Saunders Construction Blog
WHAT WE’RE SAYING
Important Factors to Consider when Hiring A Structural Engineer and Why Costs May Vary
It is time your building needs to be brought up to Life Safety standards and reduction of PML (SEL and SUL now) or for your peace of mind, you determined it is time for a seismic upgrade and/or structural repairs, the first step is to find a structural engineer to...
The Impact on the Industrial Sector of Commercial Real Estate from Covid-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on commercial real estate and, some say more so than the global financial crisis earlier this century. According to real estate economic and research experts, “the pandemic directly impacts the demand for space through...
New Factors in Building Design, Engineering and Construction since Covid-19
It is no surprise building designs are being evaluated closely since the pandemic. The office sector of the commercial real estate industry has been greatly affected by the shutter in place regulations and guidance from CDC to have employees of non-essential...
What are the most common structural repairs?
Structural repairs refer to repairs or replacement to the roof, foundation, floors, and permanent exterior walls and support columns of a building. Some of the most common types of structural repairs include GLB (glulam beam), purlin & sub-purlin, truss and column...
Did you feel the 4.2 Earthquake that rattled Southern California last week?
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck the Pacoima area of the San Fernando Valley early Thursday morning of July 30th. It was felt across the Southland with many news stations shaking live on the air. The area shuddered with aftershocks following the quake about five...
Roof Condensation: How does it form and what to look for?
Roof Condensation is moisture that develops at the roof ceiling area and is trapped by foil insulation or other types of radiant barriers. If left untreated, it can destroy the entire roof structure. Moisture rust and decay all metals including hangers, nuts, bolts...
What is one of the major post-pandemic take-aways for the “Industrial” sector of Commercial Real Estate?
It is safe to say the entire commercial real estate industry decelerated as the COVID-19 pandemic set in however, it was brief for industrial real estate. According to several panelists from premier real estate companies at the NAIOP 2020 I.CON Virtual Conference,...
Are there similarities between natural (geologic) disasters and the Covid-19 crisis?
What comes to mind when contemplating geological disasters? The two at the forefront of most peoples’ minds would be volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Although these types of disasters affect vast regions near and far across the planet, we have yet to see a global...
How vulnerable is your soft-story (apartment) building to earthquake damage?
Soft-story apartment buildings are prevalent in Los Angeles and Orange County which are also considered earthquake-prone territories, specifically Los Angeles. Soft-story / apartment buildings are at risk of earthquake damage however; seismic retrofits will help...
The type of building is a major factor in respect to which are most at risk for damage from an earthquake
There are several types of buildings including soft-story, tilt-up, steel moment frame, non-ductile concrete and URM (unreinforced masonry). What are their characteristics and what can be determined are vulnerable when faced with enduring an earthquake? Soft-story...
What does it mean for Californians if a big earthquake hit during the covid-19 shelter in place order?
It is a common theme across the globe. The coronavirus is changing our day-to-day lives. The impact of the pandemic affects different industries in different ways. Earthquake experts are considering the potential for the big one during the Covid-19 outbreak and...
PML-SEL-SUL, what is it and why do we need it?
PML-SEL-SUL What is it and why do we need it? It is a standard of measure and calculations that Lenders, Insurance companies and Risk managers use to determine the damage that would be caused by an earthquake. There are different levels of criteria. Most lenders and...
Seismic Retrofit Scope of work
Seismic Retrofit Scope of work (Typical) Assumptions used in the budget to develop a scope of work Measures that would enhance the building’s performance during due diligence and site investigation for the structure. The proposed retrofit measures would include some...
Qualifications for a Budget
Budgets are just that, budgets. There are many circumstances during the budget process that we do not have enough information to provide an accurate budget. Please use all budgets given with caution as many things can change from concept to final plans and tenant...
The Basics of Concrete Repair
Engineers have learned to make buildings safer in recent decades after years of studying what happens to structures during earthquakes. Concrete is a durable choice, but concrete tilt-up buildings built in the last century pose safety risks. Over time, concrete can...
Building Owners Should Care About Earthquake Retrofitting
Why should a building owner care about earthquake retrofitting services? It depends on how old your building is and how it was built. Knowledge about earthquake safety was not applied to construction until the late twentieth century. Adding steel for reinforcement is...
Understanding Seismic Retrofit in California
Several earthquakes have shaken both San Francisco and Los Angeles in 2019, which is a reminder that old building owners need to consider a seismic retrofit solution for California. Not only is California one of the most vulnerable states for seismic activity, many...
Condensation Issues Can Cost You!
The longevity of a roof structure – whether it’s commercial, industrial or residential – depends on how well it’s maintained, which requires regular inspections. The most important reason for inspections is to check for leaks. Ignoring even...
Earthquake Preparedness Knowledge
Preparing for an earthquake is vital for regions that have a history of seismic activity. A seismic retrofit can ensure the safest environment possible, especially for buildings that were built prior to 1998. Here are important points to raise your awareness on...
Apartment Soft-Story Retrofit
Large complexes with tuck-under parking in which multiple stories are built on top are called “soft-story” buildings. These structures are very vulnerable during an earthquake and should be considered for retrofit, especially if they were built prior to...
The Role of Structural Inspectors
Structural inspectors for seismic retrofit are not exactly the same as structural engineers and are sometimes confused, although they share certain common tasks. While some contractors want structural inspectors to have engineering backgrounds, many inspectors get...
Strengthening Buildings for a Catastrophic Earthquake
California, Oregon and Washington are western states that have experienced plenty of seismic activity in the past century. The construction industry has learned from one catastrophic earthquake after another to develop retrofit strategies starting in the 1970s....
Structural Concrete Crack Repair
Concrete can last many decades without needing much maintenance, which is a key reason why it’s favored as a commercial building material. Regular inspections help detect problems early to avoid expensive structural concrete crack repair. Here are important...
Seismic Retrofit in Oregon
Although most of Oregon’s thousands of earthquakes over the years have been minor (i.e. under a magnitude of three,) the state has suffered three destructive earthquakes in the past century. Quakes as far away as Seattle can affect buildings in Portland, so...
The Importance of Industrial Structural Repairs
Every large manufacturing facility must be inspected periodically to see if industrial structural repairs are needed. Such a large facility likely employs many people, so it must be responsible for the safety of its workers. Seismic retrofit is a long-term solution...
Adopting Seismic Safety for Buildings
Understanding seismic safety is important for building owners so that they can avoid injuries and litigation in the event of an earthquake. Newer buildings are designed for Life Safety, not building sustainability. So all buildings could possibly use a retrofit, old...
The Project to Replace Non-ductile Buildings
In any major city there are countless buildings that have not been retrofit to 21st century sustainable construction standards. Non-ductile buildings refer to concrete or reinforced concrete structures that lack flexibility. These non-ductile buildings that were...
Why Structural Repair Specialists Must Be Top Notch
Hiring structural repair specialists requires making sure they have plenty of experience for the type of work you need done. Improper installation is one of the biggest reasons large projects must be redone at higher costs. Here are important points to consider when...
How to Choose a Seismic Contractor
Seismic contractors are specialists who retrofit buildings so that they are less prone to damage during an earthquake. Adding additional materials and steel reinforcement can help extend the durability of a building. Failing to retrofit an old building could mean lost...
Retrofitting to Reduce Earthquake Insurance
Probable maximum loss (PML) or now known as SEL and SUL is an important metric if you live or work in an earthquake zone. It’s a number that matters to insurance companies because it reflects the amount of damage a building might suffer from an earthquake. Here...