Masonry Magazine August 1989 Page. 24
Field Panel Approval and Responsibilities
When the field panel has been formally approved, it is the manufacturer's responsibility to provide brick as represented in the sample panel. A strap or control sample is normally retained at the plant.
Typically, the contractor and mason contractor are responsible for preserving and maintaining the integrity of the field panel which is considered the project standard for bond, mortar, workmanship and appearance, and as the standard for comparison until the masonry has been completed and accepted by the owner or the owner's representative. If the owner or his representative elects not to have a field panel erected, the parties may choose to use the first 100 square feet of actual construction as the field panel.
The owner or a designated representative is responsible for acceptance of the work and, therefore, should inspect, as necessary, while the work progresses. This is especially critical at the start of the project to ensure that the color, texture and workmanship are representative of the sample field panel and is acceptable.
The selling party, whether the manufacturer, distributor or dealer, should visit the job site, as necessary, and, in addition, should be available for meetings and consultation in the event the owner or the owner's representative discovers a problem.
In the event the work does not meet with the approval of the owner or the owner's representative, the owner should immediately notify the contractor in writing, and appropriate action should be taken to correct the problem. If necessary, this may require that the work be stopped and that all interested parties meet to resolve the problem.
Ordering
All brick orders should be submitted in writing by the purchaser to the distributor or manufacturer, whichever is appropriate. The order should include and clearly identify the following:
A. Job name and type;
B. Location;
C. Owner;
D. Architect;
E. General contractor;
F. Material quantities, including types and quantities of special or non-standard items, should be accurately determined so that the order may be shipped in its entirety. Brick should be described by actual dimensions rather than by generic or trade name;
G. Unit prices, including conditions such as escalation of prices, freight rates and terms;
H. Delivery schedules, including anticipated start date and rate of shipments;
1. Other information pertinent to the order such as a copy of that portion of the specifications which applies to the brickwork.
If special shapes are required, detailed large-scale drawings should be supplied by the purchaser through appropriate channels. Most orders are processed through a chain of purchasing which begins with the signing of the owner-contractor agreement and ends with the receipt of an order by the manufacturer. Other parties may be involved in this process as intermediaries or secondary parties, including, among others, the owner's representative, the contractor, the mason contractor and the distributor. Each party in the chain should endeavor to promptly process the order and give approvals as necessary so as to cause minimal delays in the schedule of the project. Upon receipt of the order, the manufacturer typically acknowledges the order and should promptly advise the parties through the chain of purchasing about any unacceptable or impractical terms.
It should also be understood by all parties that by the placement of a written order the purchaser incurs the specific payment responsibility for all special and non-standard items.
References
Brick Institute of America,
11490 Commerce Park Dr.,
Reston, VA 22091, (703) 620-0010.
Mason Contractors Association of America,
17W601-14th St.,
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181, (312) 620-6767.
National Association of Brick Distributors,
1000 Duke St.,
Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 549-2555.