Defective Welding in Steel Moment Frame

[FrameMan]

I have a contractor that has produced the worst looking welds in a frame I have ever seen. Does anyone know of a central authority that I could report this situation to? We are in Zone 4, so the frame is supposed to be very strong. I have already notified the Building Department (they have not inspected the welds at all) and the Contractor to stop work on the frame. This contractor has also made changes to structural details without notifying me, so I feel he needs a "wake-up call". Has anyone been through something like this before?

 

[oldrunner]

On your drawings:
1. Did you call out any kind of inspection or procedures?
2. Did you review the shop drawings?

The building department is not usually the one who will do the welding inspection, that is usually a special inspector hired by the owner.

What code is in effect in your area?

Many of us have been through this before and probably will doing so in the future.

 

[FrameMan]

1. We called: WELDING SHALL HAVE CONTINUOUS INSPECTION BY REGISTERED DEPUTY INSPECTOR. We also called for CERTIFIED WELDERS and APPROVED LICENSED FABRICATORS.
2. No shop drawings were submitted by contractor. I almost never saw the frame since he was in the process of covering it up with structure!
3. Code: UBC 97 incorporated into local city code.

Thankyou oldrunner.

 

[oldrunner]

Steps that you might consider:
1. Notify the owner in writing. (You probably have already done this)
2. I think that you have done your part as far as notifying the proper authorites (your building department) at this time. It's now up to them to red-tag the job.
3. If they don't do anything, your owner should consider then approaching the city or county attorney.
4. There is the consideration of reporting the contractor to the state contractor's board. That's a double edge sword, as your work will also be reviewed.
5. Might consider informing your E&O carrier about the situation. Mine will provide preliminary legal asistance.
6. Remember, the building department will be issuing the occupancy permit and if there is a cloud over the project, that may not happen.
7. Even at this late date, try to obtain the shop drawings.

 

[FrameMan]

Thanks for the good advice, oldrunner.

 

[dik]

You might want to have the fabricator certify the welding on the frame using an acceptable 3rd party.

Dik

 

[FrameMan]

Thanks Dik, but you know I believe they field welded using an amateur. Then they covered up the frame without getting it inspected. The whole situation boggles my mind. I am used to moment frames standing out there for all to see and inspect. In this case they rough framed around half-completed joints and didn't even bother to use our WFP Joint Detail on the drawings. They have tried to full-pen the top and bottom flange (as in pre-Northridge style) and then they tacked on a bottom cover plate (but not a top one!). It will never pass inspection.

 

[dik]

Best to put the onus on them to verify... make sure that the manner of acceptance is clearly spelled out...

Dik

 

[FrameMan]

Yes - I think the building department is applying heat...