Attachment 3 - Pococi Training Pool Specifications.pdf

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

E-03420 – POCOCÍ TRAINING

POOL

Pococí, Limón

Costa Rica

July 2021

General Index

1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

2 WORKS TO EXECUTE

2.1 Preliminary Works

2.2 Dressing and machine rooms

2.3 Training pool

2.4 Complementary works

2.5 Electrical system

2.6 Mechanical system

3 GENERAL REQUIREMENT

3.1 Design and construction plans

3.2 Applicable publications

3.3 Security during the construction process

4 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

4.1 Quantities

4.2 Trials and Tests

4.3 Work Execution

4.4 Cost of the Project

5 TASK SPECIFICATIONS

5.1 Site evaluation

5.2 Existing buildings demolition

5.3 Preliminary work

5.3.1 Land clearing

5.3.2 Leveling and plotting

5.3.3 Warning Signs

5.3.4 Temporary Structures

5.4 Earthwork, Excavation and Backfilling

5.4.1 Leveling

5.4.2 Excavation

5.4.3 Over-excavation

5.4.4 Conglomerate and rock removal

5.4.5 Excavation with water presence

5.4.6 Removal of water and/or excavated Material

5.4.7 Backfilling

5.4.8 Compacted backfilling with natural soil

5.4.9 Compacted backfilling with granular material

5.5 Layout

5.6 Foundations

5.6.1 General

5.6.2 Excavation

5.6.3 Excavation substitutions

5.6.4 Spread footing

5.6.5 Mat foundation

5.7 FINAL DELIVERY AND CLEANING

5.7.1 Works final delivery

5.7.2 Site and structure cleaning

6 CONCRETE

6.1 General

6.2 Properties and characteristics of concrete

6.2.1 Applicable publications

6.2.2 Cement

6.2.3 Sand (fine aggregate)

6.2.4 Gravel (coarse aggregate)

6.2.5 Water

6.2.6 Additives

6.2.7 Hand mixing

6.2.8 Mechanical concrete mixer

6.2.9 Mixing while in transit

6.2.10 Sleeves in concrete

6.2.11 Anchors and fittings

6.2.12 Construction Joints

6.2.13 Concrete casting and vibration

6.2.14 Concrete strength

6.2.15 Strength testing

6.2.16 Test approval

6.2.17 Concrete curing

6.2.18 Concrete defects reparation

6.3 Formwork

6.3.1 General

6.3.2 Wood Formwork

6.3.3 Plywood formwork

6.3.4 Metal formwork

6.3.5 Other materials

6.3.6 Formwork construction

6.3.7 Non-exposed concrete formwork

6.3.8 Formwork erection

6.3.9 Formwork removal

6.3.10 Formwork reuse

6.4 Reinforcement Steel

6.4.1 General

6.4.2 Reinforcement Steel bars

6.4.3 Welded Steel mesh

6.4.4 Annealed wire (tie wire)

6.4.5 Reinforcement fabrication

6.4.6 Fabrication tolerances

6.4.7 Placement tolerances

6.4.8 Samples and testing

6.4.9 Storage

6.4.10 Hooks and bends

6.4.11 Reinforcement cleaning

6.4.12 Rebar placement

6.4.13 Supports

6.4.14 Inspection

7 MASONRY

7.1 Applicable publications

7.2 Handling and storage

7.3 Materials

7.3.1 Concrete Masonry Units

7.3.2 CMU mortar

7.3.3 Sand

7.3.4 Water

7.3.5 Concrete fill

7.4 CMU walls

7.5 Mortar preparation and CMU cell filling

7.5.1 General

7.5.2 Dosage

7.5.3 Mortar

7.5.4 Mixing

7.5.5 Masonry erection

8 METALS

8.1 Applicable publications

8.2 General

8.2.1 Approval requests

8.2.2 Structuration

8.3 Metal fabrication

8.3.1 Material handling

8.3.2 Resistance and specifications

8.3.3 Materials

8.3.4 Fabrication and labor

8.4 Construction and assembly

8.4.1 Fabrication and mounting

8.4.2 Reference standards and materials

8.4.3 Joints

8.5 Welding

8.5.1 General

8.5.2 Welding procedures

8.5.3 Quality Control

8.6 Metal surface finish

8.7 Erection and assembly

8.7.1 Anchoring of metal columns

9 LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISIONS AND ROOF COVER

9.1 Applicable publications

9.2 General

9.2.1 Transport

9.2.2 Storage

9.2.3 Guarantee

9.2.4 Substitutions approval

9.2.5 Scope

9.3 Roof cover

9.3.1 Double cover divisions

9.4 Manufacturing and instalation

9.4.1 Double cover divisions

10 GEOTEXTILE

10.1 Applicable publications

10.2 General

10.2.1 Scope

10.2.2 Transport, handling and storage

10.2.3 Warranty

10.2.4 Substitution approval

10.3 Erection and installation

10.3.1 Materials

10.3.2 Surface preparation

10.3.3 Quality Control

11 WALL FINISH

11.1 General

11.2 Surface preparation for plastering

11.3 Fine plaster

11.4 Tiling

11.5 Pool tiling

12 CEILING

12.1 GENERAL

12.1.1 Transport

12.1.2 Storaging

12.1.3 Guarantee

12.1.4 Substitutions approval

12.1.5 Scope

12.2 MATERIALS

12.2.1 Steel profiles

12.2.2 Dense-Glass panel

12.2.3 Fixing elements

12.2.4 Mortar

12.2.5 Water

12.2.6 Sand

12.3 System installation

12.3.1 General

12.3.2 Workforce

13 SEALANTS AND WATERPROOFING

13.1 Sealants and water repellants

14 FLOORS

14.1 Levels and drains

14.2 Hardener concrete

14.3 Broom Finished Concrete

14.4 Sidewalk floors

14.5 Troweled concrete floor

14.6 Pool curb

15 PAINTING

15.1 General

15.2 Storage

15.3 Labour

15.4 Surface preparation

15.5 Samples

15.6 Materials

15.7 Cleaning

16 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

16.1 General Clarifications

