Insights

Structural engineering on commercial building

Property Condition Assessments

ASTM E2018 – 08 Standard Guide for Property Condition Assessments: Baseline Property Condition Assessment ProcessSignificance and Use Use—This guide is intended for use on a voluntary basis by parties who desire to obtain a baseline PCA of commercial real estate. This guide also recognizes that there are varying levels of

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electrical engineering

Honey Who Shocked the Kids? An Electrician’s Tale

That’s a question that we never want to ask and a GFCI can help protect our kids. What is a GFCI?  A GFCI, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, is an automatic device that offers personal protection against electrical shock. They are installed in areas where known electrical shock hazards exist…

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Here is What A Single Leak can do…

If you have any doubts about the need to replace your poly pipes, take a look at the pictures of a home that suffered from a single leak. These homeowners were away on vacation when a leak developed in the upstairs bathroom. More than 27,000 gallons of water ran through

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CONDOMINIUM or CONDOMANIAC?

A form of real estate ownership of a multifamily residential dwelling. Each occupant has 100% ownership of his own apartment and partial ownership of common elements such as hallways, elevators, plumbing, etc.  Also see cooperative.This article refers to a form of housing. For information on the international law describing a

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Decks and Patios – Places to Relax

In architecture, a deck is a flat surface capable of supporting weight, similar to a floor, but typically constructed outdoors, often elevated from the ground, and usually connected to a building. The term is a generalization of decks as found on ships. Wood or timber “decking” can be used in a number

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POLYBUTLYLENE PIPING – A Soggy Tragedy

What is Polybutlylene? Polybutylene is a form of plastic resin that was used extensively in the manufacture of water supply piping from 1978 until 1995. Due to the low cost of the material and ease of installation, polybutylene piping systems were viewed as “the pipe of the future” and were

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structural design and analysis

Hillside Lots and the Slippery Slope

City of Phoenix – Hillside The city of Phoenix requires the review of hillside plans for any project deemed in the hillside development area (those properties having a 10 percent or greater slope). The Landscape Section checks the grading and drainage plans for ordinance requirements, such as height of the

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Insider News – The Air We Breath door Air Quality

Disclaimer Information provided in this booklet is based on scientific and technical understanding of the issues presented and is reflective of the jurisdictional boundaries established by the statutes governing the co-authoring agencies. Following the advice given will not necessarily provide complete protection in all situations or against all health hazards

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water testing

COPPER PIPING – on the way out?

Not yet…….many of the high end builders in the metro Phoenix area prefer to use copper piping and tubing. Tubing made of copper was introduced in about 1900, but didn’t become popular until approximately 1950, depending on local building code adoption.   If you have a home that was built in

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