Week 1 Lectures
Safety measures on site
By Mr. Pat Doyle
- Every student must receive site induction before going on site (evacuation plans, assembly points, important site features, dangerous areas, potential risks and hazards, etc...)
- It is very important to sign in and out at the site
- It is important to be accompanied by a staff if unfamiliar with the site
PPE must be worn at all time- Site signage is very important.
- Follow designated walkways and be vigilant in the vicinity of moving vehicles and site traffic.
- Smoking is only allowed in certain spaces.
- Avoid dehydration by constantly drinking water.
There are two main regulatory bodies in the UAE : the EHS and Dubai Municipality
Also we discussed statistics concerning injuries and fatalities. Most injuries are placed under the category “fall from heights” and in year 2008, 8 fatalities were due to that particular incident. In 2009 this number has been reduced to 4 fatalities due to fall from heights. The total amount dropped from 20 to 10 (by half in a year) which is due to the reinforcement of the safety concerns.
It is very important to keep this in mind to assess all risks:
Risk Rating = Likelihood x Severity
Tour across DCC
- Senior Personnel
- Visa’s
- Laborers, Legal Issues
- Planning Department
- Technical Tendering
- Schedule
- Equipment
- Man Hours
- Commercial Department
- Quotes
- Estimator
- Bill of Quantities
- Managing Accounts
- Contracts Department
- Keep Track of Contracts
- Subcontracts
- Dispute Resolution
- Arbitration
- Finance Department
- Payments
- Banks Pay Laborers (New System)
- Purchasing Department
- Buy Materials
- Purchase Orders
- Delivery Notes
- Store Receipt Vouchers
- Logistics & Resource Manager
- Organization of Cranes Hoists
- Certification
- Labor Camps
Presentation by Mazen Hallak
Lecture objectives:
- Identify different types and stages of drawings
- Learn how to read and understand basic notations on drawings
- Learn about layouts
Types of construction maps:
Architectural – Structural – MEP (developed by electro-mechanical and plumbing engineers)
Construction drawing stages:
- Tender drawings: design, concept layout, schematic. To be approved by client or owner.
- For construction drawings: developed with structural, electrical, mechanical, etc... engineers.
- Workshop drawings: further development of “for construction drawings”. Full details, dimensions, finishes and execution.
- As built drawings: drawings of the building after the construction phase, for later reference and maintenance.
Basic definitions:
- Title block: All info needed about the project (name, owner, contractor, architect …) in addition to the previous revisions. The title block defines when changes were made.
- Cloud: while revising , clouds are used to highlight changes.
Each cloud is specifically related to a revision (A,…)
- Grid lines: 2 axis basically (x-y) in order to define structural axis and areas.
Normally X-axis goes A-B-C-… and Y-axis goes 1-2-3-…
- Hatches: used to identify different types of material (block/column , concrete/glass )
- To indicate levels. We first need to establish benchmark (0,0) given by the municipality.
- Stairs: stairs’ direction is marked by an arrow pointing upward. Also steps are numbered.
- Name of the room + number : ie: KITCHEN / finishing specifications
Sections:
For the symbols with tails: Section cutting through the building.
For the symbols without the tail: perspective, you are standing on the circle and looking in the direction of the arrow
Paper standards:
Ranges from A0 to A8 .
For drawings we use A0 and A1 mainly.
Each time we fold in half we go up a number, ei A0 to A1
Introduction to tendering (PM)
Lecture by David Walton
General Procedural guideline for tenders:
Tendering is a very expansive procedure; however it is worth it if the objectives of tendering are achieved.
Objectives:
- The tendering process enables the employer to secure a suitable contractor to carry out the intended works at a competitive price.
- It provides a level platform for tenders to understand the requirements of the intended work and the various risks involved in carrying out the w orks before deciding on their tender price.
