In response to several comments on this thread:
I believe Mr. Stockman's comments are quite well taken: there is an essential difference between, for instance, head-of-wall or perimeter firestopping details and requirements for penetration firestopping, in that the architect specifies a specific fire-resistance-rated assembly for the head-of-wall or perimeter details, whereas the required firestopping assembly for penetrations is frequently affected by field decisions regarding the number and size of components in a penetration and the final selection of such items as pipe insulation details, as well as engineering judgements issued by the firestopping manufacturer. With a specific assembly on the drawings, the head-of-wall should be successfully handled by trade contractors and observed by the architect. The firestopping penetration detail is frequently arcane, requires inspection level training to verify, and is best installed and inspected by qualified parties. Art: We'll be changing our specifications to make the subcontracting of this item more flexible.
Speaking of qualified installers, I do take friendly exception to Mr. Bradsby's comments about architects not being contractually required nor qualified to set the requirements for the qualifications of installers in their specifications. Friendly - because my job for the past twenty years has been to protect architects from unsought libility by resisting their taking on the contractor's neglected responsibilities. However, many architects do have the knowledge of construction practices that leads them to properly incorporate qualification requirements for key installers in the contract documents of their projects.
In a recent specification for a GC-bid public high school, based upon MasterSpec-based sections, we included installer qualifications requirements and documentation in 56 of 113 specification sections prepared by us. These qualifications ranged from indication that the installer had completed such work before or completed manufacturer training for installation of the specified product to industry-based certification of installing firms or trade mechanics by the American Welding Institute, the Air Barrier Association of America, Factory Mutual, and the Architectural Woodwork Institute.
The key to proper specifying of such qualifications is to know whether or not they are of value, necessary to the project, and realistically obtainable. The participation of a knowledgeable construction manager can help make sure that these conditions are met.
We believe proper specifying and enforcement of installer qualifications is a key QA requirement, along with mockups, in empowering the architect to deliver quality work to the owner.
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Philip Kabza AIA
Partner and Dir Technical Services
SpecGuy
Charlotte NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-24-2011 01:24
From: Bruce Bradsby
Subject: single subcontractor - firestopping work
I believe if you read the AIA contracts & your E&O insurance policies, you'll see that we don't specify means & methods, can't get insurance for them, and don't have the expertise to do so. We care about the design & end result, so can spec the materials & systems, assemblies, geometric arrangement & desired visual effect & performance required. thats about IT.
I believe delving into specifying the sub/contractor that shall perform any portion of the Work will cross that uninsurable line taking you into the gray area that enterprising lawyers just love to probe for soft spots.
In practice, I've found that having each MEP (typically) sub be responsible for their own holes gets the best coordination & followthrough. I also walk every job as the gyp board begins to show up on the flatbeds to inspect for laggards in the firestopping effort, and make a quiet aside to the building inspector onsite if I meet even a little resistance before walls are one-sided.
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Bruce Bradsby
bdb/a
San Francisco ' Bangkok
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-17-2011 14:49
From: Jonathan Taylor
Subject: single subcontractor - firestopping work
Would anyone have any comment about specifying a single subcontractor to coordinate, furnish and install all firestopping work, in lieu of it being bought out by trade?
If you have specified this before, will you again; would you recommend it become the industry standard? How did it impact the inspection process?
thanks,
Jonathan
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Jonathan Matthew Taylor, AIA, LEED AP
Architect
Goody Clancy & Associates, Inc. ' Boston, MA
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