BS 8560:2012 pdf download – Code of practice for the design of buildings incorporating safe work at height
3.4 Concept design
The design team should develop a concept design that meets the design brief (see 3.2.2). This should start with initial proposals for the overall shape of the building, structural form, cladding and building services. Based on these initial proposals the design team should identify construction, maintenance and access processes where work at height is required and manage these within the design process to avoid or minimize the risk. Where the design team does not have the competence to address these issues within the design process themselves, a specialist should be consulted. To allow work at height to be carried out safely measures to mitigate and manage risk should be taken, which might include changes to the shape, form and materials to be used for the building and the envisaged provision of access equipment. The design team should prepare sketches and images that include potential work at height solutions, for approval by the client. NOTE The following might have an impact on the way work at height is carried out and could lead to refinement of the basic shape and form:
a) the height and form of the building or structure, including elevations, atria, roofs, etc.;
b) the “footprint” and the shape(s) of the plan and surroundings of the building or structure;
c) the ratio of glazing to general cladding;
d) the largest area/size of glazing and therefore the weight of the glass and or cladding panel to be installed or replaced;
e) the topography/geographical area in which the building is to be situated might influence the frequency of cleaning and light duty maintenance that might be required;
f) conditions and load-bearing characteristics of the ground during construction and lifetime of the building.
By this stage, and where appropriate earlier in the design process, designers should be identifying and evaluating work at height issues; a document, such as Table A.1, can be used to list project specific characteristics and record designers’ rationale for selecting particular equipment and techniques for work at height.
The information available to the design team at this stage should allow decisions to be made about the type of access systems that can be incorporated into the building and their basic requirements included into the design process.
The design team should also advise the client on the proposed cleaning and maintenance strategy that could be used throughout the working life of the building.
By the end of this stage the concept design should have been developed into strategic proposals for the overall shape, structural form, cladding and building services. These should include identification of any permanent access equipment necessary for the maintenance and cleaning of the building. Outline specifications and preliminary costs should also have been established. There should be formal agreement with the client of the concept design.
3.5 Design development
3.5.1 General During the design development stages given in 3.5.2 and 3.5.3 the concept design should be developed to produce more definitive information. During these design stages the design team should continue to identify and assess features that might influence work at height, recording significant issues. Table 1 and Table A.1 give examples of building and topographical design characteristics affecting the selection of access equipment for regular maintenance of external surfaces that the design team should take into account. NOTE 1 As the project develops Table A.1 can be used to record relevant decisions and information for designers, consultants or contractors. This can be supplemented by Table B.1, which gives examples of means of access for work at height.
NOTE 2 The information recorded in Table A.1 might be useful when compiling any information required for the operation, ongoing maintenance or future alteration of the building. Relevant information from Table A.1 can be included in the health and safety file, which can assist owners, tenants and contractors involved in the maintenance of the completed building, as well as future designers and contractors undertaking alterations or decommissioning.
NOTE 3 Attention is drawn to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 [3], which sets out requirements for the health and safety file.