The Tender Process: It has been developed into a very comprehensive and complex procurement process. It often involves many steps and procedures. It is divided into many steps and must satisfy many conditions before parties are eligible to move to the next stage. The tender process taken is determined by the International Federation Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), followed by the U.A.E:
Presentation: LAB Architecture Studio (AM)
Presentation by Donald Bates
Main projects:
The first project was in Beijing/China.
The first built project was in Melbourne/Australia
China - Internal arrangements and cantilever floors (max span 4m). Every floor is different.
Dubai - Riyad: Never built. Office space. Architects decide to build 6 buildings.
Australia Federation Square consists of an open, tiled pedestrian area surrounded by a number of buildings that share the funky face of the one pictured here. Federation Square brings together a creative mix of attractions, including galleries, cinemas, restaurants, cafes, bars, two dedicated function centers, festivals. All the structure rests on isolation springs in order to reduce the vibration caused by the railway that exists under it.- Al Manara Villa: (20000 ft2) where cantilevers where used in order to create shadow.
In addition to that he spoke about other modern buildings in Riyad and in Abu Dhabi
This the federation square Australia conway
Concrete batch plant visit (AM)
Tour by Adel William, technical manager of RMB
Company profile:
The company was established in 1975, as Ready Mix Beton or RMB. It is developing very fast and was able to increase concrete strength from 20-30 N/m2 up to 100N/m2. The company covers most of the UAE and was able to provide up to 10000 m3/day in 2008 (before the crises). The company holds about 125 transit mixer.
There are two types of pumping:
- The mobile pumping is like a truck with a boom that can be directed to any structure.
- The stationary is a static more powerful pump.
Concrete properties and composition:
The unit weight is 2550Kg/m3
The main components of concrete are: Course, fine aggregates, cement, water and additives.
Cement can be replaced by fly-ash or GGBS (ground granulated blast furnace). These are bio-products thus minimizing the CO2 emission due to OPC (ordinary Portland cement).
Other additives:
- Micro-silica: To affect service life (around 7%)
- Superpozz: super fine fly-ash, high product of power coal plants.
These additives improve impermeability, water absorption and water durability.
Quality control:
Two tests are done daily on all the concrete assigned to different project and left as reference for the plant. Water content is also measured at different times in order to recalculate the volumes of water one should add to the mixture. Water to cement ration should be decreased for a higher strength. We should also increase admixtures.
Test cube size 15x15x15 cm3
Departments visited:
- Maintenance and mechanical workshop.
- Laboratory: trial mix machine / machine for water permeability testing.
- Curing tank at 20 degrees Celsius.
- RCP: measure the resistance of the concre te to chloride.
- Batching plant: where the mixture is done before distribution.
- Ice hopper room: this is where the ice is chopped and added to the mixture to maintain a relatively low temperature respecting water content of the concrete mix.
Introduction to tendering (part 2) (PM)
Lecture by David Walton
Procedural Guidelines:
- Pre-qualification questionnaire: Evaluated by the consultant including details of quality insurance, control and health and safety and environmental management gui delines. Formal invitation to submit a tender: The client/contractor will issue a formal request to a select list of contractors for expressions of interest to tender. It should be very clear and include a d escription of the project.
- Receipt of tender documents: instruction to tenderers, form of tender, form of agreement, BOQ, specs, drawings …
- Tender (Project) Brief details: Chief estimator of contrac tor prepares a document stating the nature of the project, the general details and the budget estimate.
- Checking the bills of quantities: Client chooses between lump sum or remeasurable contract. For lump sum a detailed BOQ should be provided making su re it is adequate for the contractor to price based on it.
- Floating enquiries for quotations: enquiries are floated for sub-contractors and suppliers to obtain competitive prices.
- Request for clarification: Any doubts or ambiguities should be forwarded to the consultants for clarification within a deadline.
- Request for an extension of tender submissio n date: usually considered if 2 or more contractors request an extension.
- Completion of basic bill of quantities: All costs of the contractor and the sub contractors should be listed, uplift (profit) should be added.
