ABSTRACT
Quality control of architectural precast is very important. First and foremost, creating a clean monolithic finish (both in color and texture) on all panel faces and exposed edges requires a highly skilled and diligent workforce in the fabrication shop. Secondly, the essence of handling these large, heavy concrete panels with extreme care brings with it a high degree of difficulty. Some of the key quality control elements are
A. The design of supporting attachments (also termed clips) is an important consideration. The design must be such that in the finished product all steel components will be hidden from view. The most difficult hardware to hide includes the steel embeds used as pick points for the panels. Precast subcontractors will often plan to have pick points in the tops of the panels that
they later grout. This is acceptable, as long as the tops of the panels are not visible as a finished product. In other words, pick points in the tops of roof parapet panels will never be seen by the general public, but exposed pick points in the tops of wainscot panels protruding from the face of a wall will be visible and this must be addressed. Make it clear in the bid documents that pick points visible to the public in the finished product will not be acceptable.
