HomeMy WebLinkAbout3156 TWIN WASH SQ - SPECIAL INSPECTIONS - 5/24/2021Jason 9hampion
3156 Y'win Wash Square
Fort Collins, CO 80528
RE: Phase II Engineer's Observation and Opinion Report
To Whom It May Concern ,
PURPOSE & SCOPE OF Phase II REPORT:
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The scope of our work was to complete an inspection of the notched floor joists and plumbing
holes of the basement finish in the residential structure located at the above referenced
address. This inspection was completed at the request of Mr. Jason Champion , the current
homeowner. Mr. Champion was concerned because some plumbing had been recently installed
through a couple of floor joists.
On April 29, 2021, LEVEL Engineering LLC inspected the structure located at 3156 Twin Wash
Square, Fort Collins, Colorado; this letter reflects our observations and opinions given during
the Verbal Observation Consultation.
Level Engineering and Inspections LLC (LEI) will not research property reco r ds or property
history as part of this Report. If required , research of publicly available property records or
reports may be provided, for a fee, if requested.
The scope of work in this written report is to provide a brief general overview of the limited
structural observations and findings as discussed, as of the date of this observation, in the
previously conducted Verbal Observation Consultation.
This brief summary report is focused , as requested, on specific areas of concern related to
structural components only. The written observations within this report are as a result of limited
visual observations and are, therefore, limited in scope. Our findings here do not involve any
other system or component of the residence beyond structural components observed. To clarify;
items such as roofing , HVAC, electrical , plumbing , etc., are not observed or included.
Additionally, material sampling, testing and analysis was not performed as part of the
Observation Consultation nor included in this Written Report. These types of services can be
performed as an additional Service.
This document is a Written Report consistent with the limited visual observation results and
verbal consultation. In your Verbal Observation Consultation service, your engineer likely made
verbal recommendations and advised you as to additional strategies of investigation or
documentation to assist in your decision making. This Written Report is intended to provide
written documentation of the verbal consultation results previously provided. Additionally, after
this written observation report is provided, your engineer can discuss with you the possible
additional phases of services that may assist you . These may be professional services such as
1 1 320 CtEVELAN!'• AvrnuE lo,mAND CO 80537 I M A1N: 720408.01 19 ADM!N@lt.VEl IN\PE( I ION$(() (QM
more extensive forensic evaluations and written reports, further investigations, studies, analysis
or expert witness services needed for legal proceedings and, of course, design or construction
services as desired.
This report is based on a brief and limited visual assessment of the structural condition of the
property at the time of the inspection and does not represent a comprehensive structural
evaluation. This Written Report is offered as an opinion by a Professional Structural Engineer
licensed in the State of Colorado. We strive to make these investigations of value to you and be
conducted with a level of skill and care ordinarily used by engineers practicing in this area
consistent with the fees charged.
Although reasonable effort is made, commensurate with the time of review to discover and
correctly interpret evidence of previous or ongoing structural defects or issues that may be
present; a limited visual assessment of the structural condition of the property provides only
limited information and no guarantee is expressed nor implied nor responsibility assumed by the
engineer or LEI for the actual condition of the structure or property reviewed.
The limited structural observation, as requested, is regarding specific areas of the structure.
This report is your engineer's opinion related to only the items at the above referenced address
specifically identified within the report.
Again, this document was prepared as a written report of visual findings of limited structural
issues observed at the time and date of the inspection. The inspection report is offered as an
opinion only, of those limited conditions observed on the day of the observation. It is not
necessarily an all-inclusive summary as additional testing or observation information/processes
and analysis may be pending, recommended or required beyond visual interpretation of the
limited items observed.
OBSERVATIONS OF STRUCTURE:
There were 3 specific questions presented on joists with concerns in the basement that is being
renovated into finished living space. This home was built in 2000.
There are three conditions where the joists have been notched or holes drilled through them. All
of the joists are 2x1 O's. The long span 2x10 joists span approximately 15'-1 O". These longer
spans of joists are spaced at 1 '-0" on center. The shorter span of joists is spaced at 1 '-4" on
center. These are the following conditions:
1. At the back of the basement there is a gas line condition includes the long span joists
and have notches in them approximately 5'-5 ¾" from the outside face of the wall.
The notch is 1 ½" deep and 2" wide. There are several joists cut along the length of
the gas line. These were existing notches in the joist and were not cut at the time of
this basement finishing.
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2. At the back of the basement there is a single long span joist cut for a bathroom vent
line. This joist is cut approximately 8'-9" from the outside wall. The notch is 4" deep
and approximately 5 " wide.
