CopelandBEC recently conducted a facade inspection at a Boston high rise hotel to assist the property management group comply with the Boston facade inspection ordinance. Sometimes these inspections are routine and confirm that everything is as it should be.
This was not one of those times.
Our review of existing conditions revealed several concerning conditions, including:
- vertical cracking at the brick veneer
- brick face spalling
- failed cementitious patches
Many large pieces of failed patch material could be easily removed by hand.
Our findings resulted in the preparation of a repair and maintenance plan to address these safety risks.
This project provides a perfect example of why building envelope facade inspections, as required by the Boston ordinance, are so important. The safety issues we identified were not obvious from the street. In the absence of an inspection, the first time someone found out about the risks could easily have been when a chunk of masonry or patch material fell to the sidewalk.
Is your building due for a facade inspection?
