Patrick Finn, AIA, NCARB Architecture, Construction & Premises Safety Expert

Professional Experience

Provide technical investigations, analysis, reports, and testimony for failure analysis, and towards the resolution of commercial and personal injury litigation involving slip, trip, and fall injuries; construction materials failures; code compliance issues; construction claims; and professional liability.

Building Safety: Application of building codes and safety standards, stairs and ramps, loading docks and levelers, means of egress, unprotected openings in floors, walls and roofs; guard rails and safety paint/striping, standard glass and fire/safety glazing, doors and windows; floor finishes, transitions and thresholds, vestibules and floor mats, hazards from falling or drifting snow, retail displays, food services.

Construction Safety: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Guidelines, staging and scaffolds, ladders and lifts, temporary fencing and guards, trenching and shoring, overhead and underground utilities, personal and site safety equipment, cranes and lifts, delivery and storage of materials, concrete and reinforcing steel, construction machines and equipment, temporary roads and walks, roof parapets and penetrations, temporary stairs and elevators.

Slip Accidents: Slips occurring on stairs, ramps, parking lots, sidewalks, dance floors, slips in supermarkets and restaurants/bars, sidewalk slips on ice, site and building analysis related to the accumulation of snow and ice that contributes to slip and fall accidents, snow removal hazards.

Trip Accidents: Trip events involving; stair geometry (rise and run) of steps, short run stairs and curbing, door thresholds and stair landings, handrails, guards, misaligned walking surfaces, floor/wall and ceiling grates and access panels, sidewalks, parking lots, walkways with low overhead obstructions, Delineated areas of flooring materials and finishes, unmarked sloped areas, wheel stops.

Accessibility: Analyzing; ADA compliance for ramps, stairs and means of egress, applications of Barrier-Free standards and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, special requirements for accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Building System Failures: Concrete slab and foundation cracking, differential settlement, waterproof barriers and stops, atmospheric and weather resistive barriers; roof, wall and stair collapse.

Architectural Practice and Standard of Care: AIA contract documents, construction contract documents and contract administration, analysis of the minimum standard of care.

Construction Materials Failures: Drainage and flashing systems, expansion and isolation joints, sealant and caulk systems, water intrusion related issues, exterior insulating and finishing systems (EIFS), exterior and interior masonry, cracked and spalling concrete, window and door systems.

Building Design and Planning: Horizontal and vertical egress pathways, building codes and standards, area of safety within means of egress, adaptive re-use, accessibility for persons with disabilities, occupant safety during weather or phased construction events, industrial equipment and utilities, commercial fixtures and material storage, minimum separation and safety clearances.

Signage Systems: Instructional and directional signage, tactile and verbal warning systems, caution and hazardous area delineation; pedestrian and vehicular zone separation, vehicular speed control systems.

Design Expertise: Large scale retail shopping centers, educational facilities, national restaurant chains, Police and fire stations, grocery stores, free standing retail shops, residential multi and single family homes, historic adaptive re-use, veterinary hospitals and offices, urgent care facilities, dental and oral surgery offices, large furniture stores and office buildings.

• Reviewed plans and estimate construction costs
• Created budgets and track costs throughout project
• Managed and coordinated on site safety and OSHA standards
• Coordinated sub-contractors and scheduled work on site
• Managed project scope, permits, testing and inspections
• Attended meetings with owner and design team
• Managed shop drawings and requests for information
• Coordinated site meetings and documented minutes

• Lead Architect for 22 years on commercial and residential projects
• Completed comprehensive code compliance evaluations
• Conducted building surveys to document existing conditions, ADA and life safety compliance for nationally recognized restaurants and retailers
• Worked with land use attorneys and civil engineers to navigate local planning boards, zoning bylaws and other municipal regulations
• Met with local building departments and other government agency officials to coordinate approvals
• Produced reports for owners and property managers to document and assist them in gaining full compliance with current building codes and standards.
• Devised strategies for building owners to procure difficult town and city planning approvals
• Worked with owners, consulting engineers and general contractors to address site and building related requirements
• Completed project development from preliminary design to construction documents and all the way through final site walk and punch list
• Coordinated engineering consultants and contractors during bidding and construction process
• Created complete construction drawing sets with Datacad, Autocad, Adobe and sketch-up software programs
• Managed and led a multi-disciplinary team throughout development and contract document phases
• Created color presentations in 2d and 3d using Datacad, Autocad and Sketch-up
• Reviewed and approved shop drawings and AIA payment requisitions.

• Specialized in residential framing and finish carpentry
• Constructed residential developments, single family homes, kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and sunrooms
• Proactively managed projects to obtain complete customer satisfaction for all work
• Complete project planning; estimated costs, coordinated material deliveries, identified and hired sub-contractors, scheduled work and sub trades, ordered equipment and tools
• Ran small to medium duty equipment, Bobcats, front-end loaders, tractors and fork lifts, compactors, concrete saws
• Formed concrete foundations and footings, poured interior and exterior floor slabs, installed reinforcing steel and crack control mesh, specified design mix and coordinated testing where required.

