Glass Unit Masonry Wall Woes...

[vegas paul]

Well, the plans weren't very specific and they indicated that the glass masonry walls would be "subject to owner choice". Well, the first time we had any specific idea of the design was when they were built.

Anyway, this is a fitness center that used a glass masonry separating wall for semi-privacy in the locker rooms/restrooms between the locker area and the lavatories. It is 8' tall, about 15' long, and is curved (kind of pretty!) in a "lazy" S pattern. The wall intersects a CMU wall at one end (presumably with anchors/channel, but who knows?), but is "penninsula" in nature, meaning it doesn't have any support at the other end. No column, wall, or any other visible structural support. It just ends with a vertical edge of end blocks. Seems to me that it violates several code items.

Violates 2010.4.3 for lateral support on the free end, and 2110.3.5 for lack of support at the inflection point of the lazy S. Also 2110.3 indicates max. dimension between structural supports, so if there is support only on one end, I assume this is non-compliant also.

Too bad, as I said it's kind of pretty...

Would you make them take it down, get an engineer to cerfity it as meeting code, or submit revisions to add support?

 

[Examiner]

The glass block walls must comply to the Codes. They need support and I recall that the manufacturer has details regarding support and how much area these blocks can have prior to required supports. I have done a few of these in the past, some were inteior fire rated, others in exterior walls and they have limits between supports and anchors. Was there an Architect who did the project or an interior designer?

 

[vegas paul]

Examiner - Yes, there was an architect, and he was basically silent on this feature - it is not rated, only used for an aesthetic separation... The note about leaving it up to the owners made me think it would be deferred or optional, but lo and behold, it suddently appeard on-site, without any design info. Guess someone's going to have some 'splainin' to do!

 

[mn joe]

I'd give them some options:

1-Get an engineer to certify it

2-Get the manufacturer to certify it "as-built"

3-Tear it down

That way you come across as reasonable and the builder will most likely find out what a mess he made.

Joe

 

[Builder Bob]

See what the manufacture's specs are for the glass wall then ask the contractor to provide proof that it was installed accordingly. I know that we had an issue where a rated corridor magically had glass block (rated) installed. They were fighting us tooth and nail until I pulled the manufacturer's specifications that indicated the lower sill should not be more than 36" a.f.f..... the bottom sill in this arrangement was 42" a.f.f.

They ended up having to relocate the glass block in accordance with manufacture's specs. And asked for permits with inspection this time. BTW, when the old glass block wall was removed, the steel studs were the wrong gauge, incorrectly boxed, and improperly fastened.

 

[mtlogcabin]

The note about leaving it up to the owners made me think it would be deferred or optional, but lo and behold, it suddently appeard on-site, without any design info

Well Paul you are not in Vegas anymore