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by wpengine | Nov 16, 2017 | Uncategorized
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Michael Vines is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia and Illinois. He graduated from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering.
Eric Ivey is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Tennessee. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee, with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering.
Brooke King received her Bachelor of Sociology for San Diego.
Description Coming Soon
Chris Harvill is a certified codes inspector. He received a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Troy McDonald is a certified codes inspector. He has over 20 years of experience in the construction business. Troy also holds a certificate in residential plumbing and mechanical.
Description coming soon
Building Science is dedicated to understanding the nature of building performance related to heat, air, and moisture. We utilize professional, state-of-the-art equipment to analyze the building structure and how temperature, humidity, building materials, and other factors affect its performance. Some factors which may be a sign of poor building performance are:
In addition, we provide the following services:
Inspections for deck footings are performed after the support post spread footings have been excavated, or formed, as required by the local building code. Our inspectors will check that the footings are a minimum of 24”(L) x 24”(W) x 12”(D), as specified by the local building official, or as specified in the project design documents, when available. In addition, we use a steel probing rod to evaluate the consistency of subgrade soil stiffness and check soil-bearing capacity with a pocket penetrometer.
Based on our observations of the site, we may provide recommendations for changes to footing length, width and/or depth and the addition of reinforcing bars as deemed necessary. In addition to the above information, we also document the name of the concrete supplier, the concrete strength and any additives, and the weather conditions at the time of the site visit.
Inspections for retaining wall stem walls are performed after the concrete masonry unit (CMU) block walls have been laid or poured concrete walls have been formed. Our inspectors will check the vertical, and horizontal (when required), steel reinforcing bar installation, bar spacing, and wall thickness for compliance with the engineered wall design details.
In addition to the above information, we also document the name of the concrete supplier, the concrete strength and any additives, as well as the weather conditions at the time of the site visit.
Inspections for retaining wall footings are performed after the continuous footings and “key,” when required, have been excavated or formed. The steel reinforcing bars must be in place and supported by the appropriate metal chairs or spacer bars. Our inspectors will check that the footing width, depth, and reinforcement of the wall footings are in compliance with the engineered wall design details. In addition, we use a steel probing rod to evaluate the consistency of subgrade soil stiffness and check soil bearing capacity with a pocket penetrometer.
Based on our observations of the site, we may provide recommendations for changes to footing width and/or depth and additional reinforcing bars as required. In addition to the above information, we also document the name of the concrete supplier, the concrete strength and any additives, and the weather conditions at the time of the site visit.
Inspections for proper layout of pre-engineered, metal plate connected floor and roof trusses are performed after all trusses have been installed, wind uplift resisting connectors have been installed, and all required compression and lateral bracing has been installed. Our inspector will check that the trusses have been placed as shown on the truss layout plans provided by the truss supplier. We will also check to make sure that the compression bracing shown on the truss design sheets has been installed and that the lateral and diagonal bracing for the stability of the truss have been installed.
Inspections for proper layout of engineered lumber beams, headers and floor joists are performed after all framing members have been installed and all fasteners, metal connectors and hangers have been installed in accordance with the building code requirements or the manufacturer’s recommendations. Our inspector will check that the engineered lumber sizes, spacing and locations are as shown on the framing layout plans provided by the lumber supplier.
The lumber layout inspection is not intended to be a full framing inspection. If there are concerns that the layout may not be correct, we recommend that this inspection be performed before the electrical, mechanical and plumbing rough-in work begins. If there are errors in the layout, the repairs will be easier to accomplish without the utilities installed. If the lumber layout inspection is being performed as part of an actual framing inspection, the inspection must be performed after all rough-in work has been completed.
Inspections for block-formed slabs-on-grade are similar to free-floating slabs. The block-formed slab utilizes CMU block walls to form the perimeter of the slab and to confine gravel fill used to raise the bearing elevation of the slab. As indicated above, the slab inspection cannot be performed until after the under-slab plumbing and/or radon venting inspections have been performed by the local jurisdiction.
Our inspection will check that a minimum of 4 inches of gravel base has been installed and properly compacted and that the a 6-mil (minimum) vapor retarder has been placed over the gravel base. If a spread footing or thickened slab is being poured monolithically with the slab, we will verify that the proper reinforcing bars have been installed and are supported by metal chairs.
Inspections for monolithically poured slabs-on-grade are similar to free-floating slabs. A monolithically poured slab includes a turned-down perimeter that is thickened and reinforced to serve as the foundation for the perimeter walls. The slab inspection is performed after excavations have occurred and forms have been provided around the perimeter of the slab. As indicated above, the slab inspection cannot be performed until after the under-slab plumbing and/or radon venting inspections have been performed by the local jurisdiction.
Our inspection will check that a minimum of 4 inches of gravel base has been installed and properly compacted and that the a 6-mil (minimum) vapor retarder has been placed over the gravel base. If a spread footing or thickened slab is being poured monolithically with the slab, we will verify that the proper reinforcing bars have been installed and are supported by metal chairs.
Inspections for free-floating slabs-on-grade are performed after the gravel base and the vapor retarder have been installed. The slab inspection cannot be performed until after the under-slab plumbing and/or radon venting inspections have been performed by the local jurisdiction.
Our inspection will check that a minimum of 4 inches of gravel base has been installed and properly compacted and that the a 6-mil (minimum) vapor retarder has been placed over the gravel base. The grade stakes or chalk lines must indicate that the slab thickness will be a minimum of 3-1/2” thick. If a spread footing or thickened slab is being poured monolithically with the slab, we will verify that the proper reinforcing bars have been installed and are supported by metal chairs.
