Temporary Air Conditioning

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Author Message J. Peter Jordan Senior Member Username: jpjordan Post Number: 623 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Saturday, October 12, 2013 - 03:03 pm:    I recently had a conversation with someone who had a situation arise with the cost for air conditioning being deleted from the construction costs (a VE suggestion that was accepted). As a result, finishes were installed in unairconditioned interior areas and then prematurely failed when the building services were turned on. I have encountered some related situations on a couple of my projects, primarily related to getting the floor slab dried out. Has anyone else had difficulty with these types of issues and if so, how were they resolved. James M. Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 129 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Saturday, October 12, 2013 - 03:19 pm:    Peter, I've not had this problem but have had situations where the contractor wanted to (and did) install finishes before the HVAC system was even operational occasionally, but not always, with the same result. Of course, this action was in conflict with Part 3 of the relevant specification section(s) and we found the requirement difficult, if not impossible, to enforce without the Owner's cooperation. ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 623 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Saturday, October 12, 2013 - 10:35 pm:    Happens too often, supposedly to 'keep the project on schedule.' The owner signs off and then has to pay again to have the failed finishes removed and replaced. In the meantime, the space is occupied and rent is being paid or revenue is otherwise being generated. Had a high profile project with epoxy terrazzo. Concrete was barely 28 days when the GC said the terrazzo had to be put down to meet the schedule. Offered to super heat the space to drive the water down. We wrote a letter saying that the terrazzo would lift as soon as the space was occupied. It made it a week after the grand opening before it had to be completely removed and new flooring installed. Photographed beautifully. The occupants weren't happy, but too bad, they didn't matter. Sometimes I think we care too much. The people with the power and the money have their own needs and agendas. Cover your backside, document the heck out of everything, and just keep going. Don't stop fighting the good fight, just don't expect to win some the dumber battles. Ron Beard CCS Senior Member Username: rm_beard_ccs Post Number: 410 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Sunday, October 13, 2013 - 08:13 pm:    On some projects, I specify a Mold Mitigation Plan to be prepared and submitted by the Contractor at the beginning the Project for the review and acceptance by the Owner and Architect. The Plan requires the Contractors' proposed use of selected materials (ie, GWB) and when they are to be installed (including on-site storage) in relation to when the windows are in place and the structure airtight, use of and schedule for both temporary and permanent HVAC, and similar concerns based on type of construction and reputation of the Contractor. "Fast is good, but accurate is better." .............Wyatt Earp spiper (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, October 14, 2013 - 01:21 pm:    floor slab moisture is the bane of my existence. We are constantly trying to massage our mix designs, slab prep/finishing, ad mixes, etc. to get a drier slab but in the end the only real solution is time. Of course time is money so getting this message across to the "guy with the checkbook" is difficult. One thing we are doing is pushing for slab installation earlier in the schedule to allow for more dry time in the same "start to finish" schedule. This can not always be worked out depending on the project, other trades, etc. J. Peter Jordan Senior Member Username: jpjordan Post Number: 627 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Monday, October 14, 2013 - 02:16 pm:    "Slab drying" is one issue, but the general installation of woodwork (including doors and cabinets), floors, ceilings, and wall coverings all require that the space be conditioned (temperature and humidity). In some circumstances, the slab may be "dry", but the ambient conditions may be unaccepatable (too hot, too cold, too dry, or too humid). The real issues begin to surface when the permanent AC is turned on and the interior areas quickly reach their design conditions (here that would be 72 to 74 deg. F and 50 to 55 percent RH). Certain materials will start to move around if ambient conditions change too drastically and too quickly.