INTERVIEW
We caught up with Adam Jones,
Clerk of Works for the new
Kilmarnock Campus.
Throughout the process they take samples of
materials to test in labs, or provide samples
for approval.Test reports or certificates are
kept for all materials and completed sections
of the building.These are cross referenced to a
specific area of the building for trackability. It is
in the contractors interests to ensure quality is
of the highest standard as it will not be signed
off as acceptable until it meets strict criteria.
This is particularly important as the overall
maintenance and serviceability for the new
campus is for 30 years.
I believe having a construction trades or
technical background, being able to interpret
drawings and transpose onto building
elements and possessing an attention to
detail, provides a solid foundation for a Clerk
of Works. Previously I was part of the main
contractor teams for the Scottish Parliament,
West Middlesex Hospital,Victoria Hospital,
East Renfrewshire Schools and Dumfries and
Galloway Schools.
What are your main challenges?
What would be a typical task for you to
carry out?
What is the role of a Clerk of Works?
My job is to inspect the quality of workmanship
and the quality of the building materials used
on the fabric of the building.This includes
foundations, concrete, blockwork, brickwork,
window installations, cladding, glazing, roofing,
timber and so on. For mechanical and electrical
systems we have specialists who quality assure
these areas.
Once appointed, the contractor issues us with
a top level building programme. It’s my job to
monitor progress on site and to report against
this programme.
That sounds like a huge responsibility for
one person.
All of the contractors have a duty to conform
to the quality standards as stipulated in the
contract specification.
Contractors that don’t buy in to the high
standards on a site. Fortunately at the new
campus project, McLaughlin and Harvey have
high standards. It is not uncommon for a job to
be redone several times until these standards
are achieved. If contractors are worried about
time pressures or spiralling costs there may be
a tendency to cut corners. As Clerk of Works,
I must witness that quality is high and report
to the College to ensure they receive the end
product they were expecting.
An example would be to examine a wall to
check that the bricks are all of uniform size,
shape and colour, the cavity is the correct size,
the ties are installed at specified intervals and
the fire stops or cavity barriers are in place.
(A fire stop means that every building element
has a role to play to contain fires as much as
possible before they get out of control). I would
be doing these checks during construction and
once an area/stage was completed to give us an
opportunity to check and sign off a stage before
the next one begins.
Clerk of Works have a notorious reputation
for being the person that points out everyone
else’s mistakes! On the new campus project, I
try to also convey to McLaughlin and Harvey
the majority of elements that are built to
specification and to details. However, it is my
job to make sure we receive a high quality build
that meets our requirements and that means
monitoring and recording everything that is
100% perfect as well as taking action to improve
anything that is less than perfect.
In addition to this we have an independent
tester who comes on site monthly. This will
increase to fortnightly shortly. This person
provides another layer of inspection, reporting
and governance and this testing and approval
will determine final completion of the new
campus.
What are your tools of the trade?
Construction details and specifications.
What qualifications and experience
do you need to be a Clerk of Works?
In this project the main contractor McLaughlin
and Harvey has the responsibility to build the
new campus to an agreed specification within
an agreed time. It’s up to them how they go
about that. My role is to make sure it meets the
College high quality standards.
I have a civil engineering degree and a postgraduate diploma in construction management.
3 7 8 DAYS
3 7 8 DAYS
Until The New Campus
Until The New Campus
The
Campus
Construction Director
Contracts Manager
Project Director
Michael Kieran
028 9034 2777
[email protected]
Phonsie Taggart
028 9034 2777
[email protected]
Eileen Mackin
01563 523501
[email protected]
Environmental Advisor:
Clerk of Works
Site Manager
Gareth Dale
028 9034 2777
[email protected]
Jemma Lowry
028 9034 2777
[email protected]
Ayrshire College is a registered Scottish charity. Reg No SC021177
Adam Jones
01563 523501
[email protected]
Technical Advisor
Andrew Baillie
01563 523501
[email protected]