Agricultural Structure-Engineered Design
Agricultural Structure-Engineered Design
(OP)
When does an agricultural building/structure need to be reviewed and signed off by a licensed engineer. I am reviewing a grossly underdesigned farmers grain recieving and storage facility which is clearly structurally unsafe. 140'+ distribution tower on next to nothing footings.
These once small farm facilities are now large operations. I does not appear the code seperates these facilities.
These once small farm facilities are now large operations. I does not appear the code seperates these facilities.






RE: Agricultural Structure-Engineered Design
RE: Agricultural Structure-Engineered Design
Depending on where the project is located, you would want to contact the appropriate government entity. If it is out in a country setting, then county or state rules would probably apply.
RE: Agricultural Structure-Engineered Design
RE: Agricultural Structure-Engineered Design
This is life safety and I have told him to not to use and restrict access under this bin. How is this ok because it is on farm.
RE: Agricultural Structure-Engineered Design
RE: Agricultural Structure-Engineered Design
You really have two issues here.
First, you, as an engineer, have a duty to protect the public safety and welfare. In this case, you need to firmly, in writing, notify the farmer and the contractor that there is a significant safety issue involved. This is an ethical (the right thing to do) and legal (as an engineer you have specific laws on your behavior here) issue all rolled into one.
This first issue has nothing to do with whether a building code is legally applicable.
You might also seek guidance from the state board as to what you should do under your state's standard of care rules.
Second, in legal, technical terms, if the county doesn't have any jurisdiction in construction, then you may just need to back away from the project as you would eventually be tied into any legal actions if something fell or someone were hurt. I'd hate to do this as I've always tried to resolve things as much as possible.
The owner (the farmer?) would most certainly care if the thing wasn't stable, but maybe depends on the person and how influential the contractor is. Keep hammering away at them and even suggest a second opinion from another engineer.
RE: Agricultural Structure-Engineered Design
I am now reviewing expert reports from the other side's engineers stating this is a farm, thus it is code exempt. I am trying to find a resource stating that just because it is code exempt that does not mean it does not need to meet some sort of minimal design standards. If there are none, our code needs to be rewritten with respect to farms. Farms are no more small buildings and livestock sheds. They are multi-million dollar grain handeling and 1000+ head livestock facilities. Some of the these farms are empolying 4-5 full time employees.
Does anyone have a resource or paper calling out the distinction between a "farm" and "commercial operation". There are 4-5 full time employees hired by this farmer to help run his grain handeling faciility. Can I classify this as a commercial structure?
RE: Agricultural Structure-Engineered Design
RE: Agricultural Structure-Engineered Design
RE: Agricultural Structure-Engineered Design
RE: Agricultural Structure-Engineered Design
You might also look into the extent to which OSHA rules are applicable, if it is indeed a safety issue.
I would be reluctant to say something was going to fail, but better to say it doesn't meet engineering standards for stability or something to that effect. Things can be grossly underdesigned and still serve adequately for years. Trying to convince penny-pinching people that it's unsafe when they've always done it that way can be an uphill battle, too.
RE: Agricultural Structure-Engineered Design
I had a copy of the Farm Building Code, but I loaned it to someone a few years ago and never got it back. In general, it does not seem to be enforced in the Province of Alberta.
BA