Building Design and Construction Handbook - Merritt - Ventech!

THE BUILDING TEAM—MANAGING THE BUILDING PROCESS 2.29
completion of the work has occurred. All required operating manuals and maintenance
instructions are given to the architect for document control and forwarding
to the client.
10. The contractor submits final waivers of lien from each subcontractor or
material supplier. Also provided is an affidavit stating that all invoices have been
paid, with the exception of those amounts shown on the final waiver of lien. With
these documents, the contractor submits the final consolidated payment request,
including all change orders.
11. The architect sends a final certificate of payment to the client, with a copy
to the contractor.
12. The contractor provides any required certificate of occupancy, indicating that
the building authorities have jurisdiction over the project approve occupancy of the
space for the intended use.
13. The client makes final payment to the contractor and notifies the architect
of this.
This process is important inasmuch as it can trigger the transfer of risk from the
contractor’s insurance program during construction to the client’s insurance program
for the completed project.
2.24 TESTING AND BALANCING OF BUILDING
SYSTEMS
It is normal for projects to go through what is known as a shakedown period after
final acceptance and occupancy by the client or building tenant. The warranty and
guarantee period (normally 1 year) is the contractor’s representation and recognition
that certain building elements and systems may need adjustment or slight modification,
depending on actual occupancy conditions or normal maintenance and usage
of such systems. The heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and systems unique to
a project require testing and balancing and potential minor modifications and adjustments
during this warranty and guarantee period, even though they were tested
and balanced by the contractor’s testing agency prior to project closeout. An independent
testing and balancing contractor who was employed prior to final project
closeout normally returns on an as-needed, on-call basis to adjust, test, and balance
systems during the first year. In addition, the building engineer will become familiar
with the systems during this first year of operation and may also adjust and balance
systems.
2.25 POSTCONSTRUCTION OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE
The technical specifications for a building project normally require that some time
be devoted prior to project closeout for instruction and training of the client’s building
operating personnel and building engineer, who will be responsible for operating
and maintaining the various building systems. Manufacturers’ operating procedures,
manuals, and inventory of spare parts and attic stock should be reviewed with the