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Existing Structure Converted to Essential Facility

Existing Structure Converted to Essential Facility

Existing Structure Converted to Essential Facility

(OP)
I've been a lurker on this forum for quite some time and have gotten some great info from these threads and now I'm posting about an upcoming project.

I have been asked to evaluate an existing structure for future use as an essential facility. I have done seismic retrofits in the past with masonry but that was due to audits from the entities insurance company.

The building in question is a one story steel structure built many, many years ago. Questions:

1) Does the existing building code apply in this situation? I'm a little fuzzy on this requirement as I haven't dealt with the rehab of a building to be turned into an essential facility.
2) The latest and greatest Oregon Structural Specialty Code is set to be adopted around July 1. The existing building analysis is supposed to kick off at the end of March. Any issues with the timing on this relative to the new code adoption? The old code should supersede in this instance due to the project starting before the adoption of the new code.
3) Should a geotech investigation be in order, or just assume the minimum bearing pressure? That could make or break the foundation designs. I could try to back calculate to a bearing pressure based on existing footings (I have done that before) but it makes me a little queezy with an essential facility.

RE: Existing Structure Converted to Essential Facility

Considering that the facility is being converted to an essential facility, it is likely the requirements will be high. I did one a few years back that had to be strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane, which is about a 50% increase over the existing code in that location. In most cases, essential facilities will be governed by the whims of the entity owning/using that facility. Don't be surprised if the requirements are significantly beyond current code requirements.

RE: Existing Structure Converted to Essential Facility

I don't know if Oregon has any special requirements. Since it is based on the IBC, try looking at section 3408. If you are in a high seismic area, you may have problems. Typically, the building would need to have the strength to resist the seismic forces in the current code and the importance factor is 1.5 for an essential facility.

RE: Existing Structure Converted to Essential Facility

1) You're going to need to check the existing building against the latest structural codes, and design modifications accordingly.
2) It depends on the jurisdiction. Most of the time there is a "grace period" for project already well into design that are OK for the old code. Call your local permit office.
3) A geotechnical evaluation is in order, and will likely be a small percentage of the cost to structurally evaluate and retrofit this building.

RE: Existing Structure Converted to Essential Facility

(OP)
Thank you for the input. One more question:

What do people generally charge for investigating existing structures? It's been years since I did the seismic retrofits, and that was with a previous company and I did not do the budget on it.

Thanks

RE: Existing Structure Converted to Essential Facility

Talk with your local building official and the client as well. Since it's an essential facility it's probably a public safety building, a hospital, or a water treatment facility. I would shoot for the new OSSC since you won't be getting it permitted until after July (and the rest of the country already uses the 2012 IBC). Your building department will probably require the current code at permitting.

Depending on the facility you may need to analyze per ASCE 41, which will give you a more realistic view of your actual building performance. Take note that a new ASCE 41 is due out in a couple of weeks. The new one won't be referenced by the 2012 OSSC, but you may still be able to use it with agreement from the building official.

By the way, which county is this in?

RE: Existing Structure Converted to Essential Facility

(OP)
Gump, thanks for the info. I would rather not divulge the county at this moment because it is still in the confidential planning stage of things.

I was thinking I would base my analysis on the 2012 IBC, which the new OSSC should be essentially aligned with that anyway and they will both reference the ASCE 7-10. I was not aware the new ASCE 41 would be out in a couple of weeks so I will definitely look to purchase it.

Any recommendations on fee for something like this? I was thinking $0.25/sqft for a feasibility type study, which would be analyzing the major components and little to no detailing.

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