- Completion of other documents for the tender subm ission:
- List of proposed plant and equipment
- List of proposed sub-contractors and suppliers
- Key personnel
- Outline method statement
- Proposed manpower histogram
- Statement of site visit
- Outline safety plan
- Company quality policy statement
- Proposed site facility plan
- Preliminary program of work
- Completion of form of tender and submission of tender: The form should be completed by inserting the tender sum and the requested details.
- Construction planning:
- For good project management
- Coordinates the work of all parties
- Establishes a benchmark (quality, cost, …)
- Main objective to finish on time:
- Contract deadline
- Cost implication
Opportunity cost- Design results: continuous flow of work / redu ced amount of rework/ knowledge of project status
- Scheduling
- Types of schedule:
- Bar chart:
- Easy to build and follow, used for smaller projects
- Visual clarity, very good for presentation s
- Doesn’t show interrelationships
- Network Diagram:
- More complex projects
- Easy to combine activities relations a nd dura tion
- Activity on node and Activity on arrow are two ways of presentations while the AON is most common.
- Project General Documents:
- Guideline document that cover many aspects o f the project
- Prepared at the initial stage of each project by
PLD - Coordination and approval of PM
- Issues many copies (consultant, client, site manager,
PLD ….)
Content of Project General Document
- Temporary site facilities layout: General layout drawings that shows buildings, water tanks, cranes, generators, steel yard, carpentry and cabins
- Site organization chart & related staff CV’S
- General program of work: Summary of the program of wor ks
- Detailed program of works
- Estimated monthly & accumulative cash flow with “S” curve
- Monthly valuation breakdown: It is prepared by commercial people: breakdown activity show detailed values of things done.
- Labor requirement schedule time & graph histogram:
- Steel fixers: bar fixing
- Carpenter: form work
- Masons: tiling block work
- Helpers: clean …
- Histogram: Labor vs. Time
- List of proposed major subcontractors:
Usually MEP subcontractors are available on each site
There are 2 types of subcontractors:
Nominated subcontractors: consultant chooses them
Domestic subcontractors: contractor choose them
- Schedule of material submittal/approval/delivery dates:
- We should nominate subcontractors before time because if the material does not arrive at time it will cause a major delay. Some materials have a provisional sum (assumed sum) and others are P.C rates (not known price at the market).
- Schedule of civil drawings submittals: Subcontractors should finish the drawings to the head company that will show it to the consultant.
- List of plant and machinery: This will include the e quipments required to the project (bought, rent and borrowed equipments).
Week 2 Lectures
Cost Estimation and Pricing (Part 1)
Lectured by Mr. Naim Mohamed, Chief Estimator
Upon arrival to the office we were tested on the different subjects that we had learned throughout the first week. We then had lecture given by Mr. Naim Mohammad (Chief Estimator) that covered the first part of cost estimating and pricing. He talked about the different sections that make up a tender document, the bill of quantities and how to measure these quantities. The tender documents are made up of 7 sections which are listed below:
1. Instruction to Tenderes
2. Form of Tender and Appendix to Form of Tender
3. Condition of Contract
4. Bill of Quantities
5. Tender Drawings
6. Specifications
7. Miscellaneous Documents
We then covered the major divisions in the Bill of Quantities, which are listed below:
1. Preliminaries, i.e. Supervision Costs, Site Transport
2. Enabling Works, i.e. Piling Works, Shoring Works
3. Concrete Works, i.e. Substructure, Super-Structure
4. Masonry Works, i.e. Block Walls
5. Thermal & Moisture Resistance, i.e. Waterproofing
6. Timber Joinery, i.e. Timber Doors, Cabinets
7. Metal Works, i.e. Structural & Non-Structural
8. Finishes, i.e. Floor Finishes
9. Painting & Decorating, i.e. Internal & External Painting
10. Accessories, i.e. Partition Walls
11. Electro-Mechanical Works, i.e. Electrical & Mechanical Works
12. Vertical Transportation, i.e. Lifts
13. Fixtures & Equipment, i.e. Cleaning Cradle
14. Furniture, Fittings & Equipments (FF & E)
15. External works & Landscaping, i.e. Paving Works, Swimming Pool
In order to complete the BOQ (Bill of Quantities) we have to measure all the quantities that are provided to us by the consultant, so a quantity take off has to be done in order to confirm the values. Estimating for example how much concrete is need for columns, beams and slabs. All the items that are necessary to construct the project according to the tender document have to be measure to make sure that the consultant has made no error. In some cases the consultant or client will not allow any changes in the BOQ, so adding contingency for those quantities have to be taken into account.
