Correctional Facility
Pensacola, FLThe Project
A natural gas explosion occurred as a result of the basement flooding of a four-story county detention facility in Pensacola, Florida. The explosion created a crater-sized hole in a portion of the building and caused significant structural damage throughout large portions of the building.
The Challenge
The initial ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) investigation resulted in condemning the building, potentially resulting in the building being a total loss.
MKA’s initial task was to assess the damaged building and develop a stabilization plan to allow for safe access to allow for further investigation. We were also tasked to conduct a thorough structural investigation to determine if the building was repairable and develop an opinion of the probable cost for that remediation.
The Solution
MKA’s team of highly-trained Structural Engineers worked alongside the Contractor to initially stabilize the structure. Once complete, MKA’s multi-disciplinary team of Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, and Construction Consultants worked hand-in-hand to investigate and analyze the building. MKA then developed a code-compliant scope of repair to restore the building to a pre-loss condition.
The Result
The initial work by MKA’s Engineers in stabilizing the building allowed for a safe investigation into the cause of the explosion. MKA’s in-depth structural and building systems analysis concluded that the building was not a total loss and that a cost effective repair was not only feasible, but practical.