Word of the Week #5

Story Pole



A story pole is used to transfer dimensions from one place to another or to check a clearance. To create a story pole, cut a piece of pipe into the desired length. To check a stairwell for clearance, you may cut a piece of pipe 44" long. As you walk down the stairwell, the pipe should pass freely between the handrails.

Story poles work great for clearances. But imagine setting your ceiling height via story pole. By cutting your pole 8 feet in length and building your ceiling to match your story pole, you will unwittingly transfer all of the variances in your your concrete finish from the floor to the ceiling. A 3/16' variance in the floor is almost imperceptible to the human eye. The same variance in a ceiling will cause you to question the sobriety of the installer.

You may have noticed John Napoli (the Italian Master of Concrete) using a laser to set the elevations of his form work. In modern commercial construction, lasers are used to transfer dimensions from one point all around the building site. If you get the chance, ask Mr. Napoli if his concrete is flat enough to story pole. Just don't make the mistake of calling it "cement".

Bottom line: If you use a story pole to top of window/door elevations or ceiling heights, you may not like the ending of the story!

Thanks PPUMC!!

What a great day at the job site. The wonderful people of Point Pleasant United Methodist once again provided food and drink for the work crews during lunch. It's going to be difficult getting people to move on to different projects after being spoiled so much during this one.

We were provided with chili (from a mild, meaty mix to smokin hot and a couple of in betweeners), refreshments and some great fellowship with folks that remain important clients but have grown into so much more.

We have been blessed as a company and as individuals to be yoked into this grand undertaking with a congregation, a building committee and a Pastor that exemplify the Body of Christ. Thanks again PPUMC for all that you have given to us at Applegate Johnston!

Word of the Week #4

3 Week Look Ahead



Sometimes we just call it the short term schedule or the 3 week, this is the schedule that the job is actually built from. This isn't the pretty schedule with the bar graphs, it is a list of very detailed activiities that must occur over the following three weeks to meet the dates we have committed to on the contract schedule.



The site superintendent spends most of his time revising and adjusting the short term schedule prior to distributing it on a weekly basis. Activities that don't occur as planned impact others and we use this weekly update to alert everyone of the changes. Somteimes things go well and we are able to make positive adjustments, sometimes we experience rain delays, material shortages, undermanned crews, etc. and need to push dates back.



When Rusty publishes a 3 week, he has already made contact with those on the schedule and alerted them to the upcoming activities. When a date is missed on the 3 week, the responsible party can expect a "follow up" from Rusty. There are so many variables that go into the planning and execution of a days work that one small hiccup can start a chain of events that impact many companies and crews.



Believe it or not, some crews show up to work unannounced. The work shown on the 3 week always takes precedence and is given an umbrella of protection. If two workers are working in the same area, the person that is working according to the short term plan is accomodated. If they are both working according to the plan, Rusty gets a "follow up" call.