Does the digging and backfilling of trenches for buried pipelines fall under the installation scope or the civil engineering scope?
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As the title suggests: I’m working on a project where it was agreed upon at the initial contract signing that the contractor’s responsibilities would not include civil engineering work; instead, they would cover supply, installation, and commissioning. Some of the existing pipelines are laid directly buried, but the contractor believes that digging holes for these buried pipelines and backfilling the soil fall outside their responsibilities, as they are part of the civil engineering work. Is it like this? Does digging the trench and backfilling the soil still fall within the scope of the installation work?
It should fall under civil engineering; small ditches are relatively simple, while larger ditches require consideration of factors such as slope ratios, and a dedicated construction plan must also be prepared
This post was last edited by The wise are enlightened on 2017-7-21 08:33. This installation unit is a bit ridiculous. Generally, the civil works for pipelines refer to concrete foundations and concrete supports. Both trench excavation and backfilling are directly related to the construction method of directly buried pipelines, involving various aspects such as pipeline lifting and welding, as well as construction space, installation schedule, quality, and safety. Therefore, trench excavation and backfilling are auxiliary processes for the installation of directly buried pipes, and fall within the scope of the installation contract.
If direct-buried pipes are included in the scope of the tender contract, and Party B does not request clarifications regarding the scope of work, it shall be deemed that Party B is aware of what is covered by the direct-buried pipes. If the directly buried pipeline is a type of installation added as a result of design changes during contract execution, the costs associated with \"trench excavation and backfilling\" can be claimed as part of the change orders. However, the work of “trench excavation and backfilling” still has to be carried out by the installation unit.
Does the pipeline installation quota not include an item for earth excavation?
This is not a quota issue. I ask, what if the civil engineering contractor digs the trench all at once, as if digging a canal, and hands it over to the installation contractor? A heavy rain falls in the middle of the night (or groundwater seeps out), filling the drainage ditches; who will be responsible for pumping out the water and clearing the silt? Therefore, as I mentioned on the 4th floor, if trench excavation and backfilling are separated from pipeline installation, it will lead to a series of problems regarding \"various aspects such as the space required for pipeline lifting, welding, and other construction activities, as well as installation progress, quality, and safety.\"
It’s indeed a bit ridiculous; the client should reflect on why they chose such an incompetent installation company
The reason is simple. Since it is the installation company, laying the pipes requires digging, so isn’t that part of its installation responsibilities? I have worked on civil engineering, installation, and design. This installation unit is just lazy; saving money doesn’t mean doing things this way
This trench is usually covered by the installation contractor, but the excavation and backfilling of the trench can follow building standards