Large fabric building failure(s): Does this make sense to you?

[piaffepony]

can you post a copy of the warranty?

I uploaded the design document that was emailed us when we first put the deposit down into a google folder. It has the warranty attached at the end.

Here is the link:
design permission form T72RD.pdf - Google Drive

 

[piaffepony]

What broke and allowed the cover to fly up ??

I went back and looked through all the pictures I took of the arena damage. It’s hard to tell what failed first.

I do know that it wasn’t hit with debris. With the direction of wind, there wasn’t anything close enough to hit it. I had damage to other structures and those pieces were accounted for and down wind of the structure.

From what I could tell the possibilities are:

-Failure of the stretch pockets along the top that keep the bonnet from flapping. The ratchet straps that stretch and hold the top of the cover down were all still attached to the frame!

- I suppose the PVC pipe used within the stretch pockets to stretch it could’ve failed, but it’s what came with the building and the design calls for.

- The heavy duty galvanized pipe in the bottom stretch pockets were bent in half. Not strong enough?

- Poor design of the skirting rail? The skirting rail sits in this channel built into the base plates. It’s held in place by 8 screws. The last time we had storm damage, we noticed it popped out... so in addition to the screws, we added a small weld to each one but it still came out! Not sure if the skirt rail has any impact on the damage done though. It’s just to keep the bottom skirt from flapping.

- The corner base plate ratchet mechanism gave out? The strapping was still attached to the cover and the base plate but it had unraveled.

The first failure was caused by a rip in the seam and was mentioned to Clearspan prior to the storm ripping the whole thing off. There was no other obvious structural failures other than the skirt rail thing. That’s probably why they replaced it without much of an issue.

 

[piaffepony]

Well, that's a head scratcher.

What does your insurance agent say? Are they going to go after the manufacturer or just pay the claim?

The insurance company investigated it, but my purchase agreement has a subrogation waiver clause and a few other little BS technicalities, they decided not to pursue legal action.

 

[randy41]

if you do the math you'll find that the maximum the manufacturer would have to pay under the warranty for the cover is about $700. this is 10% of 110k divided by 3 times 20% (prorated as per the warranty). the warranty doesn't cover labor to replace the cover.

 

[piaffepony]

if you do the math you'll find that the maximum the manufacturer would have to pay under the warranty for the cover is about $700. this is 10% of 110k divided by 3 times 20% (prorated as per the warranty). the warranty doesn't cover labor to replace the cover.

20%? I’m not sure what you’re saying here.

Here is one of the original emails we exchanged... given the information so far, do you think it’s misleading?

 

[4570Man]

Yes I think the email is misleading. If what he said is true the cover should cost 1/3 of 10 percent of 110,000 plus labor. There’s probably been a price I increase since then but over a 5x increase I think not. Did you get a list describing what the warranty covers? Just saying a 15 year warranty is pretty useless.

 

[randy41]

the 20% represents the 2 years out of 10 left on the 10 year warranty. i think the warranty states that there's an amortization adjustment.

 

[Sigarms]

I might of missed it, but no response was given if the insurance company was going to pay for it?

It was mentioned that the wind didn't reach the maximum wind speed given in the written warranty, exactly what was the wind speed per the weather service during this storm? What was the wind speed during the first issue back in 2014?

It's also noted by the OP in the e-mail correspondence that a steel structure will generally last a life time, but the reality is nothing is going to stand depending on how strong the wind is.

Building needs a PE stamp for the warranty, but the way I read it that's for the frame only, not the cover.

However, what is perplexing is the company does give a wind rating, but as noted, wind is an act of God and not covered in the same written document. This doesn't do the OP any good now, but for that kind of money, I'd want it in additional writing per what is covered per wind damage.

 

[Diggin It]

As I read it, there seem to be two warranties involved, or at least two sets of coverages, one for the steel arch structure and another for the fabric.

Also, y'all might want to check your homeowners' policies for that 'Act of God' wording or similar.

 

[piaffepony]

the 20% represents the 2 years out of 10 left on the 10 year warranty. i think the warranty states that there's an amortization adjustment.

Ah! Thanks for the clarity. Actually I did check and technically it was a 15 year for the cover.