10-19-18: Ten Thomas Fire projects currently permitted & two permits pending. Construction is currently progressing nicely on multiple homes in the Ondulando neighborhood.

8-1-18: Our 6th Thomas Fire permit has been secured. This is out of a total of 15 issued by the City of Ventura. We also submitted another project today.

 Framing progressing on what was our 1st issued permit.

Foundation excavations begun on what was our 4th permit.

Foundation in place & ready for slab pour on one of our projects. Framing to begin soon.

7-23-18: Our 5th project approved by the City of Ventura today! This is the 13th permit issued by the City. Baker Engineering, Inc. has now obtained 38% of the Thomas Fire permits issued.

7-18-18: Baker Engineering, Inc. today obtained approval for the 11th rebuild permit issued by the City of Ventura. Currently we have secured 36% of rebuild permits issued.

Concrete has been poured on 2 of our projects and grading is near completion on a 3rd. It is wonderful to see the hammers swinging on these projects.

7-5-18: Baker Engineering, Inc. secures the 10th Thomas Fire rebuild permit issued by the City of Ventura. Currently, 30% of the rebuild permits have been secured by Baker Engineering, Inc. and 3 more projects are currently in plan check. One step closer for one more family getting back in their home. It has been a pleasure working with such good people as the Bell family pictured here.

Overexcavation & recompaction in process for the 4th Thomas Fire rebuild permit issued within the City of Ventura.

The 4th permit issued by the City of Ventura for Thomas Fire rebuild secured by Baker Engineering, Inc. on 6/13/18.

Buddy performing 4 paw compaction testing for the overexcavation & recompaction of the building pad.

As of 5/24/18 the City of Ventura has issued 3 building permits for complete rebuild projects, the 3rd of which was for a Baker Engineering, Inc. project. To date Baker Engineering, Inc. has obtained permits on 2 fire damage repairs and 1 complete rebuild with another complete rebuild currently in plan check and another to be submitted within days.

Completed Pipe Line Suspension Bridge

Finally getting some pics up of the completed pipeline suspension bridge. 241 foot span, 40 foot elevation drop from high end to low end.

 Low profile abutment at low end. A conventional tower was not possible due to the "scenic disturbance" it would create.

 View along axis of bridge, people in the pic for scale.

 Locked gate to prevent adventurous hikers from crossing.

Note the wheels left in place which were used to feed the pipe across the canyon in sections as it was assembled.

Keeping the rocks off the road

Took a family trip on Highway 1 this weekend. Marveled at Caltrans solution to rock slides which is under construction.

Pipeline suspension bridge

Concrete being poured this week for the primary abutments and outrigger foundations. Pics require some imagination at this point to visualize the alignment of the bridge.

Late 1800's Barn and Residence

 Yes, there are barns in California. The previous post relates to this barn that we are rehabbing.

Surface drainage has been carrying dirt under the barn probably since it was originally built. There are two white owls living in the loft of this barn. I am hoping to get some photos of them, they are absolutely beautiful.

 This two story Victorian house is also on the property and we are rehabbing it as well.

The primary structural problem with the house is sinking foundations along the outer edge of porch and brick chimneys that have collapsed in past earthquakes.

Wood Rot

Probably close to 100 years of soil being transported under this wood framed structure by surficial run-off has filled the floor joist bays with dirt.

Roughly 12 inches of wood rim joist and mudsill are completely gone due to rot.

The space where a rim joist and mudsill previously existed is now filled entirely by dirt. The stone foundation wall is exposed in this photo, mortar has no binder material left and is now dry sand.

Existing Construction Wonders

Every once in a while I will come across something in the field that practically leaves me speechless.
On my initial site visit prior to any demo, I documented this handy little extension chord sticking out of the electrical panel. At least someone had placed a "Danger Tag" on this little jewel.
On my subsequent site visit after interior demo had been completed (this is all due to fire damage) I nearly fell over when I walked into the bathroom and observed the back side of the electrical panel in the shower.

I have to ask.....just how bright does a person have to be to know that maaaaaaybe this combination of water and electricity isn't such a good idea?

11-1-2010

Welcome to Baker Engineering's blog. Hopefully from time to time I will be posting something of interest either to the general public, a client or fellow professional. I welcome any suggestions for what the reader thinks this blog should contain.....a diary of projects being constructed for example seems like a logical use.