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STAFF and RESOURCES
Based on project scope of work requirements, ECI assigns trained, certified and experienced professionals (Roofing and Waterproofing Consultants, Project Managers, Specification Writers, CADD System Operators, Database Management Specialists, Quality Assurance Inspectors, etc.) to each Client engagement.
A experienced group of technical and administrative personnel, trained in those support areas that are essential to the successful and cost-effective execution of ECI's forensic analysis, design and construction management services, provides each project management team with the support needed to ensure quality performance. Dictated by project requirements, additional professional and technical specialists are available, as needed, through ECI's unique nationwide talent consortium.
Resources Necessary To Meet Client Needs
ECI has the equipment, personnel, and financial resources necessary to manage multiple renovation and restoration engagements simultaneously at numerous geographic locations. The following resources are available for project applications.
- State-of-the-art Auto CAD capabilities.
- Computerized data processing, estimating program, computerized development of specifications, construction documents and drafting.
- Comprehensive library including major manufacturer's architectural specification manuals: Factory Mutual and Underwriters Laboratories, Building Codes, Trade Manuals, McGraw-Hill Sweet's Catalog, Engineering and Retrofit edition.
- Infrared camera, AGA model 750/782 imaging system.
- Spray rack and associated vacuum pump to perform ASTM 1105 Testing of curtain walls.
- Metering equipment to test balance of air pressure.
Facilities Database Management System
In recent years, ECI has developed a diverse and unique database from more than 10,000 facility evaluations conducted throughout North America and overseas. Along with regional labor and material costs that have been captured and routinely updated, ECI's Pinnacle 2100â„¢ database allowing our staff to simplify project planning, management functions, and activities.
Quality Assurance and Budgeting
ECI is committed to the development and execution of cost-effective long-term solutions to ensure proper utilization of our client's capital and maintenance budgets, along with other resources related to facilities asset management programs. ECI believes that the keys to cost effective management of facility assets must include:
- A comprehensive facility needs assessment coupled with properly designed roofing and exterior wall cladding systems that utilize state-of-the-art expertise with cutting-edge technologies that address present and long term project requirements.
- The selection of correct solutions coupled with the right materials, correct design and proper installation of new replacement systems.
- The timely and cost effective investment in adequate maintenance and repair programs, using computer-based data gathering as a management tool to extend the operational life of roofing, exterior wall cladding, and water-proofing systems.
ECI's Cost Control Plan Is based on the following six factors: - Review with our clients:
- Short and long term needs and goals.
- Adequacy of budget to meet those needs and goals.
- Constant cost review/coordination with client, staff and consultants:
- Insure project does not "grow" in scope.
- If project grows, insure that budget correspondingly increases.
- Review budget in detail with sub-consultants.
- Monitoring of construction news service to include:
- Dodge Reports.
- Southwest Construction News.
- Associated General Contractors
- Staged cost review by the firm's principals (materials, details, specifications, etc.) during preparation of construction documents.
- Promotion campaign to attract contractors and manufacturers for competitive pricing.
Quality Assurance Plan
Quality Assurance is extremely important to ECI and is strictly exercised throughout the progress of a project from the first meeting with the Client to the completion of construction.
ECI's Quality Assurance Plan coordinates the following four major quality areas:
- Field investigation.
- Design quality.
- Quality control in construction document preparation.
- Quality control in the construction phase.
Each area of quality requires specific actions from ECI: - Field Investigation:
- Determine data needed.
- Secure and double check data.
- Verify that data is adequately reflected in the construction documents.
- Design Quality:
- Meet design needs and goals of clients.
- Adequate response to those needs and goals so that the budget will not be exceeded. Full review in this context with our client.
- Quality Control in the Construction Documents.
- Meet design needs and goals of clients.
- Adequate response to those needs and goals so that the budget will not be exceeded. Full review in this context with our client.
- Planning
- Long range planning - look ten years into the future.
- Consider current facility use and future expansion.
- Insure that this project will integrate with future projects.
- Develop a method to create assets from systems that may have been ill-conceived or poorly assembled at some time in the past.
- Programming Requirements:
- Review client's facility program.
- Secure input from client, administration and staff.
- Verify client's facility program with regulatory compliance.
- Cooperate with the Client to insure that available budget is adequate to meet needs.
- Budgets:
- Implement an effective cost control plan to insure project is constructed within the budget.
- Review estimate of probable construction cost with Client.
- On Time performance:
- Implement a project coordinator plan.
- Implement a quality control plan.
- Insure that the project bids are received and the contractor is ready to proceed at a time most advantageous to the client.
- Construction Quality Control Observation:
- Observe the construction at all critical junctions.
- Review contractor pay applications.
- Conduct periodic punch list and final inspection with client's representative.
Protecting Integrity of the Program or Project
Exterior Consulting Innovations, Inc. (ECI) believes that there are multiple pertinent considerations and challenges that must be addressed within the guidelines of a project. The quality of the project and protection of the project integrity are important. Transferring the initial phases of the project into a finished quality product is a critical factor. ECI will act to protect the Client from liability by ensuring the quality of the finished product.
- Pertinent Considerations and Challenges:
- Accurate assessment and testing of existing and concealed conditions and the systems used for forensic testing.
- Determining the causes of identified areas of distress, damage and deterioration of the systems.
- Owner requirements and constraints.
- Proactive treatment of noise, odor and staging requirements.
- Obtaining the maximum service life of existing systems and proper choice of new systems for the longest trouble free service.
- Meeting Challenges, Schedules, Delivery Time:
- Make sure the scope of work is clearly defined with schedule requirements.
- Have conference discussion of the project requirements and constraints.
- Interaction with the Client using a proactive approach to planning and material lead times.
- Provide an accurate assessment of the project conditions, causes of system failure, logistics of executing project and owner requirements.
- Review project progress weekly or biweekly against the schedule and revise the schedule to accelerate issues that are delaying progress.
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