Construction Monitoring
Most construction projects are unique, but unlike manufactured products which are often thoroughly tested and evaluated during construction and prior to being brought into service, the completed project is rarely tested against all design requirements. Construction works are also complex in detail and skilled professional involvement is necessary for the successful execution of such projects.
Construction monitoring is a service which provides the client with independent verification (to the extent of the consultant’s engagement) that the works have been completed in accordance with specified requirements.
Five construction monitoring levels are defined for consent compliance, with the appropriate service level determined by factors such as:
- The size of the project
- The importance of the project
- The complexity of the construction works
- The experience and demonstrated skill in quality management of the constructor
The primary responsibility for completing the contract works in accordance with the requirements of the plans and specifications is the constructor’s.
Involving experts during the construction phase is important, to ensure that:
- The design is being correctly interpreted
- The construction techniques are appropriate and do not reduce the effectiveness of the design, and
- The work is completed generally in accordance with the plans and specifications
The risk of non-compliance can be reduced by increasing the involvement of professional experts.
RDCL offers construction monitoring services to all levels, tailored to the specific needs of each project. The standard levels outline the level of expert input required, what is reviewed and indicate where a particular level of monitoring is appropriate.
Common test types include:
- Nuclear Density Meter for Compaction Testing
- Clegg Impact Soil Testing
- In-situ Shear Vane
- Dynamic Cone Penetrometer
- Cone Penetrometer Testing (CPT)
CONSTRUCTION MONITORING FAQs
The common use of geotechnical monitoring is to demonstrate Safety and Building Act compliance, and provide evidence of this following adverse events.
Additional benefits include:
- Capturing any changes in ground conditions or filling that occur throughout the build
- Minimising risk from sub-standard work
- Traceability following adverse events or disasters
- Value-adding for insurance assessment
- Establishing a baseline for long-term asset management
- Demonstrating the value of your asset
This table sets out five levels of construction monitoring, describes the types of review and indicates where a particular level of monitoring is appropriate:
| CONSTRUCTION MONITORING SERVICE LEVEL | REVIEW | WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE? |
|---|---|---|
| CM1 | Monitor the outputs from another party’s quality assurance programme against the requirements of the plans and specifications. Visit the works at a frequency agreed with the client to review important materials of construction, critical work procedures and/or completed plant or components. Be available to advise the constructor on the technical interpretation of the plans and specifications. | This level is only a secondary service. It may be appropriate where: – For the design consultant when another party is engaged to provide a higher level of construction monitoring or review during the period of construction – When the project works are the subject of a performance-based specification and performance testing is undertaken and monitored by others. |
| CM2 | Review, preferably at the earliest opportunity, a sample of each important work procedure, material of construction and component for compliance with the requirements of the plans and specifications and review a representative sample of each important completed work prior to enclosure or completion as appropriate. Be available to provide the constructor with technical interpretation of the plans and specification. | This level of service is appropriate for smaller projects of a routine nature being undertaken by an experienced and competent constructor and where a higher than normal risk of non-compliance is acceptable. It provides for the review of a representative sample of work procedures and materials of construction. The assurance of compliance of the finished work is dependent upon the constructor completing the work to at least the same standard as the representative sample reviewed. |
| CM3 | Review, to an extent agreed with the client, random samples of important work procedures, for compliance with the requirements of the plans and specifications and review important completed work prior to enclosure or on completion as appropriate. Be available to provide the constructor with technical interpretation of the plans and specifications. | This level of service is appropriate for medium-sized projects of a routine nature being undertaken by an experienced constructor when a normal risk of non-compliance is acceptable. |
| CM4 | Review, at a frequency agreed with the client, regular samples of work procedures, materials of construction and components for compliance with the requirements of the plans and specifications and review the majority of completed work prior to the enclosure or on completion as appropriate. | This level of service is appropriate for projects where a lower than normal risk of non-compliance is required. |
| CM5 | Maintain personnel on site to constantly review work procedures, materials of construction and components for compliance with the requirements of the plans and specifications and review completed work prior to enclosure or on completion as appropriate. | This level of service is appropriate for: – Major projects – Projects where the consequences of failure are critical – Projects involving innovative or complex construction procedures. The level of service provides the client with the greatest assurance that the completed work complies with the requirements of the plans and specifications. |
An increase in the quality monitoring of the project works by the consultant significantly reduces the risk that the materials or components do not meet specified requirements, the design has been incorrectly interpreted, and/or poor quality workmanship has been incorporated in the project.
CM2 level construction monitoring is a service level that is appropriate for smaller projects of a routine nature, being undertaken by an experienced and competent constructor, and where a higher-than-normal risk of non-compliance is acceptable.
For instance, most individual house sites are undertaken at CM2 level.
It provides for the review of a representative sample of work procedures and materials of construction. The assurance of compliance of the finished work is dependent upon the constructor completing the work to at least the same standard as the representative sample reviewed.
See ‘What are the Construction Monitoring Levels?’ above for a full table of construction monitoring service levels and where they are appropriate.
The CM level is proposed by the designer, but ultimately the Consenting Authority (Council) sets a CM level that has to be followed.
Demonstrating it was followed is required to achieve Code of Compliance.
