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I August 7, 2014
Structural&Civil Engineering"w r
PO.B.881,Wendell,MA 01379 tel/Fax978$440 00
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AUG 14 2014
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Electric, Plumbing&Gas Inspections
Northampton, MA 01060
Stephen Greenwald _
Renaissance Builders
390 Main Road
Gill, MA 01376
RE: 15 Warner St, Florence, MA: Project# 14059
Dear Mr. Greenwald:
I have visited 15 Warner Street in Florence on July 28, 2014 and reviewed the plans
provided by NOVA entitled "Joyce's House", dated 6.25.14. It is my understanding that because
renovations are being made to the house, the front wall needs to come into compliance with the
wind and seismic loading requirements of the Massachusetts State Building Code. It is also my
understanding that the owner does not want to lose any of the existing windows.
I recommend that the existing wall be converted to a shear wall by the following
process:
1: Insert PSL 3-1/2" x 7-1/4" columns into the wall cavity next to each of the existing
corner studs.
2: Tie these PSL's to the foundation with HDU5 tie downs. The anchors need to be
embedded in the concrete foundation 5" with Simpson AT adhesive.
3: Sheath the inside face of the wall with 7/16" OSB nailed at 4" o.c. field and edge.
It is my opinion, based on my training and experience as a professional engineer, as
well as my site visits and examination of the aforementioned computations, that this
construction will meet the structural requirements of the Massachusetts Building Code, 780
CMR, 8th Edition.
Please call me if you have any questions regarding this project.
Sincerely,
Robert Leet, P.E. 1, ROBERT T. �•
LEET
GTRUCTURAL
38942
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