Northern Ireland Regional CPD Event: Avoiding Defects in Construction

Peter Cole, Chair of CABE Northern Ireland Region, organised a face-to-face CPD event: Avoiding Defects in Construction. 

During which Peter and guest speakers Prof. Don McQuillan and Ciaran McAliskey, presented on issues relating to construction defects and provided guidance on how to avoid these issues. Peter has provided a detailed report on the talks, summarising the key points from each.

Professor Don McQuillan
Structural Safety – Expert Witness Cases – Recurring Themes and Lessons to be learned

Practicing the art of structural engineering i.e. designing elegantly, efficiently and economically, is one thing. Doing so safely, with competence avoiding pitfalls and bear traps, whilst staying in business is quite another matter because things do go wrong.
This presentation was based on an analysis of several hundred Expert Witness reports completed in the last 20 years. It highlighted themes, trends, and dealt with recurring issues and lessons to be learned.

The presentation concluded with the emphasis on the costs incurred when something does go wrong, and how the only winner is the legal profession. It emphasised the need for increasing competence moving forward.

Ciaran McAliskey 
Good Design: The Key to Avoiding Defects During Construction

During his talk, Ciaran presented on the common causes of defects and how careful planning can go a long way in remedying this. In addition, he enlightened the audience on Building Regulation changes going through in June 2022 and what to expect. Using his Keystone background he highlighted these changes.

Pete Cole
Snagyourhome Common Issues

My talk Snagyourhome® common issues was based on my experience of carrying out home snagging surveys over the last three years. It is hoped that this will highlight the current quality issues facing the industry, and assist Warranty Providers, Building Control Officers, and Site Managers in their day-to-day work. My talk highlighted the importance of competency, vigilance on site, and the need for regular CPD.

We hope to hold similar events in the Northern Ireland Region in the next 12 months.

Peter Cole
CABE Northern Ireland Regional Chair

Speaker Bios

Professor Don McQuillan
Director | RPS Group

Prof. Don McQuillan is the Immediate past President of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), and its 100th in its history. He is a Director of The RPS Group, consulting engineers, based in their Belfast office. Don specialises in managing large multi-disciplinary projects and in forensic engineering. Don also sits on the Structural Safety Ltd board, the legal entity for Collaborative Reporting for Safer Structures UK (CROSS-UK).

Ciaran McAliskey 
National Specification Manager | Keystone Lintels

Ciaran is the National Specification Manager for Keystone Lintels and has been with the company 11 years gaining a vast array of experience and knowledge across the wider Keystone Group but specialising in Keystone Lintels and Keylite Roof Windows. For the past six years Ciaran has been delivering CPD events and providing first class specification support and technical services to Architects and Specifiers to become the National Specification Manager across the island of Ireland.  

Pete Cole 
Pete Cole Consulting

Peter Cole, Regional Chair of Northern Ireland has worked in quality and building defects over the last three years. Prior to this, he worked in a family Principal Contracting business for over 22 years. Pete is a Chartered Building Engineer, Health and Safety Practitioner, and a qualified Clerk of Works with over 23 years site experience.