Pour Stop or No Pour Stop
Pour Stop or No Pour Stop
(OP)
I've been thinking about a mechanical slab that I am designing atop a building. The slab is 3 1/4" concrete on 2" metal deck for a total of 5 1/4" thickness.
The mechanical units require openings thru the slab to run ductwork thru.
I've provided beams around every opening.....but I've been thinking....do I really need pour stops to form these openings in the slab? Would I be better off just pouring the entire slab and then allowing the GC to come back and cut-in the holes he needs for ductwork? If he cuts-in the holes, there will not be a bent plate finish to the openings (obviously!).
The mechanical units require openings thru the slab to run ductwork thru.
I've provided beams around every opening.....but I've been thinking....do I really need pour stops to form these openings in the slab? Would I be better off just pouring the entire slab and then allowing the GC to come back and cut-in the holes he needs for ductwork? If he cuts-in the holes, there will not be a bent plate finish to the openings (obviously!).






RE: Pour Stop or No Pour Stop
I always have them core drill the corners of the opening before they saw cut to make sure they are not over cutting the corners.
I can't think of any reasons why you need a pour stop, but maybe others will.
RE: Pour Stop or No Pour Stop
The more expensive "band saw" type devices are available, but fewer people have and they charge more for that ability to make square corners. Need scaffolding and access udnerneath also = more costs when cutting. Add it up, and building the pour stops sometimes becomes less expensive overall.
Also, adding pour stops puts the expense (profit ) n the concrete form and carpenter people, not on the HVAC installer. But a pre-poured HVAC "hole" requires the HVAC contractor to be more careful about where he puts the topside unit, where the duct has to go, etc. If the HVAC company cuts the hole, they don't care (may not lok) at where the rebar and joist and framing is underneath the roof. SO there are motives on both sides.
RE: Pour Stop or No Pour Stop
RE: Pour Stop or No Pour Stop
RE: Pour Stop or No Pour Stop
If the design team and contractors work together to set the final size and location, then it makes sense to get it formed and poured in place.
If the timing doesn't work out, then maybe saw cutting is the way to go. I specify no oversawing with the use of hand tools in the corners. Expensive, yes, but less expensive than filling in a wrong hole AND cutting a proper one.
RE: Pour Stop or No Pour Stop
RE: Pour Stop or No Pour Stop
RE: Pour Stop or No Pour Stop
RE: Pour Stop or No Pour Stop