16.2 Contractor obligations and responsabilities

16.3 Plans

16.3.1 Plan Update

16.4 WORKS TO EXECUTE

16.4.1 Descriptions of jobs to realize

16.5 MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

16.5.1 General

16.5.2 Pipeline Conduit PVC, EMT and IMC

16.5.3 Conductors

16.5.4 Underground channelings

16.5.5 Supports

16.5.6 Outlet and inspection boxes

16.5.7 Low tension wiring

16.5.8 Systems identifications

16.5.9 Lighting equipment

16.5.10 Switch and power outlet systems

16.6 Transformers

17 FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM

17.1 General

17.1.1 Scope

17.1.2 Requirements and regulations

17.1.3 Documents to be prepared

17.1.4 System description

17.2 Product

17.2.1 Initiation devices

17.2.2 Notification devices

17.3 Execution

17.3.1 Installation

17.3.2 Quality Control

18 MECHANICAL INSTALLATIONS

18.1 Applicable publications

18.2 General

18.2.1 Approval requests

18.2.2 Samples

18.2.3 Drawings and specifications

18.2.4 Scope

18.2.5 Approval

18.2.6 Brands and models

18.2.7 As Built drawings

18.3 Potable Water System

18.3.1 Potable Water Connection

18.3.2 Water Interior Network

18.3.3 Pipes and Accessories

18.3.4 Tests, cleaning and purification

18.4 Sewer and Storm Systems

18.4.1 General

18.4.2 Approvals

18.4.3 Pipe installation for external work

18.4.4 Pipe installation for interior work

18.4.5 Accessories

18.4.6 Tests

18.4.7 Pipes and Accessories

18.5 Pool circulation system

18.5.1 General

18.5.2 Pipes and accessories

18.5.3 Additional components

18.5.1 Reference equipment

18.6 Construction

18.6.1 Equipment and material management

18.6.2 Materials

18.6.3 Concrete casting

18.6.4 Supports

18.6.5 Installation considerations

18.6.6 Tests

18.6.7 Work reception

18.6.8 System performance guarantee

18.7 Protection

19 MESH

19.1 Cyclone mesh enclosure

20 OTHERS

20.1 Doors

20.1.1 General

20.2 Window system

20.3 Lifeguard tower

20.4 Depth markers

20.5 Complementary sanitary accessories

Chart index

Chart 1. Backfilling granulometry

Chart 2. Sand granulometry

Chart 3. Dosage according to compressive strength

Chart 4. Duration of formwork protection for different elements

Chart 5. Minimum concrete cover

Chart 6. Different element heights

Chart 7. Separation between support cording to conduit size

Chart 8. Amount of THHN conducts according to the diameter

Chart 9. Support dimensions according to pipe diameter

Chart 10. Pool equipment: Reference models

Chart 11. Complementary accessories

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS MANUAL

1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Embassy of the United States of America is heading a project consisting in the improvement of the training infrastructure in Pococí, Limón, which will be obtained through the construction of the following structures:

1- Preliminary Work

2- Three depth pool

3- Dressing rooms

4- Machine room

5- Complementary works

The project will be built using Estruconsult’s design, presented in drawings.

The facilities are located in Pococí, central canton of Limón province, Costa

Rica.

The project shall be conducted in accordance with the plans and specifications detailed in this document.

2 WORKS TO EXECUTE

The present section resumes some of the works that composes the project, the Contractor shall read completely both plans and technical specifications, so that he possesses a deep knowledge of the project requirements to fulfill for each system.

The different systems are enlisted separately in this section, however, the

Contractor shall ensure both the correct functioning of each system and the functioning compatibility between systems, to ensure a fully functional project and client’s satisfaction.

2.1 Preliminary Works

Preliminary Works includes the installation of provisional facilities for workers according to the specified in the following sections.

Also, shall include a technical revision of all designs, in order to ensure the fulfillment of all stablished requirements. The Contractor will be responsible of obtaining the construction permissions from the appropriate authorities, including Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y Arquitectos (CFIA). Additionally, the Contractor will provide qualified technical staff which will develop the project, according to national regulations, and using as base the plans and technical specification’s document.

2.2 Dressing and machine rooms

The Contractor shall build a structure based on plans, which will be supported by a mat foundation, and walls made of confined reinforced masonry. The roof structure shall be built using steel sections, to be painted using, as a minimum, two antioxidant paint and two paint layers as finish. The roof cover will be made of composed panels according to what is detailed in later sections of this document. The Contractor shall provide a minimum guarantee of 5 years for the roof cover.

