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Chapter 1
Initial data
Chapter outline
1.1 The project (design) documentation
1.2 The bill of quantities and the bill of activities
1.3 Job descriptions and specifications
1.4 The contract conditions set out in the bidding invitation documents
1.5 The report of the construction site inspection
1.1 The project (design) documentation
For preparation of site management solutions and decision making, the following documents are necessary:
the layout of the plot of land (the construction site situation plan), on which buildings under construction, existing buildings (including those due to be demolished) and utility networks, roads, paths, courts and geodetic data (including contours) are indicated;
the plans and sections of buildings under construction;
the head-note stating the general description of the project, the data of the architectural solution and the geological and hydrogeological conditions of the site;
the list, location and capacity of existing utility networks, and those to be set up and demolished;
the results of the project site survey, for example the availability and location of quarries, sources for supplying the construction site with electricity and water, the throughput of roads and bridges and various other documents.
The completeness of these data depends largely on the level to which the client/owner has resolved the tasks relating to the project survey and design phases of construction. In the call for tenders, it is advisable for the client to present the basic design, rather than only a building scheme design (brief), and other data in relatively limited format.
Here and later, we presume that the design of a construction investment project is divided into the following design stages:
scheme design (brief), the basis of feasibility studies;
preliminary design, the basis for permission to build from local authorities;
basic design, the basis for construction works;
working drawings – the engineering solution for complicated assemblies, which can include technological instructions. 1.2 The bill of quantities andx the bill of activities
The bill of quantities should be an integral part of basic design and included in the bidding invitation documents (if the owner has ordered a bill in the contract to design). If a bill of quantities at the level of unit price is absent, then a bill by structural units and engineering facilities, with corresponding unit measures and physical capacities, must be used (part of the preliminary project). This list is called the bill of activities.
The contents of either the bill of activities or bill of quantities serve as the basis for assembly of the time schedule. If these bills are absent from the bidding invitation documents, they will be drafted by the construction company, ascertaining beforehand whether the client has any specific requirements for particular measurement instruction for the works, or for the classification of the construction costs presented in the bidding.
1.3 Job descriptions and specifications
Specifications are part of the bidding invitation documents, which need to be examined in order to determine their completeness; likewise, the client’s particular requirements relating to building material, machinery or the quality of building works, which may necessitate special building technology, and equally the client’s specific requirements concerning the storage or preparation of materials/products.
1.4 The contract conditions set out in the bidding invitation documents
Contract conditions might influence site expenses (deadline, duration of construction, design and building management, construction stages, restrictions on selection of subcontractors, etc.) and should be specified by the client in the bidding invitation documents.
1.5 The report of the construction site inspection
Before making the plan of the construction works and the calculations for bidding, one must become acquainted with the contract conditions, the project documentation, the bill of quantities and the bill of activities and specifications and undertake a site visit. The form of the land, its geological and hydrogeological conditions and the disposition of existing structures on the plot and in the vicinity might significantly influence the selection of building technology (including type, quantity and location of machinery on the site), the extent of construction costs (direct, as well as general, site-dependant costs), the duration of the construction and the probable risks. A representative of the client should also be present at the construction site inspection to answer any questions that may arise.
A report of the construction site inspection must be drafted, signed and dated. Photographs of the construction site will be added if necessary. Any questions in the report of the construction site inspection that require written answers should be included at this point. This handbook recommends using the following questionnaire. The bidder is free to add to the questionnaire depending on the project and on the conditions of the contract.
1) Access roads
- Are there any restrictions arising from the width, height or load-bearing capacity of access roads, bridges or overpasses?
- Could construction transport or machinery damage or litter the existing roads resulting in the need to pay compensation to the client, the local government or any third party?
- Is it necessary to access private premises in order to get to the construction site, and if so what would the costs be?
2) The conditions of construction site occupation
- Is it possible to use:
- the existing roads or the underlay of designed roads as temporary roads?
- existing sites to store materials and as set-aside ground reserves?
- What obstacles need to be dismantled (moved):
- above ground (piping, wiring, trees, etc.)?
- on the ground (piping, protected surfaces, etc.)?
- underground (drainage, piping, cabling, old foundations)?
- existing buildings and other structures?
- What is the situation with regard to:
- trees (do they need preservation and protection, do they obstruct the work of construction machinery, is it necessary to measure their height)?
- objects (of antiquity, architecture, nature) under preservation and are there any resulting restrictions?
- bodies of water (is there a possibility of altering the water levels, or is there a need for bridging)?
- What else needs to be done in the erection of temporary buildings and structures and construction site setup?
3) The boundaries of the construction site and adjacent areas
- What kind of buildings and trees surround the construction site and the property? Measure their height to ensure they will not obstruct the working radius of the crane. Do they need protection, and if so, how?
- Measure the distance of the building under construction from the construction site boundary or the existing buildings. Is it enough for the installation of lifting devices, movement of machinery and erection of scaffolding? Is it necessary to make any special arrangements (e.g. partial or complete closure of a road) in order to use the building technology planned?
- Ensuring the safety of outside staff or visitors:
- Is it necessary to ensure passage on site for vehicles and/or people not associated with construction? Does this require special measures, for example construction of temporarily covered walkway in the danger area (crane, hoist and/or scaffolding)?
- Is it necessary to build a temporary pavement and temporarily covered walkway on the fencing of the construction site?
- Are there any kindergartens, schools, playgrounds in the adjacent area? What measures ar...
