I had a call from an award winning architect looking for some assistant, with regard to a problem which had arisen in terms of Part B of the Building Regulations on a domestic extension. The neighbouring property's architect had rasied an issue (as they do!) It certainly wasn't one of the normal issues I would be asked to deal with regarding Part B and domestic extensions.No this problem related to a timber framed extension which was built within 1.0m of the boundary. So what's the problem there you may ask?
Most architects and other designers (and builders) dealing with domestic construction seldom take much heed of Part B of the building regulations other than providing a fire alarm and means of escape windows, and maybe the positioning of the stairs and providing fire resisting construction to to 3 storey houses.Most would not know what Appendix A of Technical Guidance Document -B is about, never mind Tables A1 & A2. Tables A1 & A2 relate to the required fire resistance of elements of structure, including walls, external and otherwise. So what has this got to do with our friend the architect?
The architect in question had designed an extension to the rear of a suburban terraced house, which was been constructed adjacent to the boundary wall (within 1.0m of the boundary) which was of timber frame construction. Appendix A requires 30 minutes fire resistance from both sides of the wall. ie both internally and externally. Most plasterboard slabs achieve the required fire resistance from the inside, where a conc block outer leaf is used externally with the timber frame, upto 4 hours fire resistance is achived from the outside, problem solved. But in this case, like many others, in order to safe space and get everybit of usable space in the extension, the cavity and block external leaf was ommited; the proposal to apply a render finish to the external face of the timber frame. Unfortunatley this construction, hasn't been certitifed as achiveing a fire resistance. I did find a soulution, in recommending fibre cement panel, which could be fixed to the external face of the timberframe structure, which is certified to achive the required fire resistance and got our friend out of trouble.
Had the wall been on the boundary the issue would have been more serious in that 1 hour fire resitance is required from both sides.
Friday 18 June 2010
Thursday 27 May 2010
May update
The last month has been quiet busy,(hence no blogging) between developing a number of projects from sketch design to planning stage, preparing a few sketch designs for some new projects and also preparing a few fee proposals. Preparing fee proposals at present is definitely the most difficult element of the job at present and worthy of a blog post in itself.
The two projects currently on site are progressing well, the house extension is almost finished, next week, I expect with the nursing home extension roofed and first fix well underway. Clients are happy with the progress and standard of work too. Always pays to use/recommend a good builder, particularly these days where fees are tight.
One project I'm starting to get stuck into at the moment is a one off rural dwelling. The clients are pretty clued in too, have specific requirements, but also open to suggestions/ideas. They have a site with good views and affords good orientation to the house. Its still only at sketch design stage, where ideas are still been thrown about. Its one project I'm looking forward to working on.
The two projects currently on site are progressing well, the house extension is almost finished, next week, I expect with the nursing home extension roofed and first fix well underway. Clients are happy with the progress and standard of work too. Always pays to use/recommend a good builder, particularly these days where fees are tight.
One project I'm starting to get stuck into at the moment is a one off rural dwelling. The clients are pretty clued in too, have specific requirements, but also open to suggestions/ideas. They have a site with good views and affords good orientation to the house. Its still only at sketch design stage, where ideas are still been thrown about. Its one project I'm looking forward to working on.
Friday 30 April 2010
Legal work
It's been a lazy month for me in terms of blogging. Why I hear you ask?
For the best part of the month I've been on my own in the office dealing with everything, as the boss was out of the country on business, only to be delayed by the Volcanic Ash that disturbed air travel into and across Europe.
Most of the last month was spent doing work that I would not normally be fully engaged in. One such job was attending court as an expert witness for a public house licence application. Well it took two visits to the court to sort out the licence after an objection was received on the first day. I have to say it was an interesting experience and the licence was sorted out in the end.
Sticking with the all things legal, I spend some days preparing a report for another court case, this time, where a builder renovated a house and the standard of work leaves a lot to be desired. Without going into any details, the fact that the project did not have any supervision by a consultant didn't help matters nor did the fact that there were no detailed construction drawings. This should prove an interesting case when it does come before the courts.
Add sorting out a few land registry maps into the mix and you get the type of time I've been having. Dealing with legal map is at the best of times a pain, but when solicitors are introduced into the dealings, it can become more troublesome than its worth, particularly when one gets solicitors whom are not all that familiar will conveyancing.
