INTRODUCTION consultant fees, incompetent standard of
I. INTRODUCTION consultant fees, incompetent standard of
Building quality has become one a workmanship, lack of focus on quality and very important aspect for construction
inadequate supervision and inspection project success. In the building construction, (Love and Edwards, 2004). In addressing
failures and defects are common. This the issues in Malaysia building quality, problem may reduce the quality of a landed
Construction Industry Board of Malaysia housing, strata‐titled housing, or public
(CIDB) introduced a Quality Assessment building. Building defects can be resulted
System in Construction (QLASSIC) as an from the design error by the architect, a
independent method to assess and evaluate manufacturing flaw, defective materials,
the quality of workmanship of a improper use or installation of materials,
construction work based on approved lack of adherence to the design by the
standard (CIDB, 2006). Hence, the contractor, or any combination of them
introduction of QLASSIC is expected to (Ahzahar, 2011). There are 9 elements
address several of the predominant quality affecting the quality of building construction
issues that prevailed in the construction project which are, design, contract, material,
realm (Mukhtar, 2010).
labor, equipment, subcontractors, site
layout, systems, site staff, and execution
Assessing Building Quality in Malaysian
(Abdul‐Razeq, 2001).
Construction Industry
Quality is an important aspect in the unskilled worker, and less qualified
Moreover, standard
reduction,
construction industry. The quality issues construction technologist contribute to the
are the main concern for all parties building quality problem (Memon, 2010).
especially to the developers in order to Also, the other factors impede the
fulfill the building quality requirement construction quality of buildings are lack of
expected by property purchasers (Abdullah understanding of end‐user requirements,
et al., 2013). Hence, assessing the quality of poor contract documentation and low
construction for compliance with the design construction for compliance with the design
5. Factors that a barrier to QLASSIC AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and
assessment
Construction) industry (Sri Kalyan et al.,
6. Suggestion for improving the 2016).
QLASSIC assessment process The demand for skilled and
The questionnaire was distribute to competence site management team is pre‐
correspondences in the construction prominent because workmanship is one of
industry. The totals are 69 responses from the essential factors for good quality in
the QLASSIC practitioner which comprised building construction work. Moreover,
of 17 clients, 29 contractors, and 23 technical work competency and knowledge
QLASSIC assessors. The data from this is the important aspects for foreman on
research was analyzed using descriptive construction site (Uwakweh, 2005). The
analysis. The demographic part is analyzed incompetent supervisors and lack of skills
using percentage, and the effectiveness of among the workers is one of the factors
QLASSIC assessment is analyzed using mean affecting quality in building construction
value.
(Alinaitwe et al., 2007). Also, the most important factor inhibiting the successful
III. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
completion of a construction project is the
3.1. The Participants Profile
scarcity of skilled personnel at all levels Part A presented the respondent’s especially supervisors (Ogunlana et al.,
demographic profile. The result in Table 1 2002).
the majority of QLASSIC
determined
that
a respondents in this study is a contractor, 29 construction project shall be carried out by
assessment
on
individuals (42.03%). Most of the competent assessors appointed by CIDB.
respondents’ project that assessed using However, result from previous research
QLASSIC is landed housing project because identified 2 several areas which need
the percentage is 39.63, higher than other further improvement which are, CIDB’s
project. There are 2 highest project values supervision during assessments by the
that assessed using QLASSIC which are the appointed external assessors and the
project between RM 10 million until RM 30 competency of the assessors (Mukhtar et al.,
million and project exceed RM 100 million 2014). In assessing the building quality,
by the contractor grade 7. contractor supervisory staff must possess the skills, knowledge, expertise, and
Table 1 Analysis Demographic Respondent capabilities to administer the construction
Percentage
Demographic
work (Maloney, 2002). (%) Your association/role in the QLASSIC
II. assessment METHODOLOGY
24.64 This study adopted a survey research
Client
design. The instrument that involved is a set
42.03 of QLASSIC assessment questionnaire. The
Contractor
33.33 questionnaire of QLASSIC assessment
QLASSIC Assessor
Type of project assessed by QLASSIC
contained the following parts:
Landed housing
A. Demographic
Strata‐titled housing
