Des Moines

[JLNJ]

We are soon submitting a small commercial building for permit in the city of Des Moines.

My Architect is telling me that bound calculations are required for submittal. While I know it is in the Code to submit calculations, it is unusual in the Midwest to actually do so.

Is anybody out there in Des Moines? Are calculation sets normally required?

 

[cvg]

2) What do I need to submit for my project?

A. Based on the type of building project you are working on, you may use our submittal matrix for guidance.
B. Two sets of drawings and structural calculations (if applicable) accompanied by a completed application which can be found on the "tabs" above for the type of project.

http://www.dmgov.org/Departments/CommunityDevelopment/Pages/PermitDevelopmentCenter.aspx

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Just present a set of logical calcs. Like doing a homework problem you did in college. Define your wind, snow, live, seismic loads and where you got them - like IBC2009

Run your beams, columns, trusses, footing, etc calcs. Show your work - just like college.

Type it up in word - make it into a PDF file and submit.

And it will come back with questions from the reviewer!! Answer those and re-submit and you should be done.

I do it ALL the time.

If you get lucky - your reviewer will have no idea what you are doing and just pass it!!

 

[JLNJ]

I certainly have submitted calcs before and will do so here as well if required. I was just wondering if there is any local knowledge out there. Often it's just not done.

When you work on a 1/2% (or less!) fee you are not looking for extra homework problems!

 

[MiketheEngineer]

JLNJ -

I feel your pain - but I do it all the time and it is almost ALWAYS required around here - St. Louis.

And I send the reviewers Christmas cards every year - because I can charge more and make more money.

I also have made some Excel sheets to make my life MUCH easier. Also bought some software to help with frame analysis, beams calcs, etc.

Spent a couple hundred bucks - easily have made more then $250,000 off them just doing this part time.