08-23-2000 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORTHLAND INSPECTIONS 2885 Vanderbie St. Little Canada, MN 55117 August 17, 2000 Mr. Joel Hanson, City Administrator 515 Little Canada Rd. Little Canada, MN 55117 Re: Va lento Addition - -3179 Spruce Street. Dear Mr. Hanson, Background: I received a structural drawing from Mr. Valento with the diagram of a roof truss and it was indicated on the drawing the size of the truss members and the connecting plates. I was not able to determine the exact characteristics of the truss system and its ability to support a fire suppression system because of the fact it is a engineered product and designed by experts in the field of structural engineering. I requested from Mr. Valento, a report from a structural engineer who is certified by the State of Minnesota as a professional engineer and received a report several days later. Analysis: The building code realizes that all aspects of building construction requires expertise in different fields and allows us as building officials to rely on professional engineers. We have to make the determination if the engineer is qualified and competent in the particular field testing is being done. It appears that the engineer, Robert L. Tibbits, hired by Mr. Valento is registered and certified as a professional engineer in the State of Minnesota and has the proper credentials. His report is based on information given to him by Mr. Valento and he determined the existing roof truss system to be overstressed and would not support an additional load imposed upon it by a fire suppression system. I reviewed the report and attached drawings and made some calculations based on normal building design and agree with the engineer that a new fire suppression system would cause additional stress on an already overstressed roof. Respectfully Submitted, Stephen J Westerhaus, Building Official-City of Little Canada Page 5