Submittals (construction)
Submittals in Construction Management are shop drawings, material data, and samples. Product data submittals, samples, and shop drawings are required primarily for the architect and engineer to verify that the correct products will be installed on the project.[1]
This process also gives the architect and sub-consultants the opportunity to select colors, patterns, and types of material that were not chosen prior to completion of the construction drawings. This is not an occasion for the architect to select different materials than specified, but rather to clarify the selection within the quality level indicated in the specification. For materials requiring fabrication, such as reinforcing steel and structural steel, the architect and engineer need to verify details furnished by the fabricator. The contractor also uses this information in installation, using dimensions and installation data from the submittal. The construction documents, specifically the technical specifications, require the contractor to submit product data, samples, and shop drawings to the architect and engineer for approval. This is one of the first steps that is taken by the contractor after execution of the construction contract and issuance of the Notice to Proceed. The submittal process is very important, as it directly relates to the quality, schedule, and ultimately the overall success of the project. The submittal process can be complex, because there are literally thousands of different materials, fabrications, and equipment used in a construction project.
Types of Submittals
Product Data Submittal
The product data submittal usually consists of the manufacturer’s product information. The information included in this submittal are:
- Manufacturer, trade name, model or type number: This information is necessary to compare the submitted item with the specified products and acceptable products listed, in the specification and addenda.
- Description of use and performance characteristics: Information should be furnished describing the normal use and expected performance of the product. The architect and contractor reviews this information to confirm that the product is appropriate for the intended use.
- Size and physical characteristics: The size and physical characteristics, such as adjustment capabilities, which is reviewed by both the contractor and architect. The contractor has the most available information for comparing adjoining materials and equipment. The contractor also needs to know the size and weight of the equipment for lifting and handling considerations.
- Finish characteristics: The architect reviews the available finishes and selects the appropriate finish, if the finish was not previously specified in the documents. The contractor should confirm that finish requirements in the specification are being met by the product.
- Specific request for jobsite dimensions: Some material is custom-fabricated to job conditions, requiring dimensions from the jobsite. These jobsite dimensions are provided by the contractor, prior to release of the product for manufacture.
Shop Drawings
A shop drawing is a drawing or set of drawings produced by the contractor, supplier, manufacturer, subcontractor, or fabricator. Shop drawings are not produced by architects and engineers under their contract with the owner. The shop drawing is the manufacturer’s or the contractor’s drawn version of information shown in the construction documents. The shop drawing normally shows more detail than the construction documents. It is drawn to explain the fabrication of the items to the manufacturer’s production crew. The style of the shop drawing is usually very different from that of the architect’s drawing. The shop drawing’s primary emphasis is on the particular product or installation and excludes notation concerning other products and installations, unless integration with the subject product is necessary.
Shop Drawings of Concrete Reinforcing
Concrete reinforcing is one of the many items requiring specialized shop drawings for the fabrication of the material. Concrete reinforcing is custom-fabricated from 6O-foot-long reinforcing bars. The reinforcing bars are cut to length and bent to specific configurations. The shop drawing and the accompanying “cut sheet” lists the quantity, sizes, lengths, and shapes of the reinforcing bar. This information is provided for review by the structural engineer to ensure that sufficient reinforcing is being supplied; fabrication of the bar by the supplier’s shop; an inventory list for the contractor, upon delivery the typical project has thousands of pieces of reinforcing steel that need to be organized for storage and installation; and placement by the ironworker. The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) has developed standard symbols, graphics, and formats for shop drawings and cut sheets that generally are used by reinforcing steel fabricators. Each fabricator, has particular style for shop drawings and cut sheets, depending on the draftspeople and computer-aided drafting systems.
Samples
Many products require submission of samples. A sample is a physical portion of the specified product. Some samples are full product samples, such as a brick or section of precast concrete, or a partial sample that indicates color or texture. [2]The product sample is often required when several products are acceptable, to confirm the quality and aesthetic level of the material. The size or unit of sample material usually is specified. For some materials, a mock-up or sample panel is necessary. A common example of a sample panel is a brick panel in a large enough mock-up to demonstrate the full appearance of the material. The brick panel might be 4 feet wide by 6 feet high, showing all of the brick colors and materials, if there is a required variation in color and size. The sample panel also shows the mortar color and type of joint and, in this case, provides a completed version of the look of the wall that is not available from the brick sample alone.
Samples usually are required for finish selection or approval. Color and textures in the actual product can vary considerably from the color and textures shown in printed material. The printed brochure gives an indication of available colors, but the colors are rendered in printer’s ink, rather than in the actual material. A quality level may be specified, requiring a selection of color and/or texture from sample pieces of the material. Several acceptable manufacturers may be listed in the specification and a level of quality also may be specified. The contractor, subcontractor, or supplier may have a preference for one of these products, based on price, availability, quality, workability, or service.
Samples are usually stored at the jobsite and compared to the material delivered and installed. Comparison of samples with the product received is an important part of project quality control.
Notes
- ^ "Research and Applications". Integrating Concurrent Engineering Concepts in a Steelwork Construction Project (PDF). Vol. 8. Technomic Publishing Co. Inc. 2000-05-05. pp. 199–210. Retrieved 2007-02-16.
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References
- Pietroforte, Roberto. "Communication and governance in the building process" (pdf). Taylor & Francis Group. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
- Anumba C.J. and N.F.O. Evbuomwan 1997, “Concurrent Engineering in Design-Build Projects,” Construction Management and Economics, 15(3):271–281.
- Anumba C.J., Cutting-Decelle A.F., Baldwin A.N., Dufau J., Mommessin M., Bouchlaghem N.M., “Integration of Product and Process Models as a Keystone of Concurrent Engineering in Construction: The ProMICE Project,” Proceedings of 2nd European Conference on Product and Process Modelling, Amor R. (Ed.), 1998.
- Dubois A.M., Flynn J., Verhorf M.H.G., Augenbroe, F., “Conceptual Modelling Approaches in the COMBINE Project,” Final Combine Workshop Paper, Dublin, 1995.