WORK INTER-PHASE : WHY PROPER COORDINATION IS VERY CRITICAL IN CONSTRUCTION

December 12, 2016
MABUHAY!

Work inter-phase in construction is very important. It is the harmonious coordination of various trades-structural, architectural, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, mechanical and the like to complete a certain scope of work. In a complex real-life construction composed of hundreds or thousands of different activities, one must identify (usually the Project Manager) which activity is the predecessor or successor. The successor cannot start unless the predecessor is not complete. If that is the case, the delay in the construction is inevitable.

Let us study a simple example- the installation of an overhead and base modular cabinet in one of my condominium project. When you say modular, it is already cut to size and ready to install. Let us count how many work inter-phase we have from delivery to final installation.

1. DELIVERY OF MODULAR CABINETS

Delivered pre-fabricated HDF cabinets

Parts of the HDF cabinet still in packaging

2. ASSEMBLY OF MODULAR CABINETS

Assembly of Drawers

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Assembly of the base cabinet

Assembly of the overhead cabinet and installation of hardware

3. INSTALLATION OF PLUMBING ROUGHING-INS

PVC pipe stub-out for the grease trap already in place before the installation of base cabinet

Hot and cold tapping point are already embedded. They are capped for protection from clogging. 

4. INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL ROUGHING-INS

These wires will supply the electricity for the electric stove

5. INSTALLATION OF OVERHEAD CABINET

Checking the level of the bottom part of the overhead cabinet

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Then counter check of the level at the top portion

6. INSTALLATION HARDWARE AND HANDLES

7. INSTALLATION OF OPEN SHELVES

8. INSTALLATION OF RANGE HOOD

10. INSTALLATION OF FILLER

Wood filler to seal the gap between the concrete wall and overhead cabinet

11. INSTALLATION OF BASE CABINET

12. CORING FOR GREASE TRAP DRAIN PIPE

Use a hole saw for a perfect fit of the pipe. Seal the gap between the pipe and the base cabinet with polyurethane sealant to prevent the entry of insects.

13 ASSEMBLY OF GREASE TRAP

14. INSTALLATION OF GREASE TRAP

Plumbers installing the grease trap

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The installed grease trap

15. INSTALLATION OF HARDWARE AND HANDLES

Installation of doors and handles for the base cabinet

Installation of doors and handles for the base cabinet

16. INSTALLATION OF FILLER

The filler will seal the gap between the door jamb and the base cabinet

17. INSTALLATION OF 3/4" THK MARINE PLYWOOD BACKING

Before installing the plywood backing to receive the granite countertop, block out the portion where the kitchen sink and the electric stove will be placed.

18. INSTALLATION OF GRANITE COUNTERTOP

Block out also the portion of the kitchen sink and the stove in the granite countertop

Before fixing the granite countertop, make sure the backing must overlap 

Check the corners make sure the granite countertop and the backing are in a perfect fit

19. INSTALLATION OF KITCHEN SINK AND FAUCET

Seal off with silicone sealant the ream of the kitchen sink in contact with granite countertop to prevent the seepage of water

20. CONNECTING THE SINK TO THE GREASE TRAP

21. INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC COOKTOP

Make sure the cooktop is squarely fitted on the edges of the granite countertop

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The installed electric cooktop

22. CONNECTING THE COOKTOP TO THE ELECTRICAL SUPPLY

All electrical works must be done by a licensed electrician

23. INSTALLATION OF GRANITE SPLASHBOARD

All gaps between the granite countertop and the splashboard must be sealed by a polyurethane sealant

24. INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL DEVICES

Make sure the switch plate must be squarely fitted with the granite splashboard

25. FINAL INSPECTION, CLEANING, AND TESTING

The completed base cabinet

The completed overhead cabinet

26. FINISH PRODUCT

The completed installed kitchen cabinet with plumbing fixtures

One would think that for a simple installation of the cabinet would require you 26 work inter-phase and that seems to be exasperating. That is why careful planning is really needed to attain the satisfactory result. Personally, I always adhere to this wise saying, as a matter of fact, I made it my life principle that:

PLANNING without EXECUTION is DAYDREAM but EXECUTION without PLANNING is NIGHTMARE.

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