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JUDGING CRITERIA
The panel of judges, non-ABC Delaware members, is a cross section of the industry including owners, architects and other construction professionals. Judges will base their decision on project notebooks submitted covering the following criteria listed below and on-site visits. Projects are judged on a points system with a maximum of 100 points and a minimum 70 points to be considered for an award of Excellence, Merit or Honorable Mention.
Description of Project - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 25 points
A. Building/Project Name:
Regional Pumping Station at Ocean View
Ocean View, Delaware
B. Building Type:
Mechanical - Industrial
C. New/Remodeled/Restored:
New
D. Date Construction Began:
October 8, 1999
E. Date Construction Completed:
December 11, 2000
F: Number of Stories:
One
G. Total Building Cost/Cost of Contract:
$2,197,365.07
H. Total Square Footage:
1,825 SF
Narrative - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 35 points
Answer the following questions about your entry.
A. Why is the project special?
Engineers and contractors who have built processing plants and pumping stations in areas with high water tables will all agree to the inherent challenges that can plague even the most experienced contractor. This project site was located in a tight neighborhood only 3 miles from the Assawoman Bay with the rough grade only three feet above the water table. In spite of these extreme conditions Hopkins’ on-site crew performed 40 by 60 foot excavation to a depth of 40 feet below grade.
In preparation for project commencement, Hopkins’ project management staff went to work identifying potential hazards for on-site personnel. With these potential hazards in view this team began to prepare for large-scale dewatering, shoring and stabilization requirements. Multiple meetings were conducted with the field superintendent and project management teams to clearly delineate the strategies for addressing these challenges.
The dewatering operation required four – 8" high volume HDPE fusion discharge headers and multiple high capacity pumps working 24 hours per day to fight back over 2 million gallons of water per day. To compound the complexity of the dewatering operation, the well-point discharge was kept localized so as not to adversely affect the surrounding community and ecological system.
The magnitude of this dewatering operation would have presented a full range of challenges testing the skill of even the most experienced excavation crew. However, at no time was the cone of depression below the sub-grade compromised in any manner. In addition, the entire project was surgically conducted within a neighborhood community and yet maintained all hydraulic operations within the constraints of a site – not very much larger than the excavation.
These factors, combined with the demonstrated level of commitment of the Hopkins’ staff make this project special and further portrays the rewards of one company seeking to internalize the principles of maintaining a good name.
“Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” – Mario Andretti
B. What qualifies the project for an award?
As the name of this award draws attention to “excellence” in construction, the definition of “excellence” gives a key to understanding the merits of this project.
Excellence (or excellent)
“Of the highest or finest quality; exceptionally good of its kind.”
American Heritage Dictionary – Fourth Edition
Possessing a commitment to those we serve, we find the greatest satisfaction in learning that our customers are pleased with the result of our efforts. As can be seen in the letters of commendation from our customers, their words and expression of gratitude convey the goal of which we are in relentless pursuit. Having exceeded our customer’s expectations on any project allows us to recognize that together we have set a new standard of “excellence,” in construction.
C. What innovative programs relating to personnel management, teamwork, quality control, scheduling, value engineering, etc., makes it award winning?
Innovation
With dedication, commitment and loyalty to those we serve, it is our constant purpose to invest in systems that will make consecutive projects more affordable and safe while maximizing the effectiveness of our staff. This project is set apart because many of these systems and trademark innovations were required to come together in a unique display proving their ability to work in concert with each other.
This project necessitated the implementation of our applauded personnel systems including routine safety inspections of equipment, personal protective clothing and life support rigging. These systems were in position throughout the duration of the project and proved their effectiveness through the A+ safety record for this project.
Teamwork
This project exemplifies the results of people uniting in purpose behind a common goal. September 20, 1999 we participated in a pre-construction workshop uniting all of the individuals participating in the construction of this pumping station. Attendees included nine representatives from the engineering firm, four representatives of the owner, three of the primary subcontractors and three delegates from Hopkins Construction, Inc. As the first topic on the agenda, the concept of “Partnering” was addressed. This emphasis, effectively reminded and encouraged all individuals to work together toward the common goal. This emphasis became evident through the superior manner in which each entity communicated and adhered to the strictest safety, ethical and trade standards throughout the project.
