We’ve all done it- seen a crack in a wall or foundation and said “Eh, it’s just settlement” so we do not have to worry about it right now. But what is settlement, anyway? When does it happen, and why? Read More
I spent a decade of my career in the design engineering sphere. I loved my experiences there, and working in design has given me an understanding of how structures and their various elements are dreamed, designed, and constructed- how they ought to work as well as what can go wrong. Design is fun and can be complicated, and it does not need to be a big scary mystery. Let’s have a peek behind the curtain! Read More
Construction defect investigations rarely fit neatly into a single engineering discipline. A water intrusion issue may involve the building envelope, roofing, windows, structural components, or mechanical systems. A failure that appears structural may have its origins in design, installation, materials, or an adjacent building system. And when plumbing, HVAC, electrical, or equipment issues enter the picture, understanding the interaction between systems can be critical to determining what happened and why. Read More
I love spending time at the beach. Just this last weekend I drove by four fellows on extension ladders trimming palm trees with chainsaws on the side of the street.
Image of a worker performing ad hoc tree work without appropriate safety considerations. Of particular concern, his ladder is at an acute angle that puts undue strain on the frame and the worker has no secondary restraints to prevent him from falling off the ladder. Ladder falls are the most common injuries in the arboricultural industry.
Of course, anyone who knows me knows that one thing I like almost as much as the beach is talking about ANSI, OSHA and Read More
Please join us in welcoming Structural Engineer Claire Benedict, P.E., to the WARREN family! Claire has over 10 years of engineering experience in the civil/structural field specializing in building design, building components, and foundation systems analysis. Claire earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. Read More
Slip and falls occur when there is an unexpected loss of traction between a person’s foot and the walking surface, causing them to lose balance and fall. This type of injury is common and can occur in any setting where people walk, including homes, workplaces, and public areas. Slips can result in serious injuries, particularly for older adults.
The human gait cycle consists of four phases: the Read More
As an experienced safety consultant, I am often called upon to investigate a wide range of premises liability incidents. One common type of incident that frequently results in serious injury is a fall on a painted walking surface.
The ASTM International Standard Practice for Safe Walking Surfaces, ASTM F1637, is a nationally recognized consensus standard that has existed for more than 30 years. It provides guidance to property owners and designers in the construction and maintenance of safe walking surfaces. The standard specifically addresses painted walking surfaces in Section 5.1.3.
ASTM F1637-21 states:
5.1.3 Walkway surfaces shall be slip resistant under expected environmental conditions and use. Painted walkways shall contain an abrasive additive, cross-cut grooving, texturing, or other appropriate means to render the surface slip resistant where wet conditions may be foreseeable.
In previous articles, I have discussed Read More
Stairs that contain three or fewer risers are considered short flight stairs according to safety standard ASTM F1637-21: Standard Practice for Safe Walking Surfaces. Single step transitions are also considered a short flight stair. Short fight stairs can be particularly hazardous for pedestrians due to the lack of visual cues signifying an elevation change. Unexpected changes in elevations can cause pedestrians to misstep and fall. Read More
It’s that time of year again. Freezing rain, flurries of snow that don’t stick around, and mornings using a spatula to scrape dreaded ice off our windshields. I’ve lived in the south most of my life, and I know the combination of excitement and dread that my compatriots and I are likely to face during the winter months. Let’s face it, we may know how to cook pulled pork, but when it comes to freezing temperatures most of us don’t have much experience! Read More
Fire. Something about fire touches our brainstems…both good and bad! Uncontrolled fire is terrifying and deadly to be sure. But the controlled burning of wood at a campfire or in a fireplace in your home almost can’t be beat, to my mind! For that very reason, a fairly common amenity to houses nowadays is the gas log fireplace insert.
When not installed properly, these logs will generate soot. These soot particles can leave the fireplace and meander. All. Over. Your. House. Read More
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