Old Building Retrofits

Old buildings are retrofitted for a number of different reasons. They might need structural improvements so that they remain safe for continued use. They may need seismic retrofitting to improve their ability to withstand earthquakes. New systems may need to be installed, such as air conditioning, fire sprinklers, or wi-fi. Improvements to heating and ventilation systems are another reason for retrofits.

When old buildings are retrofitted, quality engineering firms will attempt to fit the new construction into the historic look of the structure. Any new machinery, power lines, or air ducts are hidden or adapted to the original design. In the case of seismic retrofits, simply putting in new supports can be very intrusive. It is better to engineer the retrofit so that the patterning and detailing of the updates seem to be part of the old building. It is also important to retain as much of the original material as possible.

The Structure's Original Condition Will Affect Old Building Retrofits
A careful analysis of the condition of the original building is important before performing any retrofits. The materials that were used in construction should be studied, and damage caused by any past earthquakes or other disasters needs to be evaluated. Even if there is no obvious damage, the structure itself might have been weakened. The plan for the retrofitting has to take into account all these factors.

The purpose of an old building retrofit may be to make it more comfortable to use, or it may be to keep it as safe as possible in future disasters. Whatever the reason, experienced and knowledgeable engineers need to be called in to create an effective plan to accomplish the goals of the retrofitting process. For more about retrofitting, contact The KPA Group at www.thekpagroup.com.