In a December 2016 assessment of the issue obtained by NBC Bay Area, Palo Alto-based building consultants Allana Buick & Bers Inc. trace the odors to openings between the building’s façade, or curtain wall, and the core structure.
The consultants point to the “excessive” settlement as a likely source of the issue, adding, “This condition may be more widespread than these two test areas and may be present in the entire stack. We recommend further investigation of this issue.”
— NBC Bay Area
New fire hazards have been found in San Francisco's infamous Millennium Tower, making the luxury high-rise that has sunk 17 inches since 2009 even less safe than previously thought. According to a December 2016 assessment carried out by building consultants Allana Buick & Bers Inc., gaps between the building's walls and structural frame have been found. These openings "represent a breach in the fire and smoke barrier" that in the event of a fire, would allow smoke to jump floors posing a huge safety risk to the occupants.
Allana Buick & Bers Inc. were hired by condo owner Paula Pretlow to assess the tower in order to trace the source of foul orders that had been plaguing the occupant. The consultants discovered that smells were likely coming from gaps that had occurred as a result of the structure's settlement. However, these findings were redacted from the copy of the report they returned to Pretlow.
Pretlow has spent a year in court fighting to see the original reports and after successfully procuring the documents, has issued a new complaint to the fire department. Crews have since removed part of the façade panels in order to examine the claims further and the San Francisco Fire Marshal is expected to visit the building next week to evaluate concerns.
10 Comments
On the plus side, the units are getting much more affordable!
TIL David doesn't know what a friction pile is.
I don't understand how a person can hire a consultant then only get a copy of the report from that consultant that is redacted?
What big urbanist fantasy are we living in where skyscrapers in SF is now ok?
Why would they not be okay?
Instead of Millenium let's go with Decadium Tower!
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