Like many other industries, the foundation repair industry doesn't have a lot over over sight outside of local registrar of contractors. The result is a lot of back and forth about what solutions are the best fit for individual foundation problems. This is what makes this news so AMAZING!
The Engineers at Supportworks have worked very hard in first taking the existing IAPMO Acceptance Criteria and helping IAPMO to make them more universally applicable!
In an earlier post, I discussed the problems with using ICC Acceptance Criteria 358 for helical piles in residential retrofit applications. The problems are numerous resulting in an industry wide disconnect between engineering and field installations. https://www.foundationaz.com/blog/icc-regulation
The Engineers at Supportworks have worked very hard in first taking the existing IAPMO Acceptance Criteria and helping IAPMO to make them more universally applicable. Then they were able to submit their test results of their 288 helical pile system (a system used in foundation underpinning or foundation stabilization) and received approval of for it to be used in conjunction EC 027 for residential retrofit applications.
Congratulations to Supportworks and their in house Engineering Team for putting effort into making this happen.
Basically, following IRC philosophy of minimized jobsite specific engineering, and then compensating with increased safety factors. Accordingly without site specific borings, the safety factors are increased from 2.0 to 2.5.
I have long pushed for the foundation repair industry to recognize the need for this… and it has finally happened! Congratulations to Supportworks and their in house Engineering Team for putting effort into making this happen.
The industry is now much healthier as a result. Installers now no longer have to ignore the instructions on their very own product engineering reports! We love being part of foundation industry change that benefits installers AND Homeowners.