Professional Credentials

• Registered Architect: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
• Member of American Institute of Architects (AIA)
• Certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
• ASCA-C Professional, Certified by the Accredited Snow Contractors Association (ASCA)
• Certified XL Tribometrist

Professional Memberships

• American Institute of Architects, AIA
• Boston Society of Architects, AIA
• American Society for Testing and Materials Committees:
  • E-06 Performance of Buildings
    • E06.56 Performance of Railing Systems and Glass for Floors and Stairs
  • F-13 Pedestrian/Walkway Safety and Footwear
    • F13.50 Walkway Surfaces
• Accredited Snow Contractors Association, ASCA

Education

Bachelor of Architecture, Wentworth Institute of Technology, 1989

Continuing Education

• Ice Management Basics 101, ASCA, February 2020
• Physical Conditions to Look for on Property 101, ASCA, February 2020
• Snow Management Basics 101, ASCA, February 2020
• Post-Event Processes 101, ASCA, February 2020
• Education and Training to Meet Industry Standards 101, ASCA, February 2020
• The Importance of Wall Assembly Systems in Moisture Management for Multi-family, Mixed-use and Light Commercial Buildings, Hanleywood University, August 2018
• Protecting Structures and Preserving History, AECDAILY, August 2017
• Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation in Commercial Buildings, Hanleywood University, April 2016
• Specifications of Flooring Surfaces, Hanleywood University, January 2016
• Benefits and Function of Automatic Sliding and Swing Door Systems, Record, March 2015
• High Performance Roof Systems, Firestone Building Products, February 2015
• Moisture Mitigation with Rainscreen Technologies, Hanleywood University, June 2015
• Architectural Wall Panels as Rainscreens, Hanleywood University, April 2015
• Architectural Entrances: Form and Function, Mats Inc., May 2014
• Accessibility Disconnects in Toilet Room Design, The Continuing Architect, August 2013

Additional Continuing Education: (short Courses, Online Study and Monographs)

A Low Carbon Built Environment; LEED Can Energize a Low Carbon Built Environment; Deep Energy Retrofits Using Performance Contracting, Everything is Food - Nutrient Systems for Cities and Buildings; Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF’s) Today - the Essential Update; The Case for Residential Water Filtration and Treatment; Building Materials Matter – Life Cycle View Supports Informed Choices, Contributes to Sustainable Design; Manufacturing Windows and Doors; What Qualifies as Sustainable?; Building Resilience - Expanding the Concept of Sustainability; Structural Wood Building Systems – Choosing the Right Material for a Sustainable, Safe and Resilient Project; Pultruded Fiberglass Windows and Doors; Off the Grid Solar Lighting Solutions; Savings and Sustainability; An Introduction to Water Stops; High Performance Building Envelope Designs with Insulating Concrete Forms; Proper Installation of Below Slab Vapor Retarders/Barriers - Walk Through of ASTM 1643-11; Towel Warmers -Versatility in Design and Function; Slate Roofing - Stone Design; Introduction to Tankless Water Heater Heating Solutions; Emerging Top Daylighting Strategies; The Art of Easy Organization; Understanding the Benefits of Cellular PVC Rails, Pergolas and Gutters; Designing with Humans in Mind; How Electronic Sensor Faucets Improve Hygiene and Conserve Water in Commercial Restrooms; Benefits of Daylight and Fresh Air in Residential Design; What is Quartz; Energy Performance with Modern Glazing; Welded Wire Reinforcement Use in Concrete Structures; The Energy Efficiency Challenge, Understanding New Codes and Standards; Understanding Stone Wool Insulation in Exterior Wall and Rainscreen Applications; Propane Gas Solutions, Considerations for Residential Construction; Rethinking Wood as a Material of Choice - Costs Less, Delivers More; PVC 101 - the Benefits and Uses of Cellular PVC; Building Innovation and Performance in Schools – High Performance Systems Improve the Learning Environment; Understanding Mortarless Stone Veneer and Other Stone Veneer Products; Daylighting High Performance Schools; Using Unit Skylights to Daylight Commercial Buildings; The Trend Towards Composite Masonry - A Greener Solution; Sustainable Fiberglass Window Installation Systems for Commercial Buildings; Designing with Innovative Architectural Blocks for Buildings; Resinous Floors and Walls; Biophilic Design - Understanding Poly-ash Trim; Ceramic Glazed Brick & Structural Glazed Tile Technical Overview; Innovative Water Conservation Fixture Systems; Integrated Metal Roof Retrofit with Multiple Energy Saving Technologies; Optimizing Performance in Commercial Fenestration; Translucent Panel Daylighting Systems; Sustainable Building - From Concept to Design; High Gloss and Illuminated Surfaces for Sustainable Designs; K-12 School Design; Siphonic Roof Drain Systems; Designing Sustainable Restrooms; Design Solutions for Multi-family Projects; Glazing Systems - Balancing Aesthetics, Performance and Cost; Commercial Wood Window Installation Systems; How to Get Your Work Published in Architectural Magazines and Other Tips from an Insider; Cellular PVC and the Changing Face of Trim Products; World of Curves - Radius Design; Surfaces Get Stronger Swanstone 2011; Sustainable Fiberglass Window Installation Systems for Commercial Buildings; The Evolution of Decking - Wood to Composites to PVC.

v. 09/22/22