Other work involved dealing and making a few observations on planning applications on behalf of clients, not something I used to do regularly in the past, however money is money. Sticking with planning its been a mixed bag in terms of decisions in the last few weeks, there was one refusal for a village centre development by An Bord Pleanala, which was disappointing, in that it had received the green light for the planning authority and the inspector's report was very favorable towards a number of aspects of the scheme. We did receive three positive decisions in terms of developments and lodged two planning applications in the last month. A further planning application is due to be lodged late next week.
The two jobs on site are currently progressing well, both should require site visits next week as stage payments will due to be certified.
For the best part of the month I've been on my own in the office dealing with everything, as the boss was out of the country on business, only to be delayed by the Volcanic Ash that disturbed air travel into and across Europe.
Most of the last month was spent doing work that I would not normally be fully engaged in. One such job was attending court as an expert witness for a public house licence application. Well it took two visits to the court to sort out the licence after an objection was received on the first day. I have to say it was an interesting experience and the licence was sorted out in the end.
Sticking with the all things legal, I spend some days preparing a report for another court case, this time, where a builder renovated a house and the standard of work leaves a lot to be desired. Without going into any details, the fact that the project did not have any supervision by a consultant didn't help matters nor did the fact that there were no detailed construction drawings. This should prove an interesting case when it does come before the courts.
Add sorting out a few land registry maps into the mix and you get the type of time I've been having. Dealing with legal map is at the best of times a pain, but when solicitors are introduced into the dealings, it can become more troublesome than its worth, particularly when one gets solicitors whom are not all that familiar will conveyancing.
Other work involved dealing and making a few observations on planning applications on behalf of clients, not something I used to do regularly in the past, however money is money. Sticking with planning its been a mixed bag in terms of decisions in the last few weeks, there was one refusal for a village centre development by An Bord Pleanala, which was disappointing, in that it had received the green light for the planning authority and the inspector's report was very favorable towards a number of aspects of the scheme. We did receive three positive decisions in terms of developments and lodged two planning applications in the last month. A further planning application is due to be lodged late next week.
The two jobs on site are currently progressing well, both should require site visits next week as stage payments will due to be certified.
Friday 9 April 2010
Building progress
Its week 3 and work is progressing on site nicely at present on this extension. We did run into a few small problems in that the depth of the excavation of the foundations was deeper than expected. As everything has to be manually moved, it was decided to put a suspended concrete floor in with Conc T-beams rather than taking out all the fill under the floor.
At this tage the block work of this element of the project is complete, with the roofers scheduled to start on Monday. Next week will see the builders remove the existing garage roof and commence on the first floor extension. It is expected that the majority of the work will be complete within the next 5 weeks.
Friday 19 March 2010
Quick update
Two jobs move on site on Monday...both extensions: one a two bedroom extension to a nursing home, the other an extension and alterations to a dwelling. The same building contractor will be working on both, which is good, in that he does work to a very high standard, gets the job done right first time and on time and is fair when it comes to the final account.
Both contracts are of 12 week duration, which is short, in the greater scale of the overall project: I started working on the nursing home extension back in 2007, when I did a few sketch proposals, however at that stage the project was put on hold until the recent HIQA standards for nursing homes were published last year.
As for the extension and alterations to the dwelling, it will have taken one year to complete the entire project from the first meeting with the client until the time of completion on site.
Friday 26 February 2010
Technicial Guidance Document F 2009
The latest version of Technical Guidance Document F 2009 relating to Ventilation was published during the week. The document comes into effect in October year, although if one has applied for planning permission before 30th September 2010 and has the building substantially complete (meaning external walls complete) one can use the 2002 TGD F. The document is more informative to previous documents and provides better guidance in my opinion.
Many will question why bother making a dwelling air-tight when one is required to provide addtional backround ventilation where MVHR is not used. Definately something for another days debate.
Many will question why bother making a dwelling air-tight when one is required to provide addtional backround ventilation where MVHR is not used. Definately something for another days debate.
Thursday 25 February 2010
New Housing
Nomination
Yes I've been nominated for the Irish Blog awards in the "Best Specialist Blog" category. Thanks to those who nominated my blog.
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Work Update
Since Christmas, I've been quiet busy- surprisingly as normally the month of January and February are the quietest.
