Kristin and I spent a lot of time in the clinic over the past few days, finishing up some odd framing tasks, installing the support structure for the overhead surgery lights, putting in a little bit of drywall (so we can hang the cabinets this weekend) and installing low-voltage boxes and chases for network cables. Kristin's also been painting the old seismic reinforcing columns - they were a pretty nasty faded color, and she picked a great matte red that cleaned them up a lot, but they still maintain a little of their original weathered appearance.

I had an interesting inspection on Friday, and spent the weekend worrying about it.

<rant>

The inspector told us that we had to INSULATE at least 50% of the exterior wall. Now - that wall is masonry, and is adjacent to the neighboring building's concrete wall, so, first of all... insulation? get serious!

Also, we sandblasted it so we could leave it exposed. It looks awesome. Now we have to build a wall in front of it?

Aside from that, we've ALREADY BUILT FRAMING in front of it. How the hell are we supposed to get in there and frame out 50% of it NOW?!

You know, I appreciate the safety and order that all our building codes have produced. In this country, even after a major earthquake we have pretty limited damage. In other countries, there's a stiff breeze and thousands of people are crushed under pancaking concrete slabs with no reinforcing steel in them. So, I get it, codes are good... mmkay? But here's the problem - you have to TELL ME THIS WHEN I'M GETTING THE ORIGINAL PERMIT YOU JERKS!!!! You can't make me go through days and days of reviews, revisions, discussions, variances, checks, fees, and arguments, only to finally issue me a permit for my plans, and THEN JUST MAKE UP NEW CRAP DURING INSPECTIONS! No - not okay. Sorry. You can't have it both ways guys. You want to be tough in permitting? Fine - but when you're done, I get to build it AS PERMITTED. You want to be tough during inspections and make crap up? Fine - but then don't even bother with plan review and permitting - just let me start building, since the permits apparently don't mean anything anyway.

</rant>

Okay, there's actually way more to the story, but I don't want to publicly impugn anyone's reputation, so you'll have to ask me offline. Thanks for letting me vent. I feel much better :)

In the end, I spoke to the head of the inspection department who was actually a very nice guy, saw the point, and said he'd talk to the inpector. So, I *think* we're in the clear, but I'm going to be pretty nervous when this guy comes back for the final framing inspection. You can bet he's gonna be pissed and he'll pull his tape measure out for every little thing. But we're ready... BRING 'EM ON!

Enough of that - here's the construction schedule update!

Week 1 (DONE): All HVAC main supplies and returns hung and operational. Floor grinding finished, floors sealed and done. Storage room floor epoxied and complete. (btw, this is a picture I took while spending the night there, guarding our cabinets and surgical lights) 

Week 2 (DONE): All main electric conduit run, all ceiling fixtures located and junction boxes installed. Framing begun, and well underway - rough framing is already about 50% complete!

Week 3 (DONE)
My Boastful Claim: Rough plumbing complete. Rough framing complete. Storage space electrical installed.
What Actually Happened: We got pretty close. The framing was completed in week 3, and the storage space electrical was installed - rough plumbing got a slightly later start though.

Week 4 (DONE)
The Claim: HVAC registers installed, returns and supplies dropped into rooms with ceilings. HVAC venting installed (dryer vent, gas waterheater vent, medgas vent, bathroom exhaust vent). Pressure piping for oxygen and nitrogen installed. Medical waste gas system installed.
Reality: This is the end of last week - the rough plumbing was done, but the medgas is still in process - it will definitely be done by the end of this week - they just have a few hours of work left to do. The HVAC finish work was also not *quite* done, they're finishing up tomorrow (Tuesday) - so, maybe 2 days behind schedule. Not so bad!

Week 5 (THIS WEEK)
The Original Plan: Electrical work within stud walls, wires pulled
The Revised Projection: The electricians are coming back at the end of the week, so this won't be completed this week - however, they did get a head start on it last week when they had a couple spare days. So, this portion, along with all items from above, should be completed by the middle of next week - a 2 to 3 day overall delay.

Week 6 (NEXT WEEK)
Plan: Drywall. Plumbing fixtures.
Outlook: Good for drywall, but not for plumbing finish work. Since the electricians might be there for half the week, it leaves just a couple days to do the drywall, which *might* be finished by the end of the week.

Week 7 (revised): Finish drywall, paint. Electrical fixtures, lighting installed. Plumbing fixtures installed. Casework, cabinets, countertops installed.

Week 8 (revised): Complete painting. Floors cleaned and touched up, final coats of sealant applied. Paint, carpet, trim details.

Week 9: Bring in equipment, open the doors!

So, even though a few things have slipped, I'm still projecting my original super-aggressive 9-week schedule.

the plumbers and electricians made this beautiful sculpture in the wall, but we're thinking about covering it with sheetrock anyway (sorry guys!)

cable trays we installed overhead to carry the oxygen, nitrogen, and vacuum pipes, as well as the network cables, across open spaces like the office