Investigating failures in building services - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 07:22, 15 February 2021

2021-02-15T07:22:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:22, 15 February 2021
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	* Why should quality be important to the construction industry/		* Why should quality be important to the construction industry/

−	[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Client_procedures]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Client_procedures]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]

Editor: moved Investigating failures in business services to Investigating failures in building services

2020-06-09T12:43:43Z

moved Investigating failures in business services to Investigating failures in building services

← Older revision

Revision as of 12:43, 9 June 2020

152.115.95.140 at 11:50, 9 June 2020

2020-06-09T11:50:45Z

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−	[[File:Investigation.jpg]]	+	[[File:Investigation.jpg\|link=File:Investigation.jpg]]

	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

Editor at 15:15, 21 May 2020

2020-05-21T15:15:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:15, 21 May 2020
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		+	[[File:Investigation.jpg]]
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	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

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	[[File:Typesoffailures.1.png\|link=File:Typesoffailures.1.png]]		[[File:Typesoffailures.1.png\|link=File:Typesoffailures.1.png]]

−	The typical pattern of failure arising against time is shown by the well-known bathtub curve. The curve is divided into three segments: an infant mortality period, a random failure period and an end of life failure. (Diagram courtesy of BSRIA; not for reuse.)	+	Diagram courtesy of BSRIA; not for reuse.

	-----		-----
		+	The typical pattern of failure arising against time is shown by the well-known bathtub curve, which is divided into three segments or periods.
		+
	The first period is usually detected during the defects liability period after a project is handed over.		The first period is usually detected during the defects liability period after a project is handed over.

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	* Insurance purposes. Insurers may require an independent evaluation of the failure and investigation of its possible cause to identify possible fraudulent or malicious intentions.		* Insurance purposes. Insurers may require an independent evaluation of the failure and investigation of its possible cause to identify possible fraudulent or malicious intentions.
	* Cost savings. Too often, failed components are replaced without investigating the root cause. Without understanding the origin of a failure, it is not possible to prevent its re-occurrence. Repetitive failure and replacement of components could add significantly to the operating cost for a building or estate.		* Cost savings. Too often, failed components are replaced without investigating the root cause. Without understanding the origin of a failure, it is not possible to prevent its re-occurrence. Repetitive failure and replacement of components could add significantly to the operating cost for a building or estate.
−	* Health and safety. In May 2009, a lift at London’s Tower Bridge tourist attraction suffered a vital mechanism failure that sent it falling with 9 people in it, four of whom suffered bone fractures. The malfunction was caused by the failure of a counterweight mechanism. The accident investigation by the HSE revealed that there had been several previous component failures with the counterweight mechanism, and the components had been replaced without proper review, and with no investigation into why they were failing so early. Tower Bridge was ordered to pay a total cost of £100k, and the HSE concluded that, had there been a proper review into the counterweight mechanisms, the catastrophic failure of the lift could have been avoided.	+	* Health and safety. In May 2009, a lift at London’s Tower Bridge tourist attraction suffered a vital mechanism failure that sent it falling with nine people in it, four of whom suffered bone fractures. The malfunction was caused by the failure of a counterweight mechanism. The accident investigation by the HSE revealed that there had been several previous component failures with the counterweight mechanism, and the components had been replaced without proper review, and with no investigation into why they were failing so early. Tower Bridge was ordered to pay a total cost of £100k, and the HSE concluded that, had there been a proper review into the counterweight mechanisms, the catastrophic failure of the lift could have been avoided.

	Read more about [https://www.bsria.com/uk/consultancy/building-investigation/failure-investigations/ BSRIA’s Failure Investigation service here].		Read more about [https://www.bsria.com/uk/consultancy/building-investigation/failure-investigations/ BSRIA’s Failure Investigation service here].
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	-----		-----
−	This article was originally published as The importance of investigating failures in building services on the BSRIA website on 20 May 2020. It was written by Martin Ronceray, BSRIA Engineering Investigation Lead.	+	This article was originally published as [https://blogs.bsria.co.uk/2020/05/20/the-importance-of-investigating-failures-in-building-services/ The importance of investigating failures in building services] on the BSRIA website on 20 May 2020. It was written by Martin Ronceray, BSRIA Engineering Investigation Lead.

