ANSWERS
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Question 1:
Who are the key professionals in the building industry?
Answer:
The key professionals in the building industry are:
1. Architects
2. Structural Engineers
3. Quantity Surveyors
4. Mechanical Engineers
5. Electrical Engineers
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Question 2:
What are the duties of an Architect?
Answer:
The duties of an Architect include:
1. Designing the building based on the client’s brief.
2. Coordinating the activities of other professionals in the building industry.
3. Certifying interim valuations prepared by the Quantity Surveyor.
4. Preparing the certificate of practical completion for a successfully executed project.
5. Preparing certificates for contractor payments.
6. Supervising the design prepared by them.
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Question 3:
What is the role of a Structural Engineer?
Answer:
The Structural Engineer is responsible for:
1. Designing the structural elements of the building to withstand dead and live loads.
2. Supervising their design.
3. Ensuring the contractor follows the design as originally planned.
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Question 4:
List the duties of a Quantity Surveyor.
Answer:
The duties of a Quantity Surveyor include:
1. Preparing approximate cost estimates in the early stages of project formulation.
2. Preparing cost planning at the design stage.
3. Preparing Bills of Quantities (BOQ) for projects.
4. Examining tenders and preparing tender reports for contract awards.
5. Preparing interim valuations for contractor payments.
6. Advising the client on contractor claims.
7. Preparing the final account for the project.
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Question 5:
What are the responsibilities of a Mechanical Engineer in the building industry?
Answer:
The Mechanical Engineer:
1. Designs mechanical installations (e.g., sanitary systems, lifts, water supply) and supervises them.
2. Guides the Quantity Surveyor on cost implications of mechanical works.
3. Advises the client on cost implications of the design.
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Question 6:
What are the responsibilities of an Electrical Engineer in the building industry?
Answer:
The Electrical Engineer:
1. Designs electrical installations (e.g., domestic/industrial wiring) and supervises them.
2. Guides the Quantity Surveyor on cost implications of electrical works.
3. Advises the client on cost implications of the design.
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Question 7:
What is the difference between BEME and BOQ?
Answer:
The differences are:
1. Prepared by: BEME is prepared by engineers, while BOQ is prepared by Quantity Surveyors.
2. Detail: BOQ is more detailed than BEME.
3. Items: BEME has scanty items, whereas BOQ includes many items.
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Question 8:
What are the purposes of the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME)?
Answer:
The purposes of BEME include:
1. Serving as a basis for contractor tendering.
2. Providing a detailed list of building components for material ordering and labor assessment.
3. Serving as a basis for interim valuations and variations.
4. Assisting in cost analysis and planning.
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Question 9:
Describe the traditional method of preparing a Bill of Quantities.
Answer:
The traditional method involves two main steps:
1. Taking Off: Reading/scaling dimensions from drawings and entering them on dimension paper, which includes:
– Column 1 (Threading): For multiplying figures.
– Column 2 (Dimensions): For actual dimensions.
– Column 3 (Squaring): For calculating areas/volumes.
– Column 4 (Description): For item descriptions.
2. Working Up: Squaring dimensions and transferring results to an abstract sheet for logical arrangement before finalizing the BOQ.
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Question 10:
What is “billing direct,” and how does it differ from the traditional method?
Answer:
Billing Direct skips the abstracting step by transferring dimensions directly into the BOQ, saving time and money. Unlike the traditional method (which involves abstracting), this streamlined approach reduces tedium but may require careful oversight to avoid errors.
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