2.3 Training pool

The Contractor shall build a three-depth training pool according to the plans, this structure will be made of reinforced concrete and supported by a mat foundation, under this slab, the Contractor must remove all soil layers, until he reaches to the Layer No 3. at a 3.70-meter depth, according to the ground studies done.

The pool circulation system and its accessories shall be individual, meaning, that the removal for maintenance of any of them components shall not cause problems for the appropriate pool functioning.

2.4 Complementary works

In addition to the commented above, the Contractor shall include a series of complementary elements, which includes:

First aid room

Pool chemicals and security equipment warehouse

Dive platform

Lifeguard tower

The first two, the first aid room as well as the pool chemicals and security equipment warehouse, is similar to the dressing room structure mentioned before, it corresponds to a reinforced confined masonry structure, supported by a mat foundation.

Referring to the other elements, the dive platform corresponds to a 3-meter height concrete structure set to be build on the inferior side of the pool. The lifeguard tower will be premanufactured and made off steel, must be the same or similar to the one specified in plans, as a complementary comment, it is important that this tower is able to move to fulfill the administration requirements.

2.5 Electrical system

The Contractor shall build an electrical system which must fulfill the requirements stablished in plans and technical specifications document. This job is set to be done under the strict supervision of a certified professional

(electrical engineer).

The system must fulfill national and international norms, such as the defined by National Electrical Code (NEC) and National Fire Proof Association (NFPA).

2.6 Mechanical system

The Contractor shall build all mechanical systems required for the correct functioning of the system, which includes the potable, sewer and pluvial waters, as well as the pool circulation system, these systems must fulfill the requirements identified in plans and this document.

The sewer water system includes the construction of a septic tank to treat the waters, as well as the drains required for the distribution and infiltration to the ground of the residual waters.

The system must fulfill national and international norms, such as the defined by American Water Works Association (AWWA) and National Plumbing Code

(NSPC), among others.

3 GENERAL REQUIREMENT

3.1 Design and construction plans

The construction contract, the technical specifications and construction plans complement each other, such that whatever appears in one of them has full value, even if it does not appear in any other document. In case of inconsistencies between these documents, the Owner or the COR will make the necessary clarifications. In the matter of the dimensions of architectural elements and location of architectural and structural elements and general dimensions, the architectural plans rank over the structural plans, unless a divergence merits a clarification.

The blueprints consist of all the plans created for this project, accompanied by these specifications and those sent during the bidding process or the development of the constructions. In plans, the expressed dimensions rule over the stated scale and, when one is missing, the COR must be consulted.

In general, the plans with larger scale rule over the ones with smaller scale.

The technical specifications govern over the plans.

The Contractor shall elaborate updated plans as the construction progresses, which shall be given to the COR when requested and at the time to present alternatives in the project for approval, these plans must include the installation as it was done and the exact location, as well as features, materials, trajectory, duct and pipelines dimensions and accessories duly identified. These shall be printed in the scale defined by the COR.

Once the construction works are finished, the Contractor shall submit a compact disc with the blueprints to the Owner and the COR with all of the requested corrections by the Inspection.

All of the plans shall be created in a computer, using the AutoCAD software y submitted a printed version, using the scale stated by the COR.

3.2 Applicable publications

The general regulations that shall be followed are:

Construction Law (Ley de Construcciones).

Costa Rican Seismic Code (Código Sísmico de Costa Rica).

Cosntruction Regulations (Reglamento de Construcciones).

General Health Law (Ley General de Salud).

Law #7600 –“Equal opportunity for people with disabilities” (Ley #7600

“Igualdad de Oportunidades para las Personas con Discapacidad”).

Urban Planification Law (Ley de Planificación Urbana).

Organic Law of C.F.I.A. (Ley Orgánica del C.F.I.A).

Municipal Codes and their respective Regulatory Plans (Códigos

Municipales y sus respectivos Planes Reguladores).

Regulations for the Control of Urbanizations (Reglamento para el

Control de Fraccionamientos y Urbanizaciones).

Plan G.A.M.

Each specialty area also includes their applicable specific publications.

3.3 Security during the construction process

The Contractor shall comply with the Security Regulations in Construction, published in the Costa Rican official newspaper #122 in June 27, 1996 and with the next specific sections in construction security.

During the demolition, if any, foundation and building process, The Contractor is obliged to ensure the safety of the workers in site, as well as with the exterior, with special consideration with the immediate neighbors and nature.

The admission of workers, personnel, visitors or other, as well as the movement of materials and Contractor’s equipment to the site shall be regulated and controlled by the owner, whenever them or the COR consider it convenient and necessary.

When the foundation works are executed next to existing buildings with shallower foundations than those being built, the necessary excavations shall be executed in sections and, when the final retention system is not immediately started, temporary shoring shall be used.

Proper shoring shall be used in the construction of pits or shafts and shall not be removed until the support structure reaches the top of the pit.

The capacity of the wooden planks shall be proportional to its use and shall have a minimum thickness of 4 cm. When it is necessary to join several planks, the joint shall be done near the ends, lay over a crossbeam element and be leveled in order to avoid tripping. The minimum width of the scaffolding platform is 0.90m. Railing shall be placed in the external side of the scaffolding, at least 1.20m high, to protect the workers.

The minimum width of ramps shall be 0.80m and shall have two capable railings made-up of elements placed at a height of 0.60m and 1.20m from the ramp and their supports shall be fixed to the floor. When the ramps are used for material transport, they shall have a minimum width of 1.20m.

