Construction

Fire alarm for powered doors

Leave a Comment / Construction, Design, Permitting, Local AHJ, MEP

Facility name: Regional Medical Center Of San Jose

Project name: RMCSAJ-052017M-ASC(OP Surgery)
Location: SAN JOSE, CA
Project classification: Hospital – Renovation
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 0838500026
Lesson Learned number: 187
Impact: Cost, Schedule

Cost impact: $8,500 Schedule impact: 7 days

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

On this project the fire alarm was designed prior to bid and the completed fire alarm shop drawings were part of the bid package and not created as a deferred submittal by the fire alarm subcontractor.  We had numerous doors with auto operators, and the fire alarm shop drawings didn’t capture the code-required relay that triggers those powered doors to close when the alarm activated.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

Ensure fire alarm design that is included in the Permit/OSHPD documents identifies rated openings and auto operators and include the required Fire Alarm Integration, relays, etc.  If fire alarm design is a post Permit/OSHPD approval (like an OSHPD deferred approval), then note this requirement within the specification for integration with the project fire alarm system.

Keywords

Fire Alarm, Doors, Operators

ADA Shower Pans

Leave a Comment / Design, Construction, Constructability (means & methods), Vendors

Facility name: Mercy Hospital

Project name: MERCYH-032019M-Inpatient Rehab Expansion
Location: MIAMI, FL
Project classification: Hospital – Renovation
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 2611000022
Lesson Learned number: 183
Impact: Cost, Schedule, Quality

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

1. The existing dimensions in the contract drawings were incorrect for the bathroom walls. By the time we set the shower bases the walls were framed and hung. We had to add an additional ½” layer of tile backer to accommodate, and now we have a bump out detail that had to fill with thinset in order to hide the error in dimensions. 2. The tile substrate specified was 3/8” thick instead of the ¼” as on the Inpro details. This caused some issues with the alignment of the tile finish face and the finish of the vertical barriers of the shower base. We had to leave the tile backer further back and have our tile guys build out the delta in order to have the 3/8” material line up flush. 3. Inpro has a unique detail on their installation instructions showing a 1” air gap from the bottom of the tile backer to the receiver on the shower bases. Only the wall finish extends down to sit on the tile ledge of the shower pan. We had to reach out to Inpro to confirm if the air gap was needed and question if this could be an intrusion point for moisture. They advised us to disregard the air gap and said that that detail was only to be followed if we were using the solid surface paneling provided by Inpro as a wall finish material.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

Conduct infield coordination meeting with all of the trades. Vendor (i.e. Inpro) to provide specific specs to the project. 

Keywords

Shower Pans, Inpro

Motorized Dampers at Louvers

Leave a Comment / Construction, MEP

Facility name: East Florida Division Office

Project name: DAVHOS-102018M-New Hospital (NOVAMC)
Location: Davie, FL
Project classification: Hospital – New
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 3597900001
Lesson Learned number: 181
Impact: Cost

Cost impact: $49,705

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

CEP mechanical drawing required a quick opening motorized damper at the louvers on the north wall of the CEP and requires that the dampers are interlocked with the generator.  The louvers at this particular location in the CEP were specified to be architectural louvers by Construction Specialties as CS Model DC-9614 and were provided accordingly. The CS Model DC-914 louver does not require motorized dampers to achieve the specified wind driven rain performance.

There are other smaller mechanical louvers in the CEP and louvers with motorized dampers in the CEP that were provided by the mechanical contractor and were specified as Pottorff Model ECD-545-MD in the mechanical specifications, which require a motorized CD-51 damper option to achieve wind driven rain performance.  These louvers that include the motorized dampers were interlocked with their respective equipment as specified. 

Based on the specification noting the use of motorized dampers at the Pottorf  louvers for wind driven rain performance, the mechanical contractor assumed the CS Model DC-9614 would also come equipped with the motorized dampers and therefore did not carry the motorized dampers required to interlock with the generators per sheet M1.02. Cladding Systems who provided all CS Model DC-9614 louvers did not carry any motorized dampers as the louvers did not require it.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

Our lesson learned is to ensure that anytime louver scope is being divided between mechanical and architectural specifications, ensure all components of the louver system are properly reviewed for coverage and gaps do not exist. We specifically studied and coordinated quantity, location, finish, blank-off panels at louvers with no mechanical connections / purpose and louvers with ducted O/A connections to ensure there were no scope gaps and were successful on these items, however, the project team did not vet the motorized dampers which were specified only at a couple locations on the entire project.

Keywords

dampers, louvers, coordination, motorized damper, architectural louver, elevation, outside air, interlocks

Long Lead Items on Accelerated Schedule

Leave a Comment / Construction, Constructability (means & methods)

Facility name: Ogden Regional Medical Center

Project name: OGDNMC-012020M-New Rehab Unit
Location: OGDEN, UT
Project classification: Hospital – Shell Buildout
Project type: MOB
Project number: 3441500009
Lesson Learned number: 178
Impact: Schedule

Schedule impact: 25 days

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

For Projects with Accelerated Schedules and no time for Early Release of Long Lead Time Materials, verify materials can be obtained in time to meet the required schedule during Preconstruction.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

Plan for Early Release of Long Lead Time Materials, Equipment (Contractor and Owner Provided including Equipment , IT&S and Unified Communications), review the need for these items early in the project development to review options for obtaining items in time to meet the required accelerated schedule.  Ensure to review these potential early items with DM and CM during RFP and design phases.

