Unit 4 The Construction Environment Assignment Brief
| Qualification | Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals Construction |
| Unit Number | 4 |
| Unit Title | The Construction Environment |
| Unit code | R/618/8083 |
| Unit level | 4 |
| Credit value | 15 |
Introduction
Construction is a complex and dynamic sector of the local, regional, national and international economy. In many countries it is a driving force in the growth of finance, property and employment. This also means that it has considerable impact on many factors beyond its direct influence on the buildings and infrastructure that are created and maintained.
The construction industry is one of the major contributors to CO2 emissions. Also, the way that buildings are designed, constructed and maintained means they have an ongoing impact on the environment. Similarly, as a major employer, the industry has an ongoing impact on the working conditions of those in the sector and the way that people are educated, trained and supported through their careers.
In this unit, students will explore the make-up and the impact of the construction industry on the environment and society. By exploring the roles and relationships of individuals and organisations in the construction sector, students will gain an overview of the organisational and the personal ways in which the sector works to continue to improve the built environment and limit its impact on the environment, while maintaining economic sustainability and growth.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
LO1 Explore the development of the construction industry through the roles and relationships of the professionals involved
LO2 Assess the impact of the construction industry
LO3 Discuss the ways in which the construction industry ensures quality, timely completion and safety
LO4 Examine the routes to employment and progression within the construction industry.
Essential Content
LO1 Explore the development of the construction industry through the roles and relationships of the professionals involved
- History of the industry
- Roles
Architect
General contractor
Sub-contractor
Engineer (e.g., structural, civil, building services, traffic, fire)
Project manager
Quantity surveyor
Others - Collaboration
Relationships between organisations/roles
Individuals and collaboration
Collaboration through technology (e.g., project sharing, BIM, email)
Avoiding conflict in collaboration - Professional bodies
The purpose of professional bodies
Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
Chartered Institution of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE)
Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE)
Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) - Others
- Codes of conduct
- Professional ethics
LO2 Assess the impact of the construction industry
- Construction and economy
- Employment
- Direct
- Supply chain
- Skills gaps
- Construction and sustainability
- Definitions of sustainability (e.g., environmental, social, economic, cultural)
- Connections between forms of sustainability
- Environmental sustainability
- Carbon emissions
- Carbon footprint
- Embodied energy
- Carbon reduction
- Targets (government/global)
- Environmental Strategies in Construction
- Material selection
- Local supply
- Renewables
- Energy
- ‘Retrofit First’
- Diversity and inclusion
- The current state of the industry (e.g., gender representation, minority representation, ‘an aging industry’)
- Promoting diversity and inclusion (e.g., benefits, challenges)
- Equality and diversity legislation
- Organisation for equality and diversity (e.g., professional bodies, Women into Construction, GoConstruct)
LO3 Discuss the ways in which the construction industry ensures quality, timely completion and safety
- History of safety in construction
Pre-regulations
Post-regulations - Ensuring safety
Safety pre-construction (e.g., design and planning, building regulations)
Site safety (e.g., legislation, regulations)
Safety in use - Cost control and cost monitoring
Material costs
Plant costs (e.g., purchase, lease)
Labour costs (e.g., direct labour, subcontractors)
Cost overrun (e.g., caused by defects, caused by changes, caused by weather) - Contracts, safety and quality, safety and quality
Types of contract relationship (e.g., services contracts, works contracts)
Contract requirements (e.g., time, cost, quality)
Contracts and statutory requirements - Timely completion and quality
Quality and value (e.g., defining value, increasing value, increasing safety)
Project ‘sign-off’ and quality (e.g., documenting completion of work, certifying safe work, hand-over of relevant information) - Professional standards and professional bodies
LO4 Examine the routes to employment and progression within the construction industry
- Technical skills
- Employability skills
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Resilience
- Adaptability
- Independence
- Stages of employment
Professional bodies
Technician
Chartered
Fellow - Progressing in employment
Education and training
Continuing Professional Development
Personal development plans
Lifelong learning - Leadership and management
Developing as a manager
Leadership skills
Supporting the development of others
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
| Pass | Merit | Distinction |
| LO1 Explore the development of the construction industry through the roles and relationships of the professionals involved | D1 Evaluate the ways in which professionalism, diversity and inclusion are important to the growth of the construction sector. | |
| P1 Discuss the development of the construction industry using historic and contemporary examples. P2 Explain the roles and responsibilities of those that work in the construction industry. |
M1 Analyse the purpose of professional bodies in supporting the industry and protecting the public. | |
| LO2 Assess the impact of the construction industry | ||
| P3 Explain the different types of sustainability and how the construction industry is reflected in these. P4 Define potential strategies to promote equality, diversity and inclusion and ensure fairness at work. |
M2 Illustrate the challenges of the construction industry in regard to diversity and inclusion. | |
| LO3 Discuss the ways in which the construction industry ensures quality, timely completion and safety | D2 Critically analyse the role of professional bodies in supporting quality and safety in construction. | |
| P5 Discuss the processes and requirements for project handover, ensuring the safety and quality of work. P6 Explain the importance of monitoring costs in construction projects. |
M3 Analyse the ways in which legislation and regulation work to ensure safety during construction and occupation. | |
Recommended Resources
Print resources
FEWINGS, P. (2008), Ethics for the Built Environment, Routledge
GRUNEBERG, S., FRANCIS, N. (2019), The Economics of Construction, Economics of Big Business
MCDONOUGH, W., BRAUNGART, M. (2010), Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, North Point Press
MIRSKY, R., SCHAUFELBERGER, J. (2014), Professional Ethics for the Construction Industry, Routledge
MURRAY, M., DAINTY, A., MURRAY, M. (2008), Corporate Social Responsibility in the Construction Industry, Routledge
SCHLEIFER, T. (1990), Construction Contractors’ Survival Guide, John Wiley & Sons
Links
This unit links to the following related units:
- Unit 1: Construction Design Project (Pearson-set)
- Unit 4001CE: Construction Design Project Civil Engineering (Pearson-set)
- Unit 5: Legal and Statutory Requirements in Construction
- Unit 11: Financial Management & Business Practices in Construction
- Unit 12: Tender & Procurement
- Unit 20: Site Supervision & Operations
- Unit 25: Quantity Surveying Practice
- Unit 27: Law & Legal Frameworks in Quantity Surveying
- Unit 28: Group Project (Pearson-set)
- Unit 29: Contracts & Management
- Unit 39: Personal Professional Development
- Unit 54: Advanced Quantity Surveying Practice.
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