People working in high places shall use a security belt in order to avoid accidents. The same applies when the scaffolding is being remove.

No access to the scaffolding shall be granted to workers that do not exhibit a normal physical state, much less in an inebriated state or showing signs of vertigo.

The appropriate institution shall be notified if demolition, construction or repair works are performed near high voltage cables or any electrical cable, so that it can be disconnected for proper protection.

Proper shoes and gloves shall be provided to workers in charge of preparing and manipulation of concrete to protect them from burns. The Contractor shall provide them with adequate means to wash off the cement in the place of work, to avoid irritation.

4 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

All work shall be carried out in strict compliance with all contract clauses and these technical specifications. In the event that the Contractor discovers discrepancies contained in the various design/technical documents, Contractor must immediately notify the Contracting Officer Representative

(COR) before taking any other action.

4.1 Quantities

This contract is based on a lump sum priced solicitation. Any quantities indicated in the specifications and drawings are for reference only and the

Contractor is responsible for providing quantities needed to complete the work, without any price adjustment after award.

4.2 Trials and Tests

Materials, permanent equipment, its accessories and other elements used in the project, shall be subject to tests necessary to verify their compliance with specifications, properties and characteristics, in accordance with the specified requirements and tolerances, in line with the use for which they have been intended.

Materials, equipment, accessories or elements that have not been accepted by the COR (Contracting Officer Representative), shall be withdrawn from the work site or replaced, at Contractors cost.

Laboratory tests can be carried out, according to the specific case, at the work site or in laboratories previously authorized by the COR. Materials that bear quality certificates issued by ISO or its equivalent, do not need to be routinely tested. Costs of laboratory trials and tests shall be for the account of

Contractor. The COR shall be able to carry out special trials and tests at any time if it is needed to clarify the quality of any item.

4.3 Work Execution

The different items in the construction schedule shall be carried out in a gradual and progressive manner, without starting any work that could later be affected by other items that have not been concluded or that lack an adequate support or safety measures, taking care that work that has been finished is not affected by weather or other elements.

The Contractor shall be responsible for maintaining quality of work by following proper operation procedures in construction.

Throughout the different stages of construction work, Contractor shall obtain approval, from the COR, in order to continue with subsequent stages of construction. Before receiving approval to continue through the various stages, samples of completed work shall be tested to verify the quality of the work.

The Contractor shall provide a construction schedule in which all the works shall be detailed with the date of performance and delivery.

4.4 Cost of the Project

The Contractor shall include all the costs of the materials, labor, transportation, and materials testing that will be needed to complete the project and comply with all the specifications stated in this document.

5 TASK SPECIFICATIONS

5.1 Site evaluation

Before the project starts, the Contractor shall visit and examine the site to verify its conditions, facilities and limitations. The information related to topography and service connections such as pipelines, rainwater and sewage must be checked. In case of a discrepancy not contemplated neither in plans nor other document, must be notified to the COR for its resolution.

5.2 Existing buildings demolition

The Contractor shall demolish all existing elements that may interfere in the construction site. All of the materials removed from the projects site must be transported by the Contractor and disposed of in an appropriate place outside the property, which selection is part of Contractors responsibilities.

5.3 Preliminary work

5.3.1 Land clearing

This clause includes tree trimming work (any required permissions apply) and any shrub, trunk, root, grass and topsoil layer removal. The aim of this is to clear the area on and around the buildings footprint that is deemed unsuitable for foundation work or terrain leveling works.

The Contractor shall perform any land clearing, root, tree and vegetation removal, and topsoil and organic silt elimination when present. Any elements that interfere with the construction work, such as old foundations, rocks, etc., must be removed by the Contractor. All of the materials removed from the projects site, such as topsoil and debris, must be transported by the

Contractor and disposed of in an appropriate place outside the property, which selection, along with any implicit technical and environmental repercussions, is the Contractors responsibility

5.3.2 Leveling and plotting

Before construction start, the Contractor shall define the projects components layout and, if necessary, construction levels in accordance to the provided drawings. During this same phase, the Contractor must verify all of the drawing’s information, and correct them if any discrepancy exists between real, on-site, dimensions and those provided in drawings by the designer.

To comply with these requirements, the Contractor shall provide an expert topographer supported by precision equipment such as total stations, levels, measuring tape, and any other required equipment for layout, alignment and terrain leveling. The use of this equipment will be performed so that machinery works will not interfere. Any additional alignment or leveling job cost will be the Contractors responsibility.

5.3.3 Warning Signs

The Contractor shall provide all the necessary signs and announcements to prevent accidents according to the safety plan, which shall have the approval of the COR. Signs shall be made of acrylic or galvanized sheets painted with a yellow background and with red or black letters.

5.3.4 Temporary Structures

Temporary structures, for the Contractors personnel use, will be implemented for use during the project’s duration. It is the Contractors responsibility to implement offices, warehouses, provisional bathrooms and the guardhouses required for their own use, with a temporary connection to a potable water and sewage system prior to commencing construction. One sanitary facility shall be implemented for every ten workers, with an additional one for the technical staff. The Contractor will be responsible for cleaning and maintaining these structures.

The materials used for these provisional facilities can be metal, concrete, or wood, as long as they are secure and provide a private area. The COR can demand changes or improvements of the provisional facilities at any time if he determines that the Contractor is not providing a clean area with sufficient privacy and safety.

