Sustainability, Environment And Construction Technology

Students studying this unit will apply their knowledge of the construction process in relation to the evaluation, investigation and analysis of land for construction.

Students will apply skills in the application of environmental, social and economic- related processes (the ‘Triple Pillars of Sustainability’) necessary in achieving a sustainable development. Further to this, students will develop skills in site investigation, which will determine various forms of foundation, substructure and superstructure, to enable the construction of low rise (and commercial buildings).

Students will identify opportunities to enhance and improve standard building practices and propose innovative solutions.

The students will also compare and contrast construction techniques and use of materials.

• To advance students with a range of both theoretical and practical knowledge related to sustainability-related issues and construction techniques, including behaviour and use of materials.
• To consider and provide guidance with reference to an existing building, and to appropriately propose a new one, identifying methods of construction by which the building could reduce its impact on the environment, benefit society and enhance its economic performance.
• To specify materials and the most appropriate methods of construction for a new project.
• To apply skills and knowledge in the investigation, analysis and evaluation needed in site investigation for building projects.
• To identify solutions to issues that may arise on-site that would affect the building process. This can include land contamination, types of soils, water and chemicals and any associated earthworks that may be required and materials used in construction of substructure.

Academic And Computer Skills, Health And Safety

This unit introduces the key transferable skills required within academic environments and construction industries.

It provides students with the tools and strategies to improve their own learning and performance, grounding for their own continued personal development, and enables them to develop personal approaches to study by overcoming weaknesses and building on strengths.

Transferable core skills, such as those concerning written and oral communication, and specialist software packages, provide a foundation for continual learning and in helping the student to face a series of choices in work/education/training throughout life. Such skills will be broadly contextualised within a construction context, to enable students to apply to practical fields of interest.

Students will examine professional requirements around ethics, equality and diversity, and the need for commitment to these in-line with professional codes of practice.

Further to this, with the construction industry remaining a dangerous environment to work in, this unit enables students to apply and implement the appropriate knowledge and skills in order to ensure a safe and healthy working environment.

• To introduce and develop the concept of transferable core skills to students and to demonstrate their importance within the construction industries.
• To apply skills and knowledge towards the production of reports and presentations, and to identify hazards in the workplace (including the production of risk assessments and monitoring arrangements).
• To apply research skills to produce reports on the students’ understanding and use of health and safety legislation as it applies to the working environment.
• To develop skills towards the production of reviews, evaluations and monitoring reports of the effectiveness of current health, safety and welfare policies by historic analysis, investigation and evaluation.

Introduction To Construction Economics

This unit introduces key principles of economics within the UK construction industry to the students. This includes an overview of the main theories and practices, and facilitates an understanding of the wider market forces, economic activities and local and national government policies, which influence UK construction and the built environment.

• To describe the key economic principles within the construction industry.
• To explain the application of economic principles and their significance to the construction industry.
• To identify and understand business operation and commercial risk within the construction industry.
• Understand the size and economic significance of the work carried out by different sectors.
• To understand the importance of project planning, resourcing and pricing.

Project Development And Building Control

This unit introduces the principles of project development, the building control process and its relation to design/construction, and the project brief within the context of the client’s needs. This unit provides the necessary background for operating effectively in the employee development area. It also introduces the student to the building control process and the role of quality and inspection within the overall building process.

The student requires the knowledge and understanding to be able to ensure that the construction process meets the standards of building control, and identify any quality issues through inspection and rectification, and their relationship with the appropriate training.

The student needs to:

• Apply this knowledge and understanding to a range of different project scenarios.
• Demonstrate an understanding of project development, planning design processes, project briefs and identification of the client’s needs.
• Evaluate the role of building control and the legislation associated with the building process in relation to quality.
• Reviewed the interpretation of the regulations and the issues that could potentially affect a construction project.
• Interpret the impact on a construction project of failing to meet the requirements of building control (and poor quality control procedures) in relation to compliance and commissioning.

Project Management And Cost Control For Site Managers