Concerns over a Framework of Unprotected Steel and Water Leakages
Every building should meet the construction requirements by the set laws. The construction laws relate to the effects of material used for construction, use, or functions of the building and assurance of human safety and protection. This building has a framework of unprotected steel. The inspection further shows that there has been penetration of water causing rotting, strong smell with greater effects on the ground and first floor which have been mainly manifestations of the effects of corrosion.
First, the health club falls under the category of public buildings and has to meet fire requirements. This is about fire safety and the effects of fire on construction materials. Steel falls under the category of components of lightweight building materials. The safety of the building also has to consider the effects on firefighters in the event of a fire. Bragginan points out that the truss plays a major role in fire fighting (p. 61). He asserts that although all lightweight building components used in truss construction have equal levels of hazard, the effects out of fire are different in the perspective of construction. The framework of steel reveals that the steel truss is subject to compression in the event of fire while the steel bolt has the risk of heat conduction to the wood and eventually destroying it through decomposition (Bragginan, p. 62). The surface fasteners of sheet metal pose a challenge in the event of a fire due to their ability to conduct and transmit heat to the wood causing collapse of the truss.
The dominance of steel in the framework of the building is critical due to its fast ability to succumb to fire effects. Although steel is non-combustible, it fails at temperatures of 1000ÂşF at which its load carrying capacity is lost by about 40% and has the greatest thrust (Bragginan, p. 61). There is no fire resistance for unprotected steel and has the greatest effects of collapse. The remedy to the effects of unprotected steel usage would be to use steel girders and gypsum sheathing from the ceiling or floor assembly for the protection of the steel. Further because of the ability of steel to twist, bend, warp or sag in the events of heat, it is recommendable to protect it through encasing with insulating material. Since unprotected steel has no galvanized coat, its rate of corrosion accelerates and this requires that it is galvanized or covered with protective material (Vaysburd and Emmons 193). The smell from the building poses a health hazard. The mildew on the walls needs to be cleaned up using bleach-added commercial products. This is not only to get rid of it but also the smell. The wall should be covered with pigmented finishes if it is plywood and a protective sealant such as paint for wood siding.
Corrosion plays a very significant role in degrading buildings. Unprotected steel framings are subject to corrosion because of the exposure to natural elements such as water and air (Vaysburd and Emmons 190). The corrosive effect on the floor is likely to have sagging effects thus lowering the stability of the building due to the effect on the first and ground floors. There is need to clean the effects of the mildew using commercially or homemade solutions of detergent and bleaches and eventual application of waterproof finishes. This is due to the use of timber for the floors. The corrosive effects have caused it to swell and shrink and this is likely to advance to checks and splits. This effect means the timber cannot support the first floor. It is recommendable that the timber is replaced with pre-stressed concrete beams (Vaysburd and Emmons, p. 194).
Pre-stressed concrete
This is structural and architectural material characterized with great strength due to its ability to withstand stress from whatever load. This is used to make concrete beams with two materials: steel strands of high tensile strength for tension and concrete of high strength for compression (Vaysburd and Emmons 193). The pre-stressing process involves the stretching of the steel strands at the individual ends of the long casting beds between abutments. Pouring of the concrete is then done into the forms to enclose the strands. The bonding of the concrete to the tensioned steel occurs as it sets and upon attainment of the required strength, the release of the strands from the abutments is done. This stage causes the concrete to compress and a creation of resistance that is built into service loads. Pre-stressed concrete beams have noticeable chamber or arch. The lower portion of the beam is highly compressed creating an upward force causing the beam not to have to carry its weight (Vaysburd and Emmons, p. 193). The loads applied to the beam are counteracted by this upward force.
Recommended timber for the floor
Timber has effects of swelling and shrinking in events of water. This causes it to split. It is recommended that plywood that is set on concrete beams be used for the floor. This is because of the lightness, finish and strength that allow the floor to remain strong. This is also due to the sanding and coating that gives it the ability to handle high traffic. The timber used for the plywood needs to be hardwood with pre-finished qualities that enhance its look. Since the building is to be a health club, finished plywood allows ease of use, cleaning, and maintenance (Vaysburd and Emmons, p. 194).
Works Cited
- Bragginan, Francis. “Don’t hit the steel-a myth.” Journal of Fire engineering 137.5 (1984): 61-62.
- Vaysburd, Alexander and Peter Emmons. “How to make today’s repairs durable for tomorrow: corrosion protection in concrete repair.” Journal of Construction 14.4 (2002): 189-197.