Liability

[FloydLloyd]

I visited a house renovation and talked to the owners about structural requirements for the project in progress. It's a small 1930 house, very modest, minimal budget, limited modifications, mostly repairs from moisture damage.

Later that evening I realized that half the roof was dangerously unsupported (2x4 rafters, gable roof, no ridge beam or collar ties, discontinuous ceiling joists, missing centerline bearing wall) so I sent an email at midnight and called the next morning to advise them to immediately shore the roof because it was a dangerous condition.

I don't know why I didn't make that call at the site: the roof was obviously sagging at the affected area, and we talked about installing a ridge beam, but ended up agreeing to look into adding diagonals and gussets to create trusses in-place.

I wasn't thinking about danger. This is a wake up call to always be alert.

I can't help feeling a sense of exposure just for bringing up the issue after leaving the site. I feel I've done the responsible thing in alerting them to the danger and suggesting a solution.

 

[r13]

I think you did all-right then. It is always difficult to make a accurate closing call after a tedious day of inspection works. You did make the correct call in a timely manner at least. I think one method is very helpful - go over your inspection notes at conclusion of the day. No details, just items you have made special notes on, or maybe something suspicious. Leave conclusion to another day after connecting the dots, except something in need of immediate attention, which rarely occurs in residential settings.

 

[JLNJ]

Sometimes it's hard to remember that it's not your fault that the client has problems with his building.

 

[human909]

I would like to put it out there (feel free to disagree), that if you never feel somewhat exposed then you either, naive, irresponsible or not making the tough decisions that are often required of structural engineers. (And when I say exposed I mean ethically as well as legal liability.)

I think you did all-right then. It is always difficult to make a accurate closing call after a tedious day of inspection works. You did make the correct call in a timely manner at least.

Agreed.

 

[MIStructE_IRE]

Thank god for photos... I’ve often missed things on site that i’ve later spotted in photos. You did good in my view, so don’t be so hard on yourself.

 

[SteelPE]

Is the 2x4 roof new or original?

If it's new then it's something to worry about.

If it's original (and 90 +/- year old) then it's still be something to worry about but it's been there for 90+/- years. Also, if this is original, wouldn't this be allowed by the IEBC as an original condition?

 

[oldestguy]

You may be worrying about nothing. Many an old house used 2 x 4's for rafters. Unless you see obvious damage, I'd not suggest any changing. Chances are they are full 2 x 4 and dry. Makes them far better than new finished wood. If I were the person to pay for upgrading rafters I'd get another opinion before doing anything. My son in Milwaukee has one of these and has done all sorts of additions, etc, but never went to reinforcing rafters. They get heavy snow next to Lake Michigan.