Nuevos interrogantes entorno de la subsidiariedad

6.7.1 Integrated Project Delivery

After the tender stage and a contractor is awarded or selected, the successful contractor receives and the production documents, and moves to site. The contractor builds according to the construction programme and the lead consultant (architect) monitors the construction process and respond to any design queries to ensure that the building is built according to the designs and specifications. Although the contractor takes over at this stage, the integrated design team, which includes the major players responsible for inputs on achieving good IAQ: the IAQ specialists, the HVAC specialists, and the facilities managers should stay on at the construction and attend site meetings so that they can resolve any challenges or problems that may arise regarding IAQ. In addition, by being on site and watching the installations of

systems, and seeing the layouts of ducts, cables, access etc., it will better inform them during maintenance and repairs at the post-construction stage.

Within the production information documents that the contractor received at the end of the detailed design stage, is the IAQ project plan which outlines times for laboratory and functional testing on site, periodic inspections during construction, and training and development. It is critical for IAQ that the schedule gives ample time for activities to finish and dry before moving on to the next activity to prevent moisture, mold, and contamination problems. A perfect example of improper scheduling is given by ASHRAE (2009), and it’s a case where the HVAC system is installed and operated during construction, thus allowing for construction dust and debris to be sucked into the machine and/or, ducts, thereby contaminating the system. As such, good IAQ is compromised. It must be made explicitly clear to the contractor to protect ductwork by sealing both installed and uninstalled ductwork to avoid dust and debris to be collected in them during construction. Most contractors in Kuwait do not pay attention to duct work. It is imperative that the architect emphasize the need for good IAQ to the contractor.

6.7.2 Scheduling and Sequencing

In the case of delays which has resulted in the project being late on its completion time, the project team may decide to expedite activities on the schedule. However, when doing so, it is imperative to protect the areas important to IAQ. At the meetings held to discuss compression of schedules, questions regarding its IAQ impacts need to be asked and answered. This should be on the meeting agenda. Activities that can not be compressed such as commissioning and functional testing must not be skipped. It must be allowed to go on on its time even if that would mean going over the completion date. IAQ must not be compromised because the health of people is at stake, not to mention the cost of repairs that the owner might incur. In situations where the building under construction needs to be cooled, ventilated, heated, or (de)humidified, to give workers comfort and enable them to be productive, the contractor must not use the permanent HVAC system just installed. The contractor should utilize temporary HVAC equipment for such purposes. The installed permanent HVAC system, even if it has filters, must not be used during construction to avoid the introduction of moisture, dust, dirt, and debris into the HVAC system.

6.7.3 Commissioning of construction activities and assemblies

Commissioning is important and therefore, the contractor must avoid closing up pipe and wall leaks before functional testing and inspection commences. At the end of detailed design stage, the architect should produce an IAQ checklist for the contractor’s use, with which he/she can verify that they have installed the correct components. According to ASHRAE (2009), “the checklists are supplements to the drawings and specifications and are intended

to convey requirements in simple language, help contractors understand quality expectations and do their work correctly the first time and reduce punch-list items, rework, and call- backs… Construction checklists should be as short as practicable and the questions should be clear, specific, and wherever possible worded such that a “yes” response indicates compliance with requirements and a “no” response indicates a deficiency”

The contractor must comply with the design to provide adequate access to systems for the facilities managers’ use. Also enough time should be given to inspection of the systems. It is the responsibility of the architect and the project team to monitor compliance during site visits. To ensure that the contractor is working according to the approved designs, specifications, and client’s requirements including IAQ requirements. The architect’s inspections should either take place at milestones, which is according to the programme. That is, inspections of works or assemblies which are critical; to the start of another work, or to the installations of another assembly. This could be works that will be inaccessible after the next works starts, or works that need to covered such as, radon mitigation system before the concrete slab is poured. The architect must inspect and test these works/assemblies before they are covered or become inaccessible. Random checks or inspections are also permitted just to keep the contractor(s) on his/her feet. The architect should use the checklist as a guide to verify that items have been installed according to the owner’s project requirement (OPR). The architect must raise queries or architect’s instruction (AI), where the contractor has deviated from the drawings or client’s requirements. The architect must also ensure that the contractor is using the checklist regularly to check that their works are in accordance with requirements and that the works are being signed off by responsible parties.

Given that not many Kuwaiti trades workers are familiar with commissioning, therefore early training, communication and coordination of contractor and subcontractors is critical for successful implementation of IAQ procedures in the construction process. The pre- construction meeting maybe the ideal place for such training and to address the timing and

roles, retainage related to functional completion, and specific issues that may affect IAQ such as protection of equipment and components during storage, temporary use of HVAC equipment, and preservation of access for maintenance when installing other equipment.”

(ASHRAE, 2009). The architect and his team have the responsibility of developing the functional testing procedure which will verify that the performance of the installed system, or assembly, and the interactions therein are in accordance with the project requirements. Functional testing must be completed before handing over. The construction checklist verification and submittal reviews, that took place during the construction process, are only preparations and measures to ensure that the assembly, system, component etc. gets a pass at the functional testing stage.

From the findings, some respondents suggested that the facilities management team, should participate in the testing and commissioning process because it will help them understand the actual building components’ performance, which will enable them maintain the building more effectively and efficiently at post construction stage. This suggestion is in line with ASHRAE guidance on the role of the O&M’s staff in “facilitating effective operation and

maintenance for IAQ”. At the construction stage, facilities managers have a number of roles to play during commissioning and testing. They are: to ensure that the fitted or installed equipment/system is fit for purpose and is in accordance with the owner’s project objective (OPR) to aid in the preparation of the operations and maintenance (O&M) manuals by ensuring that every asset and equipment is listed and the drawings are accurate, finally, to facilitate the legal process during handing over stage.