ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½

A. I would suggest you contact SPAB (The Society for Protection of Ancient ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½s) on their technical help line (0207 377 1644) or at www.spab.org.uk

I hope the following information might also be useful:

"When plastering onto lath it is essential to add hair to the mix to help in forming a key of plaster between the laths. While it is not essential to use a haired mix for other backgrounds it can help to reduce shrinkage. Goat and cattle hair are preferable to horse hair, which is too slippery. Hair should be added to the mix just before use. Do not add hair to coarse stuff that is to be stored for more than about six weeks as the hair may rot if left in damp lime mortar for a long time. The hair should be gradually teased into the mix so that it is well distributed and does not form clumps (referred to as 'dead mice'). Add one pound of hair per three cubic feet of mortar for walls and one pound of hair to two cubic feet of mortar for ceilings. For the second coat halve the quantity. To check whether there is sufficient hair in the mix, scoop a dollop of mix into a gauging trowel, tap the underside smartly so that the blob flattens and the surplus mortar falls off. There should be a fringe of hair at 1-2mm intervals around the edge of the trowel."

Source: www.southsomerset.gov.uk

Q. A domestic subcontractor keeps failing to meet requirements laid down by JCT IFC98. Every time I (the employer) or the contractor chases him, the subbie gives a different story.

What can either I or the contractor do in this situation? Can the employer ask that an alternative subcontractor is found?

A. As the employer, the only remedy to this is to seek liquidated damages from the main contractor. In response, the main contractor would probably seek to recover the monies from the domestic subcontractor.

The employer should also ensure that there is a certificate of non-completion.

Thanks to Vicky Russell of CIOB Legal Services

Q. I am working on a MOD site and would like to know about the hierarchy between specifications and contract documents – which takes preference?

A. The hierarchy of the contract document, drawings and specifications is usually stated in most of the standard forms of contract.

As this is a MOD bespoke contract I am not sure about it, and therefore you should thoroughly check the contract documentation. If it is not stated in the contract then my personal view would be that drawings take precedence over specifications.

Please seek expert advice from a contract specialist or a legal eagle.

Q. I am a site manager in need of advice on a technical problem relating to the combination of construction tolerances. The element in question is as follows:

• The baseplate of the 203x203xUC46 outer stanchions have been cast into concrete encasements
  
• The engineer required 50mm concrete cover to the stanchions
  
• This means the outer face of the concrete encasement is at 203/2 + 50 = 151.5mm from the centre line
  
• 140 mm blockwork is built into the stanchion on their centre line and the building has a 100mm cavity (from blockwork) with facing brickwork
  
• Thus the back of the facing bricks is at 140/2 + 100 = 170mm from the centre line

Therefore there is just 18.5mm (170-151.5) allowed between the outer face of concrete encasement and back of facing bricks. Unfortunately this dimension - once completed - actually ranges between 25mm and 0mm. I have argued that the combination of tolerance can mean that this 18.5mm is reduced to zero as follows:

Brickwork tolerance: +/-10 mm Stanchion centre line tolerance: +/-10mm Additionally, we must consider size of brick tolerance, rolling tolerance of steel and concrete and encasement shuttering tolerance.

This argument has not been thus far accepted. Is there any document that I can refer to on this to help demonstration?

A. The architect should be able to consider and give a decision about the combination of tolerances. CAD software may help in resolving such issues. Can any CM readers help on this issue?

Q. I will soon be moving to a project in the Republic of Ireland. Could you provide me with information about the Irish ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Regulations?

A. You can find information about the Irish ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ Regulations at the website www.environ.ie

Go into the site index and then click on the 'Construction Industry' link or search under 'building regulations'.