Specifying "Mock-Up" of an entire roo...

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Author Message Dale Hurttgam, NCARB, AIA,LEED AP, CSI Senior Member Username: dwhurttgam Post Number: 7 Registered: 10-2005 Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 03:45 pm:    We are working on a project where we want to specify that two exam rooms be constructed as "mock-ups" using specified materials. The construction of the rooms will be reviewed, sound transmission through walls and ceilings tested, lighting levels reviewed, etc. before construction proceeds further. Is there a typical location to place this. We are using MF 95 - appears that it should be located aroung 01450. Has anyone had experience with providing a spec section such as this - special considerations that should be addressed / or cautions? Your input will be appreciated. Ronald L. Geren, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, MAI Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 254 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 04:04 pm:    That would be the proper location under MF95. We've done a mock-up for college dormitory rooms. The mock-up was constructed in a separate warehouse owned by the college. You have to be specific in what is exactly required in the mock-up. Our mock-up had to be inspected and approved by the State Fire Marshal because it was a constructed structure within another building. Doing it in this location allowed decisions to be made well in advance of the construction of interior spaces (while site prep was in progress), allowing design changes to be made without a significant rush on us, the architect. This was a CM at Risk project, so it was easier to work with the contractor in making changes; however, I wouldn't know how well this would work with a design-bid-build contract. The mock-up should remain as the basis of quality for the rest of the project, including wall texture, painting, flooring and other finishes. George A. Everding, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: geverding Post Number: 153 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 04:56 pm:    I have done the same for high end hotel rooms, for hospital rooms, and for multi-family housing. The hotel and hospital projects were similar to what Ron describes above. In fact, in one case I think our firm put together a separate mock up room package, with Drawings and Specs, for the C/M. For the multiple family housing, the Owner required the contractor to completely finish two units once framing and rough-in were complete. In that case, we wrote the basic mock up requirements in Division 1, [yeah, somewhere in the 01400's] and let the individual technical sections cover the specifics of drywall, paint, carpet, etc. It was a design-bid-build project, and it worked out fine. Of course it was done only for finishes, not for the performance testing you are seeking, and the bidders understood the implications to scheduling and sequencing [at least, we know the successful bidder did.] Echoing Geren's last statement, the mock-up DID remain as the basis of quality for finishes for the rest of the project. David R. Combs, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: davidcombs Post Number: 141 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 05:46 pm:    Pretty much 'ditto' to what was contributed above. We've done full-size room mockups for various hopsital spaces as well. Our MF '95 number: 01451. Our MF '04 number: 01 43 39. In the event the mockup is constructed early in the project (i.e. prior to dry-in), make sure you ahve a provision in there for temporary weather protection, since they will be installing the actual finish materials. Russell W. Wood, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: woodr5678 Post Number: 56 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 08:52 am:    Used to be with a firm that specialized in senior living (independent, assisted, dementia) and we would require a full mock-up of all the apartment types under Section 01450-Quality Control. jerry (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Friday, May 12, 2006 - 06:21 pm:    I have done "mock-ups for hospitals, jails, classrooms and rooms in large apartment complexes in order to establish quality control. It all goes in Division 1 and can be a part of the finished project. Brett M. Wilbur CSI, CDT, AIA Senior Member Username: brett Post Number: 116 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 10:28 am:    I'm preparing a DIV01 statement about full classroom mock-ups, also. What I haven't heard is how you guys got the contractor to make all his submittals in a timely manner so that finishes can be selected. I’m sure this issue has been discussed in great detail elsewhere, but it is usually difficult as it is to get submittals completed on time. I assume that the room mock-up would be an on-going development throughout construction. Except for the instances where the room was built inside a warehouse, it seems the shell would be completed, and the space dried in, and then finishes installed in the mock-up space prior to finishing of all the other spaces. I can’t see how the mock-up could be completely complete prior to finishing of other spaces. Is that how your progression went? Was there specification language which addressed this, or is this a means and methods issue? Are each of the installed materials approved as they are installed so as to not alter the progression of construction in other spaces, or was the entire room completed before approved by the Architect? I understand that the contractors really like the idea of a room mock-up. It saves them time, money and heartache in the end to know what standard they are building to. It just seems the natural progression of submittals, selection and construction is altered. How are the more custom issues, like casework, handled? Are the contractors/suppliers/fabricators doing complete submittals beforehand, or are they just providing a partial submittal just for the mock-up? Questions, questions. J. Peter Jordan Senior Member Username: jpjordan Post Number: 185 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 07:35 pm:    The mockup can also be used as a test bed for furnishing and finishes. Changes can be made at that time without impacting the entire project. When used this way, the Contractor needs to schedule the mockup far enough in advance so that material orders can be placed after approval of the mockup is received. If the Contractor can be made to see the value of the mockup, then scheduling the submittals should not be too much of an issue. The use of a submittal schedule can be helpful if it is coordinated with the timing of the mockup. Long lead items (especially for the smaller quantities required for a mockup) may cause problems; however, a good Contractor should be able to coordinate and schedule this and motivate the suppliers so that there is ample time to get the mockup done and then make needed modifications. In some cases, a mockup that is not part of the construction contract may be considered. This essentially is a designer's play room where a variety of items affecting visual quality (furnishings, lighting, finishes) can be played with. This is an additional service to the Owner and can usually only be justified on a large project, but it can be helpful in giving Bidders a very good idea of what kind of quality is being sought.