A Case Study – Vendome Mall Project towards MEP Construction Management

Insight

The Vendome Mall - Snowpark and Family Entertainment Center is currently in progress. The contracted work discussed herein deals with the supply and installation of MEP Services (HVAC, Firefighting, Water Supply, Drainage, and Electrical Systems). The designed intent is to create an entertainment facility to be rated as one of the most fascinating and majestic structures (Photo-1). The Snowpark and Family Entertainment Center soars to a height of 17-meters inside the building as shown in Photo-3. The Vendome Mall building stands (Photo-2) on an artificial island in the Lusail area near to the West Bay Doha, which can be reached in just 15-minutes’ drive from City Center of Doha. The Main Contractor was awarded the MEP contract to provide a unique services engineering solution that would match the unique construction requirement and challenges for the Snowpark, Family Entertainment Center, and the entire project safety requirements.

Case Study Solution in the Improvement of the Current Project

During the construction process, working hand in hand with the Project Main Contractor and the Project Consultant the MEP Sub-Contractor suggested improvements in the design drawings for securing better safety and healthy environment.

Amongst the myriad challenges that occur in the construction industry, an MEP Sub-Contractor faces multiple issues during the ongoing installation/ construction. Hence, careful consideration was given to the designs, to satisfy the requirement in a safety manner, of all engineering works before starting site construction.

Since the MEP Sub-Contractor is in the forefront for all the systems works they have initiated the safety policy and review for providing solutions to achieve the target.

Responsibilities

For effective control the construction responsibilities have been allocated for the improvement of the organization of the construction activities. They comprise the following:

• The Main Contractor awarded the contract to the MEP Sub-Contractor who is responsible for the overall implementation of the work procedures as specified.
• The Construction MEP Project Manager along with his Discipline Engineers, Site Supervisors, Surveyors, and Foreman are to ensure that all the works are carried out according to the approved Specifications, Drawings and Method Statements.
• The Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) Manager along with the QC Engineer ensures that all the works are carried out as per Specification; Issued for Construction (IFC) Drawings, Method Statement and Inspection Test Plan (ITP). The Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) Manager must coordinate with the site for off-site tests related to the Contracted Works.
• The Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Manager along with the Safety Officer are to ensure the implementation of all Safety Procedures and Safety Measures related to the nature of works being carried out within the construction environment and in accordance to the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) plan.

The full work force is deployed on site all the requisite materials and equipment are ordered and engineering works submission and approvals are quickly resolved on all issues in the design via shop drawings submission and approvals to meet the project timeframe and thereafter executing the work promptly. Thus, the resulting efforts by the team produces work with reliability and accuracy, in fact improves on them since it is wastage has also been minimized.

Safety Hazards and Preventive Measures in the Construction

The hazards associated with the installation of MEP/ Building Services and all related work activities are controlled as per the required risk assessment of the followings;

1.     PPE Requirements

As a minimum requirement as discussed above, the following PPE has been used by the Staff and Labour employed on the construction site:

• Safety Helmet
• Safety shoes
• Coverall
• Hand gloves
• Full body harness
• Ear plugs
• Eye protection / goggles
• Special respiratory mask/ dust mask

2.     Information and Communication to the Personnel

• Safety induction has is done in accordance with the HSE Policy prior to start of the work on the construction site.
• Job Stat Card known as the 4C (Control, Cooperation, Communication, Competence) and the Safety Tool Box is carried out prior to starting work.
• The Method Statement and the Risk Assessment briefing are convened and attended by all personnel assigned to do the task within the construction environment and all risk associated with the works are explained.
• The Safety Personnel and the designated Responsible Person ensure that all works on site are carried out and all statutory requirements are complied with before any works commences.
• Since the work is in the construction area, all measures are in place for minimizing/ eliminating dust exposure.
• Emergency evacuation plan is explained to all workmen to deal with emergency situation on the construction site.
• Periodically a Hazard Analysis is done for safety.
• All personnel are trained with the correct equipment set up on site.

The Case Study Benefits

The Vendome Mall - Snowpark and Family Entertainment Center is one of the most important landmarks in Qatar. Considering the harsh climate conditions and the construction standards set up for achieving high quality MEP / Building Services for the facility not only to meet the client’s expectations but try to exceed them.

In the ongoing construction, the principle is meeting the strength requirements they have provided by securing a total designed solution environmentally which will result in expanding life expectancy for the building structure, design safety and energy conservation.

Conclusion

At a Construction Site the Construction Project Manager is responsible for the Safety and Health of the employees on behalf of the Owner while still having to complete the project as per the approved design plans, scope of works and specifications. The Project Manager faces challenges from the grass-roots level since he is responsible for the overall success of delivering the owner’s physical development within the constraints of project cost, time, quality, environmental and safety requirements

With the increase in complexity of projects and consequently of the construction processes ensuring awareness of Safety, Health and Security is extremely important. The processes and practices must be adhered to inspite of increasing nuisance from non-stakeholders since Owners demand accountability and proper guidance during the entire planning and construction process, all as approved by an authority.

The Project Manager must be technically competent and be able to adapt to the changing requirements of the built environment by relying on the knowledge and skills acquired through training, education, and hands-on experiences. The Project Manager needs to also have skills to meet play the roles and bear the responsibilities to create wisdom, distribute the wisdom, and identify hindrances to knowledge acquisition.

With PMI defining project management as;

"the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to a broad range of activities in order to meet the requirements of a particular project."

HSE covers all phases of a project. In today's competitive environment, the construction technological aspects need to be designed for timely information to enable preparation of engineering works, procure the required materials from the market and deploy the necessary labour, plant and equipment so that productivity remains high. The processes discussed earlier provide an essential compendium in the construction industry for securing safety for all practicing engineers, designers, planners and other practitioners since Safety, Security and Health encompass all the phases of planning, design, and construction from start to finish.

Sources

Gomeseria, R. V. (2019, September 11). A Case Study – Vendome Mall Project for the MEP Construction Management. Retrieved from osf.io/rn85e

Ronald Valledor Gomeseria; (September 2019); "Planning, Design & Construction - Safety & Security Policy;" VIEWPOINT JOURNAL, September 2019 Edition, Official Quarterly Magazine of the CEAI Publication, Consulting Engineers Association of India

Article Write-up References

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