	--[[User:BSRIA\|BSRIA]]		--[[User:BSRIA\|BSRIA]]
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	* Why should quality be important to the construction industry/		* Why should quality be important to the construction industry/

−	[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Construction_management]]	+	[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Client_procedures]] [[Category:Construction_management]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]

Editor at 15:04, 21 May 2020

2020-05-21T15:04:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:04, 21 May 2020
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	= Types of failures in building services =		= Types of failures in building services =

−	= [[File:Typesoffailures.1.png\|link=File:Typesoffailures.1.png]] =	+	[[File:Typesoffailures.1.png\|link=File:Typesoffailures.1.png]]

	The typical pattern of failure arising against time is shown by the well-known bathtub curve. The curve is divided into three segments: an infant mortality period, a random failure period and an end of life failure. (Diagram courtesy of BSRIA; not for reuse.)		The typical pattern of failure arising against time is shown by the well-known bathtub curve. The curve is divided into three segments: an infant mortality period, a random failure period and an end of life failure. (Diagram courtesy of BSRIA; not for reuse.)
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	* BSRIA articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.		* BSRIA articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
−	* ~~BSRIA domestic hot water heat pumps testing~~.	+	* Cracking and building movement.
−	* ~~BSRIA global heat pump market 2017~~.	+	* Defects.
−	* ~~Drivers of change in global heating markets~~.	+	* Failure.
−	* ~~Exhaust air heat pump~~.	+	* Failure modes and effect analysis (FMEA).
−	* ~~Global growth in 2020 air-conditioning market~~.	+	* Inspection and test plan.
−	* ~~Ground source heat pumps~~.	+	* Latent defects.
−	* ~~Heat pump~~.	+	* Structural failures.
−	* ~~Solar-assisted heat pump.~~	+	* Why should quality be important to the construction industry/
−	* Water source heat pumps.	+
		+	[[Category:Health_and_safety_/_CDM]] [[Category:Construction_management]]

Editor at 14:58, 21 May 2020

2020-05-21T14:58:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:58, 21 May 2020
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	Read more about [https://www.bsria.com/uk/consultancy/building-investigation/failure-investigations/ BSRIA’s Failure Investigation service here].		Read more about [https://www.bsria.com/uk/consultancy/building-investigation/failure-investigations/ BSRIA’s Failure Investigation service here].
		+
		+	(1) Razak, D S A, Mills, G and Roberts, A (2016) External Failure Cost in Construction Supply Chains. In: P W Chan and C J Neilson (Eds.)
		+
		+	-----
		+	This article was originally published as The importance of investigating failures in building services on the BSRIA website on 20 May 2020. It was written by Martin Ronceray, BSRIA Engineering Investigation Lead.

	--[[User:BSRIA\|BSRIA]]		--[[User:BSRIA\|BSRIA]]

−	~~Author: Martin Ronceray, BSRIA Engineering Investigation Lead~~	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

−	~~(1) Razak, D S A, Mills, G and Roberts, A (2016) External Failure Cost~~ in ~~Construction Supply Chains~~. ~~In: P W Chan and C J Neilson (Eds~~.)	+	* BSRIA articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
		+	* BSRIA domestic hot water heat pumps testing.
		+	* BSRIA global heat pump market 2017.
		+	* Drivers of change in global heating markets.
		+	* Exhaust air heat pump.
		+	* Global growth in 2020 air-conditioning market.
		+	* Ground source heat pumps.
		+	* Heat pump.
		+	* Solar-assisted heat pump.
		+	* Water source heat pumps.

Editor at 14:55, 21 May 2020

2020-05-21T14:55:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:55, 21 May 2020
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	= Types of failures in building services =		= Types of failures in building services =

−	= [[File:Typesoffailures.1.png]] =	+	= [[File:Typesoffailures.1.png\|link=File:Typesoffailures.1.png]] =

	The typical pattern of failure arising against time is shown by the well-known bathtub curve. The curve is divided into three segments: an infant mortality period, a random failure period and an end of life failure. (Diagram courtesy of BSRIA; not for reuse.)		The typical pattern of failure arising against time is shown by the well-known bathtub curve. The curve is divided into three segments: an infant mortality period, a random failure period and an end of life failure. (Diagram courtesy of BSRIA; not for reuse.)
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	The third period is when the system is reaching the end of its life. Failure could be imminent and there should be little or no surprise in this happening.		The third period is when the system is reaching the end of its life. Failure could be imminent and there should be little or no surprise in this happening.