5.4 Earthwork, Excavation and Backfilling

The work described in this chapter includes excavation and backfilling, as well as carrying, piling up and removing excavation material necessary for the construction of the building, piping, and all elements indicated in the project drawings.

5.4.1 Leveling

To determine final levels, theodolites or precision instruments will be used. If there are considerable differences with the specifications in the drawings, the

COR shall be notified and only through a report of mutual agreement will the new levels be determined.

The residual material must be removed and placed outside the construction site in places approved by the local authority.

5.4.2 Excavation

Generally, excavation is understood as the removal of volumes of land or other materials for the purpose of forming spaces for construction, foundations, structures, buildings, roads, etc. Excavation shall be done according to the heights, limits, elevations, gradients and sections set forth in the structural, architectural, and sanitary drawings, save for different or real conditions of the project.

During excavation, material satisfactory for backfilling shall be stockpiled in an orderly manner at a distance from banks of the trench equal to ½ the depth of the excavation, but in no instance closer than 60 cm. Excavated material not required or not satisfactory for backfill shall be removed from the site, without affecting the adjacent properties. The material produced from excavation will be temporarily disposed of on the sides of excavations, so that it will not impede the execution of other work.

The final excavation that will be performed in the places where specific exterior works made out of concrete will be built, shall be carried out as close to the pouring of concrete to avoid any alterations due to bad weather.

In no case shall excavation be performed to a depth in which the soil is loose.

If this happens, it will be considered as an “over excavation” that will be corrected by the contractor according to the project’s specifications.

If, in the Contractors or CORs opinion, the bottom of the ditch is not strong or is unstable, over-excavation will be carried out until solid ground is reached, otherwise another solution shall be jointly agreed upon by the

Contractor and the COR.

It is the Contractors duty to protect the stability of the adjacent properties while excavation is carried out. This should be done in a way that guarantees the stability of those buildings without causing any damage.

Excavation shall be protected against rain, landslides and other excavations.

The Contractor will protect the personnel excavating in ditches and, if for safety reasons it is deemed necessary, the contractor shall provide timbering and shoring.

This shoring shall be reviewed and approved by the COR, and the Contractor will protect the shoring and will be removed after the excavation has been performed.

For piping placement in excavation, the filling will be laid as a first step to cover a height of at least 20 cm above the highest part of piping and shall be compressed in accordance with the article of this section. Excavation will be done from the ditch in accordance with the gradient slope and required transversal lines for placement of piping as indicated on working drawings.

5.4.3 Over-excavation

The term over-excavation, for the purposes of the job to be carried out, is understood as excavation outside the lines and levels set forth in the drawings, the specifications and/or the CORs instructions.

If over-excavation is done, removal should go up to the required level and filling with soil, granular material or concrete or any other material approved by the COR; compressing will be done with adequate water content, in layers that will not exceed a thickness of 15 cm, using an appropriate mechanical compactor. The compaction process shall be done according to the regulations established by the standards of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO T-130). The material to be used shall be selected granular material according AASHTO 145.

The Contractor agrees not to receive any additional payment for over-excavation that may result from the conditions of the land, the action of natural agents, operations that are executed to facilitate the construction, and mistakes made by the Contractor.

5.4.4 Conglomerate and rock removal

The process of excavation when hard materials are found which cannot be loosened through ordinary methods is understood as conglomerate and rock excavation where the use of shovels, pickaxes, backhoes, or excavators is not sufficient and explosives, mechanical hammers, wedges, or sledge hammers or other similar are absolutely necessary.

If a rock is found in pieces, only fragments greater than 200 cubic decimeters will be considered as rock.

When removing rock or masonry fragments from a ditch is necessary, and if they form clusters that do not have to be totally extracted in order to erect structures, those pieces excavated within the presumed boundaries will be considered as rock, although their volume could be smaller than the one indicated in the above paragraph.

If the bottom of the trench (made to install pipelines) is made up of conglomerate or rock, excavation will be carried out up to 0.15 m below the seat of the pipe and it will be filled later with sand and fine gravel.

When excavation is carried out on fixed rocks, the use of explosives will be allowed, provided that they do not alter the land adjacent to the excavation works and with a prior written authorization from the COR.

5.4.5 Excavation with water presence

The excavation with presence of water may be caused by water coming from the underground, rainwater, floods, operation of the construction, sewage and others.

Excavation cannot be executed in the presence of water, whatever its origin, and therefore due precautions and protections must be taken, as construction techniques advise in these cases. The presence of water makes work more difficult and the safety of the people and the projects themselves decreases.

Therefore, the Contractor is required to take due precautions to eliminate water in excavation sites by using stake boards, cofferdams, pumping, drainage, curbs, etc.

When placing stone masonries, concrete structures, or any structure, the

Contractor will ensure that water is not present in excavations, and that it will remain so until mortar and concrete have set.

None of the excavations should have water present before placing the pipes, and under no circumstance will they be placed under water. The trenches shall remain dry until the pipes have been totally coupled and the welded junctions are completely dry.

5.4.6 Removal of water and/or excavated Material

Waste removal is defined as the method of transportation of the materials produced by excavation, which should have a specifically determined place for disposal approved by the local authority.

When there is an excess material, the Contractor shall remove it and place it outside the area of construction where such material will not obstruct watercourses or cause detriment to the neighboring areas.

