Structural engineer

[masona]

As you know from the snow load calculation topic, I started another topic.

Basically the solar panels installers uses their own structural engineer and because we're not happy with the excessive deflection in the Z purlins leading to undulations in the roof surface. We got our own structural engineer quoting that remedial is required to rectify the situation.

So in a nutshell their solar panel structural engineer are saying there's nothing wrong with it even though they altered the figures on their 2nd report and our independent structural engineer are saying remedial action is required.

Where do we go from here? Is there a structural engineer inspector for checking their reports or is it the solicitor route? Or the H&S department?

I have been down to the BCO and because it is over 12 months ago they won't be interested even though they have gone well over the 15% increase roof weight (Document A)
//www.diynot.com/forums/building-regs-planning/snow-load-calculation.408750/

 

[tony1851]

Excessive deflection of the purlins is not a H&S issue, nor a Building Regs matter.
If their SE says it's OK, and yours say it's not OK, it's down to threats of action via solicitors.
But it may not be an easy ride. Excessive deflection in most instances is not really a structural issue and you may be hard-pressed to get evidence that the roof is not serviceable (unless, for example, it might deflect so much under snow load that it lets melt-water in, etc).
Not trying to pour cold water on your case, just being devil's advocate.

 

[masona]

Thanks Tony,

You may a good point there, the next problem is, we now have a leaking roof which is made up of plywood with Silka EPDM and have a 40 warranty. I've got a feeling the roofing company won't repair the roof because they've broken the Silka EPDM BBA specification, "you can only use light foot traffic and concentrated load on top of their membrane" and we have got 640 heavy concrete slabs on it!

Also I have noticed on their structural engineer report, 40mm plywood is recommended but it's 18mm plywood hence why the defection of the roof

 

[cjard]

So long as their SE had public liability insurance at the time that he said "that will be fine!" where's the problem?

Remember that your SE might be making a mountain out of a molehill.. In my recent journeys through the phone book looking for reliable SE's I've had everything from "it'll be 3000 quid to draw a picture of your foundations" through "send me what your foundations look like and for a few hundred I'll check that they're OK" and from "if you cut a window there the entire building will collapse, don't do it" through "there will be a huge amount of steelwork required to stabilise the entire structure if you cut that window and i'll design it for 500 quid" to "you'll need a couple of steel lintels tied together and with a spreader plate for a high load point, but it's no problem"

 

[masona]

So long as their SE had public liability insurance at the time that he said "that will be fine!" where's the problem?

That's true.

If you look at the rough drawing, we will have no way of knowing if there's any roof leak because the rain will soak onto the ceiling tiles insulation at the pitch level, over time the plywood could rot away and the slabs come crashing through the ceiling?

http://www.docdroid.net/krzg/img-new.pdf.html

We do have a leaking roof and the only reason we know because there's a missing ceiling tiles and insulation above because of the pipework.

Remember that your SE might be making a mountain out of a molehill.

I know we're in the middle of it all!

You can see the plywood is bending with no noggins

Untitled

• masona
• 6 Aug 2014
• 2

 

[jeds]

Surely the problem with those ply panels is to do with poor detailing and fixing. I would have thought the edges ought to be fully supported.

 

[masona]

Surely the problem with those ply panels is to do with poor detailing and fixing. I would have thought the edges ought to be fully supported.

Is there such as thing as roof inspection report because the structural engineer only look at the weight calculation?

 

[jeds]

I would advise a chartered building surveyor who should be able to inspect and report on the condition of the roof and suitability of design. But, before you appoint, check experience and specialist knowledge. There are lots of different types of surveyor and not all will have direct experience of steel frame roofing systems.