What would you have done? 1

[grogannc]

So I got a call to go out and investigate a potentially "sagging" wall with "some cracking". I told him over the phone my initial fee was $X for a typical inspection. He asked if I could look at the roof as well for the same price since they were having leaks and I do roofing design also. I said sure no problem-already there why not.

I get to the job to find a really old one story commercial building with a walk out basement. Long story short-the members are all rough sawn timber with joist/girder/column construction. The timber is large as you would expect and everything is one piece i.e. no plys for any of the members.

The back of the structural system rotted out due to insects, moisture, etc. Owner had a contractor come out and "fix" the problem using (5) ply 2x12s for columns and girders and sistering rotted joists with 2x12s as well. The conversation got uncomfortable when I asked if the contactor used an engineer and where were the stamped design documents. I told the Owner I couldn't do it for $x anymore and would have to validate what I can see (which was most of it) and discredit things like the new concrete which I can't verify. Also mentioned anything I came up with that needed to be fixed, replaced, etc. would be a requirement and not optional. I told them I would do it for double the original price with disclaimers about I can't check what I can't see, etc. Pretty sure I scared them off. The Owner was going to talk to the tenant about it. Thoughts?

 

[CELinOttawa]

The precedent is widely recognised by the courts.... Wolverine versus, if memory serves...

 

[Ron]

Jerehmy....mold can occur with or without ventilation. It depends on other factors as well.

grogannc...you were put in a position that requires engineering response. In the event that you viewed code violations, you have an obligation to inform the owner that such violations exist and they must be corrected. In the event they are not corrected, you have an obligation to report them if there is a potential to compromise the health, safety or welfare of the public (which would include future buyers).

Write a letter to the owner outlining all the issues you saw. Explain to him your obligation to the public and his need to correct the deficiencies or get a licensed engineer to validate them. You do not want to get pulled into something later for little or no fee!

 

[CELinOttawa]

Ron: ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, however I don't think it applies here. He doesn't have enough information to make a professional judgement, so a report to the local authority is going to be without basis and could lead to a Civil suit if he was ordered to spend a bunch of money only to find the capenter's repair was sufficient.

I don't however design large portions of buildings for inspection fees. In my opinion that is what would have been required to make an informed statement about the cracking and settlement they are experiencing.

Your point, however, is excellent. ANYTHING which is visibly dangerous, which ANY ENGINEER sees at ANY TIME is something we are duty bound to report to the Owner. Actually the report which I have posted portions of (see above) has just such statements within, and I should have made this point in my previous post.

 

[grogannc]

Sorry forgot to update this.

Those are good points. I did spend an hour walking the building looking for cracking in masonry, members, any of the new concrete, large deflections in members, etc.

I ended up writing the owner a scoping report which allowed me to state many times that I could not perform an inspection based on the information available, suggested contacting the EOR for the repairs, made good use of the phrase in my opinion, could not determine the risk to life/safety of the occupants at the time of the walk-through in my opinion, etc.