Excess or waste material should not be located in properties adjacent to the construction site unless the Contractor receives written authorization from the owners of such properties.

The material produced by excavation that will not be used for the construction of the project shall be removed from the site using heavy mechanical equipment in good condition, without causing vehicle transit interruption or neighbors’ annoyance.

5.4.7 Backfilling

Backfilling is defined at the sections indicated by the project, the existing gaps between structures and excavations, or between the structures and the natural soil in such a way that any point of the finished section will remain at a distance greater than 10 centimeters from the corresponding section of the project. The backfilling process will be carried out using earth, gravel, sand or rock with approval from the COR.

Prior to backfilling, the land shall be free of debris, trunks, branches, etc., and in general of all organic material and all the material that is not appropriate for backfilling. The COR will approve the material that will be used for backfilling in advance and the material will come from the excavation itself or other extraction sites.

The backfilling will be done according to the project specifications and according to the lines, levels and gradients described in the architectonic and structural drawings. The Contractor is required to obtain, transport and maintain the necessary material for backfilling, either from the excavation site or from qualified quarries.

Special care will be given by not using the mechanical compactor in areas close to buildings or existing construction inside or outside of the property. If any damage occurs, this shall be repaired and costs assumed by the

Contractor.

The refill and/or cover of any excavation that contains lines or pipes installations and other services will not proceed until they have been placed and tested as well as approved and accepted by the COR.

The backfilling for subflooring will be placed and mechanically compacted in beds of 0.20m thick according to the D698-64T specifications of the American

Society for testing and Materials (ASTM).

Backfilling with gravel, sand or ground stone for formation of drains or filters shall be consistent with the grain grading specified in the working drawings;

materials will be sieved and washed if required. For filter formation, the materials will be placed in such a way that the higher grade particles remain in contact with the structure and the ones with lesser diameters in contact with the natural terrain, unless otherwise indicated.

5.4.8 Compacted backfilling with natural soil

Compacted backfilling with natural soil is defined as placing horizontal layers of the existing soil, with a thickness of 20 cm, with the humidity that the material requires to get a mechanical compression to 95% minimum of the density of the Proctor Standard measure. Each layer shall be evenly compacted on the entire surface by pneumatic rammers or other construction equipment until obtaining the maximum compression possible with the use of these tools. The material to be used in this backfilling shall be free of organic residues and waste. Prior to backfilling, the land shall be free of debris. The

COR will approve in advance the material that will be used in the backfilling process. The compaction process shall be done according to the standards of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

(AASHTO T-130).

If the approved material for this backfilling is not enough to reach the levels specified in the project design, the Contractor shall complete the volume needed, with granular material according to the specification for “Compacted backfilling with granular material.”

The Contractor shall carry out laboratory tests to guarantee the compliance with the aforementioned specifications and the cost of these tests will be assumed by the Contractor.

5.4.9 Compacted backfilling with granular material

Compacted backfilling with granular material is defined as placing horizontal layers of sub-base to a maximum thickness of 20 cm. Each layer will be compacted evenly on its entire surface by pneumatic rammers or heavy construction equipment until obtaining the maximum compression possible with the use of these tools. Compaction shall be carried out using sheep foot rollers, pneumatic-tried rollers, steel-wheeled rollers, vibratory compactors, or other approved equipment. The thickness of the backfilling shall be in accordance with the structural and architectonic detailed drawings. Prior to backfilling, the land shall be free of debris. The COR will approve in advance the material that will be used in the backfilling process. The compaction process shall be done according to the standards of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Compacting shall be having a 95% of the maximum density (Proctor Test). The material to be used shall be granular selected material according AASHTO 145 (A1, A2, and

A3).

5.5 Layout

Once the site is clean, the Contractor may place the topographic reference system: stakes, levels, etc, used to define the layout, alignment and levels of site.

The topographic reference system must be placed in such way that it doesn’t interfere with the machinery. The topographic alignment will be place once by the Owner, in case of needing to be placed again, it shall be paid by the

Contractor.

5.6 Foundations

5.6.1 General

The Contractor must build all foundation plates that are specified in plans, including excavation, backfilling and protection works required.

5.6.2 Excavation

The Contractor will perform the excavation required to build foundations plates, walls or tanks. The surplus material shall be transported to an appropriate site, which selection is Contractor’s responsibility.

The Contractor must considerer the necessary precautions to protect the excavation cuts and avoid damage the nearby properties, buildings or adjacent installations, scaffold and protections shall be situated to prevent accidents amongst workers. Assuming the responsibilities for the damages that could occur during the excavation and foundations phase, also over the injuries that might happen to workers or third person.

The foundations excavation depth is defined by the construction plans, however if the site soil is unfavorable, the COR can order an increase of the excavation depth, also will recognize the additional cost caused by this increase based on the unit prices given by the Contractor on the offer or a detailed budget, this budget has to be reviewed and approved by the COR.

The COR or Owner must approve the construction of the foundation plates, which will determine foundation base level. This must be recorded on the

Binnacle. After this goes a 100mm ballast-cement or lean concrete layer to protect the soil from weathering effects, such as sun and rain, and to keep the workplace dry and without mud.

In case of phreatic or rainwater, the Contractor must take the necessary precautions to maintain the workplace clean and water free, to allow a proper placement of the steel reinforcement as well as the concrete.

