Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/954267
POWDER COATING, March 2018 35 Design plan Wise contractors never begin work without a clear understanding of the exact scope of work and a written plan to accomplish the common goals of each stage of the project as set forth by the design team. Prior to the beginning of any work, a detailed review of the exact scope of work and materials required to meet the specification are necessary to make recommendations, identify and determine costs, provide a written bid that is complete and accurate, and ulti- mately secure a meaningful contract. The architect generally works closely with the building owner or developer to design a facility that meets the needs of the occupants, including any require- ments that might require special consid- eration due to the surrounding environ- ment or geographic location. Unfortu- nately, the actual in-shop finishing con- tractor or finishing material supplier for the project is rarely involved at this level of planning. The project specification is considered to be the master plan for how the project will be constructed, what the building materials and com- ponents will be made of, and what fin- ishes are required in terms of the surface, physical, and environmental properties. This master plan is in reality a "work in progress" to those veteran contractors who know that it would be impossible for anyone to expect a step-by-step build-to-design plan that answers all of the questions by all of the suppliers and trade professionals. Minor and sometimes major flaws in the design plan are often discovered throughout the entire build process and are typically addressed with meaningful guidance from all trade professionals as add-ons or change in scope directives. To proceed with any scope of work as defined by the plan or use any specified material that is known to be or found to be inferior is simply wrong. The term implied professionalism is often used to describe a contractor's responsibility for knowing right from wrong with respect to their area of expertise. Trade profes- sionals must always alert the design team and propose corrective action when building, electrical, and mechan- ical or life safety code issues are discov- ered. With regard to product fabrica- tion and finish quality, the same rules should apply. Project bids Finishing specifications generally are defined as standards of practice and use of materials that have been tested and proven to be effective and necessary for quality assurance. For finishing infor- mation, architects, engineers, and building planners often rely on nation- ally and internationally recognized stan- dards established by organizations such as the American Architectural Manu- facturers Association (AAMA), NACE International (formerly known as the National Association of Corrosion Engineers), SSPC: The Society for Pro- tective Coatings, American Galvanizers Association (AGA), and other organiza- tions when creating a project specific finishing specification. Each job has unique material and design requirements and therefore there are no cut and paste templates that apply to all metal substrates for every component. The finish contractor should exercise due