The Construction Quality Assessment System Construction Essay

The structure calibre Assessment System Construction EssayCONQUAS stands for Construction flavour Assessment System. Construction Industry Development Board capital of Singapore now kn suck as the Building and Construction office staff fo beneath developed it for the major public sector agencies and the various leading industry captain bodies to measure the caliber level of completed draw a bead on wind (The National House Buyers Association (HBA), 2009).The Building and Construction potentiality (BCA) is an agency under the Singapores Ministry of National Development. The BCA is championing the growing of an excellent built environment for Singapore. Built environment refers to edifices, structures and infrastructure in our surroundings that give the setting for the communitys activities. (Building and Construction Authority, 2006)At the beginning, the CONQUAS was introduced that to the local twirl industry. CONQUAS keep back been launched since 1989 (Building and Co nstruction Authority, 2006).Today, CONQUAS is widely recognized and also accepted internation whollyy as a benchmarking tool for fiber. CONQUAS is now a registered trademark. CONQUAS have adapted in Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Australia, S emergeh Africa and India, UK and Hong Kong expression industries (Building and Construction Authority, 2006).The necessitate of CONQUAS was introduced to have a hackneyed persona judgement strategy for construction aims. Furtherto a greater extent, CONQUAS is to modify quality perspicacity to be carried bulge dodgeatically within reasonable cost and prison term. Besides, CONQUAS is apply to measure quality of constructed whole caboodle against workmanship standards and specification (Building and Construction Industry, 2005).However, CONQUAS is an independent sagacity. It is carried verboten by assessors from BCA Singapore. It was stick outed to gauge and benchmark the quality of workmanship through th e taste approach. On the other hand, it means not every unit leave behind be inspected or evaluated by the assessor. Random samples pull up stakesing be pre-selected and inspected to represent the quality of the whole project (The National House Buyers Association (HBA), 2009).Since the launch of CONQUAS in 1989, more(prenominal) than 2,238 public and private building projects have been assessed by BCA. The total cumulative contract value of the assessed projects go acrosss 81.9billion Singapore dollar (Building and Construction Authority, 2006).In 1998, BCA introduced a number of new features to CONQUAS resulting in the launch of CONQUAS 21 (Building and Construction Authority, 2006). Now, Malaysia is applying CONQUAS 21 into the building projects.Problem StatementThe standard quality of the building crossing becomes the probatory resultant that is always wrangleed and disputed by the contractors, developers, and investors or house buyers. persona sagacity of the buildi ng before the developer vacant possession to the purchaser is the significant issue for the developer. The developer shall delivery the final exam building product to the purchaser which the building is achieved a standard quality. However, how many will ask How should I curb the quality of the product (property) that I purchased is fairly justified with the amount of money that I paid? Many of the investors and the house buyer ar sacrificing a huge money to level a famous Feng Shui master, to conduct a property surveys and engaged property agent prior making last to invest the property. Has the quality standard of the building product been assured and same as the show unit? (The National House Buyers Association (HBA), 2009).There atomic number 18 many developers intended to deliver the final product to the end user with free of defects and good in quality. Thus, to achieve the standard quality of the building production, the contractor can adopt the Construction Quality Asses sment (CONQUAS 21) in the project to give the quality assurance workmanship of building product. Although, the CONQUAS 21 is applied in construction industry, however, it is brought any benefits to the contractors, developers and end users? Moreover, what ar the impact of the CONQUAS 21 toward the contractors, developers and end user? Consequently, the researcher will carry out the research regarding the application of quality assessment system (CONQUAS 21) in construction industry.Aims ObjectivesAimsTo investigate Quality Assessment System (CONQUAS 21) in construction industry.ObjectivesTo study the principle and concept of CONQUAS 21To have out tasks occur when applying the CONQUAS 21To find out the advantages of using CONQUAS 21Scope of studyThe research will provide a detail description on the standard of CONQUAS 21 and procedures of the system. This is make through literature review on journal papers, host papers, books and browsing through websites.Besides that, the rese archer aims to the population of local contractors and developers who are adopted CONQUAS 21 in the construction projects. Researcher will investigate the reason of implementing the CONQUAS 21 in construction industry. Moreover, research will in-deep investigate regard the impacts and advantages of CONQUAS 21. Basically, a character study will be conducted to obtain more information regarding the implementation of CONQUAS 21.Research MethodologiesLiterature ResearchCover journals, relevant textbook, and internet research and conference paper is the sources that I obtain my information and doing for my literature research.InterviewSite agent, supervisor and the site manager will be interviewed by the researched to