Specifically referring to the pool area, the excavation must reach the Layer

No. 3, located at a 3.70-meter depth and recognizable for being a silty sand with a grayish brown color, the above according to the soils study done in the site, the COR may order for a deeper excavation, in those cases that the layer mentioned before has not been found yet.

Once the foundations plates, pipelines and electromechanical systems are done, the Contractor must fill the ditches with layers using a mechanical compactor, to achieve a compaction of 95% Standard Proctor, each layer thickness cannot be higher than 200mm.

The equipment used for excavation must guarantee:

Precision while drilling

Minimum ground disturbance

Continuity in foundations

5.6.3 Excavation substitutions

Substitutions will be done using cement and ballast mixes, with a 1:15 proportion for low slump mixes, 1:12 for plastic mixes or 140 kg/ cm2 concrete. The Contractor must supply and transport the material needed for substitutions, which can be ballast or granular material that doesn’t develop plasticity. The backfilling or ballast used have to be appropriate according to

ASTM specifications; particles maximum size shall be 75mm and the passing percentage on each mesh must be as follows:

Chart 1. Backfilling granulometry

Particle size (mm) Percentage passing (%)

75 100

63 95 – 100

38 35 – 70

19 10 – 30

7 0 – 5

The thickness is as specified in plans, but it should not be less than 200mm or the necessary to obtain the selected depth. Unless it is indicated in plans, the compaction on ballast-cement with low slump will be done by mechanical equipment in layers with a maximum thickness of 200mm.

5.6.4 Spread footing

The plates, as well as the foundation beams to use shall be placed over a lean concrete or compacted backfilling, with a height defined by the plans, this is done in order to obtain a clean base to cast the concrete over, avoiding the intrusion of external agents that may affect the concrete’s durability, therefore the plate functionality.

Concrete cover for the steel reinforcement when used for strip footing as foundation is 50mm, however it may increase to 75mm if the plate is supported by soft ground and does not have a seal.

Reinforcement diameter and spacing will be as determined in plans, also the spacing between the upper and lower mesh must be guaranteed. The

Contractor must prevent the steel reinforcement from lifting or suffering deflections, so the cover is not affected.

When casting the concrete, the Contractor must prevent gaps, air or water bags, cuts on the concrete, to obtain a unique and complete section of the plate.

Avoid the concrete from washing or segregating. Longitudinal steel reinforcement cover must be centered, suspended from the bottom, centered and well attached.

5.6.5 Mat foundation

The mat foundation to use shall be placed over a lean concrete or compacted backfilling, with a height defined by the plans, this is done in order to obtain a clean base to cast the concrete over, avoiding the intrusion of external agents that may affect the concrete’s durability, therefore the plate functionality.

The mat foundation reinforcement shall be built over a compacted base made of ballast according to plan details, as well as the upper and lower cover separation. Avoid deformations during the casting and construction so it doesn’t modify these dimensions.

Any plate or pedestal required to place bolts for the steel structure shall be placed and verified.

5.7 FINAL DELIVERY AND CLEANING

5.7.1 Works final delivery

The Contractor may ask to the COR for the installation’s final reception, only whenever all hired jobs and respective specifications are completely done, according to the Owner and COR satisfaction.

5.7.2 Site and structure cleaning

The Contractor shall leave the work site completely clean and residues free.

Also, before delivering the building, must do a complete cleaning of the structure.

No se aceptarán pisos, paredes ni vidrios con manchas de pintura ni de ninguna otra naturaleza. Tampoco se aceptarán tuberías con sedimentos o cualquier otro tipo de suciedad u obstrucción, debiéndose limpiar completamente antes de entregar la obra terminada.

It will not be accepted under any circumstances, walls or glasses with painting, glue or any other kind of stains. Neither will be accepted pipes obstructed by sediments or residues; therefore, the pipes shall be cleaned before the job is delivered to the Owner.

The Contractor shall remove all machinery, tools and any other implement or accessories used during the construction process.

6 CONCRETE

6.1 General

The production, transportation and placing of concrete used to build the project must comply with the recommendations of the American Concrete

Institute (ACI), which are found in the “Specifications for Structural Concrete

For Building” ACI 301 Committee report, last revision. For all of the other processes involved with reinforced concrete, all of the recommendations of the ACI 318 “Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete”, last revision, must be followed. Compliance with the standards and specifications of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), mentioned in this document and related to reinforced concrete, is mandatory.

6.2 Properties and characteristics of concrete

6.2.1 Applicable publications

Concrete building, be it onsite or ready mix, must follow the technical and constructive standards presented in the following publications, in its current versions:

● ACI

● CRSI

● Applicable ASTM standards

6.2.2 Cement

Cement used in any work execution, must be Portland Type 71-Normal cement, compliant with the ASTM C-150 standard. It must arrive the project´s warehouse in its original packing, without any sign of tears or material hardening. If the COR detects any anomalies, he will be able to request a partial or complete product lot substitution.

Cement must be kept in a fresh place and covered in a way that it isn’t exposed to rain or affected by humidity. The product is allowed to be stowed in 10 cm tall wooden pallets in ten bag stows as maximum.

6.2.3 Sand (fine aggregate)

The sand used for concrete producing must be river sand, except in special cases. To verify its quality, samples must be approved by the COR, especially when using quarry sand. In any case, sand must have a siliceous-calcareous origin, free from any deleterious substance such as, clay, silt, lignite or alkali.

