The Rimkus team offers a comprehensive portfolio of services for the built environment. Encompassing all engineering and architectural disciplines, our forward-thinking building solutions focus on resiliency, maintainability, sustainability, and carbon footprint reduction.
We leverage the knowledge of our deep bench of technical experts to proactively identify issues before they occur, mitigating risk and helping clients achieve the desired goals for their projects and facilities. From design and pre-construction through construction and project closeout, we span the project’s life with personalized service at every step.
List of Services:
- Architecture
- Building Envelope Services
- Civil Engineering
- Code Compliance
- Due Diligence Assessments
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Site Assessments
- Energy Audits
- Façade Inspection and Restoration
- Fire Life Safety Systems
- Historic Preservation
- Roof Consulting
- Plumbing Systems
- Renewable Energy Services
- Seismic Risk Assessments
- Structural Engineering
Ohio Building Safety Regulations
Cincinnati, Ohio – Ordinance No. 329-2016
The city of Cincinnati passed Ordinance No. 329-2016 in 2016 to maintain the integrity of Cincinnati’s historic buildings and protect the safety of pedestrians and occupants, as well as those residing and working in structures equipped with fire escapes.
External Resources:
Deadline and Frequency:
- Notices of examination requirements are sent to owners of qualified buildings. The inspection form and report must be filed with the director of the Department of Buildings and Inspections within the 30 days following the established examination due date.
- Structures built before 1950 may be eligible for an extension on the examination deadline provided that, within the preceding 15 years, the building underwent renovations resulting in the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy that included updates to fire escapes and/or facades.
Rimkus has offices strategically located throughout Ohio and a global team of licensed architects and engineers who are ready to support code compliance efforts in Cincinnati and beyond.
Inspection Requirements:
This ordinance mandates regular inspections of all fire escapes. It also requires periodic façade examinations for buildings that meet specific criteria:
- Buildings five stories or taller or 60 feet tall (whichever is less)
- Buildings that are more than 15 years old
The ordinance requires that the inspection form and report be completed by a professional engineer or architect registered and authorized by the State of Ohio and include any recommended maintenance or repairs.
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Cleveland, Ohio – Ordinance No. 3143.02
The City of Cleveland’s Codified Ordinance 3134.02 mandates regular inspections of buildings’ exterior walls and appurtenances in order to maintain a safe condition.
External Resources:
Deadline and Frequency:
- For buildings 50 years or older:
- The first inspection should be completed within one year of the effective date of the ordinance (6.6.16). Subsequent inspections should occur every five years from the date of the original inspection.
- For buildings 30 to 50 years old:
- The first inspection should be completed within two years of the effective date of the ordinance (6.6.16). Subsequent inspections should occur every five years from the date of the original inspection.
- If a building has already been inspected prior to the adoption of the ordinance, the owner must file a report of that inspection within one year of the effective date of the ordinance (6.6.16). Subsequent inspections should occur every five (5) years from the date of the original inspection.
Inspection Requirements:
According to the ordinance, buildings of a certain height and age must have their façades and exterior walls inspected.
- This applies to buildings 30 years old and older
- This applies to buildings that are at least five stories or seventy-five (75) feet in height above grade, whichever is shorter
A qualified inspector must perform inspections.
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Columbus, Ohio – Building Code of Ordinances Chapter 4109
The City of Columbus has enacted a façade ordinance to ensure the safety and integrity of buildings. As mandated under Building Code Chapter 4109 – Unsafe Buildings and Conditions, all buildings or structures which are structurally unsafe, do not provide adequate egress, constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human life are deemed unsafe. This also applies to all uncompleted buildings for which there are no valid building permits.
External Resources:
Deadline and Frequency:
- Buildings achieving applicability status before July 1, 1986, require inspections every five (5) years.
- For buildings reaching applicability status after July 1, 1986, the initial critical observation must be completed within 30 days of becoming applicable, with subsequent inspections every five years.
- Buildings attain applicability status at 20 years of age.
Inspection Requirements:
Building owners must conduct, supervise, or contract a critical observation of a building’s exterior walls and appurtenant structures.
- Buildings more than 20 years old and located withing 10 feet of a public right-of-way, pedestrian walkway, or plaza, excepting residential buildings up to three (3) stories, must be inspected every five (5) years.
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