Cost Estimation and Pricing (Part 2)
Presented by Mr. Naim Mohammad, Chief Estimator
Inquiries to Sub-Contractors & Suppliers:
These 4 documents should be enclosed with inquiries to obtain a proper quotation.
- Bill of Quantities
- Specifications
- Drawings
- Conditions of Contract
Some Major Sub-Contractor Items:
· Piling and Shoring Works
· De-Watering Works
· Waterproofing Works
· Timber Joinery
· Aluminum Glazing
· Structural Steel
· Suspended Ceiling
· Traffic Deck Coating
· MEP Works
· Lift Works, Garbage Chute, Cleaning Cradle
Some Major Supply Items:
· Concrete
· Reinforcement
· Block/Bricks
· Marble, Porcelain Ties
Unit Rate Analysis:
A – Direct Works:
-Unit rate analysis is required for all BOQ items except Sub-Contractor Works.
-Unit rates are usually composed of:
- Cost of labor required
- Material Cost
- Cost of Plan to be used
-Major items that require unit rate analysis:
1. Concrete Works
2. Reinforcement Works
3. Formwork
4. Block/Brick Works
5. Plaster Works
6. Tiling Works
7. Marble Works
B - Sub-Contractor Works:
Sub-Contract prices are directly used in the basic BOQ
C – In-direct Works (or Preliminaries):
These works are usually estimated according to:
- Supervision Costs
- Site Transportation Costs
- Site Facilities
- Office Expenditure
- Finance Charges
- Plant and Equipment
- Miscellaneous Costs
This is mainly dependant on the following:
- Duration of the project
- Staff required for the project
Preparation of Final BOQ for Tender Submission:
1. Compile the basic BOQ incorporating all prices obtained from sub-contractors, unit rates and preliminaries arrived.
2. Prepare a summary sheet for the complete Basic Cost
3. Decide on the overall profit, overhead and attendance required
4. Arrive at the final tender price
5. Uplift all unit rates, sub-contract prices, and preliminaries in the basic BOQ in an appropriate manner in order to reach the selling price
Construction Management (Part 1)
By Mr. Ian Harper, Contracts Director
First we had a discussion about what DCC does and how?
Construction management should be flexible. DCC’s system has been developed in the last 20 years. Any company that has good track record should have a certificate that shows that formalized business processes are being applied. This certificate is the ISO 9000; it is a family of standards for quality management systems.
In order to get good quality on site, there should be a good management.
The system of the company should be able to response to the contract document.
As for DCC, 40% of the work is with earlier clients.
DCC’s construction management team is generally comprised of:
- PM ( Project Manager)
- Construction manager
- Quantity surveyor
- MEP coordination engineer
- QA/QC engineer
- Safety & health engineer
- Planning engineer
Once the team is selected, the planning engineer and the project manager should review and finalize PGD (Project general document).this document is built by main contractors in accordance to DCC guidelines and includes information with regard to the implementation and execution of the work.
We should also think about the risks that we may face: escalation of price, labor availability …
Usually consultants over-design, because if the structure fails they will go to court.
DCC’s relation with their clients is special: they never use cheap materials because they will cost more maintenance for the client in the future.
