Defect Mitigation Audit
Frontline DMA (Defect Mitigation Audit) is much more than a Quality Assurance/Quality Control
program. It is a rigorous review and documentation protocol that gives condominium developers
an effective tool to defend, and even avoid, frivolous claims.
Working closely with a project developer’s attorney, Frontline DMA produces an evidence chain
that can be shielded by attorney-client privilege. It provides a due diligence reporting mechanism
that documents ‘non-deficient’ (good) practices and products, and proof of corrective action(s),
from early design through post-occupancy.
This process is supported by a web-based searchable database that allows approved users to
quickly retrieve relevant evidence and proactively refute potential claims. It provides an effective
defense against repetitive claims and false ‘extrapolation’ thereby short circuiting frivolous suits.
THE DMA PROTOCOL - AN AGGRESSIVE THREE PHASE STRATEGY
Pre-Construction Phase
- Review and ‘wash’ plans and documents to reduce errors and omissions, and address
known litigation ‘triggers’ through peer review with key disciplines.
- Participate in all pre-design development and pre-construction meetings with
milestone reviews at critical intervals
- Recommend and collaborate with membrane, accoustic, and building envelope specialists
Construction Phase
- Report on risk management using real-time web-based server.
- Perform critical milestone and random QA inspections.
- Support and strengthen Builder’s commitment to quality via digital reporting.
- Create and maintain QA files with ‘evidence chain’ documentation to help defend claims.
- Document all layers of the building envelope to prevent claims based on ‘extrapolation’.
- Preserve both photo and video evidence of correct means and methods of execution.
Post-Construction Phase
- Verify accuracy of “As-Built” documents
- Audit all O&M Manual procedures, schedules, and logs by the owner association after turnover.
- Document and report on completion of scheduled maintenance and conditions
- Render services for a full year after Substantial Completion.
|
“The laws on construction defects are being written— and rewritten—but
more than that, they are being interpreted and reinterpreted, sometimes dramatically reinterpreted,
by the courts...”
West Coast Casualty
12th Annual Construction Defects Seminar, May 2005 Anaheim |
