“Good Industry Practice”

In relation to standards, practices, methods, and procedures, the RIBA Plan of Work has seven clearly defined stages that follows a structured process with defined outcomes and expectations.

Set out below is a high-level summary of the RIBA Plan across each of the seven stages, which is good industry practice. VBSL follow the RIBA plan for its work.

• Stage 1: Preparation and Briefing

Project Brief and budget approved by the client along with initial project set up

• Stage 2: Concept Design

Concept approved by client and aligned with project brief.

• Stage 3: Spatial Coordination

Architectural and engineering information spatially coordinated – this is not detailed co-ordination of lighting in ceiling for example, but that the services will fit into the building.

• Stage 4: Technical Design

All design information required to manufacture, and construct the project completed – this excludes construction, co-ordination and installation drawings and the like, these are RIBA 5 works.

• Stage 5: Manufacturing and Construction

Manufacturing construction and commissioning completed – this includes construction drawings, co-ordination and installation drawings subject to scope i.e. this may be done by a contractor or the consultant subject to appointment.

• Stage 6: Handover

Building handed over, aftercare initiated, and Building Contract concluded

• Stage 7: Use

Building used, operated, and maintained efficiently.

The above stages in their full format provide clear definitions of what is required for completion before the next stage commences. Further information can be found here, https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/resources-landing-page/riba-plan-of-work.

On most projects RIBA stages 4 and 5 will overlap. For clarity VBSL expectation is that the design phase is completed at stage 4 and is at a point where a contractor can price for the works as well as take that design and develop it for construction. It is worth noting that construction and installation drawings are produced at Stage 5 unless otherwise agreed, and in most circumstances completed by the appointed contractor.

At Stage 4, products are selected for a design, for example, boilers and radiators are selected to meet a designed heating requirement and pipes are sized and selected to carry a designed flow rate. The opportunity to raise queries against a design is at stages 1-4 either during the design stage or during tender. It is quite normal for design queries to be confused with product selection queries.

Once the project moves to Stage 5, subject to agreed scope, our involvement at this level is to resolve queries from site. It is at this stage that the client and /or contractor can propose alternative products than those selected at the design stage. For example, provided the design remains the same, an alternative boiler or radiator can be proposed/selected so long as it meets the designed heating requirement. Or for example alternative EV Charging devices can be proposed. This is not a design change, but final product selection that does not compromise the design – otherwise this can then lead to a design change and re-design.

To further set out industry normal practice with regards to design definitions, the Association of Consulting Engineers sets out designer schedules of services, which are commonplace within the industry and good/normal practice; they also set clear definitions for levels of design and installation drawings. These definitions form part of VBSL process as they are normal industry guidance and are detailed below.

Sketch Drawings

Line diagrams and layouts indicating basic proposals, locations of main items of plant, routes of main pipes, air ducts and cable runs in such detail as to illustrate the incorporation of the engineering services within the Project as a Whole.

Detailed Design Drawings

These are defined as; Drawings showing the intended locations of plant items and service routes in such detail as to indicate the design intent. The detailed design drawings will not indicate the precise position or location of services, but it should be feasible by using them to install the engineering service with the general routes indicated. It should be possible to produce co-ordination drawings without a major re-routing of those services.

Detailed design drawings are not therefore, in good/normal industry practice, co-ordination or installation drawings and, subject to agreed scope, are not specifically included or expected within a stage 4 design.

Builders Work Information

Drawings and/or schedules normally prepared by the Consultant to show the provisions required to accommodate the Works which significantly affect the design of the building structure fabric and external works. Such drawings and/or schedules should include requirements for foundations, bases and supporting structures for plant and equipment.

Schematic Drawings

Drawings defining the interconnection of components in a complex system. The Schematic Drawings may be two dimensional layouts to show the distribution of the system between building levels and/or isometric style layouts. The Schematic Drawings should include all functional components which make up the system and should be labelled with appropriate pipe, cable and duct sizes.

Tender Documents

Drawings and other documentation as appropriate to the agreed procurement method prepared to enable those tendering to interpret the design for the Works and to submit a tender for executing all or any part of the Works.

Installation Drawings

These are defined as; drawings based on ‘Tender Documentation’ and /or ‘coordination drawings showing details of proposals by contractors or sub-contractors for the execution of the works. The installation drawings will be in such detail as to enable the works to be installed.

Coordination Drawings

Drawings showing the inter relationship of 2 or more engineering services and their relation to the structure and architectural details. Such drawings should be provided to a scale of not less than 1:100 unless otherwise agreed and to be prepared in such detail as to demonstrate that the engineering services will be properly separated from one another and can be satisfactorily installed and maintained.

Unless agreed otherwise, VBSL do not include installation and/or coordination drawings, but may independently choose, if deemed necessary, to provide design intent clarifications to assist with installation and/or coordination drawings.

Given the above standard industry information, VBSL’s design and VBSL’s design approach is reflective of good/normal industry practices.

The definitions above, adhere to the RIBA plan, ACE definitions and NEC PSA’s and clearly set out what Good Industry Practice is during all phases of works.