Progress mark 2

Comparing old and new building regulations

1 The difference between the old and the new National Building Regulations are the addition of part X a new regulation that dials with energy efficiency in buildings. Although most architects have not using it the government is now forcing us to accommodate the buildings with energy efficiency. This section is being introduced and needs to be complied by from the 10^th of April 2012. Section A of X more commonly known as XA deals with energy efficiency within the building in the form of heat retention and loss. This will affect our way of thinking, design process even up the materials we use. The layout of building will be very important in the each area they are built for each area has its own rate of heat absorption. Not to long from now we are expected to have calculations of how energy efficient the buildings we create are. The chapters of XB, which will deal with water, and XC, which will deal with recycling, has not come into affect yet.

With the changers in regulations there are changers in the application forms for city council submission as well. The changers were to the new SANS 10400 A form 1 and the Architectural Compliance Certificate such as the sensitivity scale that asks questions on the environmental impact of the building.

What is the role of the Architect?

2 The duties and responsibilities of an architect are to see that the client’s needs are met and that the building can structurally stand with that design and for what it is going to be used for, as well as seeing to the building process from start to finish. With the cooperation of other professionals such as engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors throughout the process till completion of building. The architect is also the person that runs the project acting as the link between all the professionals and the client and sorting out the updates to client from all professionals as well as see to the site meetings and other responsibilities.

What is understood by the following TERMS?

Tender documents

3a Tender documents are all the information needed for the construction of a building that is given tendered to a contractor for the construction of that building. They may contain the outlined time for building construction and the approved council construction drawings.

When the design process is complete in all areas being it client’s happiness and readiness of plans for council submission as well as the approved plans. Through these steps there may be some amendments down the line from the original plan and may need changers to them. Once all the council submissions are completed an architect then must see to the completion of the tender drawings and documents. Once done the documents need to be set up for tenders and contractors to quote on the buildings construction. The tender drawings will form the basis of any quotes and will be the legally binding document for all the building development from start of construction. With this documents no mistakes can be made for with any mistake will costs money and some buildings can cost clients thousands if there are any mistake.

Bill of Quantities

3b Bills of quantities are the documents that contain the information on the cost of all that is needed for the construction of a building like the cost of materials and labor all done by a quantity surveyor. It may contain a list of all the materials needed, quantities of the materials needed and labour required as well as professional fees for any professionals that is required for the construction process to be completed. All this will come to an estimate amount and may change as the construction goes on like if the client changers their mind on the design of one thing or more they’re for changing the original cost amount.

Signing of contracts

3c Signing of contracts will be drawn up by the person sorting out all the terms and dealing with all the professionals. This will contain all the documents such as the bill of quantities and all the drawings required for completion of work and specifications needed for completion of building. Once all documents formed they will be signed by the necessary professionals and the land owner giving the permission to start construct the building in the terms they set out for in the documents provided as well as any other details the land owner or company has specified to professionals working on construction.