Commercial Interior Design: Part IIContract documents for commercial interior design practicedescribe the proposed construction, and any f.f.&e. installation

FF & E = Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment : Items not normally considered permanently attached to the structure

The contract documents include:construction contract documentsf.f.&e. contract documents

Each of these consist of numerous sub-sets of documents. Some of the most important of these are:written specifications attached to the construction documentsshop drawings that illustrate specific situations or detailsof a project. shop drawings are prepared by the contractor orfabricator and are submitted to the designer for approval.

The traditional approach to a project follows a sequence of:design the projectaward the contract to a contractorbuild the project

This sequence is, today, often shortened by using a process that is called'fast-track' design.

In fast-track design, the construction of the project actuallybegins while the designing is still going on. For example, while the second floor of a two story building is being designedthe first floor construction is underway.

Another non-traditional process is called 'design-build'.

In design-build projects one party is responsible for both the design and the construction of the interior project.

The advantage of this method of doing a project is that the contractor is involved with the project from the beginning, and this may reduce constructionproblems.

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is the set of statutes (laws) thatgoverns the commercial transactions of all fifty states, (except Louisiana,the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands).

For practical purposes, the rules governing commercial transactions are consistent throughout the United States because of the existence of the UCC.

In addition to the UCC, each state has its own common law of contracts,and applicable statutes.

The UCC defines the members of a commercial agreement, and the terms towhich they agree.

Some of the terms defined by the UCC are: merchant: a person who deals in a particular kind of goods, or who

claims to have knowledge or skills peculiar to those goodsA merchant is held to a higher standard than those who arenot professional vendors. (See page 31 in the text)

express warranty: is a representation about the quality of a product

implied warranty: is not offered by the seller; it is imposed by law. it is a warranty that is inferred from the nature of the transaction. implied warranties are designed to promote fairness, and honesty.

There are two sets of contract documents a designer must prepare for a completecommercial interior project: the construction contract documents and the FF&Econtract documents.

In addition to these, bidding requirements instruct prospective bidders on the procedures that must be followed so that their bid will not be disqualified.

The bidding requirements are not part of the contract, and they are not enforceable during the administration of the contract.

Bidding requirements typically include:Invitation to bidInstruction to biddersInformation available to biddersBid forms and attachmentsBid security forms

The contract documents describe the work included in the contract to the construction or FF&E contractor. They consist of:

Contract forms: the agreement, certificates of compliance with required regulations, and, more typically in constructioncontracts, performance bonds, and payment bonds

Conditions of the ContractSpecificationsDrawingsContract Modifications

The agreement is between the owner and the contractor.It briefly describes the work of the contract and simply states the project schedule and the contract sum. The agreement includes the other contract documentsby reference.

The written specifications describe the quality of materials and their constructionor installation (for FF&E contracts).

They include information that cannot be communicated graphically in the drawings.

The drawings show the shape and form of the space, as well as the quantities, sizes, and locations of materials and products. Drawings for construction contracts include:

demolition plansexistingconstruction to be modifiednew constructionelevations sectionsdetails.

Drawings for FF&E contracts include furniture, and furnishing plans.

Contract modifications are changes to the construction or FF&E documents.

Modifications made to the bidding documents are called addenda.

Addenda are typically issued before the bids are open.

There are three means of modifying a contract:

Change orderChange directiveSupplemental instruction

A written modification altering the contract sum is called a change order.Only the owner can authorize a change order.

A modification to the contract sum, or to the schedule that is not yet agreedupon by all parties is called a change directive.Change orders often begin as change directives.

A supplemental instruction is provided by the designer when added information,or clarification, is needed that does not change the contract sum or schedule.

There are four types of written specifications:

Proprietary specifications: require a specific product from a specific manufacturer indicated by a brandname or model number. This gives complete control over what will be included in the project to the specifier (typically the designer)

Descriptive specifications:detail the requirements for material properties and workmanship.Manufacturers and products are not named. A descriptive spec requires that every aspect of the material be described in writing.

Performance specification:describe the required results of a material or product. These specs describe how the product or material is to perform, not necessarilywhat it is.

