Terra-Petra Receives 2023 Los Angeles Award For Environmental Engineering

Terra-Petra Receives 2023 Los Angeles Award For Environmental Engineering

LOS ANGELES December 5, 2023 — Terra-Petra Environmental Engineering has been selected for the 2023 Los Angeles Award in the Environmental Engineering category by the Los Angeles Award Program.  This is the 11th year in a row that Terra-Petra has received this honor.

Each year, the Los Angeles Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Los Angeles area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2023 Los Angeles Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Los Angeles Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Los Angeles Award Program

The Los Angeles Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Los Angeles area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Los Angeles Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Award Program

Waterproofing Concrete: Crack Size Matters, Crack Bridging Capacity

Blindside Waterproofing: Swellable Membrane Limitations: Cracks, Voids and Poor Consolidation Matter

In concrete, there are voids and cracks that waterproofing systems must compress against to be functional. This is relevant, particularly regarding poorly consolidated substrates which is inherent to shotcrete.  Swellable membranes such as Bentonite often do not achieve the 24 lbs. of compression per square foot required to achieve watertight functionality, when installed in conjunction with shotcrete.

When it comes to saving construction costs by using shotcrete at below grade vertical conditions, in lieu of cast-in-place concrete, we advise using some of those consequential savings towards a waterproofing system that can accommodate the inconsistencies inherent with blown concrete. Even the best nozzlemen cannot guarantee that voids will not be left behind.

A High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) membrane with taped seams, used in conjunction with a bentonite option (that has the capacity of bridging in a watertight manner the poor compaction and consolidation areas that are acceptable structurally but inherently problematic from a waterproofing standpoint), is a predictable way to get watertight performance results with shotcrete applications.

Contact Terra-Petra today for a consultation on our waterproofing consulting, testing and inspection services.

Terra-Petra Building Waterproofing crew checking for leaks.

Water Testing Results: What Do Successful Projects Have in Common?

The Terra-Petra Waterproofing Division conducted water testing in Culver City that resulted in a first-time pass.

By Barry Taheri, Terra-Petra Forensic Waterproofing Consultant

Q: What does a first-time pass in water testing demonstrate?

A: It demonstrates the team can execute the detailing and workmanship of the materials required to build a watertight assembly without having to make alterations to the detailing means, methods, or materials.  Typically, we don’t see a first-time water test pass.

We congratulate our team on their success, particularly the meticulous detailing by the applicator/subcontractor. We conducted an audit of the past 30 water tests to identify the best practices that lead to a first-time pass water test versus otherwise. Our team was surprised to find the following commonality without exception.

All mockups that resulted in a first-time pass had one thing in common. The GC, subcontractor, manufacturer representative, and waterproofing consultant were present during the mockup layering and detailing. In all other cases that did not result in a first-time water test pass, the mock-ups were done in the dark without the critical parties present.

This example demonstrates clearly that the shortcut to water tightness is to follow the process of appropriate design and materials, mocked-up in place or stand-alone, with all parties present.

Terra-Petra’s Forensic Waterproofing Expert, Barry Taheri

Terra-Petra’s Forensic Waterproofing Expert, Barry Taheri

Terra-Petra’s Forensic Waterproofing Expert, Barry Taheri, recently presented his 17th lunch and learn program for architecture, planning, and conservation firm, Architectural Resources Group, on June 16, 2021.

ARG’s projects encompass some of the West Coast’s most iconic buildings and sites, such as the rehabilitation of the Alcatraz Quartermaster Warehouse in San Francisco and renovation of the Trust Building in Downtown Los Angeles.

Barry presented the material remotely (we hope to be “in person – with lunch” the next go-around!), and it was well-received! During the Q&A, Barry was asked about his experience with historic buildings. He described a current consultation at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles (reopening 2022), and a completed consultation at the iconic Hotel Cecil in downtown Los Angeles. Barry spoke about the patience and creativity needed to deal with the limitations presented by these historical restorations. He was also asked to forward the seminar’s section on stucco tests, to an ARG conservator, as the material was evidently relevant to the work they perform.

Special thanks to Marcos Gonzalez-Bode for organizing the event.

Contact Terra-Petra for more information on how to schedule a Lunch and Learn Program for your organization.

About Terra-Petra Forensic Waterproofing Services

Due to the emerging demands of energy, sustainability, and functionality of both residential and commercial structures, coupled with a high rate of water infiltration litigation, building science, codes, and requirements are rapidly evolving requiring builders and architects to retain expert guidance. We use our knowledge and experience from years of legal and forensic cases to bring expertise to your project and introduce a balanced and systematic approach to the entire water management system and a proper integration of all components.

Terra-Petra Waterproofing Division

The Terra-Petra Waterproofing Division strives to provide a holistic approach to Building Envelope Consulting with a focus on “making our clients’ lives easier.” We achieve this goal by responding to our clients’ needs in a timely manner and serving as their single point of contact for any services they need. This approach has allowed the Terra-Petra Waterproofing Division a very steady and organic growth from the inception of the company in 2002.