I've been working on preparing contract documents for a small extension to a nursing home, which is about to start on site shortly. The contact documents would have been complete ages ago, except the client requested a lift be provided for the existing first floor accommodation. It took 4 design proposals and costed works before the client finally was satisfied, but we are there now. We are using the RIAI's Building Contract SF-88 as the Building contract, as this is a simple contact and the scope of works are straight forward. The contact documentation should be going out the the contractor today to be signed. Its the first project we have starting on site since the middle of last year.
We have a second project also moving on site in the comming weeks too. This time an extension to a dwelling, which we tendered in October last year. The clients too some time to consider their investement in the project after it was tendered, but now its full steam ahead.
Outside of preparing contract documentation, I've spend some time preparing documentation for building insurance claims as a result of burst pipe caused by the recent cold spell, not work usually associated with Architectural Technology Professionals.
I've spent a lot of time working on two major projects, which if either gets the go ahead would mean there would be sufficient work for the next 10-12 months.If both go ahead well then I will be really busy... but I won't be complaining.
I've been working on preparing contract documents for a small extension to a nursing home, which is about to start on site shortly. The contact documents would have been complete ages ago, except the client requested a lift be provided for the existing first floor accommodation. It took 4 design proposals and costed works before the client finally was satisfied, but we are there now. We are using the RIAI's Building Contract SF-88 as the Building contract, as this is a simple contact and the scope of works are straight forward. The contact documentation should be going out the the contractor today to be signed. Its the first project we have starting on site since the middle of last year.
We have a second project also moving on site in the comming weeks too. This time an extension to a dwelling, which we tendered in October last year. The clients too some time to consider their investement in the project after it was tendered, but now its full steam ahead.
Outside of preparing contract documentation, I've spend some time preparing documentation for building insurance claims as a result of burst pipe caused by the recent cold spell, not work usually associated with Architectural Technology Professionals.
I've spent a lot of time working on two major projects, which if either gets the go ahead would mean there would be sufficient work for the next 10-12 months.If both go ahead well then I will be really busy... but I won't be complaining.
Monday 22 February 2010
CPD (Continuing Professional Development)
As a member of CIAT, I am required to undertake and record a minimum of 35 hours of CPD each year. This year I have had no problem fulfilling my CPD hours; having already attended a number of structured or organised CPD Events; 26.5 hours to be exact so far over 3 events.
Accounting for the other time, can be quiet difficult, in that I spend hours researching things, from reviewing amendments to building regulations, watching U-Tube tutorials to reading books and even trade literature, yet seldom record this time. For example I spent 30 minutes yesterday studying “Standard Letters in Architectural Practice” yet I will most likely forget to note it in my CPD Record, or as I did last week, I spend 1 hour studying two reports on Multi-Foil insulation, yet that too will most properly go unaccounted for. Then there’s all the time associated with my Committee work on the CIAT Centre Committee, which can be counted too.
It’s properly safe to say that I would spend close to 100 hours in the typical year on CPD, yet I don’t account for it all, as often the time taken may be quiet short in researching something.
Why bother with CPD at all, well because nearly everyday, something new comes on stream or something changes, which effects the profession. As a professional having the most up to date knowledge is important, to ensure one executes one’s duties competently. Another reason is to broaden, one’s knowledge base, particularly within the current economic climate, where for many the day to day work type has changed.
Accounting for the other time, can be quiet difficult, in that I spend hours researching things, from reviewing amendments to building regulations, watching U-Tube tutorials to reading books and even trade literature, yet seldom record this time. For example I spent 30 minutes yesterday studying “Standard Letters in Architectural Practice” yet I will most likely forget to note it in my CPD Record, or as I did last week, I spend 1 hour studying two reports on Multi-Foil insulation, yet that too will most properly go unaccounted for. Then there’s all the time associated with my Committee work on the CIAT Centre Committee, which can be counted too.
It’s properly safe to say that I would spend close to 100 hours in the typical year on CPD, yet I don’t account for it all, as often the time taken may be quiet short in researching something.
Why bother with CPD at all, well because nearly everyday, something new comes on stream or something changes, which effects the profession. As a professional having the most up to date knowledge is important, to ensure one executes one’s duties competently. Another reason is to broaden, one’s knowledge base, particularly within the current economic climate, where for many the day to day work type has changed.
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