03-01 - SOW Attachment 01 - Fisher House Settlement Review.pdf

14 York Street, Suite 201 | Portland ME 04101-7408 | T 207.245.6060 | F 207.245.6061 | www.ThorntonTomasetti.com

Via email: Bickford, Seth J. <Seth.Bickford@va.gov>

April 1, 2022

VA Maine Healthcare System

1 VA Center

Augusta, Maine 04330

Attn: Seth Bickford

Lead Engineer

RE: Fisher House Settlement Review

VA Maine Healthcare System Togus

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Dear Seth:

Per your authorization, we visited the Fisher House located on the VA Maine Togus Healthcare campus on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. It was understood that substantial building settlement had been reported at the Fisher house. Based on our conversations, we understand that construction of the building was completed in 2019.

As part of our evaluation, we reference the following documents:

1. Fisher House design package with a cover letter dated May 15, 2018. The package included site drawings and architectural drawings specific to the Togus project.

2. Fisher House structural drawings prepared by HTK Structural Engineers titled “Proposed

Fisher House, VA Medical Center, Togus, ME dated 7/9/2018.

The structural drawing general notes excluded a reference to a geotechnical report. However, a design bearing pressure of 2,500psf was indicated. The drawings depicted a shallow foundation with perimeter frost walls and interior thickened slabs providing support for the building. Per the drawings and the portions of the superstructure that were visible and accessible during our review, the building superstructure was constructed with light wood framing. At our visit it was reported that soil improvements or other deep foundation elements were installed as part of the construction. No documentation was provided detailing the design and installation of the deep foundation elements.

The following representative conditions were observed during our visit. This list is not intended to be comprehensive. Representative photos and limitations of observations are indicated in the attached appendices A and B:

Fisher House Settlement Review

VA Maine Healthcare System Togus

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Exterior

1. The concrete apron at the building perimeter had settled and gaps had formed between the apron and the building foundation. Cracking and differential displacement were noted in several locations (photos 2 & 3).

2. The concrete site paving was noted as settled with differential displacement. Differential displacement of up to approximately 2 inches were noted (photos 4 & 5). Metal plating was noted to be covering concrete paving joints near doors (photo 6).

3. Many of the exterior door and window frames were noted as racked. We understand that many of the doors had been modified to allow for continued function (photo 7, 8 & 9).

a. In some instances the windows were inoperable due to the amount of racking that had occurred.

b. In one instance a door frame had been re-supported with a wood post to allow for continued operation (photo 10).

4. Masonry/mortar cracking and mortar shedding were noted in many locations (photo 11 &

12). Masonry face spalling was noted in one condition (photo 13).

5. At the interfaces of the one-story wings to the two-story main section of the building:

a. Masonry cracking was noted below a second-floor window at the southwest portion of the building (photo 14).

b. Separation of the eve and flashing over the entry was noted at the northeast portion of the building (photo 15).

c. The shingles were noted to be lifting at the low roof to wall interface at the northeast portion of the building (photo 16). This is likely occurring due to the differential downward settlement of the wing relative to the two-story section of the building.

Interior

6. Many of the interior door frames were racked (photo 17). We understand that many of the doors had been modified to allow for continued function.

7. Separation was noted at the joints in corridor ceramic floor tiles (photo 18) and composite flooring.

8. Floors slabs were noted as sloped. In one room in the north wing of the building we understand VA staff measured a vertical displacement of about 5-3/4 inches over a room length of approximately 20 feet.

9. Distress was noted in wall finishes, particularly at corners (photo 19). We understand that there has been on going drywall cracking that has been subsequently repaired.

Ongoing repair work was noted at the time of our visit.

10. In the mechanical room located on the east side of the building it was noted that piping and piping supports were deflected (photo 20) and in one case the piping support was pulled from the ceiling (photo 21). Concrete slab cracking was also noted in the mechanical room (photo 22).

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Many of the conditions above represent safety concerns to the building occupants/users.

Specifically:

1. Tripping hazards were present at the exterior paving including the main entrance to the building.

2. Cracks and separations at both the interior and exterior walking surfaces may also impact the pedestrian safety of the occupants/users.