study more expand about the CONQUAS 21. The interview is hold at Swiss Garden Residences site.Case StudySite visit to the Swiss Garden Residence would be the best way to figure out the effectiveness of CONQUAS 21. Besides that, it is to figure out the problems occur when applying the CONQUAS 21.Chapter OutlineChapter 1 IntroductionIn this chapter, the researcher is way out to slightly introduce the background of CONQUAS. Besides that, the researcher is spill to talk about the aims and objectives for this research.Chapter 2 Literature ReviewIn this chapter, the researcher is going to discuss the concept and principle of CONQUAS 21. The information regarding the CONQUAS 21 are obtained from the literatures from books, articles, journals and web site. Moreover, the researcher is going to comment on the advantages of CONQUAS 21 and the impact of applying the CONQUAS 21.Chapter 3 Designing the face study and research methodologyThe researcher is going to use Swiss Garden Residences as the case study for CONQUAS 21. The researcher is going to interview the project manager, site manager and site agent for obtaining the relevant information.Chapter 4 Analysis of the secondary dataAfter collecting the information, the researcher is going to do the epito me for the information obtained. The researcher is going to argue on the information obtained and give some opinion regarding the CONQUAS 21.Chapter 5 refinement and further studiesIn this chapter, the researcher is going to make a conclusion for the whole research and state out the further studies for quality assessment.Plan and inventoryPlanned Schedule2009/20102010/2011Second Semester commencement exercise SemesterSecond SemesterNovDecMayJuneJulyAugSepOctNovDecIntroductionLiterature ReviewDesigning case studyAnalysisConclusionActual Schedule2009/20102010/2011Second SemesterFirst SemesterSecond SemesterNovDecMayJuneJulyAugSepOctNovDecIntroductionLiterature ReviewDesigning case studyAnalysisConclusionChapter 2Literature Review2.1 Quality PhilosophyDefinition of QualityDifferent party defines the quality in different way. Some people will define it as to meet contract requirements, instead some people define it as the satisfaction of customer and others also define as it reaches t he needful standards. Totality of typicals of an entity that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs is the definition that The National Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines quality (Chung, 1999). The aims or requirements have been fulfilled or reached by any party, mean the quality standard has been achieved.Furthermore, quality also can be defined based on own opinion much(prenominal) as providing customers with products and services that consistently meet their needs and expectations (S.L. Tang, 2005), performance to the standard expected by the customer (S.L. Tang, 2005) and fitness for purpose (Chung, 1999).However, the definiton of quality is based on how a party to define, it can be defined is several way.Basic Concept of QualityQuality is the most important divisor part to be concerned in every field including construction field. In severalise to achieved the quality, the industries have come out with in that respect are assessment system and guidelines to be carried out to ensure the works through in the construction industry can achieve the quality. ISO 90012000, Quality Assessment System in Construction (QLASSIC) and Construction Quality Assessment (CONQUAS) is the assessment system that always used by constrction industry to ensure the works done reach the quality standard requirement. Case study of CONQUAS will be carried out in more details later.Quality can be quantified as follows-Q=P/EWhere,Q = qualityP = performanceE = expectationIf Q is greater than 1.0, then the customer has a good feeling about the products or services (Besterfield, 1998).Furthermore, There are nine dimensions in the quality. All dimensions are independent, which means that an end product can be excellent in one dimension but ugly in others (Besterfield, 1998). These nine dimensions details and their terms is the following-Table 1 Nine dimensions of quality and their termsDimensionTermsPerformancesPrimary products/service characteristic suc h as time, cost and workmanship aspect.FeaturesSecondary characteristic, added experimental condition such as creativity in design and attractivenes.ConformanceMeeting specification or industry standards, workmanship and clients requirement in contract.ReliabilityConsistency of performance over time, average time for the unit to fail.DurabilityUseful life hitch with less maintenance or repair.ServiceResolution of problems and complaints, ease of repair.ResponseHuman to human interface such as efficiency during meeting, fast decision making, effective human resources forethought.AestheticsSensory characteristics in design such as exterior finishes.ReputaionPast performance such as being be first in the tendering process.Adapted from Garvin, 1988, Managing Quality The strategic and Competitive Edge, New York Free Press.Furthermore, there are always the relationship between quality with cost, value, cycles/second time and productivity. The details of the relationship is shown as f ollowing-Quality and productivenessProductivity increase will influence the quality by goodProductivity = Salcable output / Resources usedQuality and CostsCost will increase if the quality of conformance increaseCost will increase if the quality of design increaseQuality and Cycle TimeThe cycle time will be reduce if there is improvement of quality effortThe cycle time to complete the activities is the key para mQuality and ValueOrganizations must evalute the value