Clerk of Works
Encyclopedia
Clerks of Works are the most highly qualified non-commissioned
tradesmen in the Royal Engineers
. The qualification can be held in three specialisations: Electrical, Mechanical and Construction. The clerk of works (or clerk of the works), often abbreviated CoW, is employed by the architect
or client on a construction site
. The role is primarily to represent the interests of the client in regard to ensuring the quality of both materials and workmanship are in accordance with the design information such as specification and engineering drawing
s, in addition to recognized quality standards. The role is defined in standard forms of contract such as those published by the Joint Contracts Tribunal
.
Historically the CoW was employed by the architect
on behalf of a client, or by Local Authorities to oversee public works.
Maître d'Oeuvre (master of work) is a term used in many European jurisdictions for the office that carries out this job in major projects; the Channel Tunnel
project had such an office. In Italy
the term used is direttore dei lavori (manager of the works).
The Clerk of Works is a very isolated profession on site. He/she is the person that must ensure quality of both materials and workmanship and, to this end, must be absolutely impartial and independent in his decisions and judgements. He/she cannot normally, by virtue of the quality role, be employed by the contractor - only the client, normally by the architect on behalf of the client. His/her role is not to judge, but simply to report all occurrences that are relevant to the role.
Post nominals for members are FICWCI (Fellow), MICWCI (Member) and LICWCI (Licentiate).
The organisation was originally founded to allow those that were required to operate in isolation on site, a central organisation to look after the interests of their chosen profession, be it through association with other professional bodies, educational means or simply through social intercourse amongst their own peers and contemporaries. Essential to this, as the Institute developed, was the development of a central body that could lobby Parliament in relation to their profession, and the quality issues that it stands for.
Although the means of construction, the training of individuals and the way in which individuals are employed have changed dramatically over the years, the principles for which the Institute was originally formed remain sacrosanct. Experience in the many facets of the building trade is essential and, in general terms, most practitioners will have "come from the tools", though further third level education in the Built Environment is essential.
Awards given in each category are Winner, Highly Commended and Commended. The Overall Winner is chosen from all categories and is widely regarded to be the highest accolade that can be awarded to a Clerk of Works in recognition of his work.
2009 Award Winners:
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
tradesmen in the Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
. The qualification can be held in three specialisations: Electrical, Mechanical and Construction. The clerk of works (or clerk of the works), often abbreviated CoW, is employed by the architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
or client on a construction site
Construction Site
Construction Site is a television series created by The Jim Henson Company in 1999, and consists of 7 construction vehicles. The show was broadcast on ABC Kids for a while, and had a range of videos. It was originally produced for and shown on CITV starting in 1999. In 2000 it was nominated for a...
. The role is primarily to represent the interests of the client in regard to ensuring the quality of both materials and workmanship are in accordance with the design information such as specification and engineering drawing
Engineering drawing
An engineering drawing, a type of technical drawing, is used to fully and clearly define requirements for engineered items.Engineering drawing produces engineering drawings . More than just the drawing of pictures, it is also a language—a graphical language that communicates ideas and information...
s, in addition to recognized quality standards. The role is defined in standard forms of contract such as those published by the Joint Contracts Tribunal
Joint Contracts Tribunal
The Joint Contracts Tribunal, also known as the JCT, produces standard forms of contract for construction, guidance notes and other standard documentation for use in the construction industry. From its establishment in 1931, JCT has expanded the number of contributing organisations...
.
Historically the CoW was employed by the architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
on behalf of a client, or by Local Authorities to oversee public works.
Maître d'Oeuvre (master of work) is a term used in many European jurisdictions for the office that carries out this job in major projects; the Channel Tunnel
Channel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel is a undersea rail tunnel linking Folkestone, Kent in the United Kingdom with Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais near Calais in northern France beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover. At its lowest point, it is deep...
project had such an office. In Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
the term used is direttore dei lavori (manager of the works).
Origins of the title
The job title Clerk of Works is believed to derive from the thirteenth century when Monks and Priests (i.e., "clerics" or "clerks") were accepted as being more literate than the builders of the age and took on the responsibility of supervising the works associated with the erection of churches and other religious property. As craftsmen and masons became more educated they in turn took on the role, but the title did not change. By the nineteenth century the role had expanded to cover the majority of building works, and the Clerk of Works was drawn from experienced tradesmen who had wide knowledge and understanding of the building process.The role
The role, to this day, is based on the impartiality of the Clerk of Works in ensuring value for money for the client - rather than the contractor - is achieved through rigorous and detailed inspection of materials and workmanship throughout the build process. In many cases, the traditional title has been discarded to comply with modern trends, such as Site Inspector, Architectural Inspector and Quality Inspector, but the requirement for the role remains unchanged since the origins of the title.The Clerk of Works is a very isolated profession on site. He/she is the person that must ensure quality of both materials and workmanship and, to this end, must be absolutely impartial and independent in his decisions and judgements. He/she cannot normally, by virtue of the quality role, be employed by the contractor - only the client, normally by the architect on behalf of the client. His/her role is not to judge, but simply to report all occurrences that are relevant to the role.
