Compliance and Monitoring

For many projects effective sign-off at completion requires evidence that the project meets critical performance standards – to provide BREEAM Credits, to meet BB83 or BS 8233 as well as Planning Conditions. To provide this evidence will usually require not only the application of Test Risk Management strategies (see above) and Pre-completion Testing but also design change / specification monitoring during and after the main design phase as well as ongoing compliance monitoring during the construction of the project, including critical stage inspections. These integrated services can prove the keys to project success.

As part of Compliance & Monitoring, we can provide...

BB93 Compliance Design, Guidance, Monitoring and Compliance Testing

Whilst compliance with BB93 is not yet required in Scotland under the Building Standards (it is in England and Wales) nevertheless most schools designs are predicated upon basic compliance with BB93 performance standards albeit with derogations of some requirements with Client agreement.

BREEAM Design Guidance and Compliance - Office, Schools, Dwellings

To earn the credits provided by BREEAM in relation to noise and acoustical issues requires, as an absolute, that the appointment of an Acoustic Consultant is at a sufficiently early stage to influence basic design strategies. This will then facilitate effective involvement throughout the project and enable control of internal acoustics, sound insulation, background noise and noise breakout and impacts upon neighbours using Test Risk Management strategies throughout the project design and development.

Monitoring and Performance Audits

CSP Acoustics can assist with all aspects of performance standards monitoring including checking compliance with Planning Conditions for operations of processes and plant. Whereas on most projects monitoring and compliance with Planning Conditions is carried out by the relevant Local Authority with increasing pressure on Local Authority resources there are now opportunities for Planning Conditions to require monitoring of compliance to be carried out by the operator’s consultants and reports to be periodically submitted to the Local Authority.

Sound Insulation Test Risk Management

For most clients and constructors the risk of pre-completion sound insulation test failure will be a matter of considerable concern given that release dates and cash flow could all be seriously jeopardised by failure. Clients, designers, and constructors will also be concerned that the costs and time to remedy any causes of test failure could be considerable – even if it were readily possible to identify, and subsequently rectify the causes of such failures. Accordingly it will be in everyone’s interest to ensure that during design and construction all that can be (reasonably and practically) done to minimise risk of test failure will be done and so reduce the exposure of all parties to this risk and its consequences.

In our view a Test Risk Management strategy should be considered and adopted by all involved at the inception of a project and this strategy then implemented from start to finish of the design and construction process. This risk management process should begin in the early stages of design and include strategies for ensuring optimal attention to sound insulation requirements during design, design change and construction especially where work is being carried out on existing building stock and / or where non-standard details are being developed and used.

The essential elements of this strategy are shown below – and more details for each element can be found in the “CSPA Test Risk Management” (download).

Client and Project Team at Project Inception – All involved need to recognise that test failure could be a major problem and take steps to implement a Test Risk Management process from design through to completion and testing.
Consider What Could Go Wrong – And recognise that briefing, concept designs, detailed designs, construction and workmanship issues could all affect outcomes. There will be a need therefore to consider the implications of a whole range of risk related issues and to agree with the Client and Project Team how each risk will be identified, assessed, minimised and managed, and by whom, for each project.
Implement a Test Risk Management Strategy during Construction – Including planning for stringent checks on developing and finalised designs (especially where details vary from Example Constructions); developing a remedial construction strategy to be incorporated into designs (for use in the event of test failure) and agreeing on-site checking procedures at an early stage.
Consider critical design issues – Especially important at early design stages before ‘problems’ are built into agreed ‘solutions’.
Before Construction Work Commences – Arranging for tool-box talks and critical stage inspections and procedures to ensure that design / specification changes do not adversely affect sound insulation / performance.
Making Early Arrangements for Testing – to ensure that testers are available when required:
- Provide Contractor with Testing Checklist – so that all that has to be completed is complete before testers arrive on site.
- In the Event of Test Failure(s) – it will be necessary to try to establish the cause(s) of failure(s); consider the extent of the problem(s) and how much remedial action is required and then carry out remedial work and arrange for retesting

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Don't let compliance be jeopardised.

If you have, or are likely to have, a compliance requirement with your project contact us now to discuss the whole project implications.

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