For Immediate Service
800-864-7717
For Immediate Service
800-864-7717Mar
18
2019
How can general contractors master budget optimization and ensure the best safety and quality, while also meeting materials and manpower requirements throughout a compressed construction schedule?
The short answer is that it’s not easy, but it’s a lot easier to accomplish when you understand the importance of including FARS (Firefighter Air-Replenishment Systems) early in pre-construction. Grasping this concept is especially important if the building will be in a jurisdiction where FARS is a code requirement.
Regardless of your familiarity with FARS requirements or extensive knowledge of industry practices, procedures, codes, and market trends – it’s impossible to efficiently incorporate scope additions after completion of design phasing. Clearly, early inclusion of FARS in pre-construction efforts will avoid unnecessary inefficiencies during construction.
To ensure your early investment in FARS provides optimal results, a clear understanding of how the scope affects various building systems and contractors involved is critical – especially if you’re a general contractor.
Like fire extinguisher systems, FARS involve multiple trades. Fire/life/safety, electrical, architectural, concrete, HVAC, and even plumbing may need to discuss the system layout alone. Like all projects, the earlier collaboration can begin, the better general contractors get the job done on schedule, within budget and safely.
Making FARS a top priority in pre-construction helps to ensure scope changes are processed and incorporated into the current scope of work in a timely manner, while also ensuring that materials and equipment resources are delivered on time. It also supports the development of assignments, timetables, and responsibilities for the multiple trades involved on the project.
FARS are six-figure expenditures, and any expense that large takes a hefty bite out of margin for both the contractor and owner – especially if it wasn’t included in your bidding process. Instead of scrambling to identify the system requirements and reworking already-installed materials to retrofit the FARS system, general contractors can focus on quality and budget optimization simply by planning for FARS early.
Unnecessary costs of work can be a major expense, too. No one wants to choose between drilling precast concrete and running exposed piping over a longer distance, and then having to explain another expense on top of the unexpected cost of FARS.
Keep in mind: You get what you pay for, and there’s nothing more important than protecting human lives. Ensure your FARS contractor has the knowledge and experience to guide your business through the purchase, installment, and post-coordination phases of FARS.
After hours of phone calls and emails, you finally have that meeting scheduled with the fire marshal. Do you know what to ask him? How many FARS should your building have? Do you need one every other floor? If you aren’t ready to collect the correct information during the meeting, you may have to spend another valuable month planning a follow-up meeting. Not to mention, different Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) have different requirements for FARS.
A trusted FARS installation contractor can help you make the right decision, or even take on the task for you.
TD, a mechanical contractor, is a one-stop shop for all your design-build FARS needs. We strongly recommend taking advantage of our complimentary FARS guide if you’re considering adding a FARS to your upcoming project. Just click the image below and fill out the form – you won't regret it!
Categories: Blog
TDIndustries is a premier facilities services and mechanical construction company. Founded in 1946, we are well-positioned to exceed customers’ expectations on any project regardless of size, complexity, within budget and on time.