I know we don't have time to bid it once, but doing a base bid for what's shown, and an ADDER for the CC2's with a description like "required to meet code" and if they accept it, you and they are covered. If they don't, then at least you have the leg to stand on that you educated them on what was needed, they declined to pay for it, and thereby (financially) directed you to proceed with the installation according to (defective) plans and specs.
Another way is to call the AHJ as you submit and inform him that your submittal doesn't meet code. When the dwgs are bounced, send a COR for the redesign time, schedule impact, and the original ADDER from your bid and ask for the extra again. This puts them in the position of delaying the project, knowing they can't get a CO without sprinkler, and that your schedule impact will grow larger by the day. It might also be worth pointing out to the GC or Owner you're working for that the PE that incorrectly designed it without the CC2s has liability insurance to cover the cost of fixing his mistakes- and this would be one of them. If we as an industry held their feet to the fire, we'd have less plumbing designers burping out faulty designs. If they didn't shape up, Victor O would, in rate premiums or withholding coverage, enforce compliance with practicing within their area of competence. Boy, I sure hope bridge and tunnel construction doesn't have this same thing happening behind the scenes. I've stopped feeling comfortable being above the 4th floor years ago, knowing elevator inspectors are likely just as sharp as DOH and our local inspectors. George L. Church, Jr., CET Rowe Sprinkler Systems, Inc. PO Box 407, Middleburg, PA 17842 877-324-ROWE 570-837-6335 fax [email protected] -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Travis Mack, SET Sent: Wednesday, October 05, 2011 1:45 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Combustible Concealed Spaces I know this has been brought up before, but how are you handling pre-engineered projects where they are not showing these specially listed heads (Tyco CC1/CC2 or Viking COIN) as req'd per NFPA 13? We are seeing several of these again where there is a flat roof, less than 36" of clearance between roof and ceiling and the PE is showing SSU sprinklers in the space. These are projects that have been reviewed by the local AHJ and approved. Do you just install per the plan and say the responsibility is to some one else? In this particular jurisdiction, even if the piping is installed per the approved plans, the inspectors can and have required changes to the system to correct plan review errors. What if the project gets installed / inspected per plan and there is a fire later on where the sprinkler system is not able to contain the fire in the concealed space because of incorrect heads? Where does the liability go? One project in particular has the typical PE comment: The installing contractor is to take full responsibility for installing a system per NFPA 13 and shall add heads as needed at no additional costs after bid. Is this able to transfer liability to the contractor? One of my customers does a lot of multi-family type projects and we are seeing this over and over. I have been working with him to educate his GC's and the architects / engineers on this issue, but there are still many projects that come across his desk for bid like this. Does anyone have a practical solution? We are trying to RFI these projects, but many times the PE will not respond to the questions prior to the bid date. Sorry for the long run on questions. Thanks in advance for your assistance. -- Please feel free to call if you have any questions or comments. Sincerely, Travis Mack, SET MFP Design, LLC 2508 E Lodgepole Drive Gilbert, AZ 85298 Office (480) 505-9271 Fax (866) 430-6107 _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum
