SERVICES
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DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
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BAI provides design development and construction document services for new construction, remedial construction and restoration projects. We can act as the prime architect for remedial construction projects or work closely in collaboration with the prime architect, other disciplines and contractors as the building envelope consultant. BAI works closely with product manufacturers to craft written specifications and prepare construction drawings tailored to individual project requirements, which clearly detail the installation of building envelope components. We interface with the project team to deliver well coordinated and polished technical details and written technical specifications for each building envelope system that is included in the construction document set, whether it be for modern or traditional building envelope systems.
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Assist in evaluating pre-construction conditions
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Review drawings and specifications and provide an evaluation and recommendations for building envelope systems
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Provide written specifications
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Attend project team working meetings
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Provide CAD packages of technical architectural details
PEER REVIEW
BAI provides peer review services for the design development and construction documents phases of new construction, remedial construction and restoration projects. We work closely in collaboration with architects and other disciplines to review and evaluate building envelope details and specifications. We provide recommendations, red-line mark-ups, and supplemental sketches which are incorporated into the project documents.
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Assist in evaluating pre-construction conditions
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Review drawings and specifications and provide an evaluation and recommendations for building envelope systems
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Attend project team working meetings
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Review and redline written specifications
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Provide peer review of drawings and red-line mark-ups of details
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Provide supplemental details
REMEDIAL DESIGN AND RESTORATION
BAI provides investigation and evaluation services for existing structures in need of repair or restoration.
Unlike designing waterproofing for new construction, remedial work often requires that investigation and evaluation work first take place in order to determine the mode of failure and the extent of damage. This process can involve methodical testing and invasive exploration. We enjoy the problem solving process that is required to diagnose a failing construction assembly. We also particularly enjoy ultimately helping to fix the building and improving its envelope performance.
The information attained during the investigation and evaluation phase assists in defining the required scope of repairs. Because we are often working with partial envelope repairs, significant challenges are presented in determining how best to integrate new and existing work and in the sequencing required to achieve the desired results. We work closely in collaboration with architects, other disciplines and contractors to determine the most appropriate scope of work for the required repairs or restoration.
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Evaluating pertinent historical project information
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Conducting investigation and evaluation site work
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Directing invasive exploration work
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Provide written findings report with preliminary scope of work and repair recommendations, leading to development and production of construction documents and technical specifications
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION
During the construction phase we remain involved in the project, checking that materials and systems are installed according to the details and specifications. We review submittals, respond to RFI’s and issue supplemental details. We convene pre-installation meetings with the architect, general contractor, waterproofing subcontractor and product manufacturers in order to help the project team understand and adhere to details and specifications prior to the commencement of work. We specify and review field mock-ups, including adhesion testing of membranes. We collaborate with the team to make recommendations and enhancements to details in response to field conditions. Throughout the construction progress we periodically make site visits to observe and review work in progress and then issue detailed field reports, which document the work.
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Review submittals and RFI’s
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Convene pre-construction meetings
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Review mock-ups and adhesion testing of membranes
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Issue supplemental details and resolve difficult field detail conditions
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Make periodic site visits to observe and review work in progress
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Issue detailed field reports
DIAGNOSTIC AND QUALITY ASSURANCE TESTING
We conduct testing in order to diagnose and identify water penetration issues in building assemblies, windows and doors. The testing process can help identify issues before additional damage occurs. We perform methodical diagnostic testing in conjunction with directing invasive exploration work in order to help determine modes of failure. We often perform differential pressure testing on windows and doors for both diagnostic and quality assurance purposes on both new and existing buildings. Differential pressure testing can be very helpful early on in the construction process, during an initial mock-up, in order to verify that the final installed assembly meets performance levels and everyone's expectations.
BAI’s in-house testing resources includes pressure manometers, custom designed and built modular spray racks for use in ASTM E1105 differential pressure testing, an ASTM E1105 spray rack calibration box, commercial booster pumps for increasing water pressure where required for testing, commercial vacuum’s for creating negative air in our field testing chambers, AAMA 501.2 spray nozzles and extension wands, an array of field ready testing tool kits, HydraBarriers and drain plugs for flood testing decks, and other miscellaneous tools and equipment necessary for various size field testing work.
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Evaluating and specifying testing requirements
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Conducting general diagnostic testing of various building assemblies
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Field mock-ups for windows and doors
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Conducting fenestration testing to ASTM E-1105 differential pressure testing standards
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Prepare written report of BAI’s findings and conclusions.
LITIGATION SUPPORT​
Although it is not our main business, we occasionally provide construction litigation support to attorneys representing both defendants and plaintiffs. Because of our expertise and experience with failing building envelopes and assemblies, we find that litigation work integrates well with our primary consulting work. We have worked on projects spanning the preliminary investigation through litigation and ultimately to the required repair work.
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