3-2 Construction Observation

An architect is on site to observe the placement of a concrete drive and parking area. The specifications require that samples of fresh concrete be taken every 20 cubic yards during placement for 7-day and 28-day compression strength testing. The architect learns that over 250 yards of the 350 total yards of concrete have been placed and that the contractor has not taken or tested any samples. The project is weeks behind schedule. What should the architect require of the contractor?

• Testing of the remaining concrete every 10 yards.

• Additional testing of the in-place concrete after it has cured.

• Removal and correction of all concrete that has already been placed.

Construction is 50% complete for a project. The contractor submits a change order for additional work costing $25,000, which is then approved. Other project details follow:

• Original construction contract lump sum: $4,500,000

• Total of previously approved change orders: $150,000

What is the amount of the new contract?

A mixed-use commercial building with two ground-level restaurants is 35% into construction. After the slabs for the ground-level concrete floor have been poured, the contractor sends an RFI to the architect noting that the plumbing drawings show floor drains in the commercial kitchens, but the architectural drawings do not have floor drains. The contractor excluded floor drains during the slab pour, and the RFI requests that the floor drains be removed. The architect responds that plumbing code requires floor drains and submits a sketch with new floor drain locations.

After closing the RFI, the contractor submits a change order request to the architect and owner for the additional work to drill the concrete slab and retroactively add floor drains.

Who is responsible for the cost of the concrete removal and reinstallation?

• Owner

• Contractor

• Architect

• Plumbing engineer

Construction is beginning on a previously developed property. During the pier excavation process, a drill hits an underground oil tank, exposing the soil and ground water to chemical contamination. The buried tank and potential contamination are unforeseen conditions not documented in the site survey or geotechnical report.

What steps must be taken to remediate the contamination and resume construction activities? Check the three that apply.

• 
  The contractor must stop work in the area affected by the contamination.

• The contractor must promptly notify the owner and architect of the condition.

• The geotechnical engineer should assume costs associated with site remediation.

• The architect must provide recommendations for corrective remediation of the site.

• The owner should hire a qualified expert to investigate the contamination for corrective action.

A four-story multifamily housing project is 30% into construction when the owner verbally requests that additional security gates be provided to the roof level access stair, which will require revisions to the stair landings. Shop drawings for the stairs have already been submitted to the architect for review. The contractor sends the architect an RFI for revised architectural drawings that incorporate the owner's design request. 

What should the architect do first in response to the owner's request? 

• Issue a design add service proposal to the owner for the roof stair.

• Issue a RFI response with revised stair drawings.

• Issue a construction change directive to the contractor for the revised stair drawings.

A contractor is performing repairs to steel balcony guardrails on a 30-story high-rise condominium building when sparks from steel cutting damage the adjacent glass door at the first balcony repair area. The project manual requires the contractor to protect balcony floors and walls but does not specify protection of glass doors and windows. The contractor agrees to pay for the replacement of the damaged glass but submits a change order for the cost of installing plywood protection over all remaining doors and windows.

The owner argues that it is not their responsibility to pay for additional plywood protection.

How should the architect proceed?

• Issue a change order for an increase in the contract duration but no increase in the contract sum.

• Issue a field report directing the contractor to install plywood protection over the windows and doors.

• Issue a construction change directive for additional plywood protection with no increase in the contract sum.

A temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) is issued for a recently constructed office building. While conducting a punch list survey, the architect finds a section of an egress corridor that does not have the code-required illuminated exit sign. The architect informs the owner that the sign should be installed but the owner refuses, arguing that the contract drawings did not call for a sign in this location and the AHJ did not call for it in plan review when issuing the TCO. 

What initial action should the architect take?

• Document the owner's refusal in the project file and approve substantial completion.

• Inform the owner in writing of the applicable code section and the necessity for the sign.

• Offer to deduct the cost of the sign from the architect's construction administration fee.

Refer to the exhibit.

During a routine inspection, the AHJ discovers an issue with the fire escapes of a newly completed 10-story mixed-use building. The AHJ finds that the door openings in the stairs are too narrow for the occupancy load. The minimum 52-1/2" stair width is correct. 

What is the minimum door leaf width needed to meet the code?

• 32"

• 34"

• 36"

• 38"

Refer to the exhibit.

During a site inspection by the architect, the contractor undermines a portion of the adjacent lot line building. However, the masonry above is stable and shows no sign of further deterioration. The contractor asks the architect for direction.

How should the architect proceed?

• Allow the contractor to proceed with the required remedial work. 

• Direct the contractor to take steps to temporarily shore the foundation.

• Advise the contractor to contact emergency responders and inform occupants of adjacent building of the situation.

The owner of a new library visits the site during construction and requests a redesign of the restrooms without consulting the architect. The contractor begins the owner's requested alterations and submits change order #1 to the architect. The architect reviews the modifications at the job site and identifies code violations that will require a major redesign.

How should the architect proceed? Check the three that apply.

• Reject change order #1 from the contractor.

• Approve change order #1 from the contractor.

• Request additional design services from the owner.

• Exclude the redesigned area in the substantial completion form.

• Issue revised drawings that include the necessary code changes.