RFI 4 VA Response.docx

Request for information (RFI)

IFB: 36C24222B0026

Project: 528-809 New Emergency Department Addition Location: Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208

Q18: Please advise if there is a Geotechnical report available for this project.

A18: Please see attached Geotech Report (Albany VAMC Geotech Report for New ED).

Q19: In the plan documents, would you be able to call out where the bullet resistant and blast rated windows/storefronts are located? Is everything going to be blast rated? Also, is there anything that does list what is ballistic, or blast rated maybe in the windows and door schedule?

A19: The glass types for windows and curtain walls are tagged on the window schedule on drawing 1-AS902. The glass types for doors are called out in the door schedule 1-AS901 under the glass heading. See specification section 088000 Glazing for a description of each glass type. Please see attached specifications 088000 Glazing 8-18-22 and 084113 Aluminum Framed Entrances and Storefront 8-18-22.

This addendum contains changes to the requirements of the Contract Documents. Such changes are to be incorporated into the Construction Documents and shall apply to the Work with the same meaning and force as if they had been included in the original documents. Wherever this Amendment modifies a portion of a paragraph in the Specifications or a portion of any Drawing, the remainder of the paragraph or Drawing shall remain in force.

Specifications The following specifications sections have been revised to provide additional clarifications:

1. Section 084113 Aluminum Framed Entrances and Storefront A. ADD the following:

Section 2.2.B.3.b 4) thru 6)

4) All glazing in exterior aluminum framed fenestration systems must meet the blast performance requirements stated in Section 088000 of the specifications. Frames and mullions must meet the blast resistant design requirements for Mission Critical facilities per Section 6.3.1 of the VA Physical Security and Resilience Design Manual (2020). The blast design must follow the requirements shown below:

a) The frames and mullions must be designed to resist a design blast load of 13.5 psi peak reflected pressure and 51 psi-msec reflected impulse applied over the tributary area of the member while sustaining maximum deformations no greater than L/40 (or 3 degrees support rotation). In addition, the frames and mullions must be designed to resist the balanced blast load (maximum blast load capacity of the weakest lite of supported glass), but no less than the design blast load, while sustaining maximum deformations no greater than L/20 (or 6 degrees support rotation).

b) The frames and mullions must be designed using dynamic analysis methods per Section 6.7.3 of the VA Physical Security and Resilience Design Manual (2020). Alternatively, glazed aluminum framed systems may be certified through testing (Standard Test Method for Glazing Systems Subject to Airblast Loadings ASTM F1642) against the specified design blast load. The tested assembly must be demonstrated to be sufficiently similar in glazing layup, mullions, frames, connections, and hardware to that being constructed for the project.

5) Connections between framing members and connections of the frame members to the supporting structure must be designed to resist the applied blast loads and develop the maximum flexural capacity of the supported members.

6) Blast Performance Requirements:

a) Blast analysis and design calculations must be performed by a licensed professional engineer with a minimum of five years of professional experience in blast-resistant design. Design submittals must include a blast narrative and supporting calculations, and must be signed and stamped by the professional engineer responsible for their preparation

2. Section 088000 - Glazing ADD the following:

Section 1.4.D. 1 thru 4

D. Blast Performance Requirements: All glazing for all exterior windows, curtainwalls, storefronts and glazed doors must be designed to meet the blast-resistant design requirements for Mission Critical facilities per Section 6.3.1 of the VA Physical Security and Resilience Design Manual (2020). The blast design must follow the requirements shown below:

1. The exterior glazing must be designed to achieve a glass Performance Condition 2 (i.e. glass may crack but must remain attached to the frame) in response to a design blast load of 13.5 psi peak reflected pressure and 51 psi-msec reflected impulse. The design of the glazing must be done using dynamic analysis methods.

2. The dynamic analysis must be performed using window glazing blast analysis and design software developed by the US Government, such as SBEDS-W or WINGARD PE, which are capable of predicting the glass, film, and laminate response when subjected to the blast loading environment.

The dynamic analysis must use a glass probability of failure (POF) of 500 breaks per 1000. In addition, the blast analysis must include calculation of the maximum capacity of the glazing (maximum blast load resulting in Performance Condition 2) for balanced design purposes.

3. All exterior glazing must use laminated glass (for IGU, laminated glass is required only for the inner lite). A minimum 1/2" bite and a continuous 3/8” bead of structural silicone adhesive shall be provided to develop post-damage glazing capacity. Alternatively, a dry glazed system can be used if the adequacy to meet the above blast-resistant design requirements is demonstrated by dynamic analysis.

4. Blast analysis and design calculations must be performed by a licensed professional engineer with a minimum of five years of professional experience in blast-resistant design.

Add the following:

Section 3.9.A

Glass Type IL# 1 Tinted, low-e coated insulating laminated glass.

1. Overall Unit Thickness: 25 mm (1 inch)

2. Outdoor Lite: Tinted annealed float glass, except heat-strengthened float glass where required, and fully tempered float glass where indicated.

a. Minimum Thickness of Outdoor Lite: 6 mm (0.23 inch).

b. Tint Color: Gray

3. Interspace Content: Argon

4. Indoor Lite: Clear laminated glass with two lites of annealed float glass, except heat-strengthened float glass where required, and fully tempered float glass where indicated.

a. Minimum Thickness of Each Glass Lite: 6 mm (0.23 inch).

b. Interlayer Thickness:1.52 mm (0.060 inch).

5. Low-E Coating: Sputtered on second surface.

6. Safety glazing label required.

7. Windborne debris-resistant glazing unit required.

8. Blast Resistance: Provide units meeting the following:

a. GP Value As provided by Owner and coordinated with blast report.