Value Engineering
Two value-engineering changes were made through the attentiveness of our project management staff. These changes saved our customer over $17,000!
D. How did the project meet the specifications of the owner and architect? Was it built according to plan?
As is made evident through the written report by the project engineer, this project was built precisely according to plan.
However, six change orders were encountered costing the owner an additional $5,900. On a project costing over $2 million, this equates to a change order total of .002%. Two hundredths of one percent!
E. How was your part of the project completed in a timely and cost effective manner?
Prior to the commencement of this project, we supplied the owner and engineer with a comprehensive critical path schedule. Critical Path Analysis is a system that our project management staff utilizes to help them focus on the essential activities to which attention and resources should be devoted. It gives us an effective basis for the scheduling and monitoring of our progress. Dependent activities are ones that need to be completed in a sequence, with each activity being more-or-less completed before the next activity can begin. Dependent activities are also called “sequential” activities. Activities that are not dependent on completion of any other tasks, or may be done at any time are called “parallel” tasks. This scheduling method lends our staff unequalled ability to maintain project timelines with “pinpoint” accuracy.
In summary, through the resourcefulness and determination of our project management staff, every facet of this project was meticulously addressed bringing it in under budget by almost $12,000 while meeting the desired timeline of our customer.
2001 ABC Delaware Excellence in Construction Awards
JUDGING CRITERIA
Safety - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 20 points
A. How did you facilitate safety on this project?
Personnel Systems
Insuring the safety of our personnel became part of our larger, all-encompassing, personnel safety system. These systems included focused safety monitoring of personal protective equipment (PPE) and life support rigging. These systems were maintained throughout the duration of the project.
Risk Identification
Hopkins personnel are trained in principles of risk identification and site analysis. Throughout this project, on-site supervisors made routine risk/benefit assessments on each facet of the operation thereby evaluating each known hazard.
B. Include the Table of Contents/Index of company Safety Manual (if applicable)
“A low accident rate is never the result of pure luck, but is always the direct result of a carefully planned program, conscientiously carried forward by management and supervision.”
R. Keller Hopkins, President
Hopkins Construction, Inc.
Hopkins 2001 Health & Safety Program Syllabus
The following is a list of applicable sections of the Hopkins 2001 Health & Safety Program Syllabus:
Safety Policy Overview
“The safety of our employees and the general public is of vital concern to the management of Hopkins Construction, Inc.” “…It is therefore the policy of Hopkins Construction, Inc. to follow operating practices and procedures that will result in safe and efficient operations.”
Alcohol, Drug and Firearm’s Policy
This section delineates the fact that it is the responsibility of each employee to maintain a workplace free of any intoxicating substance or firearm. It further stipulates that Hopkins Construction, Inc. will provide awareness training and will require employees to submit to the highest standards of drug and alcohol testing.
Loss Prevention Policy
This section gives employees a thorough background in understanding principles of loss prevention both for themselves and the general public. The goal of the loss prevention program is to help employees recognize the economic waste of accidents and their moral responsibility to themselves, their families, the general public, property and equipment.
Safety Evaluation Program
This section provides a system for managing personnel to record safety information, track training dates, employee personal protective equipment and inspection data.
Hazard Communication
This program has been prepared to comply with the requirements of OSHA’s Hazard Communication or Right-To-Know standard and to insure that the information necessary for the safe use, handling, and storage of hazardous chemicals.
Site Characterization and Analysis
“Each site shall be evaluated to identify specific site hazards and to determine the appropriate safety and health control procedures needed to protect employees from the identified hazards.” This section goes further to explain precise procedural steps to take beginning with a preliminary evaluation through employee notification.
PPE Monitoring
This section identifies precise requirements for personal protective equipment, its use, care and inspection.
Risk Identification
This section specifies precise risks and procedures for notification of site employees.
Training
An excerpt from this section reads, “All employees and their supervisors, etc. working on sites exposed to hazardous substances, health hazards, or safety hazards shall receive training before they are permitted to work on site.”
C. What is your EMR?
Hopkins’ EMR = 0.723
D. Number of reported injuries on this project:
There were no reported injuries on this project.
Photographs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10 points
See sidebar for 10 required photos of the project labeled with project name, company name, entry category and a brief description of what each photo represents.
Endorsements - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10 points
The following are two select letters of thanks and/or accommodation from owners about the project.
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