8B — August 28 - September 10, 2020 — Architects/Engineers — Owners, Developers & Managers — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
www.marej.com
Architects/Engineers
Construction has always been an in- By Stephanie Staub, CSI, CDT, LEED Green Associate, Architectural Glass Institute Certification Matters R ISKY BUSINESS
litigation is a long, complex, and costly process. Depending on the defect, a lawsuit can include numerous defendants, varying insurance policy cov- erages, anti-indemnity stat- utes, and fact-intensive dis- covery procedures. Basically, construction defects litigation is great… for the bottom lines of construction lawyers, but it can be a nightmare for the construction businesses them- selves. Experts say robust prequalificationcation and monitoring of subcontractors is the key to mitigating this risk.
Glazing contractors are a critical component of manag- ing risk on a project, and the North American Contractor Certification (NACC) provides a means for greater risk miti- gation. Awareness and wide- spread adoption of the NACC Certification is necessary to improve the effectiveness of the industry because NACC sets a standard, clearly com- municating to the end user a contractor’s qualifications and competency. On today’s projects, it is not just about aesthetics - conformance to energy codes while maintain-
ing design intent has become increasingly complicated. The façade is not going to perform correctly if it is not installed correctly. NACC contractors look beyond the glass instal- lation to understand how these systems interface with adjoining material and affect performance. NACC contrac- tors look through dual lenses of quality and safety. Identi- fied best practices leads to efficiency and in many cases cost savings. The processes become more easily repeatable and safer. By focusing on systems,
procedures, and processes, contractors who seek NACC certification take proactive ap - proaches to their projects often adding a layer of unexpected refinement. Annual assess- ments conducted as part of a NACC certification can point out areas of improvement for even the most successful contractors; consistent docu- mentation and operational procedures provides predict- able performance and a ben- eficial tool to avoid conflict and minimize risk. Following the industry footprint of product certifications, NACC puts the next level of risk management in the hands of the installer. WHOLISTIC APPROACH NACC certification estab- lishes contractor qualifications beyond traditional bid require- ments. Focused on a trifecta of office, shop, and field opera - tions the program adds a key differentiator of quality. Es- tablished and enforced qual- ity plans are indicators that the contractors work results will meet the project needs and contribute to the project’s success. Analyzing and docu- menting work process from the development of shop drawings, through installation, creates a level of standardization with an organization. For example, NACC certi- fied contractors recognize the complexity of construction requires both coordination and communication. In the case of rainscreen facades particu- larly, the coordination of a con- tinuous barrier layer around the façade presents challenges with changes in planes and elevations. All glass doors and entrance systems have become grandeur, with complex auto- mated hardware incorporat- ing fire and security systems necessitating detailed integra- tion of electronics. Glazing contractors are one of the only subcontractors responsible for shop drawings with completely integrated details, showing perimeter conditions and all other fa- çade component interphases, including membranes and seals of vapor/air barriers. On today’s jobsites, schedules con- tinue to accelerate creating an “make it work” atmosphere in the field, and NACC contrac - tors have procedures in place to deal with troubleshooting jobsite inconsistencies and to work out a consensus solution. continued on page 16B
dustry with a high level of risk. Increas- ing project complexity, large project teams, and t he i nhe r - ent physical danger s o f
Stephanie Staub
the work itself all contribute to this reality. The biggest problem with construction de- fects is the amount of litigation involved. Construction defect
Professional Contractors for All Interior & Exterior Glass Applications AGI Glass Resources: Interior Glass Guide Specification Demountable Interior Glass Partition Guide Project Case Studies Devil’s Details Technical Education Series
www.theagi.org info@theagi.org 215.825.1422
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