July 2, 2021

Mr. Matt Hansen, AIA, NCARB Principal BARBER & HOFFMAN, INC . IKM Architecture Consulting Engineers Eleven Stanwix Street, Suite 2200 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 PRINCIPALS Re: Butler Area District Niru S. Dabholkar – Ceiling Evaluation Jon T. Leuthaeuser Michael R. Miller Dear Matt: James D. Pospisil

Today, I visited the Butler Area School District Middle School to observe the existing tile SENIOR ASSOCIATES ceiling within the gymnasium. You had indicated prior to the visit, a portion of the tile Brad A. Boomer ceiling had collapsed. You have indicated the school district intends to utilize the Middle James M. Colella School during the 2021-2022 educational school year but may not utilize the middle school Tyler J. McGrady in years afterwards.

When I arrived on site, a six- by eight-foot portion of the existing 2-foot by 4-foot ceiling ASSOCIATES tiles were missing. It is B&H understanding, from discussions with District maintenance Alexandra S. Koepl personnel, these tiles suddenly fell without warning. The area of the collapsed tiles was Michael A. Mazzocco located towards the west end of the gymnasium. See Photographs 1 through 4. Andrew J. Bollinger I observed the ceiling with the assistance of a vertical lift which the District has been Matthew C. Dacek utilizing within the gymnasium. From this observation, it appears the original ceiling David W. Deaton construction includes 1x wood “bead-boards” attached to 2x wood ceiling joists spaced at Mark D. Heinzen 2’-0”. The ceiling joists appear to be supported by the steel roof trusses. The wood ceiling Andrew J. Lesak joist do not appear to be roof joists, thus they do not support the roof membrane and roof insulation. The ceiling tile system appears to have been installed during a renovation Ang Liu project and is located approximately 6- to 7-inches below the original ceiling. In the area Nagul Nagappar where the tiles fell, a portion of the “bead board” has detached from the ceiling joist. See Kyle E. Shepherd Photograph 5. The extent of the detachment is unclear since it is typically concealed by S. Nick Sparks the ceiling tile.

Prior to arriving on site, District maintenance staff indicated they have been installing supplemental fasteners to stabilize the existing tile ceiling at 4’-0” spacing each way. They indicated their intent was to provide these fasteners at every ceiling T which extends between the steel trusses. At the observed ceiling location, it appears the fasteners attach to the 1x “bead-boards”, and not into the 2x ceiling joists. See Photograph 6.

In addition, it does not appear as though the ceiling Ls (located at each side of each truss) are not positively attached to the trusses but are bearing on the tops of the truss diagonal angles. See Photographs 7 and 8.

Based upon the observations performed, B&H has developed to repair options for this gymnasium ceiling. These options were described to the District maintenance staff and the Middle School Principal. Either option is acceptable to B&H.

Option 1 – Ceiling Tile Removal: This approach would include the removal of all the 1659 Route 228 existing ceiling tiles. The existing metal ceiling framing could remain in place, however Suite 200 loose or non-positively attached metal framing is also recommended to be removed or Cranberry Twp., PA attached to the ceiling joists above. This approach would remove the weight imposed upon 16066-5319 724.741.0848 CLEVELAND OH | CRANBERRY TWP. PA | COLUMBUS OH barberhoffman.com the existing fasteners. In addition, loose/detached “bead-boards” should be reattached to the existing ceiling joists. District maintenance personnel indicated the ceiling tiles are attached to the ceiling metal framing with clips, thus their removal would be challenging, especially from the lift.

Option 2 – Supplemental Fasteners: This approach would include the installation of two new fasteners with a spreader plate between them spaced at 4’-0” each way. It appears the fasteners which are currently being used could be utilized for this option. The spreader plate could be aluminum 3/16”x2” plate (by 2’-3” long) with holes drilled at 2’-0”. With this option, the fasteners would be anchored through the “bead-board” and embedded at least 2” into the existing ceiling joists. The spreader plates would be located below the ceiling T which occur between the steel trusses. If this option is chosen, then B&H recommends a repair detail be developed to insure the repair intent is clearly understood.

Let me know if you have any questions and if further discussions with the District are required. If Option 2 is selected, then provide B&H a day or two to issue the repair detail.

Very truly yours,

BARBER & HOFFMAN, INC.

Michael R. Miller, PE Principal

Enclosure: Photographs 1 through 8

MRM/mrm

Butler Area School District Middle School – Gymnasium Ceiling Evaluation Page 2 of 2

Photograph 1

Photograph 2 Butler Area School District Middle School – Gymnasium Ceiling Evaluation Photograph Page 1 of 4

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Photograph 4 Butler Area School District Middle School – Gymnasium Ceiling Evaluation Photograph Page 2 of 4

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Photograph 6 Butler Area School District Middle School – Gymnasium Ceiling Evaluation Photograph Page 3 of 4

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Photograph 8 Butler Area School District Middle School – Gymnasium Ceiling Evaluation Photograph Page 4 of 4