Crews prepare to hang drywall on third floor

Crews are preparing the third floor for interior drywall installation. The window openings have been covered with plastic to protect the interior of the building from rain.



The office spaces located on the third floor are framed out and Carpenters working for H. Carr & Sons will soon begin hanging drywall.



Meanwhile, crews were finishing up initial MEP work (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) including pulling cable throughout the floor.

Carpenters to salute Senator Kennedy

Union carpenters will gather at the headquarters of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters today to pay tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy's passing procession. It is expected to pass the building at 803 Summer Street in South Boston between 3-3:30pm.

All members are welcome and encouraged to come.

Video Update

John Estano, the Owner's Representative for the New England Regional Council of Carpenters, reports in early August at the halfway point of the project.

Final section of exterior walls framed out

With the fire proofing of the steel beams complete, the trailer that held the mixing and spraying apparatus has been removed from the site. This allowed for crews to begin framing out the exterior walls on northwest side of the third floor.



This type of framing is called fly-by framing. The framing is moved off of the concrete floor and is attached to the side of the concrete beam using specially designed and engineered clips to attach the metal framing.



The dimples and rectangular stamp design give the clip added strength. All of the exterior walls have been framed out using this fly-by technique.

Wood blocking installation

Wood blocking was installed in door openings throughout the building. 2x4s are placed in the door jam openings at locations where there will be wood doors. The door frames and casings cannot be nailed into the metal studs, so 2x4s are screwed into the metal studs to create a strong nailing surface for the finished door frame and casings.



There will be approximately 110 wood doors throughout the building.

Steel fire doors will be located in stair wells, exits to the parking deck and in the lobby area. The communicating stair from the first to the second floor will have a glass door, as well the conference room on the third floor and the front entrance doors.

Then and now

February 2009:



August 2009:

Dens Glass Complete

With the exception of a few pieces the Dens Glass work is completed on the entire building. Waterproofing membrane – seen below in blue – is virtually complete on the Eastside of the building as well as the South end area of the cantilever.



This self- adhering, rubberized material is completely water proof. In certain locations, such as around the windows, there is added adhesion, a contact cement, that is rolled on to the window sill and below, so that the membrane doesn’t blister.



A grid system of aluminium strips will be installed on the wall to hang the panels and to ensure that the reveal joints are aligned. Fastening clips, which are screwed through the Dens Glass will also be installed as part of the grid system.

The Alucabond panels are being fabricated at the Sunrise Erectors shop in Canton, MA by members of Carpenters Local 51. The panels arrive to the shop 5x10 sheets, which are cut to specifications and fastening clips are installed.

When the panels arrive at the Carpenters Center they will be installed using a process known as ‘blind fastening.’ The panel clips are matched up with the clips that were installed into the aluminum grid system for fastening. This process requires that each panel be matched up to a specific location throughout the building. Carpenters installing the panels will read numbers on back of the panel so they know where each goes.

Photo Recap - July

48.5%!

As of July 31st, construction of the Carpenters Center is 48.5% complete!