547 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

This was their first concrete highrise and it was recently completed, so a reasonable conclusion is their woodframe buildings are not affected as they would have been inspected long ago and any structural issues identified.

[spanky123]

This was their first concrete highrise and it was recently completed, so a reasonable conclusion is their woodframe buildings are not affected as they would have been inspected long ago and any structural issues identified.

 

This building was inspected and no structural issues were identified either. Seems like nobody would have been the wiser had the whistleblower not filed a complaint with his/her professional organization.

[Mike K.]

Exactly. If there were issues with their woodframe buildings this would have been brought up already.

[spanky123]

Exactly. If there were issues with their woodframe buildings this would have been brought up already.

 

Maybe the whistleblower wasn't involved in other projects with the same group.

[On the Level]

For all we know the building is fine, but is just built to 1970s standards.  Hopefully more information will be released so we can know for sure.

 

As far as the process, municipal inspectors are typically not qualified to second guess an engineers design.  Their job is to ensure construction is up to code and does not deviate from the plan.  The only way you'll get past an error like this is to have a 3rd party or peer review from another qualified engineer and require two or more stamps.

[aastra]

 

...but is just built to 1970s standards...

 

Earthquakes have changed a lot since then.

[spanky123]

For all we know the building is fine, but is just built to 1970s standards.  Hopefully more information will be released so we can know for sure.

 

As far as the process, municipal inspectors are typically not qualified to second guess an engineers design.  Their job is to ensure construction is up to code and does not deviate from the plan.  The only way you'll get past an error like this is to have a 3rd party or peer review from another qualified engineer and require two or more stamps.

 

I have no idea but note the large number of posts shoring up the main support beams. I would think that this would be more than simply being built to a lower earthquake standard.

[Mike K.]

It’s also a cheap and efficient means of shoring up a concrete structure.

We should really wait for the report to come out.

[Rob Randall]

Earthquakes have changed a lot since then.

 

For one thing, they lasted for a couple of hours and often involved Charlton Heston and George Kennedy.

[Victoria Watcher]

It’s also a cheap and efficient means of shoring up a concrete structure.

We should really wait for the report to come out.

the report is out. just not released to us taxpayers.

[spanky123]

the report is out. just not released to us taxpayers.

 

If the report stated that the issue was minor then it would have been released.

[Mike K.]

the report is out. just not released to us taxpayers.

A more comprehensive assessment has been recommended by WSP, so it sounds like the initial report identified the primary issues that need immediate attention.

From WSP:

It is recommended however that a further exhaustive review of the building is completed in order to ensure that all deficiencies are highlighted, and a comprehensive mitigation and remedial plan developed to ensure the complete structure is compliant with the relevant code.

The initial report identified the following:

The findings of the WSP investigation are divided by issues related to the Gravity System, and issues related to the Seismic Force Resisting System. The report highlights elements of the Gravity System design that indicate a lower than code stipulated factor of safety and where the likely failure mechanism can occur with very little warning.

The report recommends the immediate installation of temporary support below two transfer systems at level 2. The supports are to be designed to carry the loads indicated by WSP and must remain until either the EoR demonstrates sufficient design and constructed performance of the transfer system, or the necessary remedial measures are put in place.

Beyond that it’s all jargon for the taxpayer, so we know what Langford knows just not to the degree an engineer would need to know it.

[Victoria Watcher]

sounds like we have some known unknowns.

[Rob Randall]

sounds like we have some known unknowns.

 

Until a reporter gets their hands on the full report we have unknown knowns as well.

[spanky123]

For all we know the building is fine, but is just built to 1970s standards.  Hopefully more information will be released so we can know for sure.

 

As far as the process, municipal inspectors are typically not qualified to second guess an engineers design.  Their job is to ensure construction is up to code and does not deviate from the plan.  The only way you'll get past an error like this is to have a 3rd party or peer review from another qualified engineer and require two or more stamps.

 

Centurion claiming that City engineers inspected the building and signed off on the building and occupancy permits. 

 

https://globalnews.c...artment-unsafe/

Edited by spanky123, 29 December 2019 - 02:06 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

the city issues the occupancy permit.  it's clear they signed off on it.  sh*t hit the fan later.

[Mike K.]

Centurion bought the buildings after the fact, along with several others.

[On the Level]

Centurion claiming that City engineers inspected the building and signed off on the building and occupancy permits.

https://globalnews.c...artment-unsafe/

Stew Young stated on CFAX that the city does not have Engineers on staff.

Hopefully more info will come out but from the response in the article, it doesn't sound like fixing the issue will take long.

[Victoria Watcher]

not sure how big a company centurion is but seems they might best have considered employing a pr firm for this.  rather than sending e-mails to media.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 December 2019 - 05:08 PM.

[Kapten Kapsell]

Some structural work was completed on the first and second floors just before Xmas but the city says that the building is still unsafe:  https://www.timescol...safe-1.24043810