Services – 7OAKS Engineering

Due Diligence & Feasbility Studies

bendcloud — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:53:02 +0000

Engineering & Due Diligence Studies

DEFINITION:

The engineering due diligence phase is performed prior to the start of a project to determine project feasibility. Research and analysis is performed to study the existing site with respect to the proposed development. This information is compiled into a formal report that assists the owner or developer an allowing them to make an informed decision on project feasibility.

OUR JOB:

A Development Feasibility Report (DSR) or Site Investigation Report (SIR) is prepared by 7 Oaks Engineering for the project and typically includes the following items be researched and reviewed;

1. Site and surrounding land use zoning standards (buildings, landscape, parking access requirements).

2. Site plan review, design review and traffic analysis review process

3. Review boundary, existing easements and ALTA survey

4. State environmental policy acts or other applicable local codes.

5. Engineering standards (fire apparatus access, transportation access, right-of-way improvements, utility improvements)

6. Permitting and ROW permit processes

7. Fess estimate (plan check and permitting fee estimates).

Entitlement/Conceptual Design

bendcloud — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:52:24 +0000

Entitlement & Conceptual Design

DEFINITION:

There are two types of permits a ministerial and a discretionary permit. A ministerial permit is a permit for which the staff needs to determine only conformity with applicable ordinances before approving the project. This is opposite the discretionary permit. If a ministerial permit is issued, essentially your project ‘skips’ the entitlement phase and goes directly into the construction documents phase and prepares permit ready drawings. The discretionary permit is when a decision-making body is required to exercise judgement to its approval. Given the specifics on the application, a discretionary permit may be approved, conditionally approved, or denied.

OUR JOB:

If a discretionary permit is required, then an application must be submitted to the governing agency. As part of this application preliminary plans and preliminary reports will be submitted. The architect will prepare the architectural site plan, building elevations, and renderings. 7 Oaks Engineering, will prepare preliminary civil plans and preliminary reports, including the most common, preliminary grading and drainage plan, preliminary utility plan, tentative plat map or tentative parcel/tract map, preliminary stormwater management design and report, and preliminary hydrology report.

Precise Grading and Drainage

bendcloud — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:51:55 +0000

Precise Grading and Drainage

DEFINITION:

Construction Documents, also known as CDs, is the second and final phase in the design process. Construction documents is the most important document set.

The ultimate purpose of CD’s is to 1) obtain permits from the governing agencies and 2) have a set of plans detailed and complete so the contractor can build from them.

Construction documents commence one of two ways, either the project has completed the entitlement process and been approved by decision makers, or the project does not require a discretionary permit and only a ministerial permit is required. In other words your project can skip entitlements and jumps right in to the CD design phase.

CDs are detailed civil engineering plans that typically include precise grading and drainage, wet utility design, final stormwater managemetn design, hydrology and hydraulics design, erosion and sediment control, horizontal control, rough grading plan, retaining wall plans, demolition plan, and any public infrastuture plans including public roadways, or public water and sewer plans.

OUR JOB:

The grading and drainage plan is the most important and usually the most time consuming plan to assemble for private development. This is the roadmap for the contractor to grade and construct the site. The grading and drainage plan is also referred to as a precise grading plan. Both are one in the same.

The precise grading and drainage plan has two main components. One, the precise grading of the site. And two, the site drainage. The precise grading plan will include final spot elevations, final grading contours, ADA/Title 24 compliance, slope arrows, stormwater management design, construction notes, and details.

Utility Design

bendcloud — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:51:19 +0000

Utility Design

DEFINITION:

The wet utility design plans are included in the Construction Documents (CD’s) package. The wet utility design is also a very critical component of the final engineering documents. Gravity utilities, such as sewer and storm drain, are essential to be evaluated early in the design to ensure positive slope and to eliminate the need for a pressurized system.

OUR JOB:

7 Oaks Engineering will prepare a wet utility plan that shows existing and proposed sewer, domestic water, storm drain, fire water and irrigation. Dry utilities, such as electrical, cable, gas, tv, etc., will be shown for reference is needed. If the proposed development is remote, then a septic system and water well maybe required and included in the design. The wet utility plan will typically the design and details for the sewer, storm drain, domestic water, and fire water system. The irrigation system will be designed to the property, where the landscape architect will then continue the design onsite.

Stormwater Management

bendcloud — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:50:39 +0000

Stormwater Management

DEFINITION:

Stormwater management, water quality design, post construction stormwater are all terms used and can vary by region greatly, but all imply the same meaning. The purpose of stormwater management is to assess the post development conditions and the impacts the proposed development will have on stormwater in terms of the quality and quantity of stormwater when discharged from the site.

OUR JOB:

7 Oaks Engineering will prepare a formal report and plan that includes the design of stormwater management, typically by implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) that address water quality and water quantity. The site geotechnical investigation report will be reviewed in detail for existing site soil conditions, infiltration rates, and any limiting factors that could exclude the implementation of certain BMPs. The stormwater design includes extensive calculations and details.

