Concrete

Q&A
Coordinating Tolerances

Q.
Who is responsible for coordinating construction While the architect/engineer does not have an easy task,
tolerances on a project: the designer or the there are some opportunities to make that task easier. These
contractor? include conducting a constructability review, holding

A.
tolerance coordination meetings, and using a bid allowance.
Tolerances establish permissible variations in Constructability review—Karlson et al.5 defines
dimension and location, giving both the designer constructability as an effective and timely integration of
and the contractor limits within which the work is concrete construction knowledge into the conceptual planning,
to be performed. The designer specifies tolerances to convey design, and construction of a project to achieve the overall
to the contractor the performance expectations upon which the project objectives in the best possible time, with the highest
design is based or that the project requires. safety, and at the most cost-effective level of quality. Thus, a
One subcontractor’s tolerances do not trump another constructability review should include people with expertise
subcontractor’s tolerances. While neither is required to in concrete as well as those with expertise in materials and
achieve perfection, each is required to complete the work in systems that interface with the constructed concrete. Further,
accordance with the tolerance specified for the work they review meetings should occur in the planning and design
have agreed to provide. Certainly, subcontractors cannot phases. Other trades that might interface with concrete include
adjust each other’s tolerances during the work. Each masonry; interior and exterior finish systems; and perhaps
contractor has bid the project based on their specified (unique) mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
tolerances, and it’s likely that any change in tolerances during Tolerance coordination meetings—ACI 117.1R
construction would be costly and extend the schedule. recommends a preconstruction tolerance coordination meeting
As confirmed in the following documents, it is the that includes the owner, general contractor, construction
responsibility of the architect/engineer, not the general manager, architect/engineer, concrete contractor, and all other
contractor, to determine tolerance compatibility prior to subcontractors whose work will interface with concrete
issuing the project specification and accepting bids: construction elements. Attendees should address the
• ACI 347R-14, Section 5.3.1,1 states: “The engineer/architect anticipated tolerance compatibility questions and conflicts
should be responsible for coordinating the tolerances for applicable to their work so that tolerance issues are identified
concrete work with the tolerance requirements of other and resolved before concrete construction. Resolution of
trades whose work adjoins the concrete construction”; tolerance issues after the contract award may result in changes
• ACI 117-10(15)2 commentary states: “Compatibility— having to be made to the contract terms, which may affect one
Designers are cautioned to use finish and architectural or more of the parties involved.
details that are compatible with the type and anticipated Using a bid allowance—A bid allowance is a popular
method of construction. The finish and architectural details concept used for coordination of Division 3 and Division 9
used should be compatible with achievable concrete work for floor coverings.6 While the concrete contractor may
tolerances”; meet his or her tolerances as measured within 72 hours, the
• ASCC Position Statement #183 states: “Contractors floor covering contractors will arrive on site 3 to 9 months
coordinate their own work, but they aren’t responsible for later. Short- and long-term deflections can change the concrete
adjusting tolerances or ensuring that tolerances for the contractor’s work, resulting in challenges for the floor
work of other trades are compatible with their own work. covering contractor. As a result, many contract documents
Only the design professional can decide which tolerances now provide for a bid allowance to cover the gap between
are reasonable and compatible”; and Division 3 and Division 9 work created by deflections. This
• ACI 117.1R-14, Section 3.2.2,4 states: “It is critical that the
architect/engineer account for tolerance requirements in the Questions in this column were asked by users of ACI documents and have
contract documents and develop details that provide for the been answered by ACI staff or by a member or members of ACI technical
committees. The answers do not represent the official position of an ACI
required clearances and adjustability between concrete and committee. Comments should be sent to [email protected].
other construction elements.”

