Job Book 9th Edition - Book - Page 298
ONLINE VERSION
286
Stage 6 > Handover and Close Out
Remember that the agreed services must reflect the role of the architect
under the form of Building Contract selected. Inform the client in
advance if more frequent visits are required than those allowed for in the
agreement and which would incur additional expenditure.
6.5.3.6 Assess the office resources needed for Stage 6 and ensure that
they are available and adequate.
6.5.3.7 If accredited for energy performance certificate (EPC)
administration, check if the client wants to instruct this and, if so,
agree fees.
EPCs are required for all buildings when they are constructed, leased or
sold. In newly constructed or refurbished buildings the EPC will normally
be provided by the main contractor.
For information on EPCs refer to the UK Government website at
www.gov.uk and search ‘energy performance certificates’.
For clarification on exceptions for providing EPCs and what they should
cover, refer to the relevant guide at www.communities.gov.uk.
Soft Landings activities
6.5.3.8 Check if the client wants to instruct the design team to undertake
continuous commissioning, ‘sea trials’ and Soft Landings, etc.
If so, agree a scope of service for the additional service and fee.
Agreement for this service should be confirmed prior to going to
tender.
A Soft Landings team (designer and constructor) is resident on site during
the move-in period to ensure emerging issues are dealt with effectively.
The team can then monitor building use and energy performance for the
first two or three years of occupation, identifying opportunities both for
fine-tuning the building and for improvements in future developments.
The process also creates a coordinated route to POE.
Sea trials are where the design team are involved in running the building
for the first two years.
