Detec Systems Training for the Terra-Petra Team

Certified ELD Field Testing Crew, from left to right: Diego Saucedo, Project Coordinator Andrew Alvarran, Anthony Avina, Alvaro Arellano, Director of Field Operations Daniel Valdez and Chad Herrick of Detect Systems.

Certified ELD Field Testing Crew, left to right: Diego Saucedo, Project Coordinator Andrew Alvarran, Anthony Avina, Alvaro Arellano, Director of Field Operations Daniel Valdez and Chad Herrick of Detect Systems.

Detec Systems visited Terra-Petra’s Los Angeles office this week to conduct a comprehensive education and training session to promote their innovative product line of leak detection technologies. Detec provides leading-edge technology in the field of electronic leak detection (ELD), by way of membrane integrity testing and scanning, and automated structure monitoring. The training session included a classroom like session followed by field training on a jobsite.

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The Terra-Petra Waterproofing Division is certified to conduct ELD testing throughout Southern California for numerous types of fluid-applied waterproofing and roofing systems in compliance with ASTM 7877-14. This includes any thermoplastic roofing system, any asphalt based waterproofing, traffic coatings, hot and cold fluid applied membranes and some bentonite systems (as long as they have thermoplastic reinforcement).

Terra-Petra employs the use of the Detec Systems Roof Membrane Integrity Scanner (RMIS) to accurately identify breaches in new and existing membrane systems. Many contractors are using a 24-48 hour flood test to check for breaches in these types of waterproofing assemblies. While this method can identify water leaks, it is time consuming and less cost effective. The benefits of the RMIS technology is that breaches and other imperfections can be identified, repaired and re-tested the same day, saving valuable time, resources and money for any project.

Please contact us for a quote.

Terra-Petra Inspector Anthony Avina being trained to perform ELD Testing on vertical surface.

Terra-Petra Inspector Anthony Avina being trained to perform ELD Testing on vertical surface.

 

ELD Testing at penthouse pool using the Detec RIMS System

ELD Testing at penthouse pool using the Detec RMIS System

See more photos here.

Terra-Petra performs subterranean waterproofing inspections for new Academy Museum project

Terra-Petra heads environmental engineering and waterproofing design, inspection and systems for the new $300-Million Academy Museum project at Wilshire and Fairfax Avenue which is slated to complete in 2018. 

STEVEN SHARP
June 14, 2016 for Urbanize.LA.

Even June Gloom failed to put a damper on construction at the LACMA campus on the Miracle Mile, where the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' (AMPAS) long-awaited museum is well underway.

The $300-million undertaking, located at Wilshire Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue, will create a showcase for AMPAS' vast collection of filmmaking artifacts, including tens of thousands of still photographs, screenplays, production and costume design drawings, manuscripts and storyboards.  These assets will be displayed through a series of galleries, exhibition spaces, educational spaces and on-site theaters.

The museum, designed by the famed Italian architect Renzo Piano, will restore the May Company Wilshire department store, a Streamline Moderne structure built  in 1938.  North of the historic building, the project will add an eye-catching spherical glass structure, replacing a surface parking lot and a 1946 annex to the department store.

Completion of the Academy Museum is expected in Spring 2018.

Terra-Petra Environmental Engineering Helps Developer with Pico Gateway Apartments Project Success

Terra-Petra designed the environmental engineering designs and waterproofing systems for this multifamily property in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood just sold for $22.4M a few years back. As always, Terra-Petra is quite proud to be a part of the revision and revamping of land that was up until today, unusable. The revitalization of the LA Basin continues with environmental engineering being a key component of developers' success stories. So now, in what is becoming to be known as an increasingly popular Westside area, this building is being described as a “very high-quality property in a great location." 

This Week's LA Deal Sheet

The fully occupied Pico Gateway Apartments location offers 48,275 SF of rentable space, including 7,500 SF of ground-floor retail, 39 apartments and more than 135 underground parking spaces. Just two blocks from Beverly Hills, which is also a draw, apartment amenities include double sinks for preparing kosher meals, maple hardwood floors, double-paned windows to block out street noise and appliances. 

