May2016

THE HIGH RISE... from page 34.

ers and many other aesthetic finishes. Failures of these membranes due to age or improper construction will then cause deterioration of the concrete. What makes this type of deck even more problematic is that you may not even know that the water is causing problems and when it is recognized damage may already have occurred and the source of the water is very difficult to find without removing large portions if the top surface. Another area of common problems in the building envelope is the roof. On most high rises the roof is flat with only minimal slope and can hold water for extended periods after a rainfall resulting in moisture infiltration into the upper floor units and common areas. Since the roof is easily acces- sible for ongoing inspections it is recommended that the roof be visually inspected on and ongoing basis to review its condition and perform any remedial work before it becomes an expensive problem to correct. While the above problem areas only touch on a limited number of areas, it does show the importance of ongoing maintenance. Mechanical Systems The mechanical systems in a high rise building are extensive and include not only the heating and cooling sys- tems but also the production of hot water. The systems typically are fueled by large amounts of electricity and natural gas which make up a large portion of the monthly maintenance

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