Richard A. Rice, PE SE CBO - Editor

mutual@bellsouth.net

August 2023

www.mutualengineering.com

Kiddie Pool Overloads Exterior Wood Deck in SC

The failure of the exterior wood deck shown in this photograph was not from too many people, no one was dancing and, as of this writing, no defects have been found. This deck failed because someone thought it would be okay to place a kiddie pool on the deck floor. This is a hard...NO!!! The weight of water is not appreciated by the average person. A Google search found a 58" diameter x 13" high kiddie pool. After doing the math, a full kiddie pool has a weight of 1,239 pounds, and places a distributed load of 67.6 pounds per square foot (psf). Exterior wood decks are designed to hold 40 psf distributed load. Get it? While there could have been other problems with this deck, performing a water load test is never a good idea, even for a properly constructed deck. Click Here.

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Sincerely,

Richard A. Rice, PE SE CBO

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Window Screws Fail the Grade

Like anything else, it is the little things that matter the most. In this case, window screws. It seems that fake screws are being used in hurricane resistant window construction. Click Here.

And the Winner of OSHA's Biggest Fines for Q2-2023 is...

What is not surprising is that these fines involve trenches and fall protection.

Click Here.

Work Related Deaths from Robots

Using robots in manufacturing is automation taken to the next level. Automation has been around for decades. You would hope that someone would turn off the robot (i.e. lockout/tagout) before working on it. Click Here.

Not Using an Expert Could Cost You the Case

A judge took it upon himself to rule that a 0.5-inch tripping hazard was "too minor or insubstantial." The International Code Council (ICC) publishes codes that say 0.25-inch is not good. Was an expert used? Click Here.

Critical Injuries from Exterior Wood Deck in Alabama

All across America people are enjoying the warmer weather on the decks at their homes. Unfortunately, many go to the hospital. This will stop only when yearly inspections are required by insurance agents, real estate professionals, and Building Officials. Click Here

Richard A. Rice, PE SE CBO is President and Forensic Engineer for Mutual Engineering, Inc. - MEI. Because of 30+ years of continuous civil/structural design services, and his early and continued exposure to his friends and families many construction businesses, Mr. Rice is uniquely qualified to provide Civil/Structural Forensic Engineering services to the insurance, legal, and construction industries. Services include building design and construction, roadway design and construction, building inspection and code compliance, building/foundation collapse, construction site incidents, and other property loss subjects. Mr. Rice is an ICC Building Code Official, a licensed professional engineer in many states, and a Fellow and Board Certified Diplomate of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE). Mr. Rice has written a novel and numerous technical articles published in professional journals for NAFE, the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP), and the Georgia Defense Lawyer Association (GDLA). Please call/email Mr. Rice or visit his company's webpage:

Richard A. Rice, PE SE CBO

Mutual Engineering, Inc. - MEI

13009 Panhandle Road

Hampton, GA 30228

(Phone): 404.395.7441

Email: mutual@bellsouth.net 

Website: MutualEngineering.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardaricepe/

Click Here for CV of Richard A. Rice, PE SE CBO



Happy Professional Engineers Day!!! (08/02/23)

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