www.concreteinternational.com | Ci | JUNE 2021 71

concept could be extended to the coordination of Division 3 mismatched, or misplaced forms, sheathing, or liners, or from
work with other interior and exterior finish systems. defects in forming materials are considered abrupt
A bid allowance alerts the owner that coordination, if irregularities.” Offsets are generated by mismatched forms in
required, will have costs; allows bidding to be executed on an a single placement, so offset tolerances do not apply at
equal basis; and enables the owner to keep the bid allowance discontinuities at construction joints or differences between
if not needed. Currently, this approach is endorsed by the slab edges and column locations.
following organizations: In conclusion, the coordination of tolerances is a design
• Flooring Contractors Association; responsibility. While potential issues can be mitigated through
• National Tile Contractors Association; open communications and remediation, remediation is a
• National Wood Flooring Association; contractual obligation not assigned to any specific
• International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers; subcontractor. Further, remedial actions should be approved
• Tile Contractors Association of America; and by the design authority prior to execution. Inclusion of a
• International Masonry Institute. clause or an allowance for remediation in the contract
Other work that could be affected would include interior documents may also be helpful.
walls and ceilings as well as stucco (all covered in Division 9)
and curtain walls (Division 8). Volume and temperature References
changes cause perimeter beams and columns to change their 1. ACI Committee 347, “Guide to Formwork for Concrete (ACI
location as work progresses. Many multistory buildings have 347R-14),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2014,
post-tensioned floors that shorten over time4,7,8 and, as a result, 36 pp.
change the slab edge location and column alignment 2. ACI Committee 117, “Specification for Tolerances for Concrete
(plumbness). ACI 117.1R indicates that the slab edge location Construction and Materials (ACI 117-10) and Commentary (ACI 117R-10)
can move (shorten) as much as 1-1/2 in. (38 mm) from its (Reapproved 2015),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI,
original location. These changes with time need to be 2010, 76 pp.
considered in design when considering tolerances and 3. ASCC Position Statement #18: “Concrete Tolerance Coordination,”
architectural details. American Society of Concrete Contractors, St. Louis, MO, 2009, 1 pp.
When determining tolerance compatibilities for concrete 4. ACI Committee 117, “Guide for Tolerance Compatibility in
structures and exterior finishes such as exterior portland Concrete Construction (ACI 117.1R-14),” American Concrete Institute,
cement plaster, two issues demand consideration. As indicated Farmington Hills, MI, 2014, 47 pp.
in ASCC Position Statement #18, there are different tolerances 5. Karlson, L.G.; Connolly, E.F.; Garcia, C.M.; and Suprenant, B.A.,
for plumbness in ACI 117 and in ASTM C926-20.9 ASTM “Defining Concrete Constructability,” Concrete International, V. 40,
C926 calls out a concrete plumb tolerance of 1/4 in. in 10 ft No. 10, 2018, pp. 32-33.
(6 mm in 3 m), while ACI 117 allows a 3/8 in. in 10 ft 6. ASCC Position Statement #6: “Division 3 versus Division 9 Floor
(9.5 mm in 3 m) tolerance. This conflict should be addressed Flatness Tolerances,” American Society of Concrete Contractors,
by the architect/engineer prior to starting construction. St. Louis, MO, 2003, 1 pp.
In addition, the ACI 117 tolerance for offsets is often 7. “Construction Tolerance Conflicts in Reinforced Concrete,”
misunderstood. The offset tolerances originated in ACI Engineering Data Report No. 40, Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute,
Committee 347, Formwork, with ACI 347-68, Section 3.3.8,10 Schaumburg, IL, 1995, 4 pp.
which stated: “Offsets and fins resulting from displaced, 8. Suprenant, B.A., and Malisch, W.R., “Effect of Post-Tensioning on
Tolerances,” Concrete International, V. 31, No. 1, Jan. 2009, pp. 58-65.
9. ASTM C926-20, “Standard Specification for Application
Errata for of Portland Cement-Based Plaster,” ASTM International, West
ACI Publications Conshohocken, PA, 2020, 14 pp.
Available Online 10. ACI Committee 347, “Proposed Revisions to ACI 347-68:
Recommended Practice for Concrete Formwork,” ACI Journal
Under the menu for “Publications” at Proceedings, V. 74, No. 9, Sep. 1977, pp. 397-434.
www.concrete.org, document errata can be
searched by document number or keywords. Thanks to Bruce Suprenant, Technical Director at the American Society
of Concrete Contractors, St. Louis, MO, USA, and Vice Chair of Joint
Call ACI Customer Service at
ACI-ASCC Committee 117, Tolerances, for providing the answer to this
+1.248.848.3700 for more information.
question.

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