There is also an optional Shabbat elevator for residents to use on the Jewish Sabbath. Projected growth in the area is making the neighborhood increasingly popular. A recent study shows the population on the Westside could grow by 3.4% over the next five years. 


Read the full story about this properties sale at: Bisnow.com

Terra-Petra going “underground” (aka below grade) in Denver and beyond…

at Haselden ConstructionWe are very excited about the new opportunities that have developed for Terra-Petra in the Denver area, as well as the state of Colorado, and other surrounding states including Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma as of late. One of our key contacts that we met with is working for Haselden Construction out of Wyoming. The company is working on the final stages of a hospital building project in Laramie. Terra-Petra is looking to take on some potential future waterproofing design consulting projects with Haselden. We would also like to plan to work with Haselden in the Wyoming area and support them with more below grade waterproofing, as well as some environmental consulting needs in the near future.

It looks as though the “wild-west” area is booming again thanks to certain industries – particularly with regard to below grade waterproofing needs. There are also many construction sites that are subject to some sort of contamination issue due to the fact that Denver, for one, is growing very fast. Multi-unit housing complexes going up in droves to support (population) growth in this area. The oil, mining, and legal marijuana industries, in particular, are driving this kind of speedy growth.

To that end Denver appears to also have plenty of waterproofing requirements, but they also have their share of environmental concerns. However, the Denver area still does not have a tremendous amount of regulations in place with regard vapor barriers and mitigation systems (like there are in cities like in New York or Los Angeles). So owners/developers in the Denver, as well as in many of the surrounding (Rockies/Midwest) areas, are now in a rush (or will soon need to be in a rush) to put these specific measures in place for current/older and new buildings —and this will become more and more of a necessity in order to maintain the clean environmental conditions in the area(s). We all know that there are many environmentalists residing in places like Colorado, so the consensus is that it is just a matter of time before tighter measures and regulations are put into place and owner/developers will be required to go down certain mitigation paths to better conditions.

Terra-Petra is looking to be the “go-to” environmental engineering firm as the construction industry (in the “wild west” area) continues to catch on to a growing environmental protection concern where building and land development is concerned. Yes, there are plenty of big environmental engineering firms located in Denver including URS and AECOM. This indicates that there is a market for larger scale environmental projects now and on the horizon. It’s going to be another wild ride in the west!

Terra-Petra boots-on-the-ground for World Record Concrete Pour DTLA Wilshire Grand

Terra-Petra had "boots on the ground" during the record breaking concrete pour for the new Wilshire Grand Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles – February 16, 2014. We were charged with the responsibility of performing the below grade waterproofing system inspections during this world record pour. We would like to thank Korean Air, General Contractor – Turner Construction, and the design team led by AC Martin for allowing us to be part of this historic occasion. 

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Terra-Petra Completes Methane Barrier and Below Grade Waterproofing Work on Cedars-Sinai’s Completed Advanced Health Sciences Pavilion Project

The new Cedars-Sinai Advanced Health Science Pavilion integrates clinical care and biomedical research in a single building. Terra-Petra Environmental Engineering developed the combination LADBS approved methane mitigation system as well as the buildings below grade waterproofing system for the 820,000 square foot structure.

According to Terra-Petra's VP/General Manager, Justin Conaway, "Terra-Petra performed all LADBS Deputy Methane Barrier Inspections (DMBI) for this project; we also provided manufacturer required below grade waterproofing system inspections to ensure the project received the full 15 year Hydro Shield warranty."

Terra-Petra Deputy Methane Barrier Inspectors are cross-trained, qualified and certified to perform the below grade waterproofing inspections in order to provide a substantial cost-savings by performing both of services with one inspector. Terra-Petra currently employs 7 LADBS Deputy Methane Barrier Inspectors (DMBI).

"We are proud to be a part of such an outstanding project and very excited for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and their quest to provide services for today's new era of health care within the new Advanced Health Sciences Pavillion," said Kevin Buchanan, President of Terra-Petra.