Keywords

Accelerated Schedule, Review Long Lead Material Items during Preconstruction, Request Substitutions during Preconstruction, Rehab

Shipping and Storage Fees

Leave a Comment / Construction, Medical Equipment - Construction, Medical Equipment

Facility name: CJW Medical Center

Project name: CJWJWC-122018M-ORTHO/NICU Expansion (Johnston Willis)
Location: RICHMOND, VA
Project classification: Hospital – Renovation
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 3463200010
Lesson Learned number: 177
Impact: Cost

Cost impact: $4,100

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

It is critical for the General Contractor to do a better job of communicating with the Vendors and the assigned HCA Medical Equipment Manager when they know there is going to be a construction delay.  In the case of this project, the General Contractor notified the Furniture Vendor the evening before the delivery/installation was to occur the site was still not ready to receive the Furniture.  The Furniture had already been loaded into the delivery trucks and resources had already been allocated.  Because of the delay, a $4,100 handling fee was accrued, which the General Contractor will have to pay.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

 General Contractor should ensure all parties, including vendors, effected by construction delays are properly notified in a timely manner. GC is responsible for any shipping or storage fees that might be issued due to a lack of early communication. 

Keywords

Medical Equipment, ITS, Unified Communications, vendor , schedule, delays

Neopod Shut Off Valve Access

Leave a Comment / Construction, Design, Prefabrication

Facility name: Menorah Medical Center

Project name: MENORA-092018M-Bed Tower Expansion
Location: OVERLAND PARK, KS
Project classification: Hospital – Horizontal Expansion
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 0972300007
Lesson Learned number: 176
Impact:

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

It was identified during the installation of the Neopod Staff Toilet Rooms, that access to the shut off valves was missing. The shutoff valves are located on top of the Toilet Room and are inaccessible through the gyp board that goes to deck. All of the Neopod Patient Toilet Rooms have shut off valves located in the corridor and have adequate access.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

Coordinate required access for shutoff valves, etc to be outside of any prefabricated unit foorprint and add access panels as required..

Keywords

Neopod, BLOX, coordination, shutoff valves, water, access panels

In Dapt Needs from Steris for Rough In

Leave a Comment / Design, Construction, Constructability (means & methods), Prefabrication

Facility name: Menorah Medical Center

Project name: MENORA-092018M-Bed Tower Expansion
Location: OVERLAND PARK, KS
Project classification: Hospital – Horizontal Expansion
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 0972300007
Lesson Learned number: 175
Impact: Schedule

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

Prior to In-Dapt starting their initial prefab install for the OR ceilings the Steris mounting plates and med gas pigtails are needed onsite.  During install In-Dapt will attach the mounting plates and pigtails to their ceiling system.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

By means of the OFE Delivery Schedule worksheet, add a line item to identify the “needed on site by” date for delivery prior to In-Dapt Installation and include in pull planning schedule.

Keywords

OR Ceiling, Steris, In-Dapt, Schedule, OFE

Collaboration between TV Installaer and Hill Rom

Leave a Comment / Construction, IT&S - Delivery / Installation, IT&S

Facility name: Brigham City Community Hospital

Project name: BRIGHA-112016P1-ED Renovation
Location: BRIGHAM CITY, UT
Project classification: Hospital – Renovation
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 3441000003
Lesson Learned number: 172
Impact:

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

I was told the Hill Rom  Pillow Speaker was not working correctly with the TV. Hill Rom stated it was the TV Vendor’s fault, and Remar stated it was Nurse Call Vendors fault. The problem was resolved without project delay.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

Ensure coordination between Nurse Call Vendor and TV Vendor during installations. If possible, schedule installation dates during or near same time frame.

Keywords

Coordination between TV Vendor and Nurse Call Vendor

Smoke Control Inspector and Coordination

Leave a Comment / Construction, Permitting, Local AHJ

Facility name: Mountainview Hospital

Project name: MTVLAS-102018M-Rehab Expansion
Location: LAS VEGAS, NV
Project classification: Hospital – Shell
Project type: Rehab
Project number: 3281900024
Lesson Learned number: 171
Impact: Cost, Schedule, Quality

Cost impact: $59,802 Schedule impact: 15 days

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

 Early Owner Buyout of 3rd Party Smoke Control Inspector to prevent delays in Final Inspections and Occupancy.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

Coordinate 3rd Party Special Inspection requirements for Smoke Control Systems during CD’s. Design Team to send RFP’s for Special Inspection Agencies and Provide to HCA CM for Approval. Schedule review of smoke control requirements with the GC prior to Smoke Control Testing. Perform Site walk with Inspector and Testing of Existing Systems early in project schedule to identify existing deficiencies and items to be addressed by Facility or Construction Team. 

Keywords

Smoke Control, Special Inspections, Life Safety Report, Testing

Power in the Slab

Leave a Comment / Construction, Constructability (means & methods)

Facility name: Woman’s Hospital Of Texas

Project name: WMHOTX-122018P1-5th Floor Ante-Partum Buildout & Renovation
Location: HOUSTON, TX
Project classification: Hospital – Renovation
Project type: Acute Care
Project number: 3431900010
Lesson Learned number: 163
Impact: Cost, Schedule

Lesson Learned/Best Practice

Power was identified in the slab when scanning for coring after walls were framed. Required relocating walls, plumbing fixtures and rework of overhead sheetrock activities.

Suggested Actions for Future Projects

This facility is unique in that most of its normal power circuits are run in the floor slabs.  During planning/EDI efforts, it would be beneficial to scan particular areas of the floor plan to determine if power is present prior to finalizing floor plans.

Keywords

Rough-In, Scanning, EDI, Floor Slab, Electrical