Questions and Answerers.docx

Questions and Answerers below:

3.2. The documentation shall have a space to indicate when and how the deficiencies were corrected.

Question: Does this mean that in the post inspection report that there needs to be a column for the contractor that performs the repairs to list how the deficiencies were corrected? Or does this mean that the repairs are to be performed on the spot by the inspection contractor? It would incredibly be hard to price the repairs pre-inspection, not know how many repairs are needed, and the nature of the inspections; the amounts could vary from a nominal dollar amount to a very significant dollar amount. There will need to be a space on the testing documents for the deficiencies found, corrections applied and who the dampers were inspected by. Corrections will be managed per damper through the COR.

0. Full unobstructed access to the fire or combination fire/smoke damper shall be verified and corrected as required.

Question: To verify, this means that any non-accessible damper should be made accessible during the inspection, regardless of the reason for non-accessibility? This could vary from a cam-lock door, hard-ceiling access, to a damper being completely obstructed from water pipes or med-gas lines, which is a major construction project to relocate pipes, reroute ductwork, move medgas lines, etc. Is the contractor expected to price in making dampers accessible, regardless of the nature of the inaccessibility, and not knowing how many are inaccessible? No, if identified that the damper is inaccessible, the contractor is to annotate the finding and inform the COR at that time for updating the operational plan of testing and possible work arounds.

0. All associated fire control relays and electrical components are to be tested for full operation of the dampers.

Question: For this to be performed correctly the fire alarm contractor should be at the alarm panel to assist with testing. Is it the expectation that the contractor is to sub to the alarm contractor, if so if we can be provided with the name and contact information of the alarm contractor, as many alarm panels are proprietary. Or is it acceptable, as is industry standard on electrical dampers to cut power at the junction box, to ensure proper closure, and not test at the alarm panel (which is covered in the NFPA 72 test)? The local testing company that the facility uses is United Automation 110 Barr Lane | West Monroe, LA 71291 318.397.0208. It is acceptable, as is industry standard on electrical dampers to cut power at the junction box, to ensure proper closure, and not test at the alarm panel.

0. Following any repairs, the damper shall be tested for operation and documented of operational status.

Question; This section of the scope indicates that the inspection contractor is to perform all of the repairs during the inspection. What is the preference of the government on how to price the repairs, given that prior to the inspection, the contractor will not know the nature of the repairs, or how many repairs. Additionally, some dampers may fail due to issues such as no power, which could likely be due to a bad alarm relay, or a facility issue with power. In those situations is it the expectation that the inspection contractor to subcontract to the alarm company, or an electrician to fix those issues? The contractor will be required to identify repairs and parts required for fully functional dampers, annotate for the report and communicate the deficiencies to the COR as any deficiencies are found for options of corrections. In the event of no power to a damper, the COR has facility electricians that can assist in locating and resetting electrical feeds.