CSFS Process™ Overview
Our goal is to incorporate a technology driven, standardized manufacturing system into the building process.
Our intention is not to try and re-invent the building industry, but to educate and continuously improve an
already existing process. Commercial and residential structures are among the last of the large hand-made products
left in the world. Our goal is to remove variation, uncertainty and lack of quality control inherent in field
construction by transferring the framing of the building to a controlled manufacturing environment.
Our sophisticated software (licensed from
Genesis) enables accurate panelization of any building project.
A significant benefit of panelization is the speed with which the project can be erected on site.
Erection time can be accelerated by at least 50% using half as many framers in the crew. The benefits in cost
and timely completion are enormous. We can provide a better built and designed product that can be erected in
less time with fewer field people. We can do this at a competitive price while being respectful of the environment.
Quality is key to everything we do and all of our processes are designed to ensure that we deliver the highest quality
framing solutions to our customers.
1- Input
We start by inputting design data from architectural and structural engineering documents.
Our preferred method is through importing DWG files, but if they are not available, we can input manually.
We input geometric data and also specification information concerning the structural sizes and gauge of
steel to be used.
When specific engineering data is not available, we can use the “Prescriptive Method”
for small residential projects; otherwise, we have to base structural specifications on previous projects
that we have worked on. In this case all structural information is interim pending verification by the
designated structural engineer.
2- Building Information Modeling (BIM)
From the design data, we create a full 3D BIM model
which shows every stud, track, header and other component in the building. At this stage, we divide
the walls into manageable panel sizes taking into account the characteristics of the building,
availability of equipment on site (crane, etc) and weight of the material being used.
The BIM provides us with a comprehensive Bill of Materials (BoM).
We can also use the BIM model to check interferences with Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing
(MEP) systems and we can optimize the positioning of trade-ready
joists so that we use cheaper “C” section joists where access is not required.
3- Estimate
From the BoM, we
use the Genesis software to create a project estimate based on the
predicted efficiencies on manufacturing, current cost of steel, labor rates
and work load.
The estimate provides a complete cost
breakdown for all phases of the project as well
as 3D images of the assemblies that have been
included in the estimate. Lineal feet of
wall, surface area of wall, quantity of
sheathing (where used), etc is produced, as well
as an estimate of the erection time on site by a
given crew.
We use this estimate to provide competitive
bids to General Contractors or Drywall
Subcontractors for projects.
4- Final Design
Once the contract is
awarded, we verify all design information, discuss and agree the panel
sizes with the erection crews and agree a delivery sequence to the job
site.
When we are erecting the framing, we will
coordinate internally and with the GC.
When we are working with an external erection
crew, we will host a team meeting to review all
aspects of the project, and agree schedules.
5- Shop Drawings
Once the final
design has been verified in 3D, we produce shop drawings for all panels
which are sent to the structural engineer for review and approval.
6- Manufacturing
With approvals
for the shop drawings, we order materials that are needed for the project,
if not already in stock and production planning meetings are held to agree
schedules and resources.
We transmit production data electronically to
the roll-forming machines and the manufacturing
team begins the process of rolling and
assembling panels. Steel framing that is
to be sheathed moves to a separate line where
the sheathing is cut and applied.
All panels are checked for accuracy and
quality before leaving the production line.
Finished panels are bar-coded and tagged to
indicate orientation, then stacked according to
the agreed delivery sequence ready for delivery.
7- Finishing
When panels are
to have windows, and external finishes applied, we hand them off to our
in-factory partner “M4 Homes,” a licensed contracting company which
completes the panels according to specification, then stacks them
vertically inside a protective shell, ready for shipping.
8- Shipping
We normally ship
panels that do not have finishes or sheathing horizontally on a flat-bed
truck, with finished panels arranged vertically. We deliver panels
“Just-In-Time” according to the requirements of the framing crew so that
on-site storage of panels is rarely required and on-site damage is
minimized. On the rare occasions when a panel is damaged, the bar
code enables us to identify, remanufacture and ship very quickly.
9- Erection
We offer erection services within the Northern California area,
utilizing either union or non-union crews from partner companies that have
been trained by us, according to the requirements of each job. We
also supply framing to general contractors and framing contractors who wish
to use their own crews.
We ensure that our Project Engineer is on-site at the start of the
project to support the framing crews and is available throughout the
erection process to ensure that any questions or issues are dealt with
quickly.
10 - Final Inspection
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