bearing wall

Another alteration was the removal or replacement of a bearing wall, which had been included in the original design of the building but disappeared later.

The plan calls for wooden joists and these products don’t allow holes to be drilled in specific locations close to where they rest on a bearing wall.

Besides inadequate and improperly installed shoring, the report found that engineers and masonry contractors didn’t realize the wall they were repairing was a structural bearing wall.

Chief Building Official Trishna Pradhan signs a notice of public hazard that says the southwest wall “has been gradually falling” and there is “visible crumbling of this exterior load bearing wall under the support beam.”

Sincan said the historic building housing his store has been deemed safe by engineers, with the damage limited to plasterwork and a few non-load bearing walls.