MY CURRENT PROJECT

I serve  as monitor for the mechanical system,  with Skanska USA, for this 250,000 sq. ft. James Hunt Library on the campus of North Carolina State University.

Supplied by the central campus utility systems, this building contains TWO 42,000 CFM custom built  air handling units which deliver conditioned air to perimeter diffusers and selected interior areas.  The majority of the temperature conditioning is provided by radiant ceiling panels and chilled beams.  All systems are monitored by a Building Management System.

The core of the library will be an automated book delivery system with an estimated capacity of 25,000 volumes; located in a large pit at the base of the building.  Humidity control is vital to the facility.

Scheduled completion is Fall of 2012.

You can review more details regarding the project and follow construction at the Hunt Library Website.

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CHANGE ORDERS CREATE PROFITS FOR BUILDING CONTRACTORS

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Current construction practices expedite award of contracts and start of construction work prior to full completion and coordination of the contract documents.  Numerous oversights and conflicts in details and specifications have become common, which often provides legal justification for extra compensation, additional construction time and additional management fees to the construction team.

An independent coordination review of the documents can provide a list of such items that could supplement in-house observations.

See the Sample List Post for examples of common deficiencies.

Personal service is available in NC; internet service is, also, available, for other areas of the US.

Resume and professional recommendations are available at Linkedin .

Request more information or personal contact through the Message, or, at:  P. O. Box 23270, Charlotte, NC  28227;

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OWNERS, CONTRACTORS AND DESIGNERS CAN BENEFIT FROM CROSS TRADE COORDINATION REVIEW

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Cross-trade coordination reviews of construction documents can be rewarding to architectural and engineering designers, as well as owners,  developers and construction managers:

Lower contract administration expenses

Fewer demands for a senior manager to participate in contract administration

Reduction in damage claims from owners

Reduced liability insurance rates

Improved sales opportunities with the lower change order ratios

Take a look at the Sample List Post for examples of common oversights and omissions which this service has exposed.  Often, outsourcing the review frees staff members for more direct client services, resulting in a review that is produced at a lower cost to the project team.

ON-SITE assistance is available in North Carolina.

Resume and professional recommendations can be viewed at LinkedIn .

Get information on a document review.

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CONSTRUCTION QUALITY ISSUES SAMPLE LIST

Following is a sampling of coordination issues that were identified by the writer, a 25 year veteran of construction contract administration, in a review of documents for an institutional building:

MasterSpec instruction notes which have not been addressed remain in many sections of  the specs.

This is a renovation project, but Phasing of construction and the actions necessary to isolate the systems for the construction and provisions of utility services during the construction period are not addressed; i.e.

Are all renovation floors to be shut down simultaneously; or, must main utility services continue to flow to selected occupied floors ?

Will all exit stairs have to remain clear for occupants use during construction?

How are domestic water, waste and mechanical piping services to be isolated for the new connections ?

Are existing zone valves for water services (P, FP and M) located to permit isolation? Are they functional, or need to be replaced ?

It is very critical to require isolation of central ventilation supply and exhaust services to protect them construction contamination.

How are construction utilities – water, waste, heat, fire protection and power – to be supplied ?

Are existing windows operable for construction ventilation ?

Electrical Specs refer to a Seismic Bracing Spec, which is not included. Do all trades need seismic compliance? [click to continue…]

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND BUILDING MAINTENANCE ASSISTANCE

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In these days of tight staffing budgets and increasing assignments of duties to building and property managers and maintenance department personnel, many  are finding it difficult to keep up with the demands.

Robert Wilson can provide experienced  assistance on a part-time or contract basis, with projects such as:

EQUIPMENT INSTALLATIONS and  UPGRADES

COMPLIANCE REVIEWS OF FACILITY AND OPERATING SYSTEMS

BUILDING SYSTEM  RETRO COMMISSIONING

A Resume and professional recommendations are available at Linkedin.

Request additional information or personal contact through the Message Form:

or, by mail at:        Box  23270,     Charlotte, NC   28227

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COMMISSIONING EXISTING BUILDING SYSTEMS pays big dividends

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The process of commissioning of a building is an essential tool for property management and optimizing the energy performance of a building. The process ensures that all building systems perform interactively according to the design intent and the property managers operational needs.

There are several types of building commissioning including the following:

Original Building Commissioning (Cx)

Original building commissioning is a method of risk reduction  to ensure that new building systems meet their design intent, operate and interact optimally and provide building managers what is expected. This facility management  process typically includes systematic evaluation of building HVAC, controls, lighting, hot water, security, fire, life and safety systems.

Total building commissioning often includes  essential buildings systems such as the building’s exterior wall, plumbing, acoustical and roofing systems. Commissioning these additional systems can reduce moisture penetration, infiltration and noise problems, and contribute to the building’s energy and resource efficiency and occupant productivity.

Successful Cx results in optimal energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, extended systems life and reduced operation and maintenance costs.

The most effective new or renovated building commissioning begins in the building design phase and continues through design, construction, startup, acceptance, training and the warranty period, and continues throughout a building’s life cycle.

Retro-commissioning (RCx), or Existing Building Commissioning

Retro-commissioning (RCx) is a systematic, documented process that identifies low-cost operational and building systems maintenance improvements in existing buildings to brings the buildings up to an optimal operating stage. [click to continue…]

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CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT EBOOK – GUIDE for owners and managers

It is important, in these tight financial times, that building managers and home owners who undertake a renovation or expansion project understand the basic terms and conditions of construction contracts.

One should not surrender control of their project to a contractor or “professional consultant” in ignorance.

Buildigest has prepared a manual that provides STEP ONE for development of management confidence, in our manual:  A BASIC GUIDE TO CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT TERMS.

This e-book provides definitions and explanations for over 140 important terms used in negotiating and completing a construction project. [click to continue…]

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