Many disparate technical, professional and trade skills and experiences must be harnessed to identify, plan, project manage and successfully remediate defective buildings. No one organisation possesses the entire suite of the skills and experiences necessary to achieve a successful, cost-effective defect solution ……
except DFXFIX with smart solutions for building defects delivered via its unique consortium of expert advisers and builders
- Superintend, coordinate and over-arching project management of each remediation project
- Facilitate all technical inspections, reports, and quotations
- Legal
- Funding for remediation work
A troubling discovery
Initially engaged to review the presence / extent of possible combustible cladding to the exterior front wall, DFXFIX discovered that the four internal light-wells surrounding the lifts core are clad with a highly combustible ACP (subsequently verified by materials testing in a NATA-certified laboratory).
A current Fire Engineers report / recommendations will determine if
- existing internal fire drenching sprinklers to the passageways to the lifts provide safe exit in the event of a fire or
- internal ACP must be removed and replaced with non-combustible cladding
To fully replace the ACP cladding on the attractive architectural feature mural affixed to the front exterior wall could be unacceptably expensive. DFXFIX is researching several possible cost-effective and aesthetically acceptable alternatives. On behalf of the Owners Corporation DFXFIX is communicating with the local Municipal Building Surveyor to ensure that regulatory timelines are achieved leading to final building sign-off when the remediation project is completed.
Earthquake damage?
In 16-October-2021 Melbourne shuddered with the enormous energy released by the 2.8 magnitude Rawson earthquake.
Concrete shrinkage cracks ignored previously suddenly appeared larger after the quake and alarmed building owners sought assurance about their building safety. DFXFIX consortium undertook a forensic structural engineering assessment that concluded no resultant material building damage. The OC stress levels dissipated. Minor remedial work will be undertaken to seal existing concrete cracks to prevent possible water ingress.
Water pooling
During the structural engineer’s assessment, we observed water pooling in the basements but did not find broken/damaged water pipes. Water pooling had occurred from when the building was first occupied.
We ascertained that the water pooling was related to
- Water leaking from internal planter boxes on the ground floor
- Water overflowing from stormwater surge tanks
Solutions: New membranes will be installed to planter boxes and regular inspection / cleaning of the storm water inlet filter will allow free flow into the tanks.
The defects were quickly, effectively. and cheaply fixed.
Happy building owner!
