PSS

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http://cmcharlton.carbonmade.com/projects/4271495#1



PROGRESS MARK 2
Compiled for: Desmond Jackson

Comparing the OLD and NEW SANS Building Regulation
After Belgium introduced an energy conservation amendment to their regulations, it has had an international knock on effect. Now, South Africa has adopted our version of these ‘‘guidelines’’. It falls into Section X of the SANS 10400. This section aims to conserve the amount of energy used by the building through the design of the structure. This is a very controversial subject as these regulations hold the architect fully accountable if the design and calculations do not comply with the XA regulations. Although Section X is a great initiative and needs to be implemented in this day and age, most professionals in the industry are unhappy with it. This is because the Regulations limit the design aspect, e.g. (windows sizes need to comply with room sizes and so forth.) it also insists that further calculations need to be adhered to which means additional forms need to pass to through council. Below are a few amendments to Section A thus to adhere to section X.

The amendments to section A;
A7       (Layout Drawings)
(M)      In the event of a water heating system installation, the location and capacity of the water heating system must be provided.
(N)       Where provided, details of insulation are required to satisfy the energy requirements of section XA.
A19 (1)          (Competent Persons)
(C)        The requirements of section XA are satisfied by a competent person in accordance with SANS 10400 XA
A19 (12)
(C)        Where regulation XA is satisfied by a competent person in accordance with the requirements of SANS 10400 Part XA, the competent person who is responsible for such determination shall on completion of the construction and commissioning of the building submit to the local authority a fully completed Form 4 as contained in SANS 10400 – A.

Section X
Section X as mention previously was solely implemented to regulate energy efficiency within the process of building a structure and to ensure the final structure is ‘‘empathetic’’ to the conservation of energy. Overall this section will strengthen the movement to green alternative in South Africa and hopefully making an impact on conserving energy globally.

A1       (Energy Usage in Buildings)
Buildings being occupied shall be designed and constructed so that buildings;
(A)       are capable of using energy efficiently while still fulfilling its requirements
(B)       have features and services which facilitate the efficient use of energy

A2
States 50% of hot water heating must be provided by means other than electrical resistance heating, this includes solar heating, heat pumps, heat recovery from other systems or processes and renewable combustible fuels.
However the Requirements of the above A1 regulations fall away if the building is designed to be self sufficient in terms of energy efficiency.
 


The role of an Architect, (with regards to duties and responsibilities)

A brief description/definition of an architect is a person who designs spaces for habitation.

However, the role of an architect in reality is much more complicated than that. Architects have a vast variety of duties and responsibilities within the work place. Although this depend on what the architect has been contracted to do!

Once qualified as an architect, a professional should have the knowledge to perform the following duties and responsibilities;

·         Visualize clients wants and needs spatially
·         Create aesthetically pleasing environments in context to surroundings
·         Prepare conceptual experiences for clients e.g. (conceptual sketches,model,3D renderings etc) and be able to sell the idea to the client
·         Experiment and research options in terms of concepts, material, and historical precedents.
·         Create local authority drawings
·         Be able to measure and survey area
·         Manage a team on and off site
·         Be able to manage a project
·         Create working drawings
·         Understand materials and specifications and implement this in detailing
·         Corresponding with other professionals within the built environment
·         Understanding and completing paperwork
·         Need to understand current economics and create, run and manage a business with long and short term aspects in mind.

The list goes on; in essence an architect is solely responsible for the process of all aspects within the project. Thus he/she needs to have an understanding of every aspect of the construction and processes of the project to manage it successfully.



Tender Documents

A tender document is an agreement between multiple parties in terms of services to be done over a certain period. E.g. an architect would have multiple tender documents with different companies for the services they do towards the development and construction of a building. These tenders will have quoted prices. The documents are then presented to the client who will approve one or more for the work. This is normally the companies which offer the best value for money. This decision is advised by the architect to reach a safe selection. A letter is then created by the architect to inform the companies that did or did not receive the tender.
This is all done in writing to help the architect if a legal dispute occurs. A tender document only comes into play once the client is happy with the design it has passed through local authority standards and regulations.  The documents may include many subcategories, such as;
·         Tender Procedures
·         Returnable Documents
·         Forms of Guarantee
·         Pricing Data
·         Scope of Work
·         Site information
·         Advertised Tender Date
·         Closing Date and Time



Bill of Quantities

A bill of quantities is a document provided by a quantity surveyor, in which a tally of all materials is evaluated to an estimate cost. This is to work within the budget of the client. If the cost is too high, a meeting is to be set up with the client explaining the process, a decision is met by either agreeing with the cost or changing materials or designs to work within the budget. A quote to for labour is normally included in the bill of quantities.

This should give the client a good estimate of the total cost of the project. Normally a small leeway is given to as a ‘‘back up’’ fund to tap into in the case of incidents which are not planned for. This once again is used to cover the architect and help the project run smoothly without delays regarding finance. This fund is normally added to the commission for the architect.



Singing of Contracts

Before the commencement of construction a contract between the architect and the builder is drafted. This legally binds the builder to the terms and conditions within the contract. An example of a clause in such a contract would be that the builder will be fined a predetermined amount for every day the project runs over its deadline. Once again this legally protects the architect from possible problems with the builders or companies working on site. Once the final stages of the building are completed and the client and architect are happy with the final result the architect will issue an official document which will conclude the original contract between the builder and the architect. Thereafter it is very hard to take any legal action again the builders unless an agreement in the previous contract has been broken.

The architect and clients signature must be on every drawing thus legally binding all parties to the project. Thereafter the architect will oversee and sign any changes on plans to make alterations from the original plan official.










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