Masonry Magazine December 1985 Page. 27
RECOMMENDED PRACTICES RELATING TO
THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RELATIONSHIPS
IN BRICK CONSTRUCTION
Most brick construction projects are completed with the result that building owner, architect, contractor and brick supplier are completely satisfied with the final product. In a few instances, however, mistakes are made or misunderstandings occur that spoil what would otherwise be a rewarding and profitable experience for all concerned.
Recognizing this fact, the brick industry, including representatives from the manufacturing, sales and installation segments, have developed this "Recommended Practice" which identifies the areas in which misunderstandings are most likely to occur and suggests a procedure to be followed that will minimize the effects when mistakes do occur.
The "Recommended Practices Relating to the Responsibilities and Relationships in Brick Construction" was developed through the cooperative efforts of the Brick Institute of America, the National Association of Brick Distributors and the Mason Contractors Association of America. Draft copies of the complete document were distributed to other construction industry associations for review and, where appropriate, their advice was included in the final "Recommended Practice."
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this recommended practice is to prevent misunderstandings which might result from improper ordering, sampling procedures, or ill-timed examination of field work.
As in all business relationships, there is a responsibility among the parties involved manufacturers, distributors, contractors, mason contractors, architects, engineers, owners and/or their respective representatives or agents-in producing an acceptable masonry project. It is to the mutual advantage of all concerned that problems, when encountered, be identified and addressed in a timely manner.
Contract Allowances
The practice of using only dollar value allowances for brick in construction specifications and/or contracts is not recommended because this method does not provide sufficient information to make an informed bid. If an allowance is used in a construction contract, the size and grade or other specifications of the unit should be stated so that an informed bid may be given by the contractor or supplier. In the initial establishment of an allowance, the parties should take into consideration the extra cost of special shapes and other special units required by the project.
Selection and Sampling
Brick is subject to variations in color between production runs and occasionally within the same run. Modern manufacturing processes encompass the use of automatic equipment, the use of which may also result in minor imperfections in color and texture.
The selection of the color, texture and type of brick, tile or paving is the responsibility of the owner and/or his representative. Usually, small samples are used for the preliminary selection and may not exactly represent the complete range of colors and textures encountered in production runs.
Sometimes, a small sample is sufficient for determining the final selection. However, when large amounts of brick are to be erected on a flat plain surface, the prudent owner, contractor, distributor or manufacturer should direct or request that the final selection be made from a field panel (also called a "mock-up"). A field panel is typically constructed as a free-standing sample which will later be torn down when the project is complete. Usually, a quantity of brick equal to 100 standard-size brick will be used for the construction of the free-standing field panel.
If an owner or the owner's representative requires the field panel or sample, the distributor or manufacturer may not have control over the actual erection which is frequently performed by a separate mason contractor. The party or parties who have control over the work of the mason contractor (either by direct contract or by other powers) should take appropriate action during the erection of the field panel or sample to assure that no additions or deletions are made to the brick supplied by the distributor and manufacturer unless written approval has been received from the manufacturer for such a change.
Field panels should be constructed from the production run that is intended for shipment to the project. In the event that the field panel has to be constructed for inspection and final selection before the production run for that project, the owner and the manufacturer should agree in writing upon such a use. The manufacturer may reserve the right to re-sample from the actual run before shipment commences.
When the field panel has been formally approved, it is the manufacturer's responsibility to provide brick as represented in the sample panel. A strap or control sample is normally retained at the plant.
Typically, the contractor and mason contractor are responsible for preserving and maintaining the integrity of the field panel which is considered the project standard for bond, mortar, workmanship and appearance, and as the standard for comparison until the masonry has been completed and accepted by the owner or the owner's representative. If the owner or his representative elects not to have a field panel erected, the parties may choose to use the first 100 square feet of actual construction as the field panel.
The owner or a designated representative is responsible for acceptance of the work and, therefore, should inspect, as necessary, while the work progresses. This is especially critical at the start of the project to ensure that the color, texture and workmanship are representative of the sample field panel and is acceptable.
The selling party, whether the manufacturer, distributor or dealer, should visit the job site, as necessary, and, in addition, should be available for meetings and consultation in the event the owner or the owner's representative discovers a problem.