Cardinal Displays Strong Attention to Detail
During the submittal process on a recently completed project, the contractor identified an aluminum “back-pan” detail that could not be fabricated and installed as shown on the drawings with the specified curtain wall system. This “back-pan” detail was critical to the insulation system and air infiltration performance of the entire exterior of the building envelope. The designer presented a revised detail that required custom, on-site fabrication of the aluminum back-pan. The contractor estimated that the revised detail would cost in excess of $130,000 and cause costly delays. Cardinal’s Project Executive reviewed the revised detail with the designer and discussed the necessary performance (air infiltration and support), challenges (condensation and limited space) and constructability. Cardinal’s representative noted that the designer was not taking into account the interior wall insulation in their calculations for condensation and proposed a new simplified detail. When the simplified detail was reviewed by the contractor and subcontractors, the result was a credit of $44,000 to the owner with no delays when compared to the original scope of work, in lieu of an additional cost of $130,000 with delays.