Our clients have come back to Terra-Petra, again and again, with new needs asking if we can provide more and more services than for their previous project. Fortunately for us, our customer intimacy value discipline has allowed us to continually tailor and shape our service offerings to fit the increasingly defined definition of our customers’ needs. With offices in most major metropolitan areas across the country, Terra-Petra’s Waterproofing Division has successfully worked on a variety of building waterproofing projects around the United States in a variety of climates. We can respond in a moment’s notice to any client request.

Terra-Petra Waterproofing – Building Envelope Consulting Los Angeles

Terra-Petra is currently providing building envelope weatherproofing consulting services to a multinational asset management and development firm at their development in Los Angeles CA.

The project will consist of the construction of a new 6-story, 30,274 SF multifamily apartment building consisting of five levels of type III-A over one level of Type I-A. The building footprint is approximately 7,000 SF.

Building Envelope Consulting – Los Angeles, CA

Terra-Petra is currently providing building envelope weatherproofing consulting services to a multinational asset management and development firm at their development in Los Angeles CA.

The project will consist of the construction of a new 7-story, 60-unit residential building with a common area at the roof. It will include a subterranean parking level with a semi-automated parking system with a parking pit. The building footprint is approximately 11,900 SF.

Terra-Petra will provide all consulting services for sub-slab vapor barriers, below grade
waterproofing and drainage, podium and balcony waterproofing, planter waterproofing and drainage, exterior wall cladding and weather-resistive barriers and roofing assemblies.

IIBEC Technical Advisory No. 018-2019 (updated 2021) Electronic Leak Detection

Re-post from iibec.org

TITLE: Electronic Leak Detection

DESIGNATION: IIBEC-TA-018-2019 (updated 2021)

OBJECTIVE: To provide information on the methods and qualifications for electronic leak detection testing used for installed roofing and waterproofing systems.

DISCLAIMER:

This Technical Advisory is intended to serve only as a general resource and to identify potential issues for consideration by industry professionals. Each person using this Technical Advisory is solely responsible for the evaluation of the Technical Advisory in light of the unique circumstances of any particular situation, must independently determine the applicability of such information, and assumes all risks in connection with the use of such information. The materials contained in this Technical Advisory do not supersede any code, rule, regulation, or legislation and are not intended to represent the standard of care in any jurisdiction.

BACKGROUND:

With the desire to improve the service life of roofing and waterproofing systems, a need has arisen to improve both quality control (QC) and trouble-shooting techniques of these systems. The introduction of nondestructive electronic leak detection (ELD) testing has provided additional options to meet this demand. Since QC is an increasingly important aspect in today’s construction projects, ELD is becoming a commonly specified and utilized procedure to determine watertightness in roofing and waterproofing assemblies. The introduction of ELD technology occurred around 20 years ago in the North-American market and has led to increased confidence in the performance of roofing and waterproofing systems. In recent years, questions have arisen regarding differences in technology and training required to provide accurate results using ELD. This technical advisory will provide information related to ELD on the following:

  • History and development of equipment currently utilized
  • Current ASTM standards and how they apply
  • Basic principles needed to conduct testing
  • Characteristics and limitations of the different technologies
  • Training and proper implementation
  • Recommendations

DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES

The origins of ELD began with high-voltage (holiday) testing equipment. This equipment was originally designed to test corrosion-resistant coatings applied on metallic pipes and was later modified to test geomembranes, waterproofing membranes, and low-slope roofing assemblies.

Moving into the 1990s, low-voltage testing made its way slowly into the German market as a means of troubleshooting existing roofing assemblies. It quickly became evident that low-voltage equipment was also suitable for integrity testing on exposed membranes.

Low-voltage electric field vector mapping also has the ability to assist with the troubleshooting of roofing and waterproofing through different types of overburden covering the membrane, although these tests are much more difficult and challenging than testing exposed membranes and have significantly reduced reliability.

In the 1990s, low-voltage testing—electric field vector mapping—was introduced in the North American market. While ELD was first promoted as a troubleshooting tool, as it was in Europe, it quickly became apparent that many individuals in the industry were interested in using the technology as a QC tool during installation of roofing and waterproofing systems.[i] Several developments have been made in the equipment over the years to allow for QC on numerous types of roofing and waterproofing systems. Within the last ten years, conductive grids, conductive primers, and other materials have also been introduced into the market to act as alternative grounds. These are incorporated into systems to allow for testing conventional insulated roofing systems. ASTM D7877–14, Standard Guide for Electronic Methods for Detecting and Locating Leaks in Waterproof Membranes, specifies that the alternative ground be installed directly under the membrane when the electrical path to the conductive deck is interrupted.

While there are several forms of equipment utilized for ELD—such as high-voltage broom, scanning platforms, electric field vector mapping—the basic electrical theory of either high or low voltage is similar.

ASTM GUIDE D7877-14

ASTM D7877ii was introduced in 2014 and specifically explains the various pieces of equipment in use and the conditions required to perform a test. While this standard outlines the terminology and methodology associated with current electronic test methods and equipment variations, it does not address training and experience of the individual performing the tests.