−	Importance of investigating these failures	+	= Importance of investigating these failures =

	There are various reasons why every unexpected failure should be investigated. Below are some of the key ones:		There are various reasons why every unexpected failure should be investigated. Below are some of the key ones:

−	Insurance purposes. Insurers may require an independent evaluation of the failure and investigation of its possible cause to identify possible fraudulent or malicious intentions.	+	* Insurance purposes. Insurers may require an independent evaluation of the failure and investigation of its possible cause to identify possible fraudulent or malicious intentions.
		+	* Cost savings. Too often, failed components are replaced without investigating the root cause. Without understanding the origin of a failure, it is not possible to prevent its re-occurrence. Repetitive failure and replacement of components could add significantly to the operating cost for a building or estate.
		+	* Health and safety. In May 2009, a lift at London’s Tower Bridge tourist attraction suffered a vital mechanism failure that sent it falling with 9 people in it, four of whom suffered bone fractures. The malfunction was caused by the failure of a counterweight mechanism. The accident investigation by the HSE revealed that there had been several previous component failures with the counterweight mechanism, and the components had been replaced without proper review, and with no investigation into why they were failing so early. Tower Bridge was ordered to pay a total cost of £100k, and the HSE concluded that, had there been a proper review into the counterweight mechanisms, the catastrophic failure of the lift could have been avoided.

−	~~Cost savings~~. ~~Too often, failed components are replaced without investigating the root cause~~. ~~Without understanding the origin of a~~ failure~~, it is not possible to prevent its re~~-~~occurrence. Repetitive failure and replacement of components could add significantly to the operating cost for a building or estate~~.	+	Read more about [https://www.bsria.com/uk/consultancy/building-investigation/failure-investigations/ BSRIA’s Failure Investigation service here].

−	Health and safety. In May 2009, a lift at London’s Tower Bridge tourist attraction suffered a vital mechanism failure that sent it falling with 9 people in it, four of whom suffered bone fractures. The malfunction was caused by the failure of a counterweight mechanism. The accident investigation by the HSE revealed that there had been several previous component failures with the counterweight mechanism, and the components had been replaced without proper review, and with no investigation into why they were failing so early. Tower Bridge was ordered to pay a total cost of £100k, and the HSE concluded that, had there been a proper review into the counterweight mechanisms, the catastrophic failure of the lift could have been avoided.	+	--[[User:BSRIA\|BSRIA]]
−		+
−	BSRIA ~~can help with building services investigations~~	+
−		+
−	BSRIA ~~has been in the building services industry for over 60 years and has been involved in hundreds of investigations.~~	+
−		+
−	Our independence makes us the ideal partner to provide non-biased failure investigations. Our expertise and capability in testing various materials and components of building services to determine the likely cause of failure is unique. We are able to perform investigations on site, examinations in our labs and analysis in our offices.	+
−		+
−	~~Our professional approach is such that there is no failure too large or too small to investigate today because this can save lives and costs tomorrow.~~	+
−		+
−	~~Read more about BSRIA’s Failure Investigation service here~~	+

	Author: Martin Ronceray, BSRIA Engineering Investigation Lead		Author: Martin Ronceray, BSRIA Engineering Investigation Lead

	(1) Razak, D S A, Mills, G and Roberts, A (2016) External Failure Cost in Construction Supply Chains. In: P W Chan and C J Neilson (Eds.)		(1) Razak, D S A, Mills, G and Roberts, A (2016) External Failure Cost in Construction Supply Chains. In: P W Chan and C J Neilson (Eds.)

Editor: moved Investigating failures business services to Investigating failures in business services

2020-05-21T14:50:36Z

moved Investigating failures business services to Investigating failures in business services

← Older revision

Revision as of 14:50, 21 May 2020

Editor at 14:50, 21 May 2020

2020-05-21T14:50:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:50, 21 May 2020
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		+	= Introduction =
		+
	A study from the UCL(1) revealed that building failures may cost the UK construction industry £1bn to £2bn every year. This was a conservative estimate made in 2016, based on 1 to 2% of the total value of construction.		A study from the UCL(1) revealed that building failures may cost the UK construction industry £1bn to £2bn every year. This was a conservative estimate made in 2016, based on 1 to 2% of the total value of construction.

