Engineering and Construction (Case Study Sample)

Engineering and Construction Student's Name Institutional Affiliation Course Number: Course Name Instructor’s Name December 20, 2022 Engineering and Construction Question 1. Description of the fire incident at the Patrick Air Force Base Officers’ Club Patrick Air Force Base is a facility in the U.S. that hosts the 45th Space Wing, which handles spacecraft launch, tracking processing, and data services. It is the main base for launching space operations for the Depart of Defense. On January 31, 2005, there was a fire outbreak at the Patrick Air Force Base Officers’ Club. According to Orlando Sentinel (2021), a worker’s torch caused the fire that damaged the officers club. The torch ignited flammable material on the roof that spread unnoticed and caused the roof to ignite. The workers were renovating destruction instigated by Hurricanes Francis and Jeanne. According to a report by the U.S. Air Force (2005), the fire destroyed 40,000 square feet of the area, causing overall damage of approximately $ 3 million. U.S. Air force (2005) claimed that the fire could have been reduced or prevented had the kitchen facility and roof equipped with anti-fire and smoke detectors. Besides, the roof should have been comprised of non-flammable and inactive materials. Question 2. Material Storage and Handling a. The maximum allowable height for stacking bricks and other requirements that apply to stacked bricks According to section 926.250(b) (6) of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (2005), the maximum allowable height for stacking bricks is 7 feet (Mehendale, 2005). Yates (2020) also states that brick stacks should be at most 7 feet tall. The tapping of the bricks is required to be 2 inches for each foot exceeding 4 feet in height. Thus, experts should be careful when packing bricks so they are at most a 3-inch height. Besides considering height and other dimensional parameters, the bricks must be stacked differently, and their storage should be at the construction site to reduce the risk of breakage (Yates, 2020). For example, non-modular, modular clay, hollow, solid, and perforated bricks should be stacked separately to allow the construction team to handle them resourcefully. b. The maximum allowable height for stacking lumber and other requirements that apply to stacked lumber The maximum allowable height for stacking lumber Stack lumber is 20 feet if using a forklift and 16 feet high if it is handled manually. According to OSHA (2005), all lumber must be stacked in a self-supporting and stable manner (Swanson, 2020). Masonry and lumber blocks should be stacked with other materials near an outdoor construction site. Swanson (2020) recommends the removal of all nails from used lumber prior to stacking to minimize the risk of injuries during the loading, transporting, and offloading process. The stack of lumber is supposed to be about 150 mm above the ground to evade direct contact with untreated areas or wet surfaces that can make the pile rot (Swanson, 2020). The storage facility should be protected from direct sunlight, rain and wind. For instance, the excess sun may lead to uneven contraction and expansion of the lumber to bad shape. Therefore, employees should abide by OSHA's recommendations for stacking heights: 20 feet (forklift; 16 feet (manually) maximum stacked heights. c. The rated capacity of a ½ inch diameter Grade 80 alloy steel chain sling when used in a double leg bridle sling configuration at a 45° vertical angle In line with the U.S. Department of Labor standards, the rated capacity of a ½ inch diameter Grade 80 alloy steel chain sling when used in a double leg bridle sling configuration at a 45° vertical angle is 17,000 lbs...