Abstract
PurposeDespite the number of quality management procedures being currently applied, construction defects in the domestic sector are acknowledged to contribute to the energy performance gap of buildings. This paper investigates the limitations and challenges to the implementation of project quality plans (PQPs) and their impact on the achievement of expected thermal performance in the UK social housing projects.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach, guided by grounded theory, was used in this research. This methodology provided the structure for systematic data analysis iterations, enabling cross-case analysis. An analytic induction process was designed to seek the explanation of the targeted phenomenon and required data collection until no new ideas and concepts emerged from the research iterations. This study collected data from five social housing projects through interviews, site observations and project documentation.FindingsMultiple limitations and challenges were identified in the implementation of PQP to deliver thermal efficient social housing. Generally, there is the need for more objective quality compliance procedures based on required evidence. When investigating the root of the challenges, it was concluded that the adoption of statutory approval as the main quality compliance procedure led to the dilution of the responsibility for prevention and appraisal of defects that compromised the effectiveness of PQP devised by housing associations (HA) and contractors.Originality/valueThis study identifies the shortcomings of PQP in addressing quality issues with potential to undermine the thermal performance of social housing projects. The findings could be used by HA, contractors and policymakers as steppingstones to improve the energy efficiency in the domestic sector.
Subject
General Business, Management and Accounting,Building and Construction,Architecture,Civil and Structural Engineering
Reference61 articles.
1. The relationship between quality defects and the thermal performance of buildings;Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews,2018
2. The pathology of building defects; a human error approach;Engineering Construction and Architectural Management (Wiley-Blackwell),2002
3. Recurring quality issues in the UK private house building industry;Structural Survey,2009
4. Reasoning mechanism for construction nonconformance root-cause analysis;Journal of Construction Engineering and Management,2008
5. Condensation Risk – Impact of Improvements to Part L and Robust Details on Part C – Interim Report Number 7: Final Report on Project Fieldwork,2005
Cited by
1 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献