21/02/2018
Don't build your house on sand! Mathew 7:24-27 Having been an Engineer for more years than I care to remember I quite often refer back to old design standards, but being of the secular persuasion I can’t think of a time when reading a technical publication a parable has popped into my head. However just such an enlightened moment occurred whilst reading Structural Timber Magazine during my commute this morning.
For those who haven't read STMAG, it is a glossy publication advising of all that is good in the world of timber construction and specifically in this mornings articles off site construction for new homes.
Modular homes are quite clearly not the terrapin type buildings that I was educated in when our school ran out of class rooms, they are quite elegant, stylish, luxurious and as the guys selling these point out, economic, without the time uncertainty that comes with on site build, also with exceptional energy certification credentials. Great I hear you all say, but buyer, project manager an Engineer beware!
From my personal experience I note that many of the companies I have dealt with step away from the responsibility of designing the foundations for their creations. They are very good at producing Sketchup or other glossy representations to get the client or inexperienced project manager on the hook, without having a due regard and concern for providing key information at the appropriate time such as the structural stability or gravity load foundation demands that their frames require.
During one recent outing down this path, our client company / project manager promised the developer the foundation design from us by the end of the week. A sanity check of the loading plans we were given to review clearly showed that no lateral wind/sway loads had not been considered, and on further protracted enquiry (the timber frame supplier being in contract with the developer and not us) it was found that the demands where for earlier house types and not even the ones proposed to be supplied now!
Reading through this journal a well-used phrase was “Fabric First” and this was clearly being stated as a way of providing energy efficiency and reduced whole life costing. Taking an all encompassing approach to building I feel I must point out that it is always “Foundations First!” – your modular building however robust it is when it leaves the factory will be far from energy efficient when it cracks and distorts on unsuitable foundations.
To conclude and referring to a much more recent reference the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015 the role of the Designer (which these outfits are - as the designers of the modular units) My experience is that some timber frame and modular unit suppliers are failing to discharge their responsibilities with regard to the above as follows.
v Failing to notify / check that the client is aware of their responsibly – which is to “Make suitable arrangements for managing the project…sufficient time and resources are allocated… relevant information is prepared and provided to other duty holders”
v Cooperate with others who have a responsibilities…etc, etc,
v Take into account the general principles of prevention when carrying out their design work – (which if it is an incomplete design they haven’t)
v Provide information about the risks arising from their design – (which if it is an incomplete design they haven’t)
v Co-ordinate their work with that of others in order to improve the way in which risks are managed and controlled!
