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Conclusions: Benefits
621.4.2
Construction Time
The classification of building components as either permanent or
adaptable has a critical effect on construction scheduling because the
permanent parts are built first. A typical sequence is suggested in Section
463. The keys to construction time saving with the Prototype Design are
the separation of rough and finish trades by means of the ceiling-platform
and the provision of reserved zones for each service. A continuous
platform has been judged to be much more useful for these purposes than
a catwalk system. The termination of partitions at the platform is expected
to allow more rapid installation.
621.4.3
Accelerated Scheduling
The time savings described above are provided by the Prototype Design
within the context of federal funding constraints. However, much more
significant savings are possible by the utilization of accelerated
scheduling techniques such as "fast-track". The basic strategy in these
techniques is to overlap some of the major activities which in conventional
practice are performed linearly. The various tasks within each activity are
so arranged that the decisions necessary for commencement of the next
activity can be made at the earliest possible time.
This requires a willingness on the part of all concerned parties to commit
themselves early in the process to certain key decisions. However, if the
schedule is properly designed, many detailed decisions can be made
considerably later than normally required. That is, time available for each
major activity except construction can actually be increased while
significantly reducing the total production time.
The Prototype Design, for reasons mentioned in Sections 621.4.1 and
621.4.2 above, is particularly well suited for accelerated scheduling. This
technique is discussed more fully in Section 761.
621.5
LONG-RANGE DEVELOPMENT
Optimum solutions to the basic cost/performance problems of VA
hospitals, or any other building type for that matter, cannot be found in the
context of the current fragmented and trade-oriented production process.
Unfortunately, the necessary changes leading to fully industrialized
building will require major commitments and considerable time, and are
well outside the modest scope of the Prototype Design.
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