Hydrology and Hydraulics Design

bendcloud — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:50:10 +0000

Hydrology and Hydraulics Design

DEFINITION:

Hydrology is the study and analysis of a/or multiple storm events in relation to the existing and proposed developed site. Hydraulics is the study of stormwater within a system (i.e. storm drain, river, or stream). A hydrology and hydraulics report (H&H report) includes both elements and is prepared as supporting documentation for the CD’s.

OUR JOB:

7 Oaks Engineering will prepare a formal report and plan that includes the detailed study and analysis of the hydrology and hydraulics for the existing and proposed site. This study will address the local and state level codes and will ensure the proposed development is not negatively impacting the downstream infrastructure of adjoining sites. As part of the analysis, we will study the soil type, land cover, drainage basin size requirements, precipitation, as well as many factors to ensure there are no adverse effects of the proposed project and flooding. The latest technology and software will be utsed to prepare these technical reports.

Erosion/Sediment Control

bendcloud — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:49:44 +0000

Erosion & Sediment Control

DEFINITION:

The erosion control plan, also known as the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, is a plan for construction purposes only. This is a requirement by the state and may change depending on region. But the purposes to direct the contractor to install specific BMPs to minimize the amount of sediment and erosion as well as other containment’s discharging from the construction site.

Erosion is the process when a soil particle is removed from the land by wind, water or gravity. Sediment is the result from excessive erosion as a pollutant. To prevent erosion and sediment runoff from a construction site, means protecting the transport, wind, water, and gravity systems onsite. This plan will essentially callout all the temporary construction BMPs that must be implemented to protect the downstream receiving waters during construction.

OUR JOB:

The size and location of the project site will determine the requirements and extensiveness of the Erosion and Sediment Control Plans (ECSP). Depending on the governing agency, in addition to the ECSP a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) maybe additionally required to comply with the NPDES Permit. 7 Oaks Engineering will prepare each as required and assist the owner with any state construction permit filings with the governing water board or Department of Environmental Quality.

When preparing the plan, 7 Oaks Engineering will keep these objectives in mind:

• Control the construction site perimeter.

• Minimize the disturbed area at construction site

• Stabilize the disturbed area of the site

• Protect slopes and channels

• Retain sediment

• Protect all storm drain inlets on or adjacent to your site

• And Contain materials and wastes used onsite

With these objectives, a suitable BMP can be implemented, such as, Hydroseeding, soil tackifier, geotextiles & mats, and straw mulch are forms of common erosion control BMPs.

Sediment Control BMPs are typically silt fence, inlet protection, gravel bags, fiber rolls, sediment traps, dewatering, and street sweeping.

There are many more BMPs available to implement for the stabilization of erosion and sediment, and each one will be carefully evaluated in preparation of the site-specific erosion and sediment control plan. (ESCP).

Site Layout (Horizontal Control)

bendcloud — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:49:11 +0000

Site Layout (Horizontal Control)

DEFINITION:

A horizontal control plan is the dimensional control plan that provides a system of control that establishes and locates the positions of various points and objects. The relative position of these objects can be easily determined if they are tied into a local control station.

In other words, a horizontal control plans main purpose is to provide dimensions and bearing and distance for the proposed improvements with reference to the existing boundary lines, such as right of way, property lines, or street centerlines. The horizontal control plan ties in the building and site improvements to the site with reference to these boundary lines.

This plan allows the reviewer to confirm the minimum drive aisle widths or minimum path of travel dimensions. Additionally, the horizontal control plan assists the contractor and contractor’s surveyor will the dimensional layout. The horizontal control plan is included as part of the CDs package.

OUR JOB:

7 Oaks Engineering will prepare a site horizontal control plan that will establish control and design of an engineered site plan. The horizontal control plan will include dimensions, bearings and distances, line and curve data for the curb lines, as well as confirm compliance with ADA requirements and local agency codes.

Public Roadway Design

bendcloud — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:48:41 +0000

Public Roadway Design

DEFINITION:

Public Roadway or Street Improvement Plans maybe required by the governing agency as a result of the proposed development. The street plans are a public development and are often a separate set of plans apart from the CDs and a permitted separately. Street improvement plans typically include, a title sheet, a construction notes sheet, plan and profile for each street, and details sheet. Street improvement plans are a very detailed set of drawings.

OUR JOB:

7 Oaks Engineering will prepare street improvement plans, that may include the design of a new street, redevelopment of an existing street, new curb and gutter, walkway, parkway, street drainage, opening and closing of new driveways, stopping sight distance, turning radius, pavemetn sections, cross gutters and much more. The street improvement plans are prepared to conform with the onsite development as well as the local governing agency.

Public Utility Design

bendcloud — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 11:47:37 +0000

Public Utility Design

DEFINITION:

Public Utility plans maybe required by the governing agency as a result of the proposed development. The public utility plans are often a separate set of plans apart from the CDs and permitted separately. Public sewer, water, or storm drain plans typically include, a title sheet, a construction notes sheet, plan and profile of the new utility line, and a details sheet. Public utility plans are a very detailed set of drawings.

OUR JOB:

7 Oaks Engineering will prepare the required set of public utility plans and may also include supporting reports analyzing the capacity, flow, discharge, pressure, velocity, or hydraulic grade line of the proposed systems. Detail calculations will be performed and shall be included in the supporting reports.