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| Perspectives A Quarterly Information Source from Benchmark, Inc. Volume 42 March 2001 |
Observation vs. Management, Which is Better?by Curt Liscum, RRC Once a roofing project moves into the construction phase, most owners need to decide in what form project quality assurance will take. Numerous projects are successfully accomplished every year without the benefit of third party monitoring. However, many owners have chosen to employ construction quality assurance through the use of inhouse personnel, a roof designer, a roof consultant or material-testing agency. In this article, we will first explore the difference between quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC), and then discuss the difference between construction observation (CO) and construction management (CM), as it relates to the quality assurance effort. Quality assurance is defined as measures taken by an owner to ensure that a roof system is installed as specified. Quality control normally refers to the contractual obligation of the contractor to take appropriate measures to ensure that the roof is installed according to the contract documents. Contractually, most projects require that the roof system be installed according to some standard. Whether that standard is a detailed set of plans and specifications, manufacturer's warranty requirements, or the contractor's proposal, the contractor is generally obligated to meet those standards. Quality assurance can range from doing nothing, to projects that include many of the following items: * Review of shop drawings * Preconstruction meetings * Roofing material plant visits * Progress meetings * Rooftop construction observation, including daily field reports and photographic documentation * Field sampling and laboratory testing of roofing materials * Final inspections Construction observation is the quality assurance process of observing the contractor's activities for conformance with the construction documents. This observation can be accomplished on a full-time or part-time basis. The observation process includes verifying material, methods and procedures for compliance with the specifications, plans and details. Most roofing systems are constructed in their entirety on a daily basis, therefore to observe each component (vapor retarder, insulation, fasteners, etc.) is installed correctly, the observation services must be provided on a full-time basis.Construction management takes construction observation to the next level. Construction management is the act or art of managing; the judicious use of means to accomplish an end. Construction management does not only involve ensuring that the roof is installed in conformance with the contract documents, but takes the proactive approach to ensure that the project is accomplished on schedule, safely, within budget and with minimal disruptions to the facility.A good construction manager should work closely with the roofing contractor on a daily basis to verify the following: * Appropriate materials are available to accomplish the upcoming work * Manpower allocations are sufficient to maintain the schedule * The project is being accomplished in a safe manner * Roofing activities are adequately coordinated with the facility Many facilities operate 24/7, therefore roofing must be accomplished in such a manner as to not disrupt processes or jeopardize a facility's health / safety requirements. Initially, this coordination process can be defined or required by the contract documents; ultimately coordination of this magnitude takes onsite management. Most owners do not have the extra manpower it takes to coordinate a "once in awhile" roofing project and therefore rely on outside construction management services.Construction management may not be required on all projects. On those projects where multiple trades are required (deck replacement, painting, plumbing), where the building occupancy is highly sensitive to disruptions, or where the roof access is virtually non-existent, construction management may be imperative.To help determine your needs, ask yourself the following questions before construction of your next roofing project begins.1. Is the contractor's quality control sufficient, or as the owner do I need my own quality assurance procedures? 2. If I need quality assurance, do I want full-time or part-time services? 3. Is construction observation adequate, or are the project complexities sufficient to warrant construction management? Before starting your next construction project, make sure you get the roof construction services you need to obtain a roofing system installed in conformance to the contract documents, safely, on schedule, within budget, and with minimal disruptions to your operations. |