	As of March 2020, the Office for National Statistics has estimated the total value of all UK construction works to be worth £12.7bn, 68% of which is for new buildings or the repair and maintenance of existing buildings. This would give an estimated cost of failure between £85m and £170m, of which building services would account for a high proportion.		As of March 2020, the Office for National Statistics has estimated the total value of all UK construction works to be worth £12.7bn, 68% of which is for new buildings or the repair and maintenance of existing buildings. This would give an estimated cost of failure between £85m and £170m, of which building services would account for a high proportion.
		+
		+	= Types of failures in building services =
		+
		+	= [[File:Typesoffailures.1.png]] =

	The typical pattern of failure arising against time is shown by the well-known bathtub curve. The curve is divided into three segments: an infant mortality period, a random failure period and an end of life failure. (Diagram courtesy of BSRIA; not for reuse.)		The typical pattern of failure arising against time is shown by the well-known bathtub curve. The curve is divided into three segments: an infant mortality period, a random failure period and an end of life failure. (Diagram courtesy of BSRIA; not for reuse.)

Editor: Created page with "A study from the UCL(1) revealed that building failures may cost the UK construction industry £1bn to £2bn every year. This was a conservative estimate made in 2016, based on 1..."

2020-05-21T14:47:34Z

Created page with "A study from the UCL(1) revealed that building failures may cost the UK construction industry £1bn to £2bn every year. This was a conservative estimate made in 2016, based on 1..."

New page

A study from the UCL(1) revealed that building failures may cost the UK construction industry £1bn to £2bn every year. This was a conservative estimate made in 2016, based on 1 to 2% of the total value of construction.

As of March 2020, the Office for National Statistics has estimated the total value of all UK construction works to be worth £12.7bn, 68% of which is for new buildings or the repair and maintenance of existing buildings. This would give an estimated cost of failure between £85m and £170m, of which building services would account for a high proportion.

The typical pattern of failure arising against time is shown by the well-known bathtub curve. The curve is divided into three segments: an infant mortality period, a random failure period and an end of life failure. (Diagram courtesy of BSRIA; not for reuse.)

-----
The first period is usually detected during the defects liability period after a project is handed over.

The second period would happen during the operation of a system, and failures may occur due to inappropriate operating conditions or maintenance regimes.

The third period is when the system is reaching the end of its life. Failure could be imminent and there should be little or no surprise in this happening.

Importance of investigating these failures

There are various reasons why every unexpected failure should be investigated. Below are some of the key ones:

Insurance purposes. Insurers may require an independent evaluation of the failure and investigation of its possible cause to identify possible fraudulent or malicious intentions.

Cost savings. Too often, failed components are replaced without investigating the root cause. Without understanding the origin of a failure, it is not possible to prevent its re-occurrence. Repetitive failure and replacement of components could add significantly to the operating cost for a building or estate.

Health and safety. In May 2009, a lift at London’s Tower Bridge tourist attraction suffered a vital mechanism failure that sent it falling with 9 people in it, four of whom suffered bone fractures. The malfunction was caused by the failure of a counterweight mechanism. The accident investigation by the HSE revealed that there had been several previous component failures with the counterweight mechanism, and the components had been replaced without proper review, and with no investigation into why they were failing so early. Tower Bridge was ordered to pay a total cost of £100k, and the HSE concluded that, had there been a proper review into the counterweight mechanisms, the catastrophic failure of the lift could have been avoided.

BSRIA can help with building services investigations

BSRIA has been in the building services industry for over 60 years and has been involved in hundreds of investigations.

Our independence makes us the ideal partner to provide non-biased failure investigations. Our expertise and capability in testing various materials and components of building services to determine the likely cause of failure is unique. We are able to perform investigations on site, examinations in our labs and analysis in our offices.

Our professional approach is such that there is no failure too large or too small to investigate today because this can save lives and costs tomorrow.

Read more about BSRIA’s Failure Investigation service here

Author: Martin Ronceray, BSRIA Engineering Investigation Lead

(1) Razak, D S A, Mills, G and Roberts, A (2016) External Failure Cost in Construction Supply Chains. In: P W Chan and C J Neilson (Eds.)