B. Effectiveness of QLASSIC Assessment 20.12 Process:
Public building
Hospital/airport
Project Value
1. Appropriateness of the QLASSIC
23.44 assessment process
Below RM10 million
Between RM10‐30 million
2. Appropriateness of the project Between RM30‐50 million
20.31 elements assessed
Exceeding RM 100 million
undertaking the assessment
4. Benefit targeted from the QLASSIC assessment
Table 2 presented that the majority of the respondent project is located around
Table 4.Appropriateness of the QLASSIC Selangor and Kuala Lumpur area. assessment process
Table 2 Project Location
following
QLASSIC
Mean Description
application
and
Project Location
Percentage (%)
assessment process
Selangor/Kuala
54.43 1. Application method
Lumpur and the processing 3.7258 Appropriate Perak
6.33 time
3.80 2. Selection of sample 3.9524 Appropriate Kelantan
Kedah
13.92 and location
Terengganu
1.27 3. Assessment at the 4.0167 Appropriate Johor
8.86 project site
Negeri Sembilan
1.27 4. Fairness of the
Sarawak
3.9355 Appropriate Pulau Pinang
6.33 assessment
1.27 marking scheme
Pahang
2.53 5. Time taken to
the 3.6935 Appropriate Table 3 shows, the number of the
undertake
assessment
project audited by QLASSIC among 6. Time taken to get
assessment 3.0484 Moderately Malaysian contractor increased from 2007
Table 3. Project audited using QLASSIC among From the results, it found that the
Malaysian contractor (2007‐2015) entire respondents agreed that most of the No. of
application and assessment process in project
1 2 3 QLASSIC is appropriate. However, it project than 4 project project
More
indicated that all the respondent agreed
Year time taken to get assessment result is 2007
project
moderately appropriate. 2008
3.3. Appropriateness of the project
elements assessed
3.38 % 1.45 % 1.45 % 1.93 % Table 5 shows; there are 3 types of 2012
6.76 % 3.38 % 0.97 % 2.90 % works that assessed in a QLASSIC which are 2013
4.83 % 5.31 % 3.87 % 3.87 % architectural works, mechanical and
6.76 % 5.80 % 1.93 % 4.35 % electrical works, and external works. The results discovered that all the assessment in
From the results, the percentage value QLASSIC for each type of work is of contractor firms which have 2 and more
appropriate. The mean value of the items is than 4 project that have been audited by
around 3.6842 until 4.344. QLASSIC increased from 2007 until
From this finding, the suitability of the 2015.Meanwhile, the percentage value of
internal finishes contractor firms which have 1 and 3 project
scope/element
in
assessment is very appropriate with the that have been audited are fluctuated.
QLASSIC assessment. Internal finishes cover the major part in the building included
3.2. Appropriateness or suitability of floors, internal walls, ceiling, doors,
the QLASSIC application and
windows and fixtures (internal). Because of
assessment process.
that, the weightage (%) of the internal finished in QLASSIC assessment is high
The result in Table 4 shows the which is 56% (CIDB, 2006). appropriateness or suitability of the Based on the CIS: 7 (2006), the QLASSIC application and assessment location of internal finishes assessment was process. categorized into 3 types, which are The result in Table 4 shows the which is 56% (CIDB, 2006). appropriateness or suitability of the Based on the CIS: 7 (2006), the QLASSIC application and assessment location of internal finishes assessment was process. categorized into 3 types, which are
areas such as toilets, kitchens, balconies, locations include lift lobbies, corridors and
and yards.
Table 5 Appropriateness of the project elements assessed Appropriateness of the project elements assessed
Mean Description
Suitability of the Architectural Works assessed:
1. Suitability of the sample chosen to be assessed 3.8571 Appropriate
2. Suitability of the number of sample assessed 3.8852 Appropriate
3. Suitability of the scope/elements of the following Architectural Works assessed Very
a. Internal Finishes 4.3443 Appropriate
b. Roof 3.8814 Appropriate
c. External Wall 4.1207 Appropriate
d. Apron & Perimeter Drain 3.8644 Appropriate
e. Material & Functionality test 3.8475 Appropriate
Suitability of the Mechanical & Electrical Works assessed:
1. Suitability of the sample chosen to be assessed 3.9298 Appropriate
2. Suitability of the number of sample assessed 3.8596 Appropriate Appropriate
3. Suitability of the Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) elements 3.7857 assessed
Suitability of the External Works assessed:
1. Suitability of the sample chosen to be assessed 3.8772 Appropriate
2. Suitability of the number of sample assessed 3.8103 Appropriate
3. Suitability of the Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) elements assessed
a. Link‐way/ Shelter 3.6842 Appropriate
b. External Drain 3.6842 Appropriate
c. Roadwork and Car Park 3.7069 Appropriate
d. Footpath and Turfing 3.7018 Appropriate
e. Playground 3.7719 Appropriate
f. Court/Sports facilities 3.8246 Appropriate
g. Fence and gate 3.8070 Appropriate
h. Swimming pool 3.8246 Appropriate i.
