Installation Terms & Conditions
It is the responsibility of the general contractor to ensure the following site conditions which are required for the installation to meet these Quality Standards Illustrated.
Prior to delivery and installation of architectural woodwork, casework and related woodwork, to the job site, the building environment shall be stabilized to provide condition that will maintain a relative humidity of not less than 25%, nor more than 55%.
Relative humidity during the time of installation shall remain within the range to be maintained during occupancy.
All woods are affected by humidity, which is the water/moisture, in vapor form, in the atmosphere, but not appreciably by heat.
Lumber swells and shrinks, primarily in two directions only, thickness and width, and insignificantly in length. These changes in dimension, due to effects of humidity, vary with different species. Providing and maintaining a stable environment, from the time of delivery, through installation, and on through building occupancy, is the key to minimizing the effects of humidity.
Areas to receive architectural woodwork must be fully enclosed with windows installed and glazed, exterior doors in place, HVAC systems operational, and temporary openings closed. All plaster, wet grinding, and concrete work shall be fully dry.
It is the responsibility of the general contractor to furnish and install structure, grounds, and blocking, or other anchorage which become part of the walls, floors, or ceilings, required for architectural woodwork installation.
All metal backing strips welded to steel studs shall be as specified and/or detailed on Architectural / design drawings to show locations and gauge of thickness of these items.
Should the architect, designer, or engineer omit details calling for the general contractor to supply necessary blocking or backing strips in the wall, either through inadvertence or otherwise, the architectural woodwork installer shall not proceed with the installation until such time as the blocking is installed by others.
The owner or owner’s general contractor is responsible for placing blocking acceptable to the woodwork installer prior to installation with no penalty to the woodwork manufacturer or installer.
All preparatory work done by others shall be subject to inspection by the architectural woodwork installer, and may be accepted or rejected prior to commencing installation.
Rough openings which are installed by others prior to commencement of installation shall be built square, in plane, and to the proper dimensions.
Architectural woodwork is a “finish” trade, and should be installed after ceilings, plumbing, flooring, etc. The fabricator of the work shall not be held responsible for any damage that might develop by others not adhering to the above procedures.
Architectural woodwork products are manufactured as designed from wood that has been kiln dried to an appropriate average moisture content and maintained at this condition up to the time of delivery. Subsequent dimensional change in wood is and always has been an inherent natural property of wood. These changes cannot be the responsibility of the manufacturer or products made from it.
Specifically:
Responsibility for dimensional change problems in wood products resulting from improper design rests with the designer/architect/specifier.
Responsibility for dimensional change problems in wood products resulting from improper relative humidity exposure during site storage and installation rests with the general contractor.
Responsibility for dimensional change problems in wood products resulting from humidity extremes after occupancy rests with engineering and maintenance.
If you should have any questions or concerns regarding these conditions, please call us for further clarification.
Should these conditions not be met and adhered to throughout the duration of the installation KSL Construction Services Ltd. will not be held responsible for any expansion / contraction or any damages or irregularities caused by the improper site conditions and cannot warranty any work installed under improper site conditions.
Sincerely,
Todd Storm
President
KSL Construction Services Ltd.
2570 Edinburgh Place, Ottawa, Ontario
K1B 5M1
Tel: (613) 746-5785
Fax: (613) 746-9958
www.kslcs.com