In addition to that Mr. Ian talked about the role of the project director, the project engineer and the construction manager.
It is important that project manager and construction manager work as a team because it will lead to a successful project.
We also discussed how to create a construction management team:
1. We need to look at the drawings and the specifications of the project.
2. Pull out key elements.
3. We should look at the contract and the constraints of the project.
4. We need to find a leader that is able to lead the project.
5. From that we create a logical group that depends on the size of the project.
Construction Management (Part 2)
By Mr. Ian Harper, Contracts Director
In lecture today, we were supposed to think about the organization chart given a certain project scenario. We discussed ways in which the management of a site can be organized under normal circumstances or with low finances. We also discussed ISO 9000, a certification that is earned by establishing and using a good management system. Many of the clients in Dubai
Before heading home to Topaz Apartment Complex, Mr. Harper, who has lived in Jordan Syracuse Amman Petra
Delays, Disputes & Dispute Resolution
Lecture by Mr. Ian J. Harper, Contracts Director
The purpose of the lecture is to provide the students with generalized understandings of delays, disputes and dispute resolution in the construction industry.
To a large extent, the organization of the construction industry, the separation of design and construction, the different professional specializations involved with the construction process, are major factors that contribute to the conflict and disputes which pervade the industry. When two or more parties come together to built a structure or building it is inevitable that conflict will arise. We have the ability to identify the potential future disputes and conflicts on major projects and if realistic conditions of contract are used, such difficulties can be avoided or at least minimized.
Delays in the completion of a project can occur due to these three broad groups:
1. Delays caused by contractor: major factors are the delay in the arrival of materials and sometimes safety on site.
2. Delays caused by client: delay or failing in issue drawings or instructions on time, ordering changes and additional work, or failing to supply material on time.
3. Delays due to reasons outside the control of the parties: weather, economy crisis
Impact on Progress and Costs:
1. Reduced labor productivity due to disruption on site
2. Additional cost of labor and equipment resources required to recover the delay
3. Claims from subcontractors who have also been affected by the delay
4. Increased material costs due to the material cost escalation
5. Additional financing charges and extra payments to the consultant during the extended time period for completion
Mr. Ian also talked about the liquidated damages. This is a genuine pre-estimate of the damage that the employer might sustain in the event of late completion.
Damages could include:
- Loss of return on capital
- Professional costs
- Loss of income
- Extra costs of fluctuations
- Extra cost of other work (commissioning)
Extension of time:
Without an extension of time clause, neither the employer nor the engineer would have any power to extend the contract period. An extension of time is needed if the employer is to preserve his right to liquidated damages should he cause delay to completion by adding extra work or otherwise.
From a practical point of view, the extensions of time clauses are one of the most important provisions of the contract.
In addition to that we discussed claims dispute and methods of dispute resolution.
Under standard construction contracts, the word claim conveys the concept of additional payment or an extension of time that the contractor seeks. There are three types of claim: Contractual clams, common law claims and Ex Garcia claims.
When a claim is rejected and the rejection is not accepted by the claimant, it becomes a dispute. A single item dispute then generally develops to multi-item dispute. This may be because the project really does have a series of separate irreconcilable problems.
In order to solve the dispute there are three methods:
1. Negotiation: the two parties just try to solve the problem by talking to each others.
2. Litigation in the courts: the courts’ decision or judgment is binding and enforceable
3. Arbitration: it is only available to two parties who both agree to its use in preference to litigation. Once there is such agreement, one party cannot unilaterally defy it and litigate in respect of a dispute covered by that agreement. An arbitrators’ award, like a court judgment, is binding and enforceable.
The advantages of choosing arbitration are:
- The proceedings are conducted in private
- Choice of an arbitrator with specialist knowledge of the project matter
- Can be quicker and cheaper
- Relative lack of formality
- Exceedingly flexible procedure (venues, dates times etc)
- Rights of appealing an award are restricted
- Powers of an arbitrator can be expanded if both parties agree
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