From the onset, Granger was committed to not only delivering a remarkable facility, but intently focused on ensuring that the owner and end users were engaged in the construction process every step of the way. Otherwise you can get on the jobsite, complete the mockup, and realize you had no true quality control or testing metrics set for measuring and replicating success on the actual build.” In 2014, Granger Construction began serving as the construction manager for the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union’s new headquarters project (MSUFCU HQ2) in East Lansing, Michigan. Starting these conversations early in a project also helps create a standard moving forward so all team members know what the expectations are before they even start building.
BUILDING ENVELOPE COMMISSIONING FULL
“It is important to map out the full chain of events, and have contractors collaborate to know how the whole system comes together. The team also was able to coordinate pre-installation meetings between all trade groups, which helped us determine connection points for dissimilar materials and how everything would fit together.” The key to our success was having the mockups included on the bid documents and early project bulletins. These were tradespeople who were largely unfamiliar with the mockup process, and spanned everything from steel, metal stud drywall, masonry, glass and glazing and roofing. “For example, at Michigan State University Federal Credit Union’s Headquarters 2 Building, one BECx mockup required the involvement of over a half a dozen contractors assisting with the build. I have worked on projects where commissioning was treated as an afterthought versus a beginning commitment, and the difference in final quality control is significant.” “The earlier BECx begins on a project the better,” Granger Senior Project Manager Ben LeBlanc adds, “since the CM will need to work with the appropriate subcontractors to build and test mockups of the design before actual construction. Then a construction manager, like Granger Construction, can act to address concerns before construction even begins. These commissioners evaluate the architect’s design plans, highlighting potential vulnerabilities. “Compared with standard construction practices, BECx involves engaging qualified commissioning experts as early as possible. “What BECx (also referred to as building enclosure commissioning) does, is create a process for addressing, testing and mitigating these vulnerabilities as early as possible.” Early Partner Engagement Granger Senior Project Manager Ben LeBlanc “Building envelopes are made up of materials which regulate airflow, heat, water, light and noise – and any time two or more dissimilar materials meet on a structure, this creates a vulnerability,” Tuley explains. “This can be a huge missed opportunity on new construction, given the numerous benefits commissioning offers and potential risks it can help mitigate.”Īccording to the American Institute of Architects Journal, research has shown that 40 percent of all building-related problems are due to water intrusion, and this problem is the root cause of more than 70 percent of construction litigation. “In my experience, I would estimate that less than 10 percent of project Owners currently invest in true Building Envelope Commissioning (BECx),” notes Granger Senior Project Manager Jeff Tuley.
It consists of the physical barriers separating conditioned environments from unconditioned exteriors (i.e. AAMA 501.Every building, whether hospital, school or commercial facility, has a building envelope.WDP’s field testing services routinely include: Our services can also be used to evaluate performance problems associated with water leakage, excessive air infiltration or exfiltration or other common post occupancy-related failures in window, Our field testing equipment can be mobilized quickly on project sites to perform compliance testing for windows, curtain walls, masonry, stucco and other exterior wall systems. WDP performs laboratory and field quality assurance and diagnostic testing.
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