GCC Truss Project Update - 8/4/08
Click here to view photos of the project!
GCC Truss Project Update - 7/28/08
After approval of the proposed truss remedial project at the Special Church Meeting on July 13th the contractor, Foster Construction, was notified that the project was a go. Members of the Church got together and put up signs and barriers to isolate the work area. Andover Organ was brought in to tent the organ to protect it from dust and debris. Ferrick Brothers came in to move the piano to the rear of the sanctuary, and Linda and Bob Paulet covered it over to provide added protection from dust.
On July 21st the contractor was on site laying down cardboard over the rug, against the pews along the aisle, around the front door casing, over the two stained glass windows at the altar area, and in front of the pulpit and lectern, all to provide protection while setting up staging and during the jacking operation. The staging was delivered for the jacking supports and the outside access to the roof where material would be passed through into the attic area. The ceiling in the Sanctuary is about 24-feet high and required staging from the floor to the ceiling to provide a working point from which to jack the truss up. To carry this weight from the truss to solid footing, cribbing was installed under the Sanctuary floor in the crawl space.
With the staging and cribbing in place the next critical step was to cut open the two locations in the ceiling. Little actual information was available on the ceiling. We knew that the last ceiling put up was sheetrock and the original was plaster and lathes. Old pictures of the Sanctuary showed a “Greek Revivalist” stepped ceiling with decorative molding crisscrossing the ceiling. Rumor also had it that a tin ceiling existed. We would soon find out what was up there, and on Wednesday, two twenty-four inch holes were cut in the ceiling. For the historical record there are only two ceilings in this area, one being the last layer of sheetrock and a plaster and lath ceiling.
On Thursday, with the structural engineer present, the truss was jacked up. The process took about two hours to take the load (weight) off of the truss and transfer it to the staging supports. When the new structural trusses are bolted to the “old truss”, the process will be reversed and the load will be removed from the staging supports and taken up by the “new structural truss”.
With the sun out on Friday the roof was opened up to bring planking in to work from while installing the new structural members.
On Monday four of the bottom six new structural members (LVL’s) were set in place and three vertical LVL’s were cut and set in place. When all LVL’s are in place they will be all bolted together to form the new truss.
The contractor has been ahead of schedule since starting and with construction going better than anticipated he may be able to finish the truss work by Friday August 1st. There may be cleanup left at that point but the major work should be done. Look for progress photos on the B&G Bulletin Board or on the web site.
GCC Truss Project FAQ’s
Why do this now?
Building & Grounds, the Trustees, and the GCC Exterior Outside Committee has talked about this. Simply, there is no good time to do this needed work.
The time chosen was chosen to be done during the summer in order to minimize the impact on the church and the other groups who use it.
Doing it now addresses a potential problem that has been discussed over several years. Doing it now moves us from empty talk to meaningful action.
Why is the Sanctuary and Parsonage Entrance Closed?
Sanctuary will be filled with supports holding the roof and truss up, and it is unsafe for anyone but the builders to be present.
The entrance is closed off because the scaffolding needed to access the truss and deliver materials to the roof area blocks access and is unsafe for non-construction workers.
The scaffolding is placed there as that is the safest, most efficient way for the workers to work, and to pass them materials during the construction.
What about the Organ?
The organ will be tented by Andover Organ, which is being done in consultation with Linda. This offers extra protection beyond, just “being careful”.
The piano will be moved under the balcony, covered and protected, or moved.
What’s going on in the Sanctuary?
Supports like those used to move a house are being added to the basement, basement crawl space, and within the church to support the area of the roof beams around the truss and spread the load.
These fill the space. Also, workers will build structure holding up jacks used to raise the truss while it is being worked on, and there will be construction debris that might fall down.
While care will be taken to prevent things from falling, it’s just not safe for non-builders to be in the construction areas.
What about the Builder-is he competent?
You may remember that we had a structural engineer in last year to examine the truss [that’s that patched hole near the parsonage entrance] and assist us with assessing and engineering the work. That assessment has provided the basis for creating the truss repair plans, and which was provided to builders as part of the bid solicitation process.
Buildings and Grounds and Trustees have worked together to find a local builder who has the required skills, desire to do the work, attention to detail, and resources needed to get the job done in the most efficient and effective manner possible. For example, the scaffolding will be designed and inspected by a scaffolding firm who is licensed and insured to do the work. Other firms are not licensed, as it’s not required, but we felt that it was essential to have the best.
B&G and the Sextons will be working closely with the Builder to ensure the job is done right.
B&G has been impressed by the builders thoughtfulness through the entire process. For example, he’s gong to lay down cardboard, to protect the carpets in the sanctuary, not just cheap thin plastic painting tarps. It’s this kind of attention to detail like protection, his people, and staging the work to make it safe that has led us to pick this builder.
Will there be problems? What happens if something goes wrong?
Construction always entails some risk that the unexpected will happen. There can be problems that are hidden until the last moment. We feel that by combining the experience of all the B&G members who’ve worked on the church over the years and the structural engineer and the builder, those risks are minimized. In the event something untoward does happen, we will notify the appropriate people, and the congregation as needed.
The builder and the church have liability insurance if there are injuries.
In any event, we and the construction crew always appreciate your prayers.
How are we going to pay for this?
The work is estimated to cost about $28500 with quotes in hand for the truss and other preparation and structural work.
An added contingency of $5000 has been considered, in the event there is an unseen problem.
Funds have been already been budgeted from the Verizon cell tower, as laid out in the amended Faith Budget which was approved by the last special meeting. Funds are also budgeted from various building and grounds funds. Thus Trustee’s, Building & Grounds, and the Treasurer believe there are funds to cover this stage of work.
Finances continue to be tight, but are tracking what was described during the last special meeting which produced the amended budget.
We chose to go in faith that we ask everyone will to stay current with their pledges.
FMI, contact the church office.