Three Northern Gulf Coast Projects Select IBA Consultants for Third Party Inspection Services

Pensacola, FL, July 19, 2009 --(PR.com)-- To ensure that its building envelope components are installed in compliance with the building code, three projects on the Gulf Coast – C.J. Peete Redevelopment, New Orleans; Hotel Indigo, Pensacola; and Pensacola Airport TSA Expansion – have hired IBA Consultants to provide third party inspections (also known as private inspections).

“Having an inspector on the premise not only provides quick access to a certified building code expert, it allows fast and thorough inspections to occur as soon as the installation is ready for inspection,” states Mark Baker, president, IBA Consultants. “This will help the developer save time and money through quick approvals of the current installation and the necessary authorizations to begin the next phase.”

Baker notes that an onsite inspector also improves quality control and mitigates the chance for building envelope failure. “Our inspection expertise enables us to identify potential problems early in the process so they can be eliminated, thus saving time and money associated with failures after construction.”

For each project, IBA will concentrate on structural and life safety issues by providing quality control inspections such as:

1. Fabrication and installation of curtain wall systems
2. Fabrication and installation of structural glazed panels
3. Fire stopping
4. Railing and safeguards
5. Roofing

The use of private inspections in lieu of municipal building inspections is a growing trend, particularly in areas with construction projects where size, complexity and pace of construction are overwhelming for building officials. Several states, such as Florida, New York, Nevada and Washington, now mandate it by law or code.

“IBA plans to grow our special inspection services in the areas that need and/or mandate outsourced inspection service to provide both legislative compliance and quality control beyond minimum code requirements,” states Baker.

C.J. Peete Project: The new C.J. Peete mixed-income community will include 460 rental units: seven public housing units, 186 public housing-Low Income Housing Tax Credit units, 144 Low Income Housing Tax Credit units, and 123 market-rate rental units. Two on-site historic buildings will be rehabilitated. The cornerstone of the new community will be a centrally located Campus of Learners comprised of a new state-of-the-art K-8 school, recreation center with a gymnasium, and a health clinic.

Hotel Indigo Project: The 162-room, boutique luxury hotel is scheduled to open in spring 2010. Features include a rooftop swimming pool, 3,000 square feet of meeting space and fashionable décor that changes seasonally. The hotel is part of IHG, the parent company of Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza and Intercontinental.

Pensacola Airport TSA Expansion Project: The terminal expansion includes additional security screening capacity, explosion detection screening and baggage handling equipment along with additional administrative space for TSA and airport operations. Ticket counters and retail lease space will also be added, as well as upgrades to finishes throughout the terminal.

With eight offices located throughout the United States and one in Abu Dhabi, UAE, IBA Consultants (www.ibaconsultants.com) is the country’s foremost building envelope consulting firm, specializing in the identification and elimination of potential and existing wall cladding, glazing, glass, roofing, and waterproofing system failures. Founded in 1996, with more than 4,000 successful projects to its credit, IBA has earned a reputation for excellence throughout the world through a highly trained staff with world-class qualifications.

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