3. There is a third joist condition on the front side of the basement. This joist occurs in
the bathroom area. The joist spans approximately 5'-2" in length and has two holes
in the joist. This joist is a 2x10 at 1 '-4" on center. The two holes consist of a 4 "
diameter hole that is approximately 1 '-0" from the front w all and a second 3 ½" hole
at 2 ' -3" from the front wall.
3 I 320 CtfVELAND Avrnut , LOVELAN D CO 80537 I MAIN 720 408 0119 AOM!N@t EVE llNsPtC l IONSCO .COM
OPINIONS:
Some of the notches cut into th e joists do not meet the limitations set forth in the 2018
International Residential Code, Figure 502.8 Cutting, Notching, and Drilling. For a 2x10 joist, the
maximum notch depth should be 1 .5". For a 2x10 Joist, the maximum notch width should be 3".
The maximum hole diameter should be 3 " based on a 2x10 joist.
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L0/4.MAX.
.2 IN. MIN. FROM TOP
ANO BOTTOM 01' JOIST
FLOOR JOI.ST-CENTER curs
FlOOR JOIST-ENtl CUTS
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MEM81:RS
LE:SS T!tAN
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OIMENS10N
014 MAX.1
FIGURE R502.8CUTTING , NOTCHING AND DR.llLING
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ENGINEERING ANO INSPECTION
The notches are structurally acceptable or need additional reinforcing as outlined below.
1. The notches for the gas lines are structurally acceptable as is and do not require any
additional reinforcing.
2. The notch for the vent line is not structurally acceptable. W e recommend that the
joist be sistered and strapped to prevent excessive deflection or failure. Reinforce
the joist with 9 ¼" LVL notched to match the existing 2x10 . Install a MSTC52 strap
across the bottom of the 2x10 and LVL joist beneath the pipe . See Figure 1 and 2
below.
3 . Install a 2x4 flat against the sheathing. Screw to the existing 2x 10 with Simpson SOS
screws ¼" x 5" at 4" on center to the existing joist.
(E)2x10 191/4" LVL SISTER ra
2'-0" MIN.
J:IMPSO~ MSTCS2 STRAP --------2'-0" M IN .
Figure 1 -Elevation view of cut joist with pipe showing sistering of the joist and strapping on the bottom.
(E)2xl0
9 1/4" LVL '-.,__
SIS TER "-
SIMPSON MSTC52 STRAP
"'USE SIMPSON SDS 1/4" X 3" SC REWS AT4'' O .C. ON ONE S I.DE
STAGGERED ON THE VERT ICAL PLANE.
"'FOR SIMPSON MSTC52 STRAP, INSTALL PER
MANUFACTURER 'S RECOMMENDATIONS.
Figure 2 -Section view of the repair.
5 I 320 CtEVELANDAvrnu,, L0vtt11 ND CO 80537 I MAIN. 720.408.0119 ADMIN@LtVH INSPFCflC>r,SCO U>M
If you have any questions or concerns regarding our findings , please contact us .
Sincerely,
Sheri W . Nichols, P.E. (#41814)
5-6-2021
EXCLUSIONS & LIMITATIONS:
Our field observations are valid for the day in which they were made. Current structural integrity does not ensure future structural
integ ri ty. We recommend ongoing monitoring of struct ures to note changes in stab ility and to assure continued safe occupation. A
qualified engineer should be consulted for any/all foundation and structural framing questions. We encourage you to contact us to
review our recommendations if questions arise and any resulting work needs t o be performed by a qualified licensed contractor.
Opinions stated in this report are subject to change if cond itions , accessibility, or visibility from time of observation change or if
add it ional information becomes availab le for considerati on.
Use of this inspection report shall constitute acceptance of and agreement to all Exclusions & Limitations and Terms and
Conditions.
Terms & Conditions: Our observations and findings are limited t o work conducted and st atements contained herein by LEI. We
have not made any determinations re lated to other issues o r that may affect economic or life and safety concerns . Ou r findings are
based on conditions observed at the time of our review. Structural elements hidden from view cannot be evaluated and therefore
LEI does not predict or warra nt future performance of any structures. LEl's total liabilities are mutually agreed by all parties informed
by this document to be limited to the fees charged. All objections to the terms and findings within this document must be made in
writing within five days of the date of this report and if any obj ection is made, t his report shall be null and void without LEI'S written
approval for use.
6 I 320 CLEVELAND AVENUE, LOVEl.ANO co 80537 MAIN 720 408 0119 ADM1N@LEVEL1NSPEC, ,or;sco COM