08 Openings

WINDOWS, STOREFRONT AND SLIDING GLASS DOOR SCOPE ITEMS

 

1. Specify duration for shop drawing submission, include as much penalty as negotiations will allow if deadlines are missed.

1. In addition to Architect, submit shop drawings to Building Envelope Consultant for review

2. Subcontractor shall engage sealant manufacturer to provide and/or perform the following (all of which are typically offered as a free service):

1. Sealant manufacturer performs a Weatherseal Sealant Review of shop drawings and provides a letter
2. Shop drawing letter to include written confirmation that sealant manufacturer, “supports and approves the use of their sealants in the joints shown on the project specific shop drawings.”
3. Perform project specific field adhesion testing on all applicable substrates to confirm compatibility of materials, provide documentation of results.
4. Perform project specific laboratory testing as required to confirm compatibility of materials.

3. Buy installation of an off the building mock-up, to be water tested prior to installation of permanent windows/sliders.  Pick a window that is used on the majority of the project and test a slider as well.  If your project has operable windows, definitely test one as a mock-up.
4. Verify that all products meet the allowable project design pressures. 
5. Include screw layout template shop drawings for use by concrete sub to coordinate post tension cable locations.
6. Specify that window sub utilize the window dimensions shown on the Architectural window schedule as the rough opening dimensions.  This will minimize issues with rough openings.  Include site visits by window sub to check rough openings on various floors during shell construction.  Buy a template from the window sub for use by the concrete and masonry subcontractor to verify accurate rough openings.

7. It is very important to understand the allowable shim space for the specific window and sliding glass door products, particularly with floor to ceiling openings.

1. With floor to ceiling sliding glass doors, use product with a head receptor (and NOA) if budget allows.  If not, verify with window sub that the grout bed beneath slider can be increased to 1”or1-1/2” with a letter (typical NOA’s call for ¼” max).  This will allow for some tolerance in the opening and will prevent chipping and grinding.
2. As mentioned in Division 3, the concrete sub must be contracted to the tolerances specified in the NOA’s / Product Approvals, and not ACI tolerances.

 

8. At the time of product installation, windows subcontractor shall furnish and install joint sealant at perimeter as the “primary bead” for a 100% water and wind tight system.  This ensures sole source responsibility for watertight integrity. Where a “primary bead” cannot be installed at time of window installation due to access limitations an “interior bead” should be installed between the waterproofed rough opening and the interior frame of window/SGD. This interior bead will keep water intrusion from occurring into the unit prior to the “primary bead’s” installation.
   1. If budget allows, include an “interior bead” of sealant around the frame of all windows/SGD this acts as a temporary waterproofing, air seal, and back dam for incidental moisture that may get around the window/SGD system.
   2. The second bead, or finish bead, is typically applied by the painter after stucco installation.  If budget and logistics allow, have window sub apply this bead also.
9. All window, storefront, sliding glass door sealants should be by Dow Corning or Tremco with 20-year weatherseal warranty.  Includes Dow Corning 795 and Tremco Spectrum 1 silicone exterior perimeter seal used to create the primary weatherproof seal between the aluminum frame and CMU or concrete rough opening.  Dow Corning 790 finish/beauty bead is best (more expensive), when sealing between the exterior cladding and the aluminum frame. Other finish/beauty beads can be considered if they provide a min 10 year weatherseal warranty and an adhesion test is preformed to confirm compatibility. This includes glass to metal, metal to metal, and metal to structure joints.  Includes all plan review, field testing, lab testing, etc. required to obtain the warranty.
10. Field adhesion testing of mock-up sealant joints should be conducted prior to sealant installation.  On previous projects, KAST has performed multiple field adhesion tests which have confirmed the compatibility of Dow Corning 790 and Vulkem 350.
11. Silicone cannot be painted, but it is preferred sealant in lieu of urethane.
12. The sealant manufacturer should indicate if a bond breaker is needed between the two joints.
13. To ensure sufficient adhesion, a minimum of ¼” of contact should exist between the sealant and each of the substrates to which adhesion is required.
14. All screw heads to be caulked (this is a typical source of water, since fasteners penetrate the waterproof coating around the window perimeter).  This includes sliding glass door sill track fasteners, which should be concealed with a cover or cap, which is also caulked.

1. Review the specifications for the field water infiltration test protocol. 

1. ASTM E-1105 is the air chamber test that simulates the conditions of a wind driven rainstorm, confirming water and air tightness of the installation.
2. Verify the test pressure to be utilized and include in window subcontractor scope of work.  Typically 15% of the positive pressure shown on the NOA is used, but AAMA 502-08 specifies field testing be performed at a static test pressure equal to 2/3 of the tested and rated laboratory performance test pressure as indicated in the NOA / Product Approval.  Often times, the specifications will be in conflict with the standards they reference. 