they provide, relative to the competitionValue = Quality / Price(S.L. Tang, 2005)2.1.3 Quality ManagementQuality trouble will influence the quality directly. The principles of quality management are applicable to every industry, within all organisations and at every level (McCabe, 1988). The elemental goal of quality management is the elimination of failure both in the concept and reality of products, services and processes (Juran, 1989).The quality management is defined as all activities of the overall management func tion that determine the quality policy, objectives and responsibilities, and implement them by means such as quality planning, quality maneuver, quality assurance, and quality improvement within the quality system (McCabe, 1988)The quality management have four stages in evolution, known as Quality critical review, Quality Control (QC), Quality self-reliance (QA) and Total Quality Management (TQM) (UTM, 2003). Inspection and Quality Control are retrospective their aim is find out the occurred problem by detection mode. Instead, the aim of Quality Assurance and Total Quality Management is reduce and to avoid problems occuring (McCabe, 1988). The characteristic of the different stages in Quality Management as shown following- aim 1 The four stages of quality managementTQMQAQCInspectionAdapted from Dale, Boaden and Lescelles 1994 Levels of total quality management adoptionFigure 2 The four stages of quality managementQuality AssuranceQuality systems developmentAdvanced quality planni ngComprehensive quality manualsUse of quality costsInvolvement of non-production operations mishap modeTotal Quality ManagementPolicy deploymentInvolve suppliers and customersInvolve all operationsProcess managementPerformance managementTeamworkEmployee involvementQuality ControlDevelop quality manualProcess performance dataSelf-inspectionProduct testingingBasic quality planningUse of basic statisticsPaperwork controlsInspectionSalvageSorting, grading, relendingCorrective actionsIdentify sources of non-conformanceAdapted from Steven McCabe 1988 Quality Improvement Techniques in Construction exhibit 1 InspectionThe first stage of quality management is inspection. The inspection is defined as activity such as measuring, examining, testing or gauging one or more characteristics of an entity and comparing these results with specified requirements in order to establish whether conformity is achieved for each characteristic (McCabe, 1988).Inspection is used by most of the construction i ndustry to ensure the conformance. The site supervisor will carried out the inspection of the construction project. The supervisor will make the comparison the architectural works and morphological based on the specification and drawing. If there is any regretful works found by the customers, the contractor need to rectify the defective works until fulfill the customers requirement.Stage 2 Quality Control (QC)Quality control will be carried out after the inspection done. Quality control is considered as a system of routine technical activities, to measure and control the quality of the inventory as it is being developed (Mangino, 1996).The procedure of Quality control is very complicated. QC mostly is based on the statistical analysis. Collection of data is demand in QC to maintain the quality by statistical techniques.Stage 3 Quality AssuranceQuality assurance is defined as all the think activities implemented within the quality system, and demonstrated as needed, to provide adequate confidence that an entity will fulfill requirements for quality (McCabe, 1988).The objective of Quality Assurance (QA) is to provide adequate confidence that a service or product will fulfill customers requirement by performing system audit, Failure Mode and encumbrance Analysis, design of experiment and similar initiatives (UTM, 2003). In other words, QA is more specified on planning. The prevention of poor quality and defects is based on detection activities.Stage 4 Total Quality ManagementThe final stage of quality management is Total Quality Management. The implementation and understanding of quality management principles and concepts in every aspect of business activities are involved in this stage. The best service or product will be provided to the customer at the humiliate cost by using these activities.However, TQM is less formal having either procedures or system, and it is hard to be described due to it is less in formality (McCabe, 1988). Normally, and guida nce will be provided by TQM and it consider as a philosophy.Concept and Principles of CONQUAS 212.2.1 IntroductionRecently, the requirement of customers towards the building that they purchase is quality. They wish to get the best quality of the purchase building as possible. In this condition, the developers have to play an important role to ensure the quality of the building project. The developers overcome the problem by using Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) into the construction project to maintain the standard of quality as the requirement. CONQUAS 21, ISO 90012000, QLASSIC will become the superior for the developers for their assessment system. Case study about CONQUAS 21 will be carried out by the researcher in more details.2.2.2 Objectives of CONQUAS 21There are three objectives in the CONQUAS 21 systemAct as a standard quality assessment system in construction projects.Inspecting quality assessment byMeasuring the specification and standard of the workmansh ip in the works doneRandomly selecting the sample as represent the whole projectTo enable quality assessment systematically take place within reasonable cost and time(Building and Construction Authority (BCA), 2006)Scope of CONQUAS 21In CONQUAS 21 system, all the works done will be given points based on the quality standard. All of the given points will be added together to get the total quality rate which also known as CONQUAS score for the construction project (Building and Construction Authority (BCA), 2006). The quality workmanship is better, the higher of CONQUAS score will be obtained. blow% is the maximum CONQUAS score in construction project, but our human being is unable to construct a work with zero-defects.The oecumenical building works is overflyed by CONQUAS 21 system. There are 3 components in the assessment morphological kit and boodleArchitectural whole shebang and mechanistic Electrical (ME) WorksThere are different item to be assessed in the different compon ent stated above (Building and Construction Authority , 2005).CONQUAS 21 is considered as first time right inspection approach (Building and Construction Authority , 2005) means that the rectification works will not take into setting in CONQUAS 21 score for the assessment. Furthermore, sampling system is the assessment system used in the CONQUAS. The assessor will choose the unit according to the average, 1-in-4 flat units in a residential development for the assessment (Building and Construction Authority , 2005). Thus, which unit will be chosen is unknown so the contractors have to ensure all of the constructed works are in good quality condition. If there is any defective found, the works will be considered as failed.Besides, the heavily equipment-base such as heavy foundation, sub-structure works and piling is not available for assessment and the work separate contracts or sub-contracts are not included in the assessment (Building and Construction Authority (BCA), 2006).The ins pection is different with the inspection done by the site supervisor. Normally, the contractors have to purposely do an arrangement for the inspection which form a specific team for the inspection. There is a guideline have to be followed for the assessment.Components to be assessedStructural Works, Architectural Works and ME Works are the components under CONQUAS 21 assessment.Structural WorksStructural Works can be considered as body for a building, the stability of the building will be affected if there is failure or defect in geomorphological works. Thus, maintain its quality is necessary due to the cost of rectification is very expensive. under show the details of the assessment of Structural Works-Inspection of finished concrete, formwork and steel reinforcement have to be carried out on site during the construction site. If any component constitutes exceed 20% of the total structural cost, the pre-stressed concrete and structural steel are included in the assessment. If fou nd the precast concrete volume more than 20% of structural concrete volume, the precast elements have to be assessed.Tensile strength of steel reinforcement and testing of compressive strength of concrete will be carried out on laboratory testing.Non-destructive testing of the uniformity and the cover of hardened concrete.(Building and Construction Authority (BCA), 2006)Appendix 1 shows the quality standards of Structural Works.Architectural WorksThe components and finishes are classified in Architectural Works. The workmanship and quality can be easily seen and found. Below are the details of assessment of Architectural Works-After the building have complete, the assessment have to be carried out on roofs, external works, external walls and national finishes. All the assessment have to be carried out on site. Internal walls, doors, components, windows and floors are classified under the internal finishes.Functional and material tests such as on external walls and adhesion of inter nal wall tiles and water-tightness of window.(Building and Construction Authority (BCA), 2006)Appendix 2 shows Architectural Works quality standard.Mechanical Electrical (ME) WorksThe progress of whole building will be influenced by ME Works. Air conditioning Mechanical Ventilation Works (ACMV), Electrical works, the basis ME fittings and Fire Protection Works are classified under the progress of the building. Below are the stage of assessment-Concealed pipes, ACMV ductworks and electrical conduits are classified as installed works, the inspection on the item have to be carried out before embedded on site.The alter tower, fire alarm control panel and Air-Handling Unit (AHU) are the final installed works which the assessment have to be carried out on site.Dry Riser Test, Earthing Test and Water Pressure Test are considered as selected works. The performance tests are carried out on them.(Building and Construction Authority (BCA), 2006)Appendix 3 show the quality standard of ME Wor ks.The Weightages purify A (Commercial, Industrial, Institution and Others), CAT B (Condominium, Institution and Others), CAT C ( populace housing), and CAT D (Landed properties) are the four categories of building that distribute the weightages for ME Works, Architectural Works and Structural Works in CONQUAS 21 system.The objective of weightage system is making the quality of a building is based on the CONQUAS score, it is a compromise between the cost proportions of the three components in the various buildings and their aesthetic consideration (Building and Construction Authority (BCA), 2006).In general, ME works consist 10% for four categories of building in average, 35% is consisted by the Structural works and the highest percentage is consisted by Architectural works which 50% in average for the four categories of buildings. The quality of Architect works is the most important with the highest percentage, second is represented by the