Laserfiche WebLink
subsurface conditions revealed during construction. The geotechnical have led to disappointments,claims,and disputes.To help reduce the risk <br /> engineer who developed your report cannot assume responsibility or of such outcomes,geotechnical engineers commonly include a variety of <br /> liability for the report's recommendations if that engineer does not perform explanatory provisions in their reports.Sometimes labeled "limitations" <br /> construction observation. many of these provisions indicate where geotechnical engineers'responsi- <br /> bilities begin and end,to help others recognize their own responsibilities <br /> A Geotechnical Engineering Report Is Subject to and risks.Read these provisions closely.Ask questions.Your geotechnical <br /> Misinterpretation engineer should respond fully and frankly. <br /> Other design team members'misinterpretation of geotechnical engineering <br /> reports has resulted in costly problems.Lower that risk by having your geo- Geoenvironmental Concerns Are Not Covered <br /> technical engineer confer with appropriate members of the design team after The equipment,techniques,and personnel used to perform a geoenviron- <br /> submitting the report.Also retain your geotechnical engineer to review perti- mental study differ significantly from those used to perform a geotechnical <br /> nent elements of the design team's plans and specifications.Contractors can study.For that reason,a geotechnical engineering report does not usually <br /> also misinterpret a geotechnical engineering report.Reduce that risk by relate any geoenvironmental findings,conclusions,or recommendations; <br /> having your geotechnical engineer participate in prebid and preconstruction e.g.,about the likelihood of encountering underground storage tanks or <br /> conferences,and by providing construction observation, regulated contaminants. Unanticipated environmental problems have led <br /> to numerous project failures.If you have not yet obtained your own geoen- <br /> Do Not Redraw the Engineer's Logs vironmental information,ask your geotechnical consultant for risk man- <br /> Geotechnical engineers prepare final boring and testing logs based upon agement guidance.Do not rely on an environmental report prepared for <br /> their interpretation of field logs and laboratory data.To prevent errors or someone else. <br /> omissions,the logs included in a geotechnical engineering report should <br /> never be redrawn for inclusion in architectural or other design drawings. Obtain Professional Assistance To Deal with Mold <br /> Only photographic or electronic reproduction is acceptable,but recognize Diverse strategies can be applied during building design,construction, <br /> that separating logs from the report can elevate risk operation,and maintenance to prevent significant amounts of mold from <br /> growing on indoor surfaces.To be effective,all such strategies should be <br /> Give Contractors a Complete Report and devised for the express purpose of mold prevention,integrated into a corn- <br /> Guidance prehensive plan,and executed with diligent oversight by a professional <br /> Some owners and design professionals mistakenly believe they can make mold prevention consultant.Because just a small amount of water or <br /> contractors liable for unanticipated subsurface conditions by limiting what moisture can lead to the development of severe mold infestations,a num- <br /> they provide for bid preparation.To help prevent costly problems,give con- ber of mold prevention strategies focus on keeping building surfaces dry. <br /> tractors the complete geotechnical engineering report,but preface it with a While groundwater,water infiltration,and similar issues may have been <br /> clearly written letter of transmittal.In that letter,advise contractors that the addressed as part of the geotechnical engineering study whose findings <br /> report was not prepared for purposes of bid development and that the are conveyed in-this report,the geotechnical engineer in charge of this <br /> report's accuracy is limited;encourage them to confer with the geotechnical project is not a mold prevention consultant;none of the services per- <br /> engineer who prepared the report(a modest fee may be required)and/or to formed in connection with the geotechnical engineer's study <br /> conduct additional study to obtain the specific types of information they were designed or conducted for the purpose of mold preven- <br /> need or prefer.A prebid conference can also be valuable.Be sure contrac- tion. Proper implementation of the recommendations conveyed <br /> tors have sufficient time to perform additional study.Only then might you in this report will not of itself be sufficient to prevent mold from <br /> be in a position to give contractors the best information available to you, growing in or on the structure involved. <br /> while requiring them to at least share some of the financial responsibilities <br /> stemming from unanticipated conditions. Rely, on Your ASFE-Member Geotechncial <br /> Engineer for Additional Assistance <br /> Read Responsibility Provisions Closely Membership in ASFE/The Best People on Earth exposes geotechnical <br /> Some clients,design professionals,and contractors do not recognize that engineers to a wide array of risk management techniques that can be of <br /> geotechnical engineering is far less exact than other engineering disci- genuine benefit for everyone involved with a construction project.Confer <br /> plines.This lack of understanding has created unrealistic expectations that with you ASFE-member geotechnical engineer for more information. <br /> ASFE <br /> The Most People so larlb <br /> 8811 Colesville Road/Suite G106,Silver Spring,MD 20910 <br /> Telephone:301/565-2733 Facsimile:301/589-2017 <br /> e-mail:info@asfe.org www.asfe.org <br /> Copyright 2004 by ASFE,Inc.Duplication,reproduction,or copying of this document,in whole or in part by any means whatsoever,is strictly prohibited,except with ASFE's <br /> specific written permission.Excerpting,quoting,or otherwise extracting wording from this document is permitted only with the express written permission of ASFE,and only for <br /> purposes of scholarly research or book review.Only members of ASFE may use this document as a complement to or as an element of a geotechnical engineering report.Any other <br /> firm,individual,or other entity that so uses this document without being an ASFE member could be committing negligent or intentional(fraudulent)misrepresentation. <br /> 11GER06045.OM <br />