| Author |
Message |
Robin E. Snyder
Senior Member
Username: robin
Post Number: 269
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 11:57 am: |    |
The school district wants the spec to include very specific info regarding types of trades, tools and noise levels allowed during the day aw well as language that can fine contractors for not properly cleaning up after themselves. Has anyone written a spec that gets this specific regarding types of tools and noise levels? |
J. Peter Jordan
Senior Member
Username: jpjordan
Post Number: 360
Registered: 05-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 12:12 pm: | |
Some districts have even more stringent requirements for periods during which standardized tests are administered. |
Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate
Senior Member
Username: lynn_javoroski
Post Number: 927
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 12:13 pm: | |
For hospitals, we frequently include those types of restrictions in the Summary of Work. Hours of activity, noise levels, exclusion of types of tools (no dynamite), no smoking, privacy issues, etc. I don't think it's uncommon. |
Wayne Yancey
Senior Member
Username: wayne_yancey
Post Number: 256
Registered: 01-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 12:20 pm: | |
Robin,
Please send me your e-mail address to wayne.yancey@callison.com and I will forward some division 01 sections that may provide what you want. A start anyway.
This issue requires a face-to-face sit down with the client to ensure the specs meet their procedural requirments, but you know this.
Wayne |
Dave Metzger
Senior Member
Username: davemetzger
Post Number: 337
Registered: 07-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 12:23 pm: | |
Robin:
Below is wording we've used for various projects.
Clean Project site and work areas daily, including common areas. Dispose of materials lawfully. If Contractor does not keep Project site and work areas clean on a daily basis, Owner shall have the right to clean up using his own forces without prior notice to Contractor. Contractor shall bear costs of such cleaning.
Noise generated by construction activities shall not exceed 90 db during the hours from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM, noise levels shall not exceed 60db.
The only restrictions we've specified for tools, is for limitations on hours when jack-hammering and other noisy or impact-type-tool operations could be performed in occupied buildings.
Though when we were working on a renovation of a federal government building, which continued to be occupied during the work and to where the president and vice president often came, we had to prohibit the use of powder-actuated fasteners--so that anchorings into concrete or masonry had to be drilled. |
John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: bunzick
Post Number: 1110
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 02:48 pm: | |
We include extensive provisions of this type, including items such as:
- Maximum noise levels.
- Process for noise complaints.
- Limited delivery hours (not when during drop-off and pick-up times).
- Use of flaggers when moving equipment through zones where occupants may be walking.
- Hours of work.
- Permitted days of work (no weekends without permission).
- Ten days selected by owner where no noise at all can be made (when testing is ongoing)
- IAQ monitoring before and during work, with complaint procedures for dust and odors.
Normally, we have strict separation between work areas and occupied areas so that cleaning is not quite as critical. I don't know how you'd institute fines, but we have had provisions where the owner can do their own cleaning--or hire separate crews--if the contractor doesn't do it. Costs are "billed" to the contractor via change order. |
Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: awhitacre
Post Number: 901
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 02:52 pm: | |
Fines are difficult to enforce, because its an unknown for the contractor (and you know he's going to put it in the bid price, so its not like the Owner gets anything for free). I am with John in terms of very strict separation between work zones, including dust control; specifics of noise levels at a specific distance (say, 10 feet or "the adjacent room"), usually a prohibition on gas-powered tools and a requirement for electric ones; sometimes reverseing air flow into the area so that no dust and fumes escape. All of these things will increase the contractor's cost and time, so the Owner has to sign off on all of them and be aware of the extras they are asking for. It might be useful to ask about the contractor working during swing and night shift to avoid any issues -- with the construction market today there might not be a premium for "overtime" work. |
Robin E. Snyder
Senior Member
Username: robin
Post Number: 270
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 03:09 pm: | |
John - would you be willing to share any of your provisions you have used? Thanks. Robin@spectraspecs.com |
Sheldon Wolfe
Senior Member
Username: sheldon_wolfe
Post Number: 362
Registered: 01-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 03:11 pm: | |
I was told that an owner cannot impose fines. The AIA general conditions do allow the owner to complete work not performed by the contractor and deduct that amount from the contract sum. There is a ten day delay, though, so the owner probably couldn't "fine" the contractor for not cleaning up the day before. |
Russell W. Wood, CSI, CCS
Senior Member
Username: woodr5678
Post Number: 143
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 03:24 pm: | |
As one of the largest school districts in the U.S., we have language in our Summary of Work section that governs the contractor's use of the site & premises, including noise. What your Owner is asking sounds appropriate. |
Robin E. Snyder
Senior Member
Username: robin
Post Number: 271
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 03:44 pm: | |
Russell: are you able to share any of that verbiage? Thanks,
R |
Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap
Senior Member
Username: lgoodrob
Post Number: 34
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 10, 2009 - 04:21 pm: | |
Robin,
I have a long and wordy section that we developed for a university client with very fussy neighbors. It lists acceptable noise emission levels for various equipment and how to measure them. Major caveat, I can't remember where this information originated from and I don't know if it worked in the field, but I'll email you a copy for your research.
After collecting information from everyone, please let us know what you learn.
Lisa |
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