ALTEK Engineering is a licensed full-service structural and MEP engineering firm. Our practice encompasses structural engineering design, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) engineering design, structural inspections, Milestone Inspections (Phase One and Phase Two per Florida Statute 553.899), Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) inspections (per Florida Statute 718), forensic engineering and failure analysis, expert witness services, computer modeling and finite element analysis, special structures engineering, and construction document preparation for residential and commercial projects throughout South Florida and beyond.

Our primary service area is South Florida, encompassing Miami-Dade County (Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Doral, Kendall, Hialeah, and surrounding municipalities), Broward County (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Pembroke Pines, and surrounding areas), and Palm Beach County (Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and surrounding communities). We maintain offices in Miami and Palm Beach Gardens. Our licensed engineers are also registered to practice in Maryland, Virginia, and Rhode Island for select projects.

Yes. ALTEK Engineering provides fully coordinated structural and MEP engineering services within a single firm. This integrated approach eliminates interdisciplinary conflicts between structural and building-systems design, streamlines the permitting process, reduces requests for information (RFIs) during construction, and provides clients with a single point of professional accountability for the complete engineering scope.

We provide engineering services to a broad range of clients including homeowners, condominium associations and HOAs, property management companies, real estate developers, general contractors, architects, insurance carriers, litigation attorneys, and commercial property owners. We are equally comfortable working on a single-family residence and a 30-story high-rise condominium.

Yes. ALTEK Engineering's engineers hold active Professional Engineer (P.E.) registrations in Florida. Our principal engineer, Anas Bataineh, P.E., MSCE, holds Florida P.E. license No. 65574, along with registrations in Maryland, Virginia, and Rhode Island. All engineering documents produced by ALTEK Engineering are signed and sealed by a Florida-licensed professional engineer as required by Florida law and applicable building codes.

Structural engineering design encompasses the analysis and design of a building's load-resisting system — including all components required to safely transfer gravity loads (dead, live, and snow), lateral loads (wind, seismic, and hydrostatic), and uplift forces from the point of application to the foundation. Our structural design services include load calculations per ASCE 7, structural system selection and analysis, foundation design, floor system design, lateral force-resisting system design, member sizing, connection design, repair and restoration design, and the preparation of fully detailed construction documents signed and sealed by a Florida-licensed P.E.

ALTEK Engineering's engineers are experienced in the design and analysis of structures utilizing reinforced concrete (per ACI 318), structural steel (per AISC 360), concrete masonry (per TMS 402/602), aluminum, and wood (per NDS). Many South Florida buildings involve combinations of these materials, including post-tensioned concrete slabs, composite steel-concrete systems, and masonry infill frames, all of which fall within our engineering practice.

Our project portfolio includes high-rise and mid-rise residential and commercial buildings, condominium towers, hotels and hospitality properties, single-family and multifamily homes, parking garages, warehouses and industrial facilities, restaurant and retail fit-outs, pool decks and pool enclosures, facade and balcony restoration projects, foundation systems, floor system rehabilitation, and custom special structures. We have designed or assessed structures ranging from one-story residences to 32-story high-rise buildings.

Yes. Renovations, additions, and remodels represent a significant portion of our practice. This type of work requires a careful evaluation of existing structural conditions before new work is designed — including assessment of existing member capacities, connection adequacy, foundation loads, and code upgrade triggers under the Florida Existing Building Code. We prepare the engineering documents required for permit submission and coordinate with architects and contractors throughout the design and construction process.

Yes. We prepare complete structural and MEP permit sets for submission to Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County, and their respective municipalities. A typical permit set may include structural plans and details, framing plans, foundation plans, HVAC plans, electrical plans, plumbing plans, energy compliance documentation, accessibility notes, product approval references, and supporting calculations — all signed and sealed as required by the applicable building department.

MEP engineering encompasses the design and documentation of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing building systems. Our MEP services include HVAC system design (load calculations, equipment selection, duct and piping layouts), electrical system design (power distribution, panel schedules, lighting, emergency systems), plumbing design (sanitary drainage, storm drainage, domestic water supply, gas piping), and the preparation of coordinated construction documents that satisfy the Florida Building Code Mechanical and Plumbing volumes, NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code as adopted in Florida), applicable ASHRAE standards, and local utility and jurisdictional requirements.

