Page 6 - SEDairyBrochure

What is a Geotechnical Engineer and when do I
need one?
A geotechnical engineer is an expert at evaluating soil and
groundwater conditions as they relate to construction. A
geotechnical engineer is commonly used to provide a site
characterization study if a new liquid manure storage is to be
constructed or in situations where the ground conditions
appear questionable for construction. A typical site
characterization will require soil samples be taken from the
location of the storage and tested. The testing is used to
determine if the local soil conditions provide a level of
containment in case of a spill or tank leakage. The site
characterization will also determine if there is groundwater or
bedrock in the area of the tank which would increase the risk to
the environment. Stonecrest Engineering uses all of the
information provided by the geotechnical engineer to design a
manure storage that meets local building code and
environmental regulations.
What is the benefit of Stonecrest's in-house dairy
experience?
Stonecrest Engineering's dairy designers work closely with their
clients, contractors and equipment suppliers to develop a
design that meets the owner's requirements.
During consultation, site topography and existing structures are
reviewed to determine the ideal location and orientation. This
helps to optimize ventilation, incorporate existing feed systems,
reduce manure handling and minimize site work. We also
review cow flow, fencing and gating, palpation and treatment
area requirements. A full structural analysis is completed taking Building codes and regulations will vary between different
care to ensure that structural members do not interfere with
cow flow or equipment and machinery. Stonecrest also works
closely with dairy equipment suppliers to ensure proper
placement of equipment and that tolerances are maintained.
How do I pick a Contractor?
Selecting a contractor can be one of the most important
aspects of a successful construction project. In order to
effectively communicate your project ideas to the prospective
contractors, we recommend having Stonecrest Engineering
prepare your plans. Then, each contractor can provide a price
based on the exact same design.
While price is always an important consideration, we also
recommend selecting a contractor familiar with the dairy
industry. Experienced contractors bring many good ideas to a
project and are able to guide and advise the client on what
construction options are available and the benefits to each. It
is also a good idea to talk to other farmers to find out which
contractors they have used and whether it was a positive
experience. Finally, we suggest attending dairy facility open
houses to evaluate a contractors' workmanship and attention
to detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dairy Facilities
What do I need to get a Building Permit and how
long does the drawing process take?
The requirements for obtaining a permit can vary between the
US and Canada and its corresponding Counties or
Municipalities and will depend on the type of construction you
are considering. In Ontario, if you are building a facility for
animal housing or manure storage, you are required to submit
an OMAFRA-approved nutrient management plan or strategy. If
you are constructing a liquid manure storage, or a solid
manure storage without a concrete floor, you will also be
required to submit a geotechnical site characterization. The
Nutrient Management Act requires engineered drawings for
any manure storage facility and the Ontario Building Code
requires any building larger than 600 m2 (approximately 6000
ft2) to be engineered.
The actual time to complete engineered drawings can vary
greatly depending on the complexity of the project and the
number of revisions that are required during the design
process. We encourage our customers to take sufficient time
to review the preliminar y drawings during the design stage, to
ensure that they are reflective of their needs. It is always simpler
to make a change on paper than on the construction site. In
order to provide enough time to complete engineered
drawings and obtain a building permit, we recommend
allowing six to eight weeks as a minimum. If nutrient
management is required, we recommend allowing a minimum
of four additional weeks.
Why do I Need On-Site Inspections?
County and Municipal Building Departments. The Ontario
Building Code requires that professional engineers undertake
general review of the construction of certain specified buildings
and forward written reports from this general review to the chief
building official. The purpose of the general review is to ensure
that the project is being constructed in “general conformance”
with the engineered plans. Stonecrest Engineering will provide a
list of inspection requirements, at the completion of the
engineered drawings, to ensure that both the owner and the
contractor are aware of when an inspection is to be
completed. It is critical that these inspections be completed.
Not having the required inspections and reports completed
can cause issues with the local building departments such as
denied occupancy and forfeited permit deposits.
.
For more information on our design and
Engineering services or to discuss your future
project with one of our designers, contact our
office at (519) 625-8025 or email us at
info@stonecrestengineering.com