Weston, MA – CTA Construction Co. Inc. has completed installation of a fire suppression system at Weston High School, including work that was scheduled for summer 2012. The change to the work schedule resulted from spotting an opportunity to accelerate the project.
The original schedule called for installation of fire sprinkler mains in the three largest buildings on the Weston High School campus and the installation of branch lines next summer. With the ceilings already opened to install the mains, construction managers decided to tackle the branch lines as well. In total, crews installed over 10,000 feet, or more than two miles of pipe.
“We realized an opportunity to efficiently complete work slated for the following summer. With a collaborative team effort, we were able to provide a complete system in three buildings and eliminate the need to reopen the ceilings in summer 2012,” said Leonard Johnson, CTA’s Project Manager for Weston High School.
CTA managers credit the ability to alter schedules in the field to the close working relationship with the entire project team, including the owner’s project manager, Compass Project Management, the architect, Dore & Whittier, and Weston town and school officials.
Crews started work the day after school let out for the summer and completed the job in mid-August. The project included the school’s gymnasium with its high ceilings and the auditorium, where crews worked over the rows of seats and behind acoustical ceiling tiles. Many areas, including the bathrooms, locker rooms and the cafeteria, required significant coordination for removal and replacement of existing drywall ceilings.
Teachers and students returning to Weston High School may not even notice the system, as crews were able to do the work without significant interior changes.
“All of our work was above ceiling over finish areas, and we were able to do so without major disruption. Our goal was to leave the classrooms and facilities as we found them at the start of the summer,” Johnson said.
CTA is also currently finishing the foundation of a new science wing to Weston High and plans to erect steel early this fall. Crews will then focus on making the addition weather tight before winter arrives. The 27,000sf addition is scheduled for completion in spring 2012, and then work shifts to more renovation work during the summer months, with the entire project completed by fall 2012.
