 Initial Advice Outline plans were provided on 19th Oct 2017. At this stage only basic floor plans with no specification were provided. Even though I was not in receipt of the full detailed plans, I thought it prudent to conduct an initial review of the scheme proposals in order to highlight any non-conformances/issues/concerns at an early stage. My main focus at this point was purely from a fire safety perspective. On review of the outline plans it was immediately evident that there were issues with regard to compliance with Requirement B1 (means of warning and escape) and potentially Requirement B5 (access and facilities for the fire service). Issue 1 - Requirement B1 (means of warning and escape) – Communal layout The scheme proposal intended to reduce the number of stairs serving this building. The existing building was served by 3no stairs but the proposal was to retain a single stair only. This caused complications from a travel distance perspective; with excessive dead-end corridors lengths of 22m. To be in accordance with ADB, dead-end corridor lengths should be restricted to 7.5m max. Alternative guidance was reviewed in the form of BS 9991 – Fire Safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings. This guidance offered extended travel distances to dead end corridors of 15m; IF sprinklers were introduced. It was clear at this point that if they needed to reconsider the design, or if they wished to pursue the design with a single stair building; then it would need to be a fire engineered approach, as such; a specialist in that field would need to be appointed. Potential Issue 2 - Requirement B5 (access and facilities for the fire service). Another potential issue was the height of the building and compliance with Requirement B5 - Section 17 – namely did it require a fire fighting shaft? Paragraph 17.2 states ‘Buildings with a floor at more than 18m above fire and rescue service vehicle access level,…., should be provided with firefighting shafts containing firefighting lifts’ (ADB -2006) As a six-storey building; I knew this must have been close to the 18m threshold, therefore, I was eager to gain confirmation of this ASAP, as this information would

Competency Framework

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substantially impact the design and appraisal going forward. I thought it important to bring these concerns to the attention of the Architect immediately due to the considerable impact it had/could have had on the scheme proposals. This advice was verbally provided on the day in which I received the plans 19th Oct 2017. See acknowledgement email from the Architect (Appendix A) The Architect and Client were appreciative of this immediate advice as it offered them a considerable time; management; implementation and ultimately cost saving opportunities.

Competency Framework A1,A2,B1,B2,B3,C1,C2,D1, D2,