Opening in Balloon framed wall

[dumaszarktek]

Anyone ever create an opening in a balloon framed wall? This is on the first floor of an exterior wall, 3 story home.
I am concerned about the means and methods of demo as an architect. I do have a struct. engineer on the job.

I am thinking to cinch ea stud with (2)C3x6 and (4)1/2" bolts @ 5" o.c. vert. and transfer that load to 9" LVL's that rest on
(2) temporary 2x4 walls. I estimated the load on ea stud at 1385 lbs.

Please let me know your thoughts.

 

[XR250]

Let the GC figure it out.

 

[dumaszarktek]

I could take that approach but there's a chance they don't understand the situation of the joists they are supporting
have only a nailed connection to the wall.

 

[XR250]

There is a lot of liability in a shoring plan. I typically will not do one.
Convey to the GC your concerns in a construction meeting.

 

[dumaszarktek]

good advice, I am best to stay away from it.

 

[lexpatrie]

The structural drawings can address this one way or another, either through giving advice (unlikely) or by saying "get somebody to figure this out for you, I'm not doing it". I've seen some engineers offer advice on underpinning, which seems similarly unwise. Unless you are on site, it's tough to really get into this.

Most structural engineers won't do shoring plans or temporary works (i.e. cribbing and formwork), it's a bit of a niche. As an Architect, I'd pay some attention to making sure whoever is doing this has appropriate insurance, to start with. And that wouldn't be a GC. GC's generally don't have insurance for work they perform themselves. At least where I am. Their insurance is most typically for oversight, supervision, and whatnot, not for the actual work performed (because subcontractors are supposed to be used for the actual work).

 

[dumaszarktek]

I have decided not to show any details for the shoring. My engineer is in a neighboring state so even he can't officially submit anything, it would
have to be on my drawings.
The project is in NY, heavily regulated, and permits are not issued without GC insurance.

 

[lexpatrie]

Get a New York engineer....

And to reiterate, if the GC does the shoring they generally don't have insurance for work they self perform. The state is not going to care about the status of insurance "loopholes" that's your job, to protect your client.

 

[XR250]

Get a New York engineer....

And to reiterate, if the GC does the shoring they generally don't have insurance for work they self perform. The state is not going to care about the status of insurance "loopholes" that's your job, to protect your client.

Doesn't the GC's general liability insurance cover that?

 

[lexpatrie]

Try reading a description of what general liability is. Stores have it. For customer slip falls.

https://www.hiscox.com/sb-lp/general-liability

 

[XR250]

I assume a collapse due to inadequate shoring would be considered "negligent performance"?

"

What Does General Liability Insurance for Contractors Cover?​

General Liability Insurance covers the following basic items:

• Property Damage – this aspect of a general liability policy covers damage to another’s property and includes loss arising from
  • Negligent performance
  • Theft
• Bodily Injury – this aspect of a general liability policy covers damage to a third-party and includes loss arising from:
  • Libel
  • Invasion of privacy
  • False arrest
  • Wrongful eviction
• Personal and Advertising Injury – this aspect of a general liability policy covers damage to the intellectual rights and includes loss arising from:
  • Misappropriation of advertising ideas
  • Copyright infringement

A basic General Liability Insurance policy may also be customized to meet a contractor’s specific coverage needs by adding on other insurance to supplement the basic coverages. These add-ons may include:

• "

 

[jhnblgr]

structural changes to the building are being made and the engineer isn’t authorized to work in the state. This places you at risk and your client.

 

[lexpatrie]

The existence of insurance does not guarantee they will view it as a covered loss, no. I'll point to Morabito vis-à-vis Champlain Towers South as a rather egregious example. I think Morabito had to sue them to get their own insurance company to engage. But I'm not overly conversant with the various legal machinations on that situation.

(Apparently I got the facts ultimately correct (lawsuit forced overage) but the parties reversed, the insurers sued Morabito to deny coverage. Law.com article mentions it. Not what I think of as typical.

A while ago I had somebody iinsisted carry GL and workers comp, I have no stores, no clients visit my "workplace" and I have no employees, as far as I know, these policies would accomplish nothing for me personally but expend funds for no reason.

Further, just because the insurance company provided you a lawyer doesn't mean they are acknowledging any liability, I've seen situations (actual cases, not descriptions of stuff on findlaw) where once the settlement lands, the insurance company sends the insured a bill for the legal services and informs them the loss isn't covered.

So you get stuck with the attorney bill and the legal settlement. As I understand it. The usual next step is a Miller Shugart.