Chapter 3: Technical issues on alteration and refurbishment projects

The need to adapt buildings and other structures to accommodate new uses and to upgrade building performance are major reasons for alteration and refurbishment projects (Engineers Daily, 2019). Refurbishment projects usually involve work on older buildings. There is usually very little information available on the as-built (or historical modification) status of these buildings, and there is therefore a need to plan the proposed works effectively to ensure that health and safety is not compromised in any way. Apart from the management arrangements that need to be in place, the technical aspects of structural safety must be assessed before, during and after the works, and it is essential that this assessment is incorporated in the work programme. Alteration and refurbishment projects normally entail a significant amount of demolition, extension and modification activities, both above and beneath ground. In some rare cases, and especially on the older stock, such works involve complete demolition and rebuilding as a new-build project (Fernandez, 2011).