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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"{imitations"
<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 cam-
<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 he 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 ASF -Member Geotechncial
<br /> I ems 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 Best People en Eattlt
<br /> 8811 Colesville Road/Suite G1O6,Silver Spring,MD 20910
<br /> Telephone:301/565-2733 Facsimile:301/589-2017
<br /> e-mail:info@aste.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.
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