Building windshield 1

[WARose]

I got contacted by a contractor to build an addition to a (local government) building that basically amounts to putting a perimeter wall frame around the building with windows. This frame (that will hold the windows) will be made of steel and will sit on the wall footing (or a new footing) down at the bottom and will attach to the parapet (or intermediate points as needed) at the top. The buildings walls are mostly windows (in terms of square footage).

The idea for it is there are so many cracks/holes around the existing window frames (and elsewhere).....in a driving rain/wind the occupants are getting exposed to the elements.

My mind is screaming "punt" for a couple of reasons: first off, this building apparently is infested with mold. I'm not sure how much the holes in the walls are playing in this, but I wonder what this addition would do as far as that situation goes. And secondly, just about everybody who has gotten mixed up in this has gotten sued. And last (but certainly not least): it's a government job. I've rarely seen one of those go particularly well.

What do you think? Have you ever heard of doing this for a building? Does anyone know what (if anything) that would do to the mold situation? I personally have a hard time picturing this as being cheaper than patching the holes.

 

[JAE]

[blue]1. and will attach to the parapet (or intermediate points as needed) at the top.[/blue]
[red] If at the top, then all that wind load gets applied to the original building up high - instead of at intermittent points along the height - this could possibly be a problem with the original building's lateral force resisting system.[/red]

[blue]...this building apparently is infested with mold[/blue]
[red]PUNT![/red]

[blue]...just about everybody who has gotten mixed up in this has gotten sued.[/blue]
[red]PUNT![/red]



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[WARose]

[blue](JAE)[/blue]

[red]PUNT![/red]

 

[MrHershey]

Sounds like a fantastic opportunity for someone else to tackle.

 

[JAE]

The mold may not be a huge issue if it is mold associated with finishes only and hasn't affected the structural system.

You could provide a scope/fee proposal outlining that you would deal with the structural framing for the new screen wall and not be responsible for (and not be held liable for) any issues related to mold.
Contract indemnification clauses make's one feel better - but not always a perfect protection in all cases.

The previous lawsuits are concerning, though. Perhaps you don't run away but ... walk away briskly?



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[WARose]

[blue](JAE)[/blue]

The mold may not be a huge issue if it is mold associated with finishes only and hasn't affected the structural system.

I've heard it's everywhere in this thing. And I'm just wondering what this perimeter would do (if anything) to that situation.

[blue](JAE)[/blue]

You could provide a scope/fee proposal outlining that you would deal with the structural framing for the new screen wall and not be responsible for (and not be held liable for) any issues related to mold.
Contract indemnification clauses make's one feel better - but not always a perfect protection in all cases.

I thought of an indemnification clause myself.....I normally have them anyway (for any amount in excess of my insurance policy).

[blue](JAE)[/blue]

The previous lawsuits are concerning, though. Perhaps you don't run away but ... walk away briskly?

I'm about 95% sure I'm gonna kick this one to the curb (at this point)......I just wanted to get a feel for what the "windshield" will do (if anything) to the mold situation.

The thing about the lawsuit situation that is scaring me off is: the ones that have been sued haven't done much except try to help them. They aren't responsible for this situation.......and they get sued for helping out.

 

[JAE]

.and they get sued for helping out.

That sort of tells you everything right there doesn't it?

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[WARose]

[blue](JAE)[/blue]

That sort of tells you everything right there doesn't it?

Pretty much.

 

[EngineeringEric]

What's the client names? I have a few competitors that would love a new client!

If you are placing the building envelope out beyond the existing building, like a weather barrier greenhouse around the existing, then the existing leaks won't matter as no water or air is getting to them.

Honestly it sounds odd. Maybe informally tell them that an option could me metal panels attached back to the structure and new windows sealed to that and the structure.

 

[Archie264]

If you want to understand mold from moisture intrusion into the building envelope this is well worth the hour it takes to watch it. (Punch line: moisture moves from hot to cold so keep that in mind and don't create situations where the moisture will condense on cold vapor barriers within the building envelope. But that's not really doing it justice; it's worth viewing.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkfAcWpOYAA

 

[Settingsun]

I'm curious, who is suing who?

 

[WARose]

I'm curious, who is suing who?

Probably the main suit is the people who have to work/have worked in the building are suing the county.....and pretty much every last contractor who has been involved in trying to address this. So far, I think there are 11 co-defendants/entities named in the suit.

The cherry on top: even more suits are expected.

 

[hokie66]

Mold is a major health risk for building occupants, and covering it up won't help. This is screaming out for either demolition or complete remediation, not just a new building envelope.

 

[WARose]

Mold is a major health risk for building occupants, and covering it up won't help. This is screaming out for either demolition or complete remediation, not just a new building envelope.

From what I understand, the plan is to move to another building.....but not for about 5 years. So they need some cover until then. They have tried removing the mold. I'm unsure if they were successful or not but I think the move would have happened with or without the mold. (The building itself is pretty shabby at this point.)

 

[JAE]

They can always perform air quality checks by a lab to test for the presence, and intensity, of mold in the air.

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[hokie66]

When indoor air quality and "sick building syndrome" are topics of discussion, the Polk County Courthouse in Bartow, FL is always central. This is one description, probably not the best.

https://www.google.com.au/search?bi...1j0i22i30k1j0i22i10i30k1j0i67k1.0.qzUDZDb_Ee4

 

[ornerynorsk]

Not completely hyperbolic, Visqueen and duct tape might serve them just as well if they really intend to fix/mitigate at some point.

It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.