All buildings are capable of having an unlimited physical service life, but not an unlimited economic life. No other building system surpasses roofs as a source of litigation. Roofs may fail for either economic or technical reasons. Economic Reasons for Roof Failure When decisions are made on how to spend money on the construction of…
The complexities involved in adequately designing a roof for optimal long-term performance are reflected by the number of factors that a designer must consider, including: original construction and life-cycle (long-term) costs; energy conservation scheme; value of building’s interior contents; required long-term service life; basic roof components (deck, insulation, membrane, accessories); availability of qualified contractors/workers; environmental…
The following information is a general overview of basic and accessory low-slope roof components, their major design factors, functions, and common failures. The three main components of a low-slope roof are the structural deck, the thermal insulation, and the membrane. Other vital parts of a low-slope roof include the flashing and air retarders, although these…
Low-slope roofs were a late invention in building construction. This was mostly because steep-slope roofs exhibited superior water-shedding properties. Also, before industrialization, much of the manufacturing of goods was done in people’s homes by hand or with basic small machinery, so there wasn’t a need for larger buildings. But as the Industrial Revolution progressed, it…
Cast-iron boilers are often found in residential applications and small commercial installations. These boilers are compact and function exclusively in low-pressure steam or hot-water applications. The physical size of a cast-iron steam boiler can be quite large, with the sections visible, since it has no casing. Cast-iron is basically steel. It has higher levels of…
by Joe Farsetta, Certified Master Inspector® and Certified Commercial Inspector The fuel or gas train is a series of components – some working independently, and others working in tandem with alternate components – that connect the burner of a gas-fired boiler, which help to ensure the commercial steam boiler’s safe operation. Boiler explosions can happen…
by Joe Farsetta, Certified Master Inspector® and Certified Commercial Inspector An integral part of every steam boiler is a low-water cutoff. A safety feature born of necessity in the 1920s, this device interrupts the operation of a boiler if it runs out of water. Prior to its invention, empty boilers would continue to run, with…
by Joe Farsetta, Certified Master Inspector® and Certified Commercial Inspector Steam boilers can be simple or complex, depending on their application, the fuel available, and specific requirements and demands, including steam pressure and volume. Steam systems in commercial and industrial settings will typically require the services of a licensed Professional Engineer for the design…
by Joe Farsetta, Certified Master Inspector® and Certified Commercial Inspector While there are several types of steam boilers, their basic operating principles are nearly identical. Water is heated to a gaseous state, generating pressure and steam. The steam is then transported through pipes via that pressure, which is used to power radiators, turbines, steam rooms,…
What Is a Triple-Net Lease? A triple-net lease, also referred to as a net-net-net lease and NNN lease, is a lease agreement where the lessee (a single tenant) is responsible for paying the lessor (landlord) on a net-net-net basis for the following: real estate taxes; insurance; and property maintenance. Technically, the lessor owns the building…
About Triple-Net Leases A triple-net lease, also referred to as a net-net-net lease and NNN lease, is a lease agreement where the lessee (a single tenant) is responsible for paying the lessor (landlord) on a net-net-net basis for the following: real estate taxes; insurance; and property maintenance. This type of lease assigns building maintenance and…
Who performs commercial inspections? The commercial inspection market is a huge and largely untapped source of revenue for individual property inspectors. Commercial inspections are generally performed by either engineers and architects, or by inspection companies that offer commercial inspections in addition to residential inspections. Engineers and architects are typically single-discipline individuals who can only provide…