10. Verify if system(s) to be used on the project are designed to take in water and weep it out.  Location of weep holes is critical and must be identified immediately, as use of a precast sill may be required to eliminate stucco covering weep holes.
11. Buy installation of window bucks, if required, by window subcontractor.  Buck caulking details to be shown on shop drawings.
12. Typical aluminum finish is powdercoat, or clear anodized finish.  If budget allows, or if project is in coastal environment, buy 2-coat Kynar 500 (70% PVDF) finish with 10 or 15 year warranty.
    1. There are powdercoat finishes that offer a 10-year warranty, however the performance of the coating is not the same as Kynar, or a Kynar equivalent (Duranar,
13. Buy Blue-Max brand protection on interior and exterior of all exterior glazing.  If slider panels will be installed after stucco, there may be an opportunity to save cost of blue max on sliders.
14. Verify glass performance specifications and scope accordingly.  Compare with energy calculations.  Glass specifications will affect mechanical systems.  The design pressures will determine the glazing assemblies and interlayers to be used on the project.
15. Clarify if screens are required at windows and/or sliders.  If required, buy screens stored off-site by subcontractor until project completion. 
16. Based on specs and budget, specify all hardware to be stainless steel type 316 (marine grade), where possible.
17. Identify any access control on storefront doors; buy all required frame/door prep from window sub.  Verify if mag-locks or electrified hardware is specified and buy from access control sub or window sub as appropriate.
18. ADA thresholds required at all common areas. These are not rated for water intrusion, but ADA will win every time.
19. Buy any additional steel required in SF system from window subcontractor.
20. Buy a ‘reasonable’ amount of minor repairs to all products furnished, which includes replacement of air infiltration pads, weather stripping and felt.
21. Buy deliveries on a floor by floor basis, not by product type.  Include on site or off site storage as needed based on job requirements.
22. Verify location of operable sliding glass door panel, if not indicated on the plans (XO, OX, XXO, or OXX).  Furniture plans may not be coordinated with Architectural plans.
23. Include any and all safeguards required for operable windows, per the Florida Building Code.  If the sill is less than 36” above finished floor, safeguards must be provided to prevent people from falling out when the windows are open (FBC 2411.5.1).
24. Include any and all scaffolding, lifts, swing stages, etc. required to properly caulk windows.
25. The sill riser on all sliders will not comply with FHA requirements.  Typically, the Owner will provide the AHJ with a letter indicating that ramps will be provided for occupants as needed.  Some municipalities may require that a certain number of ramps be furnished and stored by ownership / property management as a requirement of CO.

 

 

WINDOWS, SLIDING GLASS DOORS, STOREFRONT – FIELD & QC ITEMS

 

1. Sliding glass door panels should be installed after stucco on the balcony to minimize damage.
2. As soon as possible, field verify all concrete and masonry openings so window installation is not delayed.
3. Identify the thickness of the finish floor assembly at balconies / terraces, coordinate sill elevation and sill type required (bumper style threshold, ADA sill, etc).  This may require increased grout bed beneath product, and longer fasteners in order to get proper embedment. 

 

 

DOORS, FRAMES, HARDWARE SCOPE ITEMS

 

1. We typically buy the door, frame and hardware scope as a furnish and install subcontract.
2. Shop drawings shall include details of each frame type, elevations of door design types, DOOR UNDERCUTS, conditions at openings, door swing, fire rating & impact requirements, details of construction, location and installation requirements of door and frame hardware and reinforcements, and details of joints and connections. Show anchorage and accessory items.
3. All components of fire rated assemblies shall be labeled as rated components.  This includes but is not limited to glazing material, locks, hinges, closers, latches, lite frames, other hardware items, etc.
4. Verify that all exterior doors meet the project design pressures, impact requirements, and carry the proper NOA / Product Approval.
5. Coordinate if glazing in doors is furnished by door/frame/hardware subcontractor or glazing subcontractor.  Same with louvers.
6. Buy punched and dimpled HM frames and installation for HM frames located in concrete openings (framing/drywall subcontractor to install HM frames in drywall partitions).
7. Stairwell doors must be temperature rise doors.
8. Buy application of bituminous coating at HM frames in concrete and CMU walls.
9. Make subcontractor responsible for reviewing partition type schedule and including throat size changes required due to wall thicknesses.  These doors shall be specifically called out in the submittal with a different mark number.
10. Coordinate all door, frame, and hardware prep with access control system.
11. Verify who will furnish door casing and base board.  Verify size and profile.
12. If wood doors will be field finished, buy pre-primed wood doors, casing and base.
13. If prefinished wood doors, verify the following:
    1. Veneer cut (plain sliced, quarter sliced, rift cut, rotary cut)
    2. Veneer grade (A or AA)
    3. Veneer match (book match, slip match, random match, continuous match, etc.)
    4. Veneer assembly (running, balance, center balance, or pair)
    5. Width of face components
14. Identify discrepancies on the Interior Design drawings as compared to the Architectural drawings.
15. Buy deliveries on a floor by floor basis.
16. Buy master construction keyed system.
17. Hinges to match hardware finish.
18. Coordinate undercuts based on finish flooring thickness; shall be depicted in shop drawings.
19. Include an allowance for field undercutting (# of man hours), and allowances for extra doors and hardware sets due to damage.
20. Obtain rough opening dimensions for all doors as quickly as possible.
21. Verify which openings have thresholds furnished by door subcontractor vs flooring subcontractor.  Thresholds to comply with ADA and FHA as required.