3. Walking surfaces inside and outside the building were sloping beyond what would be considered acceptable in standard construction.

4. Many windows and doors were noted that were not functioning correctly. In the case of egress doors and/or windows, these conditions may represent a life safety concern in the event of an emergency situation.

5. The settlement is likely active and changing conditions may present themselves rapidly with little or no warning. Continued damage to building systems and the building envelope will likely occur. The noted building settlement is excessive compared to anticipated settlement associated with conventional building construction.

Our review was intended to provide a view of the building structure at the time of our visit.

Neither forensic investigation nor remediation design were not part of our scope. However, we recommend the following actions be undertaken:

1. All tripping and pedestrian hazards should be immediately be remedied.

2. We recommend that all interior doors and exterior door be checked daily for proper function, and immediate repairs should be made if necessary. Specific attention should be given to egress doors. Any windows consider as egress windows should also be monitored.

3. We advise the VA and the Fisher House to undertake a settlement monitoring program to understand the nature and magnitude of the settlement as it occurs.

We trust that this information meets your needs at this time. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely, THORNTON TOMASETTI, INC.

Ethan A. Rhile, P. E.

Vice President

Attachments:

Appendix A: Representative Photos

Appendix B: Qualifications

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Appendix A: Representative Photos

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 1: General view of the Fisher House.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 2: Exterior concrete apron. Note cracking and settlement relative to building.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 3: Concrete apron at building perimeter. Note settlement and displacement.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 4: Differential settlement of site paving/walking surface serving the building.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 5: Differential settlement of site paving/walking surface serving the building.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 6: Cracking and displacement of entry paving. Note metal plating.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 7: Exterior door frame racking.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 8: Exterior door frame racking.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 8: Exterior window racking/separation from masonry opening.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 10: Posted door frame to allow operation of door.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 11: Masonry mortar joint cracking.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 12: Masonry mortar joint cracking.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 13: Masonry and mortar joint cracking with face spalling.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 14: Masonry and mortar joint cracking at second floor.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 15: Eve and flashing separation/displacement.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 16: Building shingles lifted at wall flashing.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 17: Racking of interior door frame.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 18: Separation of joint at ceramic floor tiles.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 19: Damage to corner wall finishes (wallpaper tape, trim).

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 20: Deflected piping support.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Photo 21: Piping support pulled out of ceiling.

Photo 22: Cracking of mechanical room floor slab.

Augusta, Maine

TT Project No. P22779

Appendix B: Qualifications

A. This report shall not be construed to warrant or guarantee the building and/or any of its components under any circumstances.

B. Thornton Tomasetti, Inc. (TT) shall not be responsible for latent or hidden defects that may exist, nor shall it be inferred that all defects have been either observed or recorded.

TT's visual observations include no specific knowledge of concealed construction or subsurface conditions at the subject property. Comments pertaining to concealed construction or subsurface conditions are professional opinion of TT based on relevant experience, judgment and current standards of practice, however the actual concealed conditions at the subject property may vary from TT’s observations.

C. This report is based upon information obtained from visual observations of representative items made at the time of TT’s site visit(s) and from TT’s review of the information available at the time. TT’s findings and conclusions are subject to change based upon the receipt of additional or updated information.

D. TT’s professional services have been performed in accordance with the standards of skill and care generally exercised by other professional consultants acting under similar circumstances and conditions at the time the services were performed. TT’s findings, conclusions and opinions are based on TT's visual observations, review of the available documents, professional experience, interviews with those knowledgeable with the conditions pertinent to the subject investigation, and sound investigation practices. No warranty or future performance of the subject property is expressed or implied findings and conclusions in this report.

E. This report has been prepared by TT at the request of the Client strictly under the terms and conditions of our agreement and is exclusively for the Client’s use in TT’s evaluation of the subject property. This report is not intended for use by any third parties and no third party has any right to rely on any of the analysis or conclusion set forth herein. TT has no responsibility or liability to any third party for any loss or damage whatsoever arising out of the use of or reliance on this report by any third party.

Without limiting any of the above, TT’s liability, whether under the law of contract, tort, statute, equity or otherwise, is limited as set out in the terms of TT’s engagement with the Client.