Job Book 9th Edition - Book - Page 270
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Stage 5 > Construction: Supplementary Material: 5/SM7
5/SM7: Site inspections
These are visits by the architect (as designer) to observe and comment on the
contractor’s site supervision and examples of work at intervals appropriate to the
stage of construction. This is periodic inspection, which should be carried out to
the extent determined by the nature of the work, and as agreed with the client in
the appointing document. However, it should be noted that there is an obligation
(reinforced by case law) for construction professionals to make visits to the site as
necessary for the inspection of the works. Although the number of visits can be
specified in the architect’s agreement, this relates only to fees, and if more visits
are necessary they may be chargeable extras. If more frequent visits or constant
inspection are required then the client should be recommended to appoint a
resident site inspector. It should not be termed or thought of as ‘supervision’,
because this suggests the authority to issue instructions to operatives, which
clearly an architect does not possess.
Site visits should be spot checks made without prior warning but should have a
specific purpose and as such require preparation beforehand. This might mean
devising a plan after studying the most recent reports and minutes of meetings.
The architect will then visit the site with the purpose of observing particular parts
or items and of checking that specified tests are being carried out and verified.
Checks of a general nature might include:
• whether quality complies generally with the provisions of the Building
Contract
• whether progress accords with the contractor’s master programme
• whether essential parts of the design have been/are being carried out in
accordance with the Building Contract provisions.
Such visits should be carried out carefully, and comments systematically noted.
Where certificates refer to work, etc. ‘properly executed’, it is helpful to have a
record of notes made at the time of a visit. Queries are often raised during site
visits, but all decisions must be issued through the contract administrator in
writing.
Reports of site visits should be prepared to a consistent format as soon after
the visit as possible. Record photographs (dated), notes and sketches should be
attached and carefully filed. These should be retained strictly for in-house use.
For a specimen site visit report form, see Figure 5/4.
