Commercial Interior Design: Part II Contract documents for commercial interior design practice describe 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 documents f.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 documents shop drawings that illustrate specific situations or details of a project. shop drawings are prepared by the contractor or fabricator and are submitted to the designer for approval.

The traditional approach to a project follows a sequence of: design the project award the contract to a contractor build 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 actually begins while the designing is still going on. For example, while the second floor of a two story building is being designed the 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 construction problems.

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is the set of statutes (laws) that governs 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 to which 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 goods A merchant is held to a higher standard than those who are not 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 complete commercial interior project: the construction contract documents and the FF&E contract 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 bid Instruction to bidders Information available to bidders Bid forms and attachments Bid 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 construction contracts, performance bonds, and payment bonds Conditions of the Contract Specifications Drawings Contract 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 documents by reference.

The written specifications describe the quality of materials and their construction or 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 plans existing construction to be modified new construction elevations sections details. 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 order Change directive Supplemental 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 agreed upon 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 brand name 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 necessarily what 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 conforms to all applicable laws. These laws include: federal and state regulations local zoning laws building codes fire codes

A building code sets forth minimum requirements for design and construction in 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 King Hammurabi. 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 the basis 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 Code Uniform Fire Code Standard Fire Code NFPA 101 Life Safety Code Building Standards Standards are material specifications, practices, or test methods based on technical research 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 United States 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 claims was 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 or material in circumstances similar to those under which they are commonly installed 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 as a 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 development of interior finish and building materials. This test simulates a situation in which everything in the room is on fire. Materials are mounted on the ceiling of a test chamber. Methenamine Pill Test (page 52 of text) Commonly referred to as the 'pill test', this test measures the response of carpet to a burning methenamine tablet. Since 1971 federal regulations have required that all carpet sold in the United States pass this test. Small carpets and rugs are required to be tested, but they are not required to 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 conditions than 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 surfaces in a test room. This installation is then exposed to a flame source 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 opening during 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 destroying an actual chair. Three lighted cigarettes are placed on the mock up of the upholstery. To intensify the heat, the cigarettes are covered with 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 seating exposed 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.