Electrical Substation 3.8621 Appropriate
3.4. Competency
of assessor in IV. Benefit targeted from the QLASSIC
undertaking the assessment
assessment
The results in Table 6 shows, that the The result in Table 7 found that all the level of assessor competency in assessing
respondents have a positive expectation architectural work, mechanical & electrical
that QLASSIC assessment will give high works and external works is high.
benefit for the Malaysian construction industry because building quality can be
Table 6 Competency of assessor in undertaking measured by the customer satisfaction. The the assessment
importance of quality has expended to Competency of assessor in
concentrate on the clients or customers’ undertaking the assessment
Mean Descri
satisfaction (Adnan et al., 2000) and Level of competency of
ption
QLASSIC assessment can help to increase Architectural Work
1. Assessor in assessing
High
the clients/customer satisfaction. The Level of competency of
implementation of QLASSIC assessment also Assessor in assessing
can help to build the reputation of the
Mechanical & Electrical contracting firm and build the project Works
High
personnel capacity in Level of competency of
management
managing projects in the future. Moreover,
3. Assessor in assessing
the QLASSIC rating score ca help companies External Works
High
to obtain for the sole purpose of being to obtain for the sole purpose of being
other researcher stated that the causes of assessment can be regarded as an effort of a
the decline of construction productivity company to improve its total quality
directly or indirectly involved poor management by addressing issues such as
management practices Business Roundtable cost efficiency, company productivity,
(1983). Another important barrier factor to company
QLASSIC assessment is the architects do not satisfaction which directly enhance the
possess adequate competency to manage related company as whole (Hwang et al.,
the quality of work at the project site. 2013).
Architect is expected to visit the site from time to time to familiarize himself with the
Table 7.Benefit targeted from the QLASSIC progress and quality of the work being assessment
performed by the construction team Benefit targeted from
(Sapers, 2009). Therefore, a professional the QLASSIC assessment
Mean Descrip
consultant is more knowledgeable about Customer/user
construction quality than the developers
1 satisfaction Building the project
because they determine the construction management personnel
specifications (Adi et al., 2014).
High
2 capacity in managing
projects in future Table 8.Factors that be a barrier to QLASSIC Building the reputation
assessment
of the company as a 4.180
High
Factors that be a barrier to
good contractor Mean Description
QLASSIC assessment
The high cost of
3.5. Factors that be a barrier to
2.833 Moderately
1. QLASSIC audit
Important
QLASSIC assessment
Managing projects to
Table 8 was illustrated the result to
achieve quality such as
3.217 Moderately Important toward the factors that be a barrier to
examine the QLASSIC practitioner response
2. QLASSIC is not the
company policy
QLASSIC assessment. The result found that
Difficulty in getting the
there are 4 important barrier factors to the
right skilled sub‐
3.767 Important QLASSIC assessment. First, difficulty in
3. contractors/tradesmen
to carry out the works
getting the right
skilled
sub‐
Absence/weakness of
contractors/tradesmen to carry out the
works. Most of the available skill workers 3.650 Important
effective quality
4. management system
are still lack of appropriate technical skills
within the project
and knowledge (Pan et al., 2007).
Contractors lack
Moreover, Hoonakker et al. (2010) study
3.729 Important found that skilled workforce is an important
competent quality
5. supervisors to control
aspects for improving quality. Secondly,
the project quality
contractors are lack of competent quality The following consultant teams do not possess supervisors in controlling the project adequate competency to manage the quality of
6. work at the project site
quality. The supervision of the contractor is
3.610 one of the factors that affect quality in
a. Architects
Important
2 construction phase (Arditi et al., 1998).
3.066 Moderately Also, the contractor skills and experience is
b. Civil & Structural
7 Important the highest factors among the sub‐factors
Engineers
3.100 Moderately that influenced quality. (Rifat and Amer,
c. Mechanical &
0 Important 2001)
Electrical Engineers
Lack of training to
3.116 Moderately absence/weakness of an effective quality
This finding also showed that
implement quality
7 Important management system within the project is
7. management according
to QLASSIC standards
one of the important barrier factors to the
3.6. Suggestions for improving the
assessment as one of the methods to
QLASSIC assessment process
assessing the building construction project. The result in Table 9 shows the
All the QLASSIC practitioners and QLASSIC training is very important to
participants in this study agreed that the ensure that the project can achieve a good
QLASSIC assessment giving a high benefit QLASSIC rating. It is suggested for the sub‐
for their future project and all the elements contractors, consultants and Superintending
in QLASSIC assessment is appropriate to be Officer (S.O) participate in the QLASSIC
implemented in the assessment process. training because it can give a positive
However, there are 4 important barrier impact to their performance in quality
factors in implementing the QLASSIC assessment. Education and training are the
assessment need to be highlighted. most important elements affecting the
competence and quality and a quality ongoing training
Therefore,
the
knowledgeable workers in the construction program has an important quality strategy
industry is important to improve the project (Jraisat et al. (2006); Sharmma and
quality. Meanwhile, training is one of the Gudanne, (2002)). Furthermore, employee
important factors to improve the site training is one of the factors that affect
management team competency in assessing quality in construction phase (Arditi et al.,
the project and ensure the project can 1998).QLASSIC training is one of the
achieve good QLASSIC rating. Based on the opportunity
result in this study, the future study will be practitioner to expand the knowledge and
conducted to identify the training and skill in quality assessment. Also, skills of
competency of site management team issues workers can be demonstrated once the
in QLASSIC assessment. training complete Ling et al., 2007).