Replace-In-Kind

Seems pretty obvious when you come across this in a spec, but the writer has been on at least 10 Terracotta replacement projects where the interpretation of this comment by the Specifier, Contractor and Owner has caused untold headaches, delays, and cost.

The traditional meaning of Replace-In-Kind for Terracotta means that "No other materials may replace existing Terracotta, with no exception". So far seems pretty straightforward. While I could not find an archival photo of an SCA Terracotta Watertable Replacement, the above photo will be used as a similar comparison.

At least once a year I was brought to an SCA Terracotta Replacement project and told, "The watertable isn't right, the manufacturer screwed up, it is not level, it isn't even". The problem here is the Manufacturer received blocks to replicate at the factory, produced them to within industry standard tolerances and delivered them to the project. It is now the contractors job to install the pieces "In-Kind". As the units are numbered this, at first glance seems pretty straightforward, however as the contractor installs the units and they do not line up, he has to make a decision. This is where the rub comes in. When the site visit is made to the project by the interested parties, invariably everyone is brought to another section of the building where the watertable units have not been removed as yet. Here you see a mirror image watertable that has what might be called imperfections where the pieces do not line up. Everyone now realizes that as the pieces were taken as individual units from the project, produced and delivered and installed in the appropriate location, IF THE ORIGNAL WATERTABLE DID NOT LINE UP, THE REPLACEMENT WATERTABLE WILL NOT LINE UP AS IT IS IN-KIND! A simple note on the drawing clarifying that the watertable, while not linear shall be reproduced in a linear fashion clarifies intent of In-Kind and provides the supplier and contractor true direction.

While this is obvious on a flat watertable, please look at the photo supplied. Is the horizontal break in the center circle meant to be horizontal and continue to the exterior pieces as a continued horizontal break across the assembly, or is the intent to have it OBVIOUSLY offset causing it to stand out to the eye of the beholder?

If this point is not clarified in the specs or to the manufacturer and contractor, the question could inevitably come up, "Why isn't the horizontal centerline continuous across the assembly?" When each participant has a different concept of what "IN-KIND" in this instance, means.

It gets worse when a piece or pieces of Terracotta have imperfections in them and are replicated "IN-KIND". Again, as simple statement of "Obvious imperfections will be addressed at the direction of the specifier." eliminates the excessive time and energy in resolving an issue where unfortunately, EVERYONE IS RIGHT!

I hope this clears this issue up as if it does not, be prepared to sit in meetings discussing items that should never have come up ad nauseum.