Bouwdata

When ‘blending’ the technical provisions from a classic specification book into the structure of element clusters as described in the White paper ‘Univocal framework for post-calculation and 5D BIM’, there are a few points of attention that we would like to explain below.
For civil engineering, specifications will be written according to SB250. This can also be blended into the element clusters.

Perhaps first it should be pointed out that the structure of element clusters focuses on functional matters that are needed at the first steps in the design process, following a “top-down ’ reasoning: from a mass study through detailing until all spaces are definitively defined .

A classic specification should allow the contractor to easily provide a quote and will therefore follow the logic in which he puts his subcontractors or his own workers to work: “bottom-up ’ where the things that need to be done on site first are addressed. So the focus here is on defining the types of work.

Demolition

Integral demolition work, including any asbestos inventory and associated removal by a specialised subcontractor, falls under heading A GROUND COSTS, cluster A2 Demolition costs – environmental costs, element cluster A2A Demolition works Construction.

In a traditional specification, PQ (presumed quantities) items are often provided for underground structures. Generally, it is not certain whether these actually occur in the project, but when tendering, one wants to know the unit prices for them in advance. These items belong under section A GROUND COSTS, cluster A2 Demolition costs – environmental costs, element cluster A2B Demolition works Underground.

Cleaning and removal of fuel tanks and removal of cables and pipes also belong to this element cluster.

All local demolition works belong to the relevant element cluster.

E.g. removal of a roof covering belongs under B1C Roof construction/roof finishing, removal of floor covering up to and including the screed belongs under B1F1 Floor construction/floor finishing indoors, capping of ceiling plastering can be found under B1H1 Ceilings indoors, …

Groundworks

Preliminary site sanitation work belongs to heading A GROUND COSTS, cluster A2 Demolition costs – environmental costs, element cluster A2B Demolition Works Underground.

A classic construction pit, starting from removal of planting via groundwater lowering and removal of soil, whether or not contaminated, to backfilling, belongs to item B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS, cluster B1 Construction works, element cluster B1A Foundation.

Groundworks for environmental construction belong to section B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS, cluster B4 Site, element cluster B4A Groundworks.

Groundworks in the context of civil engineering where e.g. the city or municipality intervenes, are collected under heading A GROUND COSTS, cluster A3 Infrastructures, element cluster A3A Infra Groundworks.

Sewerage

Everything associated with the drainage, reuse and disposal of both rainwater and wastewater and faeces from the building is covered by section B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS, cluster B2 Installations, element cluster B2A1 Technical Installations  fluids: installations for liquids and gasses – standard regardless of whether it is under the floor slab or outside the building.

Everything related to the drainage, reuse and disposal of rainwater from the environment around the building falls under section B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS, cluster B4 Site, element cluster B4D Technical site installations.

Sewerage work in the context of civil engineering where e.g. the city or municipality intervenes is collected under section A GROUND COSTS, cluster A3 Infrastructure, element cluster A3C Infra Sewers.

Concrete

With concrete work, whether cast-in-place or precast, the first question to ask is: is it load-bearing or not?

If it is load-bearing, then there are four possibilities:

• Items related to load-bearing concrete work that is part of the waterproof building pit, belongs to section B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS, cluster B1 Construction works, element cluster B1A Foundation.
• Items related to stairs & landings and ramps, belongs to section B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS, cluster B1 Construction works, element cluster B1G1 Stairs and ramps indoors or element cluster B1G2 Stairs and ramps outdoors according to whether they are inside or outside.

• Posts for cantilevered terraces attached to the building with thermally broken anchorage belong to section B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS, cluster B1 Construction works, element cluster B1F2 Floors outdoors.
• Items for all other load-bearing floors, walls and roofs belong to section B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS , cluster B1 Construction works, element cluster B1B Skeleton.

If the concrete work is not load-bearing, it depends on the location:

• Prefabricated cover stones on top of roof upstands belong to section B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS, cluster B1 Construction works, element cluster B1C Roof construction/roof finishing
• Prefabricated ornamental elements in the facade belong to section B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS, cluster B1 Construction works, element cluster B1D Facade construction /facade finishing

Concrete work, whether it is load-bearing or not whether it is precast or not, for e.g. bicycle sheds or other small constructions in the garden, belong to heading B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS, cluster B4 Site, element cluster B4B  Structures (buildings, shelters, etc.).

Masonry

Again, items related to masonry that is load-bearing should be inserted in a different place than masonry that is not. If the distinction is not clear, then convenience draws the line at a width of 14cm. Anything less thick is considered non-bearing and goes under section B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS, cluster B1 Construction works, element cluster B1E Interior wall construction/interior wall finishing.

Underground foundation masonry as part of a shallow foundation, belongs to section B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS , cluster B1 Construction works, element cluster B1A Foundation.

Load-bearing masonry in other places, belongs to section B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS , cluster B1 Construction works, element cluster B1B Skeleton.

Masonry work, whether load-bearing or not for e.g. bicycle sheds or other small constructions in the garden, belong to section B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS, cluster B4 Site, element cluster B4B Structures (buildings, shelters, etc.).

Architectural Ducts

On the roof, they belong to B1C Roof : Roof construction / roof finishing

Inside the building, they belong tp B1B Skeleton

Joinery and glazing

External joinery and associated glazing as well as curtain walls, gates, turnstiles, etc. belong entirely to B1D Façade construction/façade finishing

Interior joinery, associated glazing, internal doors, etc. belong entirely to B1E Interior wall construction /interior wall finishing

(Smoke) domes, skylights, large translucent roof constructions, … belong integrally to B1C Roof construction/roof finishing

A door, window or grille, regardless of where it is located in e.g. bicycle sheds or other small constructions in the garden, belong to section B INITIAL BUILDING COSTS, cluster B4 Site, element cluster B4B Structures (buildings, shelters, etc.).

Plastering

Interior plastering belongs to B1E Interior wall construction/Interior wall finishing except for the plastering of wallsides at exterior windows or doors. The latter belong to B1D Facade construction/façade finishing.

The reason is that, if the exterior window or door is suppressed, the plastering of the corresponding day edges is also suppressed.

Exterior plastering belongs to B1D Facade construction/façade finishing

Tiling

Tiling belongs to:

• If on the floor inside: B1F1 Floor construction/floor finishing indoors
• If on a wall indoors : B1E Interior wall construction /interior wall finishing
• Skirting boards and intermediate sills in doorways: B1E Interior wall construction/interior wall finishing
• If on a floor outside: B1F2 Floors outdoors

Floormats

Fixed floor mats and their frames belong to element cluster  B3(71) Fixed circulation Equipements

Sanitary ware

Sanitary ware, its tap and furniture belong to element cluster B3(74) Fixed sanitary Equipements