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Firm updates WBOE: Engineering firm gives update on Wapakoneta school renovations |
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Thursday, 29 October 2009 |
By KAREN CAMPBELL
Assistant Managing Editor
Representatives from a Dayton engineering firm charged with reviewing facets of school building and renovation projects updated members of the Wapakoneta City School Board of Education on progress this week.
Wapakoneta City Schools Superintendent Keith Horner said as part of the Ohio School Facilities Commission project, the district was required to hire a commissioning firm, such as STAN Engineering, which charges a cost per square foot to check different phases and aspects of the project.
“Contractors can just walk away,” Horner said. “This provides high assurances that what they’ve done is correct. It ensures that complicated, expensive systems are working as they should for up to a year after the project is complete.”
Phil Becker, an engineer for STAN, said with them on duty, contractors take more care and everyone pays more attention.
STAN is responsible for commissioning and checking the quality control process for HVAC systems and controls, electrical and lighting work, the hot water system and building envelope (walls, roof, windows and doors).
“We’re here to make sure when the buildings open, they are functioning correctly,” Becker said. “Every point of the process we are making sure we’re reviewing what we can to avoid problems.”
He said reviews are done during all design and construction phases and a limited number of site visits are made, specifically at key points in the construction process.
“We’re also making sure others are doing the site inspections they are required to do,” Becker said.
He said the bulk of their work is done during the functional testing phase when contractors are finishing up their work.The firm also stays for an 11-month warranty period to correct any deficiencies found.
“The first year of occupancy in the building we still have a presence,” Becker said. “Each building is unique and there will be bugs to work out.”
To date, Becker said the design phase is complete and STAN has been actively involved in the construction phase.
“We’ve been on site quite a bit and plan to continue to be,” Becker said. “We want to catch things before they get covered up.”
He said they’ve identified issues with air, thermal and moisture barriers and talked with architects about making some improvements which already are underway.
Board member Ron Mertz reminded the community that the project is still on time and under budget.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 30 October 2009 )
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