Today's Brain Teaser - How to protec...

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Author Message Robin E. Snyder Senior Member Username: robin Post Number: 141 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 03:00 pm:    I have plywood indicated to protect finished concrete that is scheduled to be sealed and left exposed in the final construction. The Contractor is concerned that the plywood will "blow off" in the high winds and injure someone. Anyone have any thoughts, suggestions, alternated methods of protecting the concrete? David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 929 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 03:03 pm:    This is contractor's means and methods. Let the contractor decide how best to protect the concrete. That way the contractor is responsible for any damage to material or people. Edward R. Heinen, CSI, CCS, LEED AP Member Username: edwardheinen Post Number: 3 Registered: 04-2006 Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 03:16 pm:    Seems to me it's possible the plywood could blow off in high winds. I think the use-classification and the anticipated type of traffic is also important as far as the level of protection (and thereby method) required. I would associate plywood with a decorative finish, such as polished concrete. Richard A. Rosen, CSI, CCS, AIA Senior Member Username: rarosen Post Number: 24 Registered: 08-2006 Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 03:19 pm:    I agree with David. You want the concrete protected from damage, its' up to the Contractor to figure out how best to meet your requirements. Robin E. Snyder Senior Member Username: robin Post Number: 142 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 03:27 pm:    The specs call for plywood... we are all working together to try to come up with a viable alternative, so, if anyone has any suggestions... Edward R. Heinen, CSI, CCS, LEED AP Intermediate Member Username: edwardheinen Post Number: 4 Registered: 04-2006 Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 03:47 pm:    What if you just deleted the requirement for plywood and left the protection method up to the builder? Anonymous   Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 03:38 pm:    Put pavers down to act as ballast for the plywood, in accordance with Dow's technical paper on the subject. Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED™ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 667 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 04:42 pm:    If the concrete is not yet placed, consider placing a slab 1/2 inch or so less thick than required and finish it with a cementitious top (that can be sealed and left exposed) after construction has finished. No need to protect the concrete that will be covered. David Axt, AIA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 930 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 05:01 pm:    Robin, Where is the concrete floor located? Slab on grade? 15th floor of a high rise? Most of the contractors around here use cheap untempered 1/4 inch hardboard with duct taped seams. If you are protecting stained or colored concrete, the covering will affect the final finish outcome. Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 665 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 05:39 pm:    I have also found that no contractor wants to be responsible for protecting concrete surfaces for the next year of construction -- its an impossible task. On every project that was "supposed to be " like this, we approved a thin colored topping for the concrete, and that was applied like the finish flooring -- at the last minute. I don't think the plywood/hardboard method is feasible if you want to use the concrete floor as your finished floor. you're interfering with the contractor's staging area, and the plywood can warp, which causes a safety hazard on the job site.