Fairfield Connecticut Building Expert Directory

6 Ways to Reduce Fire Safety Hazards in BESS

January 02, 2024 — The Hartford Staff - The Hartford Insights
Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, are projected to generate 44% of all power in the U.S. by 2050, which is increasing the need for battery energy storage systems (BESS).1 BESS are electrochemical devices that collect energy from a power grid, power plant or renewable source, hold it, and then discharge that energy later to provide electricity on demand. “A BESS does not itself create or produce energy, it is a storage system. The energy is produced by other means, including different types of renewable sources. Think of a cellphone – you charge it overnight and then it runs throughout the day off that battery power,” says Stacie Prescott, head of energy for middle and large commercial at The Hartford. Read the court decision
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Reprinted courtesy of The Hartford Staff, The Hartford Insights

Guardrail Maker Defrauded U.S. of $175 Million and Created Hazard, Jury Says

October 22, 2014 — Patrick G. Lee – Bloomberg
Secret changes by Trinity Industries Inc. to its guardrail systems were found to have cheated the U.S. government, exposing the company to $1 billion in damages and penalties and sending shares plummeting as states question the safety of the product. The east Texas jury’s verdict comes as scrutiny of the highway-safety product called the ET-Plus intensifies across the country after it’s been blamed for multiple deaths. The Federal Highway Administration this month asked all states to start submitting information on crashes involving the ET-Plus to the agency’s safety office. The agency will evaluate the findings of the case and “consider whether it affects the continued eligibility of the ET-Plus,” Brian Farber, a spokesman for the Department of Transportation, said in an e-mail. Read the court decision
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Reprinted courtesy of Patrick G. Lee, Bloomberg
Mr. Lee may be contacted at plee315@bloomberg.net

Wharf Holdings to Sell Entire Sino-Ocean Stake for $284 Million

December 10, 2015 — Bloomberg News – Bloomberg
Wharf Holdings Ltd., a Hong Kong-based real-estate developer, said it has agreed to sell its entire stake in Sino-Ocean Land Holdings Ltd. for HK$2.2 billion ($284 million) to an undisclosed buyer, three days after Anbang Insurance Group Co. purchased about a fifth of the Chinese builder’s shares. Wharf will sell 445 million shares, or 5.93 percent of Sino-Ocean Land’s stake, for HK$5 each, the company said in a statement on its website on Thursday. It expects to complete the transaction next week. Read the court decision
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Reprinted courtesy of Bloomberg News

Miller Law Firm Helped HOA Recover for Construction Defects without Filing a Lawsuit

July 16, 2014 — Beverley BevenFlorez-CDJ STAFF
According to a press release published on the PR Newswire, The Miller Law Firm “recovered $910,000 for the 1635 California Owners' Association for construction defects without ever filing a complaint.” William Nagle, Special Master & Mediator, facilitated the settlement “a year after putting the builder on notice under SB 800, California’s Right to Repair Law.” “Independent forensic expert inspections revealed building standard violations ranging from improperly installed gutters resulting in water intrusion in the units project wide, active leaks, standing water and inadequate gutters resulting in staining and efflorescence on the garage walls, balcony, and tile grout, discoloration and extensive cracking in the stucco project wide, inadequate weather stripping with evidence of condensation staining at windows, window frames and adjacent paint, inadequate ventilation, and ADA violations including loose glass guardrails and in regards to accessible rooftop common areas,” according to the press release. “This case settled prior to any formal mediation and I credit the diligence of both the Association and builder counsel,” Nagle stated. “Tom Miller is one of the most knowledgeable and respected plaintiffs' lawyers in the construction defect area. And I compliment both counsel on their preparation and cost-effective handling of the case in reaching a fair and reasonable result for their respective clients." Read the court decision
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15 Wilke Fleury Lawyers Recognized in 2020 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

August 17, 2020 — Wilke Fleury LLP
Wilke Fleury is proud to announce that 15 of our astounding attorneys were featured in the Annual List of Top Attorneys in the 2020 Northern California Super Lawyers magazine. Super Lawyers rates attorneys in each state using a patented selection process; they also publish a yearly magazine issue that regularly produces award-winning features on selected attorneys. Wilke Fleury LLP Read the full story... Read the court decision
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The International Codes Development Process is Changing to Continue Building Code Modernization

March 06, 2023 — The International Code Council
Washington D.C., March 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The International Code Council is revising its rigorous code development process. The changes will take effect in 2024-2026 for the development of the 2027 International Codes (I-Codes) and will move the development process to an integrated and continuous three-year cycle. In the new timeline, year one will include two Committee Action Hearings for Group A Codes; year two will include two Committee Action Hearings for Group B Codes; and year three will be the joint Public Comment Hearings and Online Governmental Consensus Vote for both Group A and B Codes. The addition of the second Committee Actions Hearings in year one and two will foster a more in-depth vetting of code change proposals, allowing an opportunity for the committee members to review and evaluate the original proposals and consider the submitted responses. This also provides more opportunity for proponents to build consensus for their code change proposal and ensure the best version of their intended improvement to the existing codes. Additionally, with combined Public Comment Hearings in the third year, voting members are able to vote on all suggested changes to the next edition of the I-Codes at one time. The updated process also provides more opportunity for proposed new referenced standards to be developed and finalized on a consistent timeline regardless of the group (Group A or B) with which they are associated. About the International Code Council The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide. Read the court decision
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The Importance of the Subcontractor Exception to the “Your Work” Exclusion

May 16, 2018 — John J. Kozak, Esq. - Florida Construction Law News
Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies typically include a “your work” exclusion, excluding coverage for “’property damage’ to ‘your work’ arising out of it or any part of it and included in the ‘products-completed operations hazard.’” These CGL policies define “your work,” in pertinent part, as “work or operations performed by you or on your behalf.” (emphasis added). As the recent case of Mid-Continent Cas. Co. v. JWN Construction, Inc., 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20529 (S.D. Fla. 2018) reminds us, the “your work” exclusion can serve to eliminate coverage for a general contractor, even when property damage is caused by a subcontractor. Read the court decision
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Reprinted courtesy of John J. Kozak, Esq., Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A.
Mr. Kozak may be contacted at john.kozak@csklegal.com

Points on Negotiating Construction Claims

December 30, 2013 — CDJ STAFF
Eugene Heady of Smith Currie and Hancock offers some pointers on the effective negotiation of construction claims. He notes that “claims and disputes in the construction industry are commonplace,” but that “settlement usually comes after much pain, suffering, and expense.” He offers nine points to consider when negotiating construction claims. His first two points are to develop a claim position and then document that claim. He says that “the facts underlying the claim should be nonnegotiable.” The documentation “suggests to your opponent that you have done your homework and are serious about the pursuit of your claim.” He also notes that you need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your position. On the other side, you need to “understand your opponent’s positions,” and also “your opponent’s strengths.” He points out that “an appreciation for what is truly important to your opponent is the starting point for the development of creative solutions to the dispute. Further, bargaining should be done in good faith, negotiation should be done on the merits, and you are well advised to “choose a seasoned and skilful negotiator. “A prolonged and expensive legal battle is not likely to change the outcome,” he warns. Read the court decision
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FAIRFIELD CONNECTICUT BUILDING EXPERT DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES