Due to a transfer of the funding to other works, this project did not start on site until late 1987. I was the Project Quantity Surveyor for Kier with up to three assistants. The project was planned to last over three years. HMYCC Huntercombe was an old prison with no toilets in the cells etc. The works consisted of four new living blocks, linking corridors, a medical centre, a boiler house with district heating and the conversion of a sports hall to an industrial kitchen.
The living blocks started with unit 1, but all the drawings given to Kier were mirror images and this proved troublesome in setting out. As a result of this and other issues, it took time for Kier to establish relationships with the Home Office staff. Kier also had two Project Managers in quick succession that did not help the situation. After the first two blocks had been built and handed over, existing buildings were demolished and living blocks 3 and 4 were constructed.
The living blocks had a communal hall with showers and offices off. There were also 60 cell blocks in each living block. Purpose made metal shutter units from France were used, together with thin walls using Chevron mesh. There was considerable concrete finishing on the project due to restrictions in vibration caused by the mesh and the thin walls. In addition, I also learned a lot about gates and grilles as well as Home Office issue cell doors. The progression of specialist subcontractors such as this was a steep learning curve for me.
The living blocks had a communal hall with showers and offices off. There were also 60 cell blocks in each living block. Purpose made metal shutter units from France were used, together with thin walls using Chevron mesh. There was considerable concrete finishing on the project due to restrictions in vibration caused by the mesh and the thin walls. In addition, I also learned a lot about gates and grilles as well as Home Office issue cell doors. The progression of specialist subcontractors such as this was a steep learning curve for me.
As the project was within an existing and working prison, there were numerous records to be kept. My assistants kept these generally and I supervised their collection and keeping.
The boiler house had asbestos in it and this entailed using a specialist contractor with considerable safety precautions. Again, this was an area where I learned a lot about this aspect of a project, with extensive records being required.
The boiler house had asbestos in it and this entailed using a specialist contractor with considerable safety precautions. Again, this was an area where I learned a lot about this aspect of a project, with extensive records being required.
Due to errors in design, there were numerous return visits into the working prison where security was a paramount concern. As a result, permits had to be organised and paperwork for subcontractors was increased too.
There had been numerous variations on the project; it was in delay with considerable disruption too. Kier took the decision to appoint another Project QS and I remained on the project and exclusively prepared extension of time and disruption claims for Kier for the earlier living blocks and other buildings.
There had been numerous variations on the project; it was in delay with considerable disruption too. Kier took the decision to appoint another Project QS and I remained on the project and exclusively prepared extension of time and disruption claims for Kier for the earlier living blocks and other buildings.
As I had not prepared such claims before I was supervised by David Hayes on this aspect of the work and again I learned a lot from him and the techniques required to put together a claim. We met extensively with the Clients QS to ensure that it was in the correct format etc. I enjoyed the "detective work" researching the events. The writing as such consisted of my production of spreadsheets for the causes then dictating onto a Dictaphone for a secretary to transcribe the effects into Word documents. I also produced scatter diagrams to help demonstrate the disruption and I also produced programmes in Lotus 1-2-3 with labels stuck on to indicate variations etc.
I worked on this project from 1987 to 1991 and I was responsible in assisting with the Final Account (together with the other Project QS) and also the production and pricing of the claim documents too. As a result of a recession at the time (1991) I was transferred to work in Scotland so did not get the opportunity to negotiate the final settlement, although I understand the return was as tendered.
I worked on this project from 1987 to 1991 and I was responsible in assisting with the Final Account (together with the other Project QS) and also the production and pricing of the claim documents too. As a result of a recession at the time (1991) I was transferred to work in Scotland so did not get the opportunity to negotiate the final settlement, although I understand the return was as tendered.
