Page 213 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

Chapter 4 Planning and supervision

The clerk of works KEY TERM

Appointed by the architect, the clerk of works (CoW) – also referred to as the Multi-disciplinary approach:
project manager – is the architect’s representative on-site. They ensure that using skills from other
the building is constructed in accordance with the drawings, while maintaining professions or trades to
quality at all times. This includes checking the standard of the work and overcome problems outside
the normal scope of your skill
the quality of the materials. The CoW will make regular reports back to the set, trade or profession to
architect as work progresses, and will also keep a diary in case of any disputes, reach satisfactory solutions,
make any necessary notes on the weather and note any stoppages. conclusions or outcomes.
On large sites, the CoW will be a resident member of the management
team, while on smaller sites they will visit only periodically.

The local authority
The local authority has overall responsibility for ensuring that all works
carried out conform to the requirements of the relevant planning and building
regulations. They may also show interest in site health and safety in co-
operation with the HSE. They employ the following people.

l Planning officer: they are responsible for processing planning applications, p Figure 4.2 The clerk of works
listed building consent applications, conservation area consent applications
and advising on planning issues.
l Building control officer: responsible for ensuring that regulations connected
with public health, safety, energy conservation and disabled access are met.
They work to the Building Regulations. A building control officer’s job involves:
l checking plans and details of new constructions and alterations of
existing buildings
l regular inspections of work in progress to ensure that the construction
work is in accordance with the Building Regulations
l management of buildings and structures identified as being in a ACTIVITY
dangerous condition Who is the local authority
l management of the demolition of derelict buildings in your area? Check out
l management of improved access to buildings for people with disabilities its website and see what
services it offers to the
l guidance and advice on all types of buildings and constructional problems construction industry.
outside of Building Regulations control.

The building contractor and their employees

In this section, we will examine the role of the building contractor and the
members of the team directly employed by them.

The building contractor will enter into a contract with the client to carry out the
work in accordance with the drawings, the Bill of Quantities and the specification.
Every contractor develops their own methods of pricing and tendering for the
work and, depending on the size of the job, this will determine the company’s
staff requirements.
The building contractor will employ specialists within the construction industry
to undertake certain key roles. These include those listed in Table 4.1.

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