Equipment Addressed in the Standard

ASTM D7877 outlines two methods of low-voltage ELD for horizontal surfaces, one method of low-voltage ELD for vertical surfaces, and one method of high-voltage ELD for horizontal and vertical surfaces, further described in the following.

Barry Taheri, Terra-Petra’s Forensic Waterproofing Expert

Barry Taheri – Terra-Petra’s Forensic Waterproofing Expert

Terra-Petra’s Forensic Waterproofing Expert, Barry Taheri, presented his latest Lunch & Learn presentation for the global architecture, planning, and design firm, Cannon Design, on May 6, 2021.

Barry presented the material remotely, and by all accounts, it was well-received with regard to the virtual design.

In his presentation, “The Principles of Building Enclosure Systems,” Taheri provided info on the importance of building waterproofing and the benefits of investing in mock-ups.

Contact Terra-Petra for more information on how to schedule a Lunch and Learn Program for your organization.

Forensic Water Intrusion Testing – Los Angeles, CA

Terra-Petra’s waterproofing division has been engaged by a leading Southern California contractor to conduct a forensic assessment of historic water intrusion issues for an existing building near LAX.

Unfortunately, we are not at liberty to discuss the project in detail, or disclose our client’s name as we are bound by an NDA, but we can say that the building in question is a single-story warehouse type structure with an approximate footprint of 100,000 SF.

Our process When Conducting Forensic Assessments:

Complete due diligence research on all existing buildings plans, specifications, reports, waterproofing submittal packages, photos and as-built drawings (if any of these exist). We want to be able to wrap our head around everything that has been completed to date, in order to better understand contributing factors that could have led to the failure in the waterproofing assembly.


Our investigators then conduct site walks where they perform non-destructive testing in compliance with ASTM 2128-12: Standard Guide for Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls. This will usually include a visual inspection and the use of thermal imaging equipment and moisture meters, among other tools, to carry out the assessment work.


The forensic investigators will meet with on-site personnel, take notes and photo document conditions in order to prepare summary with our findings, options and recommendations for addressing the water intrusion matters. Sometime the non-destructive testing is not able to identify the source of the failure. In these cases, we are able to move through a destructive testing process where claddings are removed to expose the underlying conditions for the investigators. Possible testing strategies may include water testing following ASTM/AAMA standards either with or without static pressure, flood testing with colored dyes or visual inspections. Each condition is analyzed on a case-by-case basis to determine the most appropriate strategy.

No Quick Fixes, Patches Or Band-Aids....We Get To The Root Of The Problem and Fix It!

At Terra-Petra we do not believe in “patches” or “band aids” when it comes to repairing failures in the waterproofing assembly because quite honestly, they just don’t work…one must get to the root cause and make repairs at that level, to stop the leak.

Our forensic team has a high degree of success in identifying root causes of water intrusion issues by following the process outlined above.

Contact Terra-Petra today to get started or get a consultation on your own waterproofing project needs.

Terra-Petra Providing Waterproofing Services for New Project In West Hollywood

Terra-Petra is thrilled to have been a part of this fabulous project being finished off in West Hollywood, The Pendry Hotel. Terra-Petra served as the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Waterproofing Inspectors throughout the entire construction process. We are also in the process of completing the QA/QC Fenestration Testing at the Residence in compliance with the project’s performance specifications.

Our field-testing crew has been ramping up over the last week to ensure we have the necessary labor and material to meet the demand of the water testing schedule. We are currently in production mode as we are testing the exterior fenestrations of the building with 3 crews working simultaneously.

Press About The Project

Re-Post From Vogue.com

The Britely, a New Member’s Club in Los Angeles, Is Feather-Filled and Fabulous

There’s this famous Oscar Wilde quote: “Everything in moderation, including moderation.” That very well could be plastered on the gilded door of The Britely, a new member’s only club in Los Angeles where maximalism is the modus operandi. There’s not one, but two Wolfgang Puck restaurants—one of which is painted a flamingo pink. Their rooftop bar, with sweeping views of L.A.’s urban sprawl, is adorned in jade palmeral-tiger print. Then there’s the hangout de resistance: an underground lounge with turquoise banquettes, gold lamé pillows, Hollywood Regency feather lamps, and a bowling alley. Simply put: it’s a place where you can have some serious fun. (Or as Estelle Lacroix, The Britely’s managing director puts it, “a little self-indulgence.”)

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Re-Post from LA.Eater.com

First Look Inside Wolfgang Puck’s Pair of New Restaurants at Pendry West Hollywood

Wolfgang Puck is making a pizza. The 71-year-old chef, who has become a household name from his airport eateries, grocery line, and upscale establishments, has been making pizza for a very long time. Best known for creating the smoked salmon pizza at Spago, which was one of the city’s first restaurants to have a wood-fired oven, Puck is contemplating the signature pizza at his new daytime hotel cafe Ospero.

He stretches the dough while posing for the camera, as if this was a shoot for a glossy fashion magazine. Puck is always posing, holding a dish out for maximum exposure. He, and the team at Ospero and the penthouse restaurant Merois, will likely need it as the ongoing pandemic continues to hamper an ideal opening scenario at the massive new Pendry West Hollywood.

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