Reference standard specifications:based on requirements set by an accepted authority, such as ASTM, or UL.Reference specs tend to be the briefest types of specs.

Regulations, Codes, and Standards

Contract documents must comply with a wide variety of regulations from all levels of government. It is the designer's responsibility to ensure that the design conformsto all applicable laws.

These laws include:federal and state regulationslocal zoning lawsbuilding codesfire codes

A building code sets forth minimum requirements for design and constructionin order to protect public health and safety.

Building codes describe requirements for fire protection, structural design,sanitary facilities, light, and ventilation.

Building codes do not contain criteria to assure efficient, comfortable, or beautiful buildings or spaces.

Building codes have been in existence since the time of the Babylonian KingHammurabi. These are the first recorded building codes, and they date from approximately 2000B.C.

There are many different building codes. Often a state will write its own building code. There are three 'model' building codes that have generally served as thebasis for individual state building codes. These model codes are:

BOCA National Building Code (Building Officials and Code Administrators International)SBCCI (Southern Building Code Congress International)ICBO (International Conference of Building Officials)

Fire codes include:

National Fire Prevention CodeUniform Fire CodeStandard Fire CodeNFPA 101 Life Safety Code

Building Standards

Standards are material specifications, practices, or test methods based on technicalresearch and testing by industry experts. Standards are not laws unless they are incorporated by reference in a code.

The standards referenced in building codes can be classified as material standards,engineering practice standards, , and testing standards.

Both public and private organizations publish standards.

Some of the important standards and testing entities(see page 49 of the text for descriptions) are:

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Underwriters Laboratory (UL)

Flammability Standards

The standardization of fire safety requirements and safety testing in the UnitedStates coincided roughly with the widespread introduction of electricity at the end of the 19th century.

Insurance industry concern over the staggering number of fire related claimswas the driving force behind the development of objective safety standards.

There are many different flammability tests.

Flammability tests aim to evaluate the fire resistant properties of a product ormaterial in circumstances similar to those under which they are commonlyinstalled or applied.

There are separate tests that are used with fabrics, for example, depending on whether the fabric is going to be hung as drapery, backed and applied asa wall covering, or applied to an upholstered seat cushion.

Flammability Tests

Steiner Tunnel Test (page 50 of text)Objective: to measure the horizontal flame spread and smoke developmentof interior finish and building materials. This test simulates a situationin which everything in the room is on fire. Materials are mounted on theceiling of a test chamber.

Methenamine Pill Test (page 52 of text)Commonly referred to as the 'pill test', this test measures the responseof carpet to a burning methenamine tablet. Since 1971 federal regulations have required that all carpet sold in the United States passthis test.Small carpets and rugs are required to be tested, but they are not requiredto pass the test. If small rugs fail the test, they must be labeled as 'flammable'.

Flooring Radiant Panel Test (page 53 of text)This test exposes floor covering samples to radiant heat and igniting flames. This test was designed to simulate more realistic conditionsthan the Steiner Tunnel Test.

Flammability Tests (continued)

Room Corner Test (page 55 of text)Tests wallcoverings, and simulates realistic fire conditions. In this test wallcoverings are installed on three wall surfacesin a test room. This installation is then exposed to a flamesource for 5 minutes at 40kW, and then increased to 150kW for ten more minutes.

Door Assembly Test (page 57 of text)Tests the ability of a door and frame to remain in an openingduring a fire.

Cigarette Ignition Resistance Test for Furniture Composites (p59)This test simulates the way in which a seat cushion will respond to a burning cigarette without the expense of destroyingan actual chair.Three lighted cigarettes are placed on the mock up of the upholstery. To intensify the heat, the cigarettes are coveredwith a cotton sheet.

Flammability Tests (continued)

Full Seating Test

This is the most stringent flammability test available for seating in commercial interiors, and is commonly referred to as "Cal Tech 133"after the original test method (see appendix D in the text)This test determines the fire performance characteristics of seatingexposed to an open flame.

Vertical Ignition Test

Determines the ignition resistance of fabrics restrained in a vertical position.This test is used to determine the flammability of hanging fabrics, as would be used in draperies and window treatments.

Mattress and Mattress Pads Test

Measures the resistance to cigarette ignition of a mattress and pad.