If framing is installed, the inspection must be performed prior to installing the subfloor sheathing. Our inspectors will verify that 1/2”-diameter anchor bolts have been installed at a maximum spacing of 6 feet on center. An anchor is required to be installed within 12 inches of each end of a sill plate section or length.
If alternate metal strap anchors are used, the anchors must be installed and spaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations for substitution of the code-required 1/2”-diameter anchor bolts. Recommendations may be provided for a retrofit anchor bolt system to bring the anchorage into compliance with the local building code requirements.
For crawl spaces, the CMU block pier construction will be checked for compliance with the local building code. If the pressure-treated sill plates have been installed, we will verify the anchor bolt placement for attachment of the sill plate to the top of the foundation wall. If the sill plates have not yet been installed, a separate “green plate” inspection will be required.
Inspections for foundation walls are performed after the concrete masonry unit (CMU) block walls have been laid or poured concrete walls have been formed. Our inspectors will check the vertical, and horizontal (when required), steel reinforcing bar installation, bar spacing, and wall thickness for compliance with the minimum building code requirements and the project design documents, when available.
In addition, we will document the anticipated elevation of the exterior grade, which will establish the unbalanced fill for the foundation walls. In addition to the above information, we also document the name of the concrete supplier, the concrete strength and any additives, as well as the weather conditions at the time of the site visit.
If the pressure treated sill plates are not installed at the time of the Foundation Inspection, a Green Plate Inspection must be performed to verify that the anchor bolts are installed and properly spaced along each sill plate section. Inspections for the green plate anchorage are performed after the plates have been installed and anchored to the foundation wall, but before the floor framing is installed.
If framing is installed, the inspection must be performed prior to installing the subfloor sheathing. Our inspectors will verify that 1/2”-diameter anchor bolts have been installed at a maximum spacing of 6 feet on center. An anchor is required to be installed within 12 inches of each end of a sill plate section or length.
If alternate metal strap anchors are used, the anchors must be installed and spaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations for substitution of the code-required 1/2”-diameter anchor bolts. Recommendations may be provided for a retrofit anchor bolt system to bring the anchorage into compliance with the local building code requirements.
Inspections for foundations are performed after the concrete walls have been poured and masonry walls have been filled with coarse grout. Our inspectors will check the grading of the crawlspace to make sure that it slopes to a low point inside the foundation walls. We will verify that the foundation walls have been damp-proofed or water-proofed, that the perimeter foundation drain has been installed, and that the positive drain pipe has been placed at the lowest point of the perimeter foundation wall.
For crawl spaces, the CMU block pier construction will be checked for compliance with the local building code. If the pressure-treated sill plates have been installed, we will verify the anchor bolt placement for attachment of the sill plate to the top of the foundation wall. If the sill plates have not yet been installed, a separate “green plate” inspection will be required.
Inspections for foundation walls are performed after the concrete masonry unit (CMU) block walls have been laid or poured concrete walls have been formed. Our inspectors will check the vertical, and horizontal (when required), steel reinforcing bar installation, bar spacing, and wall thickness for compliance with the minimum building code requirements and the project design documents, when available.
In addition, we will document the anticipated elevation of the exterior grade, which will establish the unbalanced fill for the foundation walls. In addition to the above information, we also document the name of the concrete supplier, the concrete strength and any additives, as well as the weather conditions at the time of the site visit.
Foundation walls that retain 48 inches or more of unbalanced backfill are required to be reinforced. Walls less than 10-feet tall must be reinforced in accordance with the tables contained in the International Residential Code (IRC). Walls greater than 10-feet tall must be designed by a professional engineer and a detail must be provided to the local building codes department in order to receive a permit.
Inspections for foundation walls are performed after the concrete masonry unit (CMU) block walls have been laid or poured concrete walls have been formed. Our inspectors will check the vertical, and horizontal (when required), steel reinforcing bar installation, bar spacing, and wall thickness for compliance with the minimum building code requirements and the project design documents, when available.
In addition, we will document the anticipated elevation of the exterior grade, which will establish the unbalanced fill for the foundation walls. In addition to the above information, we also document the name of the concrete supplier, the concrete strength and any additives, as well as the weather conditions at the time of the site visit.
Inspections for footings are performed after the continuous footings and pier / column spread footings have been excavated, or formed as required by the building site. The steel reinforcing bars must be in place and supported by the appropriate metal chairs. Our inspectors will check that the footing width, depth, and reinforcement of pier and continuous footings are in compliance with the minimum building code requirements and the project design documents, when available.
In addition, we use a steel probing rod to evaluate the consistency of subgrade soil stiffness and check soil-bearing capacity with a pocket penetrometer. Based on our observations of the site, we may provide recommendations for changes to footing width and/or depth and additional reinforcing bars as required.
We also document the name of the concrete supplier, the concrete strength and any additives, the weather conditions at the time of the site visit, and the location of the electrical grounding rod tied to the footing reinforcement.
Many jurisdictions allow an engineering firm to perform several of the inspections that are required to be performed during the process of building a home. Most all jurisdictions will allow an engineer to perform the footing inspections. Other allowed inspections will vary by jurisdiction. If you have any questions as to whether we can perform specific inspections in a certain jurisdiction, please contact our office for more information.
Observe soil placement and compaction for fill sites up to 2 feet in depth. Observe proof-rolling with a loaded tandem axle dump truck. If soil pumping or rutting occurs, recommend additional compaction.
Observe test pit excavations to evaluate site soil conditions. Review published soil maps to verify in-situ soils or identify fill material. Provide professional opinions concerning site and recommendations concerning foundations for proposed structure.