TOLERANCE COMPATIBILITY CHECKLIST

Tolerance incompatibility problems often arise at the interface of construction elements placed by different subcontractors. Such problems can increase cost and have an adverse effect on construction schedules. This article discusses eleven common tolerance compatibility issues and suggests resolutions for them. Resolution of problems involving different subcontractors can often be resolved by: modifying the tolerance that will solve the problem at the lowest cost; modifying connection details to accommodate the different tolerances; modifying the tolerance that has the smallest impact on the schedule; or modifying tolerances that least affect the finished product.