Performance Standards for Quality Control
Below are Observations, Performance Standards and Corrective Measures for most building construction projects
Performance Standard: As measured at the top of the foundation wall, the diagonal of a triangle with sides of 12 feet and 16 feet shall be no more than 1/2 inch more or less than 20 feet, unless the owner and remodeler agree to intentionally build an addition to an existing structure out of square in order to match or compensate for inaccuracies in the existing structure.
Corrective Measure: The remodeler will make necessary modifications to any foundation not complying with the performance standards for squareness to provide a satisfactory appearance.
Discussion: Squareness is primarily an aesthetic consideration. Regularly repeated geometric patterns in floor and ceiling coverings show a gradually increasing or decreasing pattern along an out-of-square wall. The standard tolerance of plus or minus 1/2 inch in the diagonal allows a maximum increasing or decreasing portion of about 3/8 inch in a 12-foot wall of a 12xl6-foot room. However, a remodeler and client may agree to build an addition out of square in order to keep a new exterior wall on line with an existing wall of an out-of-square house.
The corrective measure emphasizes the primarily aesthetic nature of squareness and makes the criteria for correction “a satisfactory appearance.” This criteria allows the remodeler to make either a structural change, if the defect is discovered in time, or some cosmetic change to hide the defect, if the construction is in the finishing stages when the defect is discovered.
Performance Standard: The necessary grades and swales shall have been established by the remodeler to ensure proper drainage away from the home. Standing or ponding water shall not remain for extended periods in the immediate area of the house after a rain (generally no more than 24 hours), except in swales that drain other areas or in areas where sump pumps discharge. In these areas a longer period can be anticipated (generally no more than 48 hours). The possibility of standing water after an unusually heavy rainfall should be anticipated by the owner. No grading determination shall be made while frost or snow is on the ground or while the ground is saturated.
Corrective Measure: The remodeler is responsible only for initially establishing the proper grades and swales. The owner is responsible for maintaining such grades and swales once they have been properly established by the remodeler.
Performance Standard: As measured at the top of the foundation wall, no point shall be more than 1/2 inch higher or lower than any point within 20 feet, unless the owner and remodeler agree to intentionally build an addition to an existing structure out of level in order to match or compensate for inaccuracies in the existing structure.
Corrective Measure: The remodeler will make necessary modifications to any foundation not complying with the performance standards for levelness to comply with the performance standard.
Discussion: Levelness is both an aesthetic and functional consideration. Out-of-level floors can cause “stair stepping” of 4×8-foot sheathing, siding, paneling and cabinets, and square walls must be “racked” into parallelograms when plumbing is installed. Liquids can run off counter tops, and, in extreme cases, people will perceive that they are walking up or downhill. The remodeler and the owner may agree to build an addition out of level in order to keep the floor of an addition on the same plane, and the roof ridge on the same line, as those of an existing, out-of-level structure.
Performance Standard: Plants that must be physically transported during work shall not die during the warranty period. Plants that die from natural causes, owner actions, or owner negligence are not covered.
Corrective Measure: The remodeler will replace dead plants covered by the standard with other plants of like kind or as close as reasonably available.
Performance Standard: All beams, joists, rafters, headers, and other structural members shall be sized, and fasteners spaced, l according to appropriate building codes, National Forest Products
Association span tables, or a higher standard agreed upon before construction by the owner and the remodeler.
Corrective Measure: The remodeler will reinforce or modify, as necessary, any floor, wall, ceiling, or roof not meeting the performance standard.
Discussion: Excessive deflection may indicate insufficient stiffness in the lumber, or may reflect an aesthetic consideration independent of the strength and safety requirements of the lumber. Joists and rafters are required to meet standards for both stiffness and strength. The span tables allow, under full design loadings, a maximum deflection equal to 1/360 of the span for floor and ceiling joists (3/8 inch in 12 feet), 1/240 for rafters up to 3/12 in pitch (1/2 inch in 12 feet), and 1/180 for rafters over 3/12 in pitch (3/4 inch in 12 feet). Individual clients may not be satisfied with the deflection limits built into the tables. When a customer’s preference is made known before construction, a higher standard may be agreed upon by the remodeler and the owner.
Performance Standard: Concrete slabs within the structure are designed to move at expansion and contraction joints.
Corrective Measure: None.
Performance Standard: Settling ground around foundation walls, over utility trenches, or in other filled areas shall not interfere with water drainage away from the home.
Corrective Measure: If the remodeler has provided final grading, upon request by the owner, the remodeler will fill settled areas affecting proper drainage, one time only during the warranty period.
The owner will be responsible for removal and replacement of shrubs and other landscaping affected by placement of such fill.
