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Component Manufacturing dverti$ dverti $ er
Don’t Forget! You Saw it in the
Adverti$$er
January 2024 #16294 Page #80
Design Connections
Geordie Secord, Senior Recruiter TheJobLine.com – Canada
Where Does the Responsibility Lie?
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n “Cost-Saving Measures and Memorable Debacles,” I discussed the problems encountered on a site where the owner was acting as general contractor for his new house build and problems that ensued when an inexperienced framer was tasked with installing a complex truss roof. In that article, I wondered if a qualified general contractor could have ensured that the project stayed on track better. The key word here is “qualified,” and by that I mean someone that is actively involved in all aspects of the project to ensure that a quality, well-constructed building is the result. I have recently been involved in a small commercial project. It’s only a slight variation on countless projects that I have been involved with in the past – simple mono pitch trusses on one end of the building, and a flat EWP roof on the other end across a gas station, convenience store, and coffee shop. Architecturally, it was quite simple, and at the time we quoted the project we asked for two simple truss dimensions (heel height and finished overhang) to be confirmed during shop drawing review. Structurally, there were questions in the EWP area regarding connections to steel framing. Both questions were important, but not complicated by any means. At the time the contract was signed, we mentioned the confirmations needed once again and were assured that they would be addressed in shop drawing review. We issued our shop drawings – with the confirmations needed highlighted – approximately 3 months in advance of the expected delivery date, although slow site progress meant that delivery was later pushed out an additional 2 months. A month and a half or so went by before reviewed shop drawings came back, with neither of our questions answered. The GC was reminded that we couldn’t finalize drawings for production or order custom hardware without this information. Another round of shop drawings, and another month or more, and still no answers. At this point, the GC began to be concerned about having a roof to install on the building and eventually asked us to coordinate discussions with the architect, engineer, and the framer that had been brought in late in the discussions. We reminded them that, while we were happy to be involved in the discussions, it was up to the GC to deliver the building so the GC should be leading all discussions between the various parties. Only when the framer, faced with the prospect that his crew would have nothing to do on site, became intimately and loudly involved with the process did things start to move. The project engineer Continued next page
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