Written by Eric Ford, E.I.T.
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11 November 2009
K to 12 School Additions and Renovations
Fairport CSD is adding on to and renovating seven schools simultaneously. CME is working hand in hand with Owner, Fairport CSD; Architect, Clark Patterson Lee; and Construction Managers, The Buckley Group and The Pike Company. Mark Lenzi, ICC is CME’s lead inspector for this project which requests up to five inspectors on a given day. CME’s greatest challenges for this project include managing the ever changing scheduled assignments, maintaining the NCDD (Non Conformance, Deviation and Deficiencies) list, documenting deviations from project documents and continuous communication with the Registered Design Professional and Construction Managers. All agree that CME is the eyes and ears for the Project Management Team We are enjoying full support and appreciation for our diligence on this project.
Now that we are into October, our workload for the NYSDOT Region 4 has seen a steady increase. The first half of the year was slower than usual despite talks of Economic Stimulus Money that was planned to flood the industry. Dan Stern and the DOT inspectors are providing services day and night at concrete and asphalt batch plants. Keep up the great work, team. You can get a good night’s sleep in December!
Water Infiltration through Masonry Walls
Gordon Toleman, P.E. is leading an investigation at a Retail Town Center for the Developer. Masonry walls are experiencing water penetration into several occupied and unoccupied spaces at the newly constructed Center. The investigation included inspection document review, project document review, material submittal review, and post-construction testing and monitoring. The root cause stems from porous block and a lack of water proofing installation. These, factored with wind driven rain and snow events causes excessive water penetration to the interior finished space and excessive, unsightly efflorescence. Gordon is continuing to work with the Developer on an economical solution to the problem.
Proof Testing – Anchor Pull Testing
CME’s Rochester Team of Bob Dalheim and Eric Ford successfully performed reinforcing steel proof load testing recently at the Erie Canal Lock 32 site. The contractor contacted CME on a Wednesday afternoon to see if CME could provide the services on short notice. Bob made a site visit that afternoon and we started the testing the next morning. On the previous day, a testing laboratory from Buffalo had attempted to perform the load testing but was stopped by the NYSDOT Engineer in Charge, after several of the #7 reinforcing bars were severely bent. After four hours of trying, four bars had been tested and three of the bars were damaged.
The Engineer in Charge was pleased with CME’s setup, current equipment calibration and pace of testing. CME successfully completed the testing in six hours which included 11 #7 vertical bars, 14’ high and 8 #5 bars installed approximately 20 degrees from horizontal. The contractor was able to maintain its schedule constructing the retaining wall and CME left a good impression with the Client and the NYSDOT.
