The M&E within: are Britain's clients paying too much for over-engineered building services?

Article Abstract:

Construction clients are likely to spend over 8 billion pounds sterling on mechanical and electrical (M&E) services during 1996. A report by the Building Services Research and Information Association shows that dramatic savings can be made on services costs through the use of German, French and US construction industry practices. The report found that UK services are over-engineered by as much as 50%, with speculative office developers the main culprits. In the US regulations provide seven ductwork classifications compared to three in the UK, and French and German engineers design systems with lower pressure rates than in the UK.

Services

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Flaw plan: close control of the design brief and careful wording in specifications might lead to fewer defects in design-and-build construction

Article Abstract:

Research from the Building Research Establishment shows that 29% of all construction defects are in design and build (D&B) buildings. also the University of Reading has called for quality of the end product as an aspect of D&B procurement to be addressed. Clients should be specific about their requirements, and design briefs should be controlled carefully. Wording of specifications is important and quality control can be retained through using D&B only on the shell and core of a building.

Standards

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Shell shock: It may come as a surprise, given Sir Norman Foster's criticism of D&B, that his practice is now working on its first D&B project in the UK

Article Abstract:

Foster and Partners, architects, are involved in the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre building, based on a design, manage and construct contract, its first design and build (D&B) contract. Foster is attempting to retain its design integrity although budget restraints have led to the downgrading of some internal finishes. The building is an armadillo shaped structure with the concrete walled auditorium covered by an oval dome.

Design and construction, Convention facilities, Convention centers

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