REFLECTION TOPIC 3: CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

In this reflection topic, I will be identifying and discussing parts of a completed major integrated project work (MIP) that would have fallen into the perspective categories of a construction documentation, done by a previous advanced diploma student from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). The perspective categories are as follows

•Preparation of working drawings and specifications

•Monitoring the documentation process against time and cost plans

•Checking of documents for compliance with statutory requirements

•Co-ordination of subcontractors documentation

•Co-ordination of contract drawings and specifications

The above drawings are identified as the construction working drawing that are prepared by designers, which are later then given or passed down to the construction team to enable a project to be constructed. These drawings provide information such as dimensions, graphical information that is used by contractors to construct the works or by suppliers to assemble or install components, there drawings fall under the category of working drawings and specifications. Working drawings include dimensions, specifications, title block, symbols and it is important that working drawings are structured carefully and have clear and precise information so it is easy for contractors to understand.

Documentation in a design project is extremely important as it is a tool that gives information of, who created them, what they are for in order to avoid confusion and mistakes throughout the project. It is also very important to use electronic systems for document control as these are ultimate machines that name, track, retrieve and share documents. the above documents fall under the category of monitoring the documentation process against time and cost plans. Documentation control in a project is to observe project execution so that if there is any problem or issues that occurs, it can be identified immediately and corrective action can be taken. The project is at all times observed and measured regularly against time, project and cost plan to ensure that the project is within acceptable variances of cost, schedule and scope, and there are no risks.

Checking of documents for compliance with statutory requirements refers to the legal framework within which the company needs to operate, these obligations are imposed by law. The legal framework or documents include some of the mentioned items below:

• clear clarification of contracts and appointment documents, this is the breakdown of whose responsibilities it is to satisfy a statutory obligation and whose is bearing the risks of failure if complications arise in a design project.

•The building regulations

•The planning and compulsory purchase act

•Health and safety regulations

Co-ordination of subcontractors documentation; in this process a contractor is in charge of giving work to the subcontractor, as they are the ones who co-ordinate a meeting attended by a client to retrieve comments and changes made at the end of the previous stage, and to discuss procedures and the program for each stage. These drawings are seen in a process where a contractor passes such drawings to a sub-contractor to perform a specific task to do as part of an overall project. A Subcontractors work is to deal with uncertainties in the construction market, and allows this to reduce operating costs and increase competitiveness. The process of how a subcontractor fits into a project and what categories they fall under is they provide services such as electrical, heating, ventilation, electrical and many other services in a project.

Co-ordination of contract documentation with subcontractors is seen as a rule of using less advanced documentation, but more of creating goodwill collaborative working relationships with their clients and business partners. Their documents include some of the mentioned examples below:

•Approved change order, which is the document that shows changes made, and the cost associated with the change

•Schedule of vales, which is the breakdown of items of work on the project

•Subcontractors invoice, this provides detailed information of work they have completed, costs and outstanding balance.

Co-ordination of contract drawings and specifications fall under construction drawing which is a term used to form part of a production information package that is included into tender or technical documentation and the contractor co-ordinates the submitted tender ,that is then followed by the contract documents for the construction works. The contractor is in charge of selecting the appointed specialist contractors to assist in preparation of the technical design and organises payments and approval procedures. Specification in a construction drawing play a huge role of detailing the materials, standards and techniques that will be used to carry out the works, as they take priority over the drawings.