CLARB - Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards Construction Documentation Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During the construction of a public park, the contractor discovers a subsurface rock ledge that was not identified in the geotechnical report, preventing the installation of a precast concrete retaining wall as designed. The landscape architect determines a different type of retaining wall is required. Which of the following documents is the formal instrument used to authorize this change in scope and associated costs?
- Addendum
- Request for Information (RFI)
- Construction Change Directive (CCD)
- Change Order (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Change Order
A Change Order is a written instrument prepared by the architect/landscape architect and signed by the owner, contractor, and architect to document an agreement on a change in the work, the contract sum, or the contract time. An addendum is issued before the bid, an RFI is a request for clarification, and a CCD is used when there isn't full agreement on cost or time but the work must proceed.
Question 2: A landscape architect is preparing the project manual for a new commercial plaza. The specifications for irrigation systems, including sleeves, heads, and controllers, should be located within which CSI MasterFormat® Division?
- Division 01 - General Requirements
- Division 03 - Concrete
- Division 32 - Exterior Improvements (Correct answer)
- Division 33 - Utilities
Correct answer: Division 32 - Exterior Improvements
CSI MasterFormat® Division 32 is designated for 'Exterior Improvements,' which covers a wide range of site-related work including paving, site furnishings, planting, and irrigation systems. Division 33 'Utilities' typically pertains to larger-scale utility distribution systems, not site-specific irrigation.
Question 3: Which of the following drawings in a landscape architecture construction set provides the most detailed information on material connections, dimensions, and assembly of a specific site element like a custom bench or pergola?
- Layout Plan
- Grading and Drainage Plan
- Details and Sections (Correct answer)
- Planting Plan
Correct answer: Details and Sections
Details and Sections are large-scale drawings that magnify specific, complex portions of the project to show how different components and materials are to be assembled. They provide critical information for the contractor to build the element correctly.
Question 4: At the conclusion of a project, the contractor submits a set of drawings that have been marked up in red ink to show on-site changes, field adjustments, and the final locations of underground utilities. What are these drawings correctly termed?
- Record Drawings
- Shop Drawings
- As-Built Drawings (Correct answer)
- Schematic Design Drawings
Correct answer: As-Built Drawings
As-Built Drawings are the contractor's marked-up set of construction drawings showing what was actually constructed in the field, including any deviations from the original plans. These are then used by the landscape architect to prepare the final Record Drawings.
Question 5: A landscape architect is reviewing the project closeout documents provided by the general contractor. The contractor has provided their marked-up 'as-built' drawings. What is the landscape architect's primary responsibility with this information before final project acceptance?
- To stamp and sign the contractor's drawings as final.
- To verify every dimension on the as-built set with field measurements.
- To transfer the contractor's noted changes onto a clean set of drawings to create the official 'Record Drawings' for the owner. (Correct answer)
- To file the as-built drawings with the local building department immediately.
Correct answer: To transfer the contractor's noted changes onto a clean set of drawings to create the official 'Record Drawings' for the owner.
The industry standard is for the contractor to provide 'as-built' markups. The design professional (landscape architect) then uses that information to create a final, clean set of 'Record Drawings'. These record drawings become the official documentation of the completed project for the owner's future use.
Question 6: Which of the following BEST describes the primary purpose of the written specifications in a set of construction documents?
- To provide the general notes and legend for the drawing set.
- To establish the qualitative requirements for products, materials, and workmanship. (Correct answer)
- To show the physical layout and dimensions of site elements.
- To outline the bidding requirements and contract forms.
Correct answer: To establish the qualitative requirements for products, materials, and workmanship.
While construction documents as a whole contain all the listed elements, the primary role of the specifications (the 'project manual') is to define the quality of materials, installation standards, and expected workmanship. The drawings primarily show quantity and location.
CLARB - Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards Construction Documentation Questions and Answers
During the construction of a public park, the contractor discovers a subsurface rock ledge that was not identified in the geotechnical report, preventing the installation of a precast concrete retaining wall as designed.
The landscape architect determines a different type of retaining wall is required.
Which of the following documents is the formal instrument used to authorize this change in scope and associated costs?