DBIA DBIA - Design-Build Institute of America Quality Management and Project Controls Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary advantage of integrating quality management into the design phase of a design-build project?
- Defects can be prevented in design before they become costly construction errors (Correct answer)
- It eliminates the need for third-party inspections during construction
- It allows the owner to reduce the scope of commissioning activities
- It shifts quality responsibility entirely to the design team
Correct answer: Defects can be prevented in design before they become costly construction errors
Addressing quality in design prevents downstream rework and defects that are far more expensive to correct once construction has begun.
Question 2: In design-build, a Quality Management Plan (QMP) typically includes which of the following?
- Roles, responsibilities, inspection checkpoints, and documentation procedures (Correct answer)
- A list of approved subcontractors and their insurance certificates
- The owner's aesthetic preferences for finishes and fixtures
- A schedule of design-builder profit milestones
Correct answer: Roles, responsibilities, inspection checkpoints, and documentation procedures
A QMP defines who is responsible for quality at each phase, the inspection and testing protocols, and how quality records are maintained.
Question 3: What does 'first-run studies' or 'first article inspection' refer to in design-build construction quality control?
- Verifying the quality of work on a pilot section before proceeding with full-scale installation (Correct answer)
- Inspecting the first subcontractor invoice submitted for payment
- Reviewing the initial design drawings for code compliance
- Testing the first batch of concrete for a project's foundation
Correct answer: Verifying the quality of work on a pilot section before proceeding with full-scale installation
First-run studies prototype a work activity on a small scale to identify and resolve quality issues before committing to the full scope of installation.
Question 4: Which standard is most commonly referenced for quality management systems in US design-build construction?
- ISO 9001 (Correct answer)
- OSHA 1926
- ACI 318
- ANSI/ASHRAE 90.1
Correct answer: ISO 9001
ISO 9001 provides the internationally recognized framework for quality management systems applicable to design-build project organizations.
Question 5: What is the role of 'commissioning' at the end of a design-build project?
- Verifying that building systems are installed, tested, and operating per the owner's project requirements (Correct answer)
- Transferring legal ownership of the facility from the design-builder to the owner
- Completing the final punch list items identified during the owner walkthrough
- Obtaining the certificate of occupancy from the local building authority
Correct answer: Verifying that building systems are installed, tested, and operating per the owner's project requirements
Commissioning is a systematic process that confirms all mechanical, electrical, and other systems function as intended before the owner takes occupancy.
Question 6: In design-build, 'design reviews' at milestone stages primarily serve to:
- Confirm that evolving design meets the owner's requirements and project budget (Correct answer)
- Approve change orders submitted by the design-builder
- Certify that drawings are ready for public bid advertisement
- Replace the need for construction inspections by regulatory agencies
Correct answer: Confirm that evolving design meets the owner's requirements and project budget
Milestone design reviews ensure alignment between the developing design, owner expectations, and the project budget before advancing to the next phase.
DBIA DBIA - Design-Build Institute of America Quality Management and Project Controls Questions and Answers 1
What is the primary advantage of integrating quality management into the design phase of a design-build project?