Notable Clerks of Works
- Geoffrey ChaucerGeoffrey ChaucerGeoffrey Chaucer , known as the Father of English literature, is widely considered the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages and was the first poet to have been buried in Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey...
(1343–1400) was an English author, poet, philosopher, bureaucrat, courtier, diplomat and Clerk of the King's Works.
- John Louth was appointed first Clerk of Works of the Board of OrdnanceBoard of OrdnanceThe Board of Ordnance was a British government body responsible for the supply of armaments and munitions to the Royal Navy and British Army. It was also responsible for providing artillery trains for armies and maintaining coastal fortresses and, later, management of the artillery and engineer...
by Henry VHenry V of EnglandHenry V was King of England from 1413 until his death at the age of 35 in 1422. He was the second monarch belonging to the House of Lancaster....
in 1414 along with Nicholas Merbury, Master of Ordnance (the Royal ArtilleryRoyal ArtilleryThe Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
, Royal EngineersRoyal EngineersThe Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
& Royal Army Ordnance CorpsRoyal Army Ordnance CorpsThe Royal Army Ordnance Corps was a corps of the British Army. It dealt only with the supply and maintenance of weaponry, munitions and other military equipment until 1965, when it took over most other supply functions, as well as the provision of staff clerks, from the Royal Army Service...
can all trace their origins to this date).
- Lord ChancellorLord ChancellorThe Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, or Lord Chancellor, is a senior and important functionary in the government of the United Kingdom. He is the second highest ranking of the Great Officers of State, ranking only after the Lord High Steward. The Lord Chancellor is appointed by the Sovereign...
and Bishop of WinchesterBishop of WinchesterThe Bishop of Winchester is the head of the Church of England diocese of Winchester, with his cathedra at Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire.The bishop is one of five Church of England bishops to be among the Lords Spiritual regardless of their length of service. His diocese is one of the oldest and...
, William of WykehamWilliam of WykehamWilliam of Wykeham was Bishop of Winchester, Chancellor of England, founder of Winchester College, New College, Oxford, New College School, Oxford, and builder of a large part of Windsor Castle.-Life:...
(1323–1404) was Clerk of the King's Works.
The Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate of Great Britain Incorporated
The ICWCI - motto: Potestate, Probitate et Vigilantia (Ability, Integrity and Vigilance) - is the professional body that supports quality construction through inspection. As a membership organisation it provides a support network of meeting centres, technical advice, publications and events to help keep members up to date with the ever changing construction industry.Post nominals for members are FICWCI (Fellow), MICWCI (Member) and LICWCI (Licentiate).
History
The Institute was founded in 1882 as the Clerk of Works Association, becoming the Incorporated Clerk of Works Association of Great Britain in 1903. In 1947, its name was amended again to the Institute of Clerks of Works of Great Britain Incorporated, a title it retained until 2009 when it was expanded to the Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate of Great Britain Incorporated.The organisation was originally founded to allow those that were required to operate in isolation on site, a central organisation to look after the interests of their chosen profession, be it through association with other professional bodies, educational means or simply through social intercourse amongst their own peers and contemporaries. Essential to this, as the Institute developed, was the development of a central body that could lobby Parliament in relation to their profession, and the quality issues that it stands for.
Although the means of construction, the training of individuals and the way in which individuals are employed have changed dramatically over the years, the principles for which the Institute was originally formed remain sacrosanct. Experience in the many facets of the building trade is essential and, in general terms, most practitioners will have "come from the tools", though further third level education in the Built Environment is essential.
'Building on Quality' Awards
The Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate hold the biannual Building on Quality Awards, and nominations are accepted from all involved in quality site inspection regardless whether they are members of the institute or not. Categories include New Build, Civil Engineering and Refurbishment/Mechanical and Electrical. Judging is based on the Clerk of Works ability, his/her contribution to the projects he/she is involved with, his/her record keeping and reports, and his/her commitment to the role of Clerk of Works.Awards given in each category are Winner, Highly Commended and Commended. The Overall Winner is chosen from all categories and is widely regarded to be the highest accolade that can be awarded to a Clerk of Works in recognition of his work.
2009 Award Winners:
- Overall Winner - Les Howard MICWCI of Leixlip, County Kildare, Ireland for his involvement with the New Eircom Headquarters in Dublin.
- New Build – Peter McGuone FICWCI for involvement with Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
- Refurbishment – Peter Airey MICWCI for involvement with Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, Scotland.
- New Build / Refurbishment – Allan Sherwood MICWCI for involvement with The Spa, Bridlington, England.
- Civil Engineering – Mike Readman FICWCI for involvement with the A590 High and Low Newton Bypass, Cumbria, England.
- Special Judges Award – Carol Heidschuster MICWCI for involvement with Lincoln Cathedral, England.