PRINCIPAL'S NOTE

SOLAR INTEGRATION

Increased awareness about rising energy costs in the last decade has brought about a renewed interest in harnessing solar energy. Solar technology has greatly improved since the original solar panels of the 1970’s, and panel prices have plummeted. Energy companies are working with innovators and scientists to create even more efficient technologies. Some of these technologies will prove reliable and be installed correctly, while other systems will fail prematurely.

ABB brings 22 years of experience in roofing, waterproofing and building envelope engineering to the field of solar installations. Our extensive engineering expertise, bidding services and construction management will ensure a reliable solar power system and installation that is properly integrated into your building’s roof and exterior walls at the lowest possible cost.

Should You Install Solar? - The price of traditional energy from the grid has historically increased 5% per year or more. Therefore, solar power needs to be evaluated first as a financial decision, since it allows you to lock in a 30 year power supply for a low, fixed cost that is lower than your existing utility rate.

Many projects can be financed, requiring minimal or no up-front capital. Federal and state grant programs provide rebates which enable some projects to achieve as high as 65% payback or more in the first year! The period for recovery of the original investment typically range from two to seven years.

Once the decision has been made to add photovoltaic panels to the roof of your property, the two major questions that need to be answered are ‘Which type of solar panel is best for my roof?’ and ‘What needs to be done to ensure my building is in the right condition for a solar energy installation?’

The age and condition of your roof plays a vital role in successfully using solar energy. Good solar panels will last 30-40 years and the cost to remove them to replace a faulty roof can quickly erode any financial savings you may have made. Savings calculations estimated by solar companies are typically based on a 30 year period of constant use. Therefore your roof must be assured of having a life of at least 30 years, including all flashings and penetrations, and be structurally able to handle the increased weight and wind-loading from the panels.

ABB will select the proper panels based on geographic region, amount of shading the roof gets, roof type and the building’s orientation to the sun.

The ABB Method - As previously outlined, ABB combines solar, roofing, waterproofing, energy efficiency and engineering in one firm with expertise in all aspects of building systems.

Our first step is to assess the financial viability of solar at your site (which can include your roof, building walls and even your parking lot). We call this a Financial Assessment, and we’ll communicate those findings to you, along with available financing options. If the project makes financial sense, we’ll continue with a roof and structural assessment.

We have significant expertise in building energy audits, and can provide recommendations for alternative energy saving technologies and changes if those are of interest.

After these assessments are complete, ABB selects the solar technologies, manufacturers and installers who will be allowed to bid on your project, develops project specifications, runs a bid process, and presents final bids to you along with our recommendation.

ABB then works with the winning manufacturers and installers, providing engineering specifications and drawings as needed to begin installation. Throughout the project, ABB provides construction administration and monitoring services to ensure the panels are installed and integrated into the roofing membrane properly.

There are several types of grants and rebate programs on a local, state and federal level. We are knowledgeable about the different programs and will incorporate any cost savings into our overall recommendation and cost estimate. ABB will assist in the re-warranty process for many existing roofs.

ABB Is Your Solar Resource - ABB is with you every step of the way, from determining the financial performance of your proposed or existing system, to selecting and designing the best solar solution and correct roofing technology, to making sure these are installed properly.

We evaluate roofing and solar installers to make sure only well qualified firms do the work, and we can help you evaluate and obtain the right financing. We are your primary contact from project conception to receipt of solar energy rebates and credits from the State and Federal government. If you would like more information on ABB Solar Solutions please CLICK HERE.

CONCRETE SPALLING

Concrete spall repair; how bad is the problem, what are the repairs required, and of course, how much is this going to cost me? These are the questions owners want answered. To answer them, owners should engage the services of a professional design consultant. ABB has decades of experience in investigation, analysis and repair recommendations for concrete spalling situations.

Concrete spalling is caused by corrosion of the reinforcing steel inside the concrete structure. Corrosion typically occurs due to moisture entry through cracks in the concrete surface and slow degradation of the concrete’s naturally alkaline state. Since the steel remains largely encased in concrete, it is often difficult to visually ascertain the amount, extent and rate of corrosion occurring. There are forensic analysis techniques that can be used to gain an approximation but these techniques and the equipment used to perform them can be costly.

There are two commonly-used methods of estimating spall repair; International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) classification and volumetric. The ICRI classification is the more traditional form of unit price work, whereas the volumetric method is an emerging method intended to create more accurate pricing and simplify the process this the field. Both methods of evaluating concrete spall repair are valid techniques with positives and negatives for each.

The ICRI classification method of investigating and designing spall repairs is based upon the idea that the exact amount of spall repair cannot be easily or economically predetermined and costs are determined on a “unit cost basis”. This method can create anxiety with owners as it can lead to an undetermined budget and resulting cost. To provide a sense of comfort to owners, this method also involves establishing an allowance for repairs based on a consultant’s quantity survey. The ICRI publishes spall repair classifications and the estimated quantity of spalling from the consultant’s survey is multiplied by the contractor’s unit costs, which establishes an allowance for repairs. However, since a spall may fit within four or five different IRCI categories, identifying the correct category in the field is difficult, and often results in overlaps where a spall is missed, incorrectly categorized and frequently counted more than once. While still not exact, this method is widely used and provides owners with projections critical to adequately funding projects.

The other technique for categorization that is beginning to emerge is based on volume rather than a predetermined category. The volumetric method is intended to simplify the process in the field by measuring an individual spall based on actual cubic inch volume rather than forcing a spall to fit a predetermined ICRI category.

The sum of all volumes calculated during construction is subtracted from the estimated quantity allowance provided during time of bid, thus providing more accurate pricing. The drawback in some locations is the learning curve of the local contractor. This makes it difficult to gain accurate comparative bid pricing.

From an engineering perspective, the volumetric method is intended to reduce the probability for error when calculating quantities in the field.

As you can see, estimating concrete spall repair is not an exact science. The uncertain nature of the work can create headaches for owners, confusion for contractors, and challenging engineering problems for design consultants.

For a more successful, long-lasting solution, owners should work with design professionals to prescribe the appropriate technique for their needs and create a successful concrete spall repair project.

ABOUT ABB

Allana Buick & Bers, Inc. (ABB) is determined to provide the most comprehensive and innovative consulting services with award-winning expertise in roofing, waterproofing and building envelope solutions.   ABB is customer-focused, providing expert advice using cutting-edge technologies for time-enduring solutions. This publication is published several times a year. For more information, call (800) 378-3405 or email bd@abbae.com.

Contributing Writers: Karim Allana / Dana Bergeman / David Kaahaaina / Alex Kaffka / Erik Piller / Karen Roberson / Anthony Wetterau

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