Detailed Structural Work

By: Construction Project Manager, Ken Potter

This fall the workers were preparing for and adding additional columns that we will need in order that this large building can be broken up into six different areas and separated with expansion/construction joints. As we have been clarifying structural questions and issues, it became apparent that some of the structural issues needed to be recalculated in order to match the floor plan we now have. This plan is the result of changes required by the government and some changes we made to improve the layout of the facility and lower the overall cost of the project (ie: minimize networking wire using data hubs to reduce the length of wire needed). This was slow work as it needed to be done properly and is also labor intensive.

 Pictured left is Victor checking on work when a team of 10 men poured almost 30 two meter tall columns using a mixer and filling the column forms bucket by bucket. Victor and Sandro (our two onsite Dominican engineers) closely supervised this work.

We are anxious to get working on the beams and roof structure but these structural details need to be in place before we can start. Grigorio, our plumbing engineer, was at the site again Saturday and he inspected the completed drain pipe and hot and cold water supply lines that are all now installed inside the building. The locations where hot water will be needed were determined based on discussion with Dr. Canario and consulting the government requirements book. Hot water is an unusual feature for most facilities in the Dominican, so obviously a healthcare facility does indeed need hot water but not to the extent that you would find in the United States. So there is no point in going to the expense of installing it everywhere.

Some interesting information regarding things like hot water and drinking water that we all take for granted in the US:

• Most houses here do not have hot water. Those that do have a wall switch near the bedroom(s) that turns on the small water heater when you want to use it. This is true even in very nice condominiums in Santo Domingo.
• Water from the faucet is not safe to drink. This is the case everywhere, even in nicer homes and hotels. A great example of this is the Mirebalais hospital in Haiti built in 2012 by Americans who thought clean water should be provided in all faucets and even water fountains. This is an example of thinking you have a good/practical idea and going through the trouble of providing it, only to find out it will not be accepted. None of the Haitians will drink from the faucets or water fountains at the hospital. This is not a normal thing in Haiti or the DR so they were asking the people who grew up here, never drinking from these sources, to suddenly trust that they could safely do so. By the way, there are no such things as “water fountains,” only cooling units that have a five gallon water bottle on them.

Our medical gases engineer was also here Saturday and we discussed what we can do to simplify the gas installation and lower its cost while ensuring that the clinic will be fully able to serve the needs of its patients. He had some very good ideas.

I am excited that Victor is ready to start dinteles or the headers that span doorways. These will be formed and then made with rebar and concrete. He will also begin getting the rebar structures made that will be the skelton of the structural beams that tie exterior walls together. We continue to confirm the structural components, finalize issues with the structural engineer and architect, and ask if there are any cost-saving possibilities with the beams, roof structure, and other features.

We plan to meet with the Health Department officials in Santo Domingo to discuss and seek their approval of our desire to “phase” the finishing of the building. We would like to reduce our initial completion cost by delaying the finishing of 23% of the building. After very positive discussions and input from Dr. Canario and Dr. Caceres, this concept can hopefully lower our cost-at-opening by $200,000 or more.

Please consider both the project and me when planning your 2017 donations. We hope 2017 is the year when we can all but finish the building and with your help we can do it!

10 Days Until Christmas!

We’ve got you covered this year with gifts that give back! The 2016 Gift Catalog is full of unique items to help outfit the REVOLUTION clinic. We’ve even provided recognition cards you can print and give to your friends and family to let them know that you’ve purchased an item in their honor!

Click here to start shopping! Thank you for your continued prayers and support of the REVOLUTION!