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Based on IMA’s ability to work effectively with the owner’s
experts, the general contractor and the owner agreed to have IMA work
on the repair of life-safety defects as the
neutral architect. In this role as an unbiased third party, IMA first
developed a remediation protocol, which included intrusive investigation
and visual inspection, and documented the types and locations of repairs
with remediation drawings.
IMA then helped ensure that work would proceed smoothly and meet all
legal requirements by developing a field manual for code compliance
of remediation work; obtaining construction permits from all relevant
jurisdictions; coordinating work between the general contractor and
the owner; and resolving all disputes. As the project progressed, IMA
worked to resolve fire-safety issues, consulted with the general contractor
on repair planning and implementation, and was on-site to ensure that
the occupants’ needs were served and that the contractors implemented
repairs correctly. IMA fully documented all work with detailed photographs
and daily logs that could be used in potential future litigation.
After the remediation work was complete, the general contractor hired
IMA as an expert in a lawsuit against its subcontractors, and the building’s
owner hired IMA as an expert in a claim against its architect and design
team. Both clients prevailed in their cases.
Result
Life-safety defects were identified and repaired to the satisfaction
of both the owner and the general contractor. The project was completed
within the stated repair budget and allotted time. Moreover, the facility
remained fully operational during the remedial construction work.
Both the building owner and the general contractor felt that IMA was
fair, thorough, knowledgeable, and professional in performance of its
duties, which included design, detail resolution, timeline coordination,
acting as neutral architect, and providing the appropriate manpower
to keep the work flowing efficiently.
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