“Hanging the drywall earlier proved to be highly beneficial because other trades were able to start work sooner. Accelerated subcontractor schedules included plumbing, electrical and HVAC, plus massive amounts of wall-related details like interior glazing, corner guards and case work,” said Mac McClinton, project manager.
Consequently, the torrential rain had no effect on the construction site. Even after eight months of exposure to the elements, the paperless faced panels looked like the day they were put up.
Another plus for this technology is that the paperless interior drywall is certified by the Greenguard Environmental Institute, meaning it emits low quantities of volatile organic compounds, thus improving indoor air quality. Any developer concerned about the well-being of his building's primary users and occupants, such as in hospitals, recognizes the importance of meeting high indoor air quality standards.
On time and on budget
The construction team's strategy of building paperless met the completion deadline, and in turn met the need for increased capacity fast to relieve crowding in existing facilities. Early completion also provided the university with additional cash-flow at a crucial time. Likewise, moving out of the construction loan phase sooner would enable MUSC to reap massive savings in interest payments. Since a compressed schedule was feasible, it was a win-win operation for the construction team and the hospital.
Hanging the drywall earlier had a huge ripple effect because other trades were able to start work sooner. Using paperless drywall for these pre-rock operations reduced the risk of having to perform potentially expensive post-dry-in remediation. In addition to the confidence in knowing the risk of mold growth would be reduced, the construction schedule was abbreviated, producing further savings.
Contractors hung 675,000 sq. ft. of paperless drywall during rainy weather with almost no replacement, which is unheard of at this scale of construction. These products combine a uniquely formulated, moisture-resistant gypsum core with fiberglass mats embedded on both faces.
Paperless inside and out
Long-term owners expecting high occupancy such as healthcare facilities see the benefit of going paperless inside their buildings, but MUSC chose paperless exterior sheathing for the outer building shell as well. Since this MUSC hospital project was managed as a complex set of interconnected micro-projects to speed construction, flexibility when performing exterior skin work was a definite benefit.
In all, the fiberglass mat gypsum products used reduced remediation due to moisture, saved MUSC construction hours and interest payments by shortening the construction schedule. HBI