Structural works and ME works is the lowes t.Table 2 The Weightages in CONQUAS 21ComponentsCAT A Commercial, Industrial, Institution OthersCAT B Commercial, Industrial, Institution OthersCAT C Public lodgingCAT D Landed PropertiesStructural Works30%35%45%40%Architectural Works50%55%50%55%ME Works20%10%5%5%CONQUAS Score100%100%100%100%Note In general, projects with central cooling system having cooling tower, chiller system, etc are classified under CAT A. Otherwise, it will be classified under CAT B. Appendix 5 provides a guides with listing of building under the various categories.Adapted from Building and Construction Authority (BCA) CONQUAS 21 manual bookCONQUAS AssessorIn CONQUAS 21 system, only the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) officer can be the assessor to inspect the works done of the project. BCA will conduct a calibration architectural plan and training for assessors to attend to ensure competency and consistency in the assessment (Building and Construction Authority, 2006).Furthermore, CONQUAS 21 sy stem is consider as independent assessment. Therefore, if the building or parts of the building project are acceptable, the architects and engineers are not allowed to use CONQUAS to make any decision unless the building contract specify it (Building and Construction Authority (BCA), 2006).SamplingSampling system is introduced in the CONQUAS 21 system for the assessment. It is impossible for us to inspect every unit of the works done. Thus, the sampling system is used for the assessment, it helps the accessor a lot by saving the time and make the assessment easier due to the samples will be randomly chosen by the assessor for inspection.Furthermore, the sampling system want to make sure the inspection is sufficient to represent the whole building by referring to the gross floor area of the building.The assessment of CONQUAS 21Assessment approachSampling system is used by the CONQUAS 21 as the assessment system, the sample will be randomly selected for the quality assessment accordin g to the location plan and drawing plan and it will be distributed based on the construction stages (Building and Construction Authority (BCA), 2006).The scoring will be done on the works that are inspected for the first time because the objective of this practice is to encourage contractors doing things right the first time is the principle of the CONQUAS 21 system which want to make sure all the contractor do the works well and maintain the quality in first time. Thus, the scoring will not take into account for the rectification works, only the first time works done will be inspected and scored in the CONQUAS 21 system (Building and Construction Authority (BCA), 2006).In filling the assessment form, X mean the work done do not fulfill the CONQUAS quality standard after inspection on it. Instead, consider the inspected work have reached the quality standard stated in the CONQUAS system. Besides, not applicable item will be noted as - in the assessment form. The number of over the total number of item assessed is the final score of CONQUAS for the whole project.Structural works assessmentAfter the whole projects have been completed, the inspection on structural works only can be done. Wall, slab, beam and column can be classified as the Structural works. Below show the details of the assessment of a reinforced concrete structure-Table 3 The assessment of a reinforced concrete structure beef up Concrete StructureWeightage %Formwork15Rebar20Finished Concrete25Concrete Quality5Steel Reinforcement Quality5NDT UPV test for concrete uniformity15NDT Electro-Cover meter test for concrete cover15Total100*If total precast concrete volume exceeds 20% of total structural concrete volume, assessment will be carried out for precast concrete construction. The points will be distributed proportionately between formwork/rebar assessment and precast concrete assessment based on the respective concrete volume percentage.Adapted from Building and Construction Authority CONQUA S 21 manual bookThe structural works assessment is carried out by using sampling system which mean only part of the samples have been chosen to represent whole project for the assessment, not every unit is inspected. Thus, there are some guidelines for the assessment of structural works. The guidelines are shown as below-Table 4 Guidelines for Structural works assessmentItemsGFA per SampleMin SampleMax SampleRemarks1Structural Elements500 m230150For Non-Housing Project1aStrctural Elements1500 m23050For Housing Project2Concrete Compressive Strength100%Declaration by Qualified Person3Steel reinforcement Tensile Strength100%Declaration by Qualified Person4NDT UPV test for concrete uniformity5,000 m22 sets20 sets5 structure members per set5NDT Electro-Cover meter test for concrete cover5,000 m22 sets20 sets5 structure members per setNote The computed number of elements to be checked must be as distributed throughout the entire block and cover at least 50% of floors in a block. They s hould also as far as possible cover the different types of structural elements.Adapted from Building and Construction Authority CONQUAS 21 manual bookThe inspection is only site inspection, the inspection cannot be done at precast yard due to all the structure works to be inspected is cast in-situ concrete works, not the precast component. The inspection of the structural works is according to compliance to the standards (see in the Appendix 1, 1a, 1b 1c).The further assessment will be required if the structural steelwork in the structural works exceed 20% of the structural cost and the points will be distributed proportionately. The Pre-stressing Works is similar with the str