What does a college receive at the end of a project like this?

Typically a written report with photographs and findings, construction documents suitable for competitive bidding, records of submittal review and field observation, and closeout documentation including warranties issued by the contractor and manufacturers. Those records support both the immediate repair and later capital planning decisions.

Can Inspec assess more than one building on a campus at a time?

Yes. Campus owners often need a consistent picture across many buildings rather than a report on one. A facility condition assessment documents each building's enclosure to the same standard so repairs can be ranked, budgeted and scheduled over several years instead of addressed one emergency at a time.

North Hennepin Community College Enclosure Project

Inspec's role on this project

Inspec worked for the owner. On a project like this the firm acts as consulting engineers and architects — investigating existing conditions, preparing repair documents and observing the contractor's work in the field. Inspec does not perform construction, supply materials or carry out repairs; that work is bid and completed by a contractor the college holds a separate contract with.

[CONFIRM: enclosure elements included in the scope — roof areas, exterior walls, windows, below-grade waterproofing or a combination]

[CONFIRM: which Inspec office led the project]

How the work was approached

Investigation before design

Enclosure repairs on an existing building start with finding out what is actually happening inside the assembly rather than assuming it from the symptom. That can mean test cuts, core samples, infrared survey and moisture detection services, or water application and building envelope testing at walls and windows to reproduce a reported leak under controlled conditions.

Repair documents a public owner can bid

Findings are translated into drawings and specifications through building enclosure design services, written so that qualified contractors are pricing the same scope and the college can compare bids on equal terms. Projects Inspec currently has out for bid are posted on the current projects page.

Field observation while work is under way

Documents only describe intent; what gets built determines whether the leak stops. Construction observation and administration covers submittal review, periodic site visits, written field reports and review of the contractor's and manufacturers' closeout documents.

Campus-wide context

College campuses rarely have one enclosure problem. Buildings are added over decades, so roofs, walls and windows reach the end of their service lives at different times and compete for the same capital budget. A facility condition assessment records each building to the same standard, and roof-by-roof records held in a building envelope management system let a facilities group see which assemblies need attention next and which can be maintained for another few years.

Discussing work on your campus

Inspec serves campus and institutional owners from offices in Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis; see locations or contact us to talk through a building, a roof area or a whole-campus assessment.