When both structural and MEP engineering are performed by ALTEK Engineering, we coordinate the two disciplines internally to resolve conflicts before construction documents are finalized. This includes ensuring that MEP penetrations through structural members are properly sized and located, that equipment loads are accounted for in the structural design, that ceiling clearances accommodate ductwork and piping, and that structural framing does not conflict with mechanical or electrical routing. This in-house coordination significantly reduces RFIs and change orders in the field.

Yes. South Florida's hot-humid climate requires particular attention to latent heat loads, dehumidification capacity, outdoor air requirements, and building envelope performance. Our HVAC designs are developed with reference to ASHRAE standards and the Florida Building Code Energy Conservation volume, with attention to equipment efficiency, zoning, duct insulation, and compliance with Florida's energy code requirements.

A structural inspection is a professional engineering evaluation of a building's structural systems — including the foundation, vertical load-bearing elements (columns, walls, and piers), horizontal framing (beams, slabs, and floor systems), lateral force-resisting system, roof structure, and building envelope connection points — to identify deficiencies, distress, deterioration, damage, or construction defects. ALTEK Engineering utilizes high-resolution drone imaging, precision measuring instruments, moisture detection equipment, and borescope cameras to conduct thorough inspections and produce comprehensive engineering reports.

A structural inspection is advisable when visible signs of structural distress are present — including concrete spalling or delamination, reinforcing steel corrosion, foundation settlement, floor deflection or slope, wall cracking, roof structure deterioration, or water intrusion. It is also recommended as part of pre-purchase due diligence for real estate transactions, prior to listing a commercial property for sale, when a lender requires structural certification, following a significant weather event such as a hurricane, and when planning a major renovation or structural repair.

ALTEK Engineering performs Milestone Inspections (Phase One and Phase Two) per Florida Statute 553.899, Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) inspections per Florida Statute 718, building condition assessments and evaluations, special inspections during construction, 40-year building recertification evaluations (Miami-Dade County), roof structure inspections, foundation and floor system inspections, pre-purchase and pre-sale residential inspections, wall and facade assessments, Certificate of Use inspections per Miami-Dade Ordinance No. 08-133, and post-hurricane damage assessments.

Our inspection methodology incorporates high-resolution drone imaging for elevated facades, rooftops, and areas inaccessible by conventional means; advanced structural cameras and borescope equipment for confined-space investigation; precision measuring instruments for deflection, settlement, and crack width monitoring; moisture detection meters; and coordination of material sampling and laboratory testing when the nature of the distress requires chemical or physical analysis beyond visual observation.

Miami-Dade County requires buildings that are 40 years of age or older, and every 10 years thereafter, to undergo a recertification inspection conducted by a licensed engineer or architect. The inspection evaluates the structural and electrical systems of the building to confirm they remain in safe operating condition. ALTEK Engineering prepares the required engineering reports and coordinates with building owners to address any deficiencies identified during the evaluation.

A Milestone Inspection is a mandatory structural safety inspection required by Florida Statute 553.899 for condominium, cooperative, and multifamily residential buildings that are three or more habitable stories in height and have reached the required age threshold — generally 30 years from the date of the certificate of occupancy, or 25 years for buildings located within 3 miles of the coastline where local conditions warrant earlier inspection. The inspection is performed by a licensed Florida engineer or architect and is intended to assess the general structural condition of the building and identify any maintenance, repair, or component replacement required to ensure occupant safety.

Under Florida law as amended by HB 913 (effective July 1, 2025): buildings that turned 30 on or before July 1, 2022 had a Milestone Inspection deadline of December 31, 2024; buildings that turned 30 between July 1, 2022 and December 31, 2024 must complete their initial Milestone Inspection by December 31, 2025; buildings turning 30 after December 31, 2024 must complete the inspection by December 31 of the year in which the building reaches 30 years of age. After the initial inspection, inspections are required every 10 years. Deadlines are subject to local jurisdiction extensions and should be confirmed with the applicable county or municipal building department.

A Phase One Milestone Inspection consists of a visual assessment of the building's primary structural systems — including load-bearing walls, primary structural members (columns, beams, slabs), and the lateral force-resisting system — conducted by a licensed engineer or architect. If Phase One identifies no substantial structural deterioration, no further action is required until the next inspection cycle. If Phase One reveals conditions indicating potential substantial structural deterioration, a Phase Two inspection is required. Phase Two is a more detailed, intrusive evaluation that may include selective destructive investigation, material sampling, laboratory testing, engineering calculations, and a comprehensive written report with repair recommendations and timelines.

Failure to complete a required Milestone Inspection by the statutory deadline may result in significant civil penalties, legal liability for the association board, potential insurance complications, and in severe cases, intervention by the local building official. Florida law requires the condominium association to notify all unit owners within 14 days of receiving notice that a milestone inspection is due, and to file the completed report with the local building department within 45 days of receiving it from the inspecting engineer.

House Bill 913, effective July 1, 2025, introduced several important changes to Florida's Milestone Inspection requirements: it clarified that the three-story threshold applies to habitable stories only; it introduced mandatory conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements for engineers and architects who perform Milestone Inspections and also intend to bid on resulting repair work; and it established that failure to make required disclosures can render the inspection contract voidable and subject the design professional to disciplinary action. ALTEK Engineering complies fully with all HB 913 disclosure requirements.

A Structural Integrity Reserve Study is a mandatory two-part evaluation required by Florida Statute 718 for condominium associations with buildings three or more stories in height. The SIRS consists of a visual inspection of designated common area structural components performed by a licensed engineer, architect, or certified reserve specialist, combined with a financial reserve analysis that establishes estimated remaining useful life, estimated replacement cost or deferred maintenance expense, and a recommended annual reserve contribution for each inspected component — designed to ensure the association is financially prepared for major structural repairs before they become emergencies.

Florida Statute 718, as amended, requires the SIRS to include visual inspection of: the roof system and coverings; load-bearing walls and primary structural members; floors and floor systems; foundation systems; fireproofing and fire protection systems; plumbing systems; electrical systems; waterproofing and exterior painting; windows and exterior glazing; and any other common area component with a deferred maintenance or replacement cost exceeding $25,000 (indexed annually to the Consumer Price Index) whose failure would materially affect the structural integrity or habitability of the building.

Under Florida law as amended by HB 913 (2025): condominium associations existing on or before July 1, 2022 that are unit-owner controlled must complete their initial SIRS by December 31, 2025. Associations required to complete a Milestone Inspection on or before December 31, 2026 may complete the SIRS simultaneously with the milestone inspection, with a combined deadline of December 31, 2026. Once completed, SIRS inspections must be updated every 10 years. As of October 1, 2025, all condominium associations are required to create an online account with the Florida Division of Condominiums, Timeshares and Mobile Homes to confirm SIRS completion through the Division's online portal.

No. Under Florida law, budgets adopted on or after December 31, 2024 cannot waive or reduce reserve funding for SIRS structural components. Associations are legally obligated to fund reserves in accordance with the schedule established in their SIRS. Failure to comply may expose the association and its board members to legal liability.

ALTEK Engineering's SIRS report provides: a component-by-component description of each inspected common area element; the observed condition of each component; the estimated remaining useful life expressed in years; the estimated replacement cost or deferred maintenance expense in current dollars; and a recommended annual reserve contribution calculated to fully fund each component by the end of its estimated useful life. The report is signed and sealed by a Florida-licensed professional engineer and is suitable for submission to the Florida Division of Condominiums as required by statute.

Forensic engineering is the application of structural engineering principles, material science, and physics to investigate the cause, origin, and extent of failures, defects, or damage in buildings and structures. It is used to determine why a condition occurred — not merely to document that it exists. ALTEK Engineering's forensic practice covers water intrusion and leak causation, structural failure and progressive collapse, hurricane and windstorm damage, concrete deterioration and corrosion, construction defect investigation, roof system failure, foundation movement and settlement, floor system distress, and building envelope deficiencies.

A forensic engineering investigation typically involves a detailed site inspection using advanced diagnostic tools — including drone imaging, moisture meters, borescope cameras, crack gauges, and elevation measurements; review of available construction documents, product