Since the Champlain Towers Collapse in Surfside Florida, we have had numerous requests to perform structural condition assessments. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Construction Safety Team (NCST) is pursuing a dozen failure scenarios and are anticipating a Final Report next year (2023). In 2018 a Condition Assessment Report was issued on … Read more
How important is routine façade inspection? During hurricane, tornado, and severe thunderstorm season across the United States, we’re reminded how important it is to anticipate façade failures before they happen. During Hurricane Irma in 2018, façade failures caused street closures in Atlanta despite the storm being downgraded to a tropical depression. Even though wind speeds … Read more
Are you up to date on your building inspections? When is the last time you had a thorough roof and facade inspection done by a professional company? There are currently 12 cities in the United States with ordinances that mandate periodic inspections of building facades, most of which are located in the Midwest. However, across … Read more
Many facilities often go year after year without a proper, comprehensive roof inspection. Managers may assume that the roof is sound and even ignore obvious issues, which will only proceed to become more and more severe. Symptoms such as cracking, ponding water, and accumulated debris can indicate a significant problem. Regular, proper inspections of your … Read more
Over the last few years, more catastrophic structural damage cases and progressive collapse cases have been in the news. Because of this, building owners are taking a closer look at their building and parking structures. While it could take years for the investigation to be completed, there are many clues included in previous inspection reports … Read more
Do you own or manage a historic building? Are you concerned about the aging facade or overall structure of your building? Many communities realize the value of historic and cultural character older buildings have to offer, and historic preservation plays a significant role in maintaining a city’s culture. Brickwork looks great when it’s well-maintained, but … Read more
There are currently 12 cities in the United States with ordinances that mandate periodic inspections of building façades, most of which are located in the Midwest. However, across the country, many building owners and managers elect to partake in voluntary façade inspections for both safety and long-term financial reasons. Everyone can be involved in keeping … Read more
Are your employees properly protected from fall hazards? Are you absolutely sure that your equipment is up to OSHA Regulations and ANSI Standards, and your employees properly equipped for fall protection? There’s nothing worse than a false sense of security, especially when working at great heights. There are many occasions when workers think they’re protected … Read more
In response to a concern the USDA had regarding cracks and rust colored stains in the limestone façade of the Richard B. Russell Research Center, the team of Toland & Mizell Architects and Innovative Engineering were asked to conduct a façade forensic investigation. More specifically, the USDA was concerned about the structural integrity of the … Read more
Why Should I Care About Façade Inspection? The recent street closures in downtown Atlanta during tropical depression Irma remind us of the importance of routine façade inspection. Hurricane Irma was downgraded to a tropical storm over northern Florida and to a tropical depression south of Columbus, Georgia. While both hurricanes and tropical storms typically spawn … Read more