It must be free of any dirt, and kept dry so that its humidity levels are according to the mix design and therefore the volumetric or by weight dose used to make concrete. Sand used for concrete elements shall comply with the ASTM C33 standard, in its current version.

The used sand must have grain sizes within the following limits:

Chart 2. Sand granulometry

Sieve Percentage passing

3/8” 100

#4 95 to 100

#8 80 to 100

#16 80 to 100

#30 25 to 60

#50 10 to 30

#100 2 to 10

6.2.4 Gravel (coarse aggregate)

Coarse aggregate consists of materials which main content is gravel or broken stone. These materials must be clean and free of any substances such as soil, clay, silt and other organic materials which could produce fake adherence in the concrete mix.

The required measures for coarse aggregates used for concrete, are:

● For thin, reinforced concrete elements, less than a fifth of the molds lesser dimension and less than three fourths of the space between rebar.

● For elements having, approximately, a 6 cm thickness, the use of aggregates bigger than 25 mm is prohibited.

● For elements such as beams, columns and any reinforced concrete element, aggregate with a diameter less than 38 mm must be used.

● For non-reinforced concrete elements, aggregate with a diameter between 38 mm and 50 mm can be used.

● For massive concrete elements, aggregate with a diameter up to 150 mm can be used, prior to the COR approval.

● Coarse aggregate storage must be done in a way that different sized products don’t mix, for which wooden board enclosures, forming quadrants, with enough height for stocking more material. Each enclosure must have a sign that indicates the diameter of the aggregate. Cone shaped piles are forbidden, and a flat surface must be maintained while in storage, so that any debris can be easily removed and won’t easily mix with the clean aggregate.

6.2.5 Water

All of the water used in the mixing, curing and mortar production, must be clean, potable water. The water quantity to be used in each concrete pouring, must be according to the specific dosage presented in the following table:

Chart 3. Dosage according to compressive strength

WATER/CEMENT RATIO BY

WEIGHT

PROBABLE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AT

28 DAYS

0.45 350 Kg/cm2

0.53 280 Kg/ cm2

0.62 225 Kg/ cm2

0.71 175 Kg/ cm2

6.2.6 Additives

The use of any concrete additives, i.e., setting accelerants, retardants, or hardeners, must be done after the COR request or approval. In case that the requested additives aren’t commercially available, any similar products must be submitted for approval with its respective manufacturer’s technical manual. Any approved additive must arrive to the construction site in its original package.

6.2.7 Hand mixing

Concrete production using any manual methods is not allowed. In especial cases in which, for example, small volumes are required, excessive travel distances or difficult access circumstances are present, the COR can eventually allow, without any responsibility, the use of hand mixed concrete.

6.2.8 Mechanical concrete mixer

The mechanical mixing of concrete is the only type of process allowed. The

COR has the authority to inspect and approve all of the equipment used for mixing concrete. The requisites that need to be met, are:

All of the equipment employed must be in good mechanical and operation conditions. A water weight or water level controller for the mixer is desirable.

The mixer´s barrel size must be according to the concrete volume to be poured.

Concrete mixers with a capacity of less than a cement bag are not allowed to be used on-site.

All of the necessary equipment for any given pouring job to be continuous, free of any interruptions, must be available in the project.

The COR can request, according to the volume of any pouring job, the addition of mixers and other equipment.

When placing any concrete, the concrete mixer and any other equipment used during the process must be clean. When the job is finished, or a pause larger than two hours happens, the mixers and any equipment involved must be washed.

All materials must be introduced at the same time in the mixer, so that the mix can be as homogenous as possible

The mixing duration cannot be less than two minutes after pouring all the materials inside the drum.

The time for the concrete to be cast in place, after pouring all the materials in the mixer, cannot be higher than thirty minutes.

6.2.9 Mixing while in transit

Dry, on-plant dosed, concrete and mixed in transit to the Project can be used.

The truck used must be a drum mixer. Each concrete shipment must complete at least fifty revolutions. The mixing speed will be higher than four drum revolutions per minute and no larger than 225 ft. of drum circumference per minute. The revolutions must be continuous once all of the materials are introduced. The maximum time between concrete deliveries shall not be longer than twenty minutes.

6.2.10 Sleeves in concrete

The use of sleeves inside reinforced concrete is considered as a non-desired practice. Only special cases, authorized by the COR and indicated in redline drawings, will be allowed with previous presentation of workshop drawings and diagrams. In the case that sleeves are allowed, they shall be located in the central third of the beams longitude and the central third of its height.

When using pipes smaller than 25 mm in diameter, the separation between each sleeve must be of 25 cm. If the sleeve uses pipe with a diameter between

64 mm to 100 mm, their separation must be at least 50 cm. Additionally, two

#3 bars, 50 cm long, frames will be placed, or what the COR indicates.

If the sleeves are placed with one or both of its ends in contact with the ground, plastic covers must be placed at the ends. If the pipes go through a tanks walls, instead of sleeves a pipe with the same characteristics as the rest of the piping will be placed, with a flange in the walls mid-section.

6.2.11 Anchors and fittings

Any anchors and fittings necessary to join concrete elements to metal or wood elements are shown in the project’s drawings. The plates or steel sections used to produce them must meet the established criteria in the chapter “Steel

Structure” of…