HomeMy WebLinkAboutB12-0257 Mechanical StructuralBERGLUND Architects, LLC
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P.O. Box 2378, Edwards, CO 81632
Tel: 970 926-4301 fax: 970 926-4364
October 21st, 2012
Martin Haeberle
Building Official
Community Development Department
Town of Vail
5 South Frontage Road
Vail, CO 81657
970.479.2128
970.479.2452 Fax
Re: Cascade Garage Repair - Building Permit Submittal
Dear Martin,
Per our discussions per our meetings in early July, 2012 to review the code issues of the repair to the
Cascade Garage, adjacent mechanical space and adjacent child care area per the damage caused by a
car in late June 2012, we have observed the construction of the repairs and also have reviewed extensive
photos taken by Ulf and Associates, the general contractor, and to the best of our knowledge all
construction complies with our drawings, the mechanical and electrical drawings and to the current code.
We visited the site throughout the construction process, but our site visits were not continuous or
exhaustive. The fire department did their own inspections of the sprinkler system and fire alarm systems.
Thanks for your assistance. Please call or email with any questions.
Sincerely,
Berglund Architects L.L.C.
A Colorado Limited Liability Company
10-21-12
By:
Hans Berglund Date
CONSULTANTS, INC .
structural engineering and design
June 28, 2012
Ulf and Associates, LLC
P.O. Box 509
Edwards, CO 81632
Re: KRM Job Number 1207-01
Vail Cascade Parking Garage - Repairs
Vail CO 81657
Dear Sir :
At the request of personnel from Ulf and Associates, I made a site visit to the above
referenced property on June 26, 2012 to observe and comment on the general condition
of the structure with regards to a large hole in the wall between the parking garage and
the mechanical room. This hole was reportedly caused by a vehicular collision on June
24, 2012.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE:
The purpose of this structural observation and report is to review the damage caused by
the vehicle crashing through the wall, to form an opinion regarding the present condition
of this area, and to present our recommendations for repair. The opinions and comments
in this report are based on visual observation of the current condition of the structure, and
do not represent overall design review, structural analysis, or code compliance check.
BACKGROUND:
The primary structural framing system of this building consists of concrete walls with
wide flange steel joists and concrete slabs over metal decking at the floors. The structure
was reportedly built approximately 30 years ago. The lower level of the structure is used
for parking, while the upper level is used for the spa area. None of the original
construction documents were available at the time of this site visit.
OBSERVATIONS:
The wall that was damaged by the vehicular collision is located at the northwest corner of
the parking area. The hole in the wall is approximately 8’-0” wide. One jamb of the 6’-
0” wide door is also missing, creating a total opening width of 14’-0”. The wall is
approximately 10’ high. The bottom of this wall had been supported by a concrete slab,
and the top of the wall was attached to the metal deck of the floor above. The upper
portion of this wall was hanging from the metal deck at the time of our observation. The
framing of the damaged wall consists of 4” metal studs spaced at 1’-4” on center. The
wide flange beams supporting the metal deck above this wall are aligned parallel to this
KRM Consultants, Inc. June 28, 2012
Vail Cascade Parking Garage – Repairs Job Number 1207-01
2
wall. The wide flange beams are not bearing on or connected to this wall. The wide
flange beams and steel deck at the floor above this wall did not appear to have been
affected by the collision. The floor slab below this wall did not appear to have been
damaged by the vehicular collision.
CONCLUSIONS:
The damage to the wall is consistent with a vehicular collision. The force of the impact
appears to have caused the wall framing to break away, allowing the vehicle to continue
into the mechanical room. Based on the size and orientation of the observed framing
members it appears that this wall is a non-structural wall. It is our opinion that the
structural integrity of the building is not dependent on this wall. Therefore, it is
structurally acceptable to remove the remaining portions of this wall so that repairs to the
mechanical equipment may proceed.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Although this wall is not a structural wall, it will likely be necessary to replace the wall
for future use. As this wall is not near an open side of the parking garage, it is not
required to act as a vehicle barrier. We recommend that the wall be rebuilt with 4” x 1-
3/8” flange x 20 gauge metal studs (ie. 400S137-33 studs) spaced at 1’-4” on center.
Additional requirements for fire resistance at the wall may be necessary, and consultation
regarding these requirements should be obtained from a qualified architect.
At the building owner’s option, new bollards may be placed in front of the wall to inhibit
future vehicular collisions with the wall. We can provide design recommendations for a
vehicular barrier upon request.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this report, or if we
can be of further service.
Sincerely,
J.R. Whipple, PE
KRM Consultants, Inc.
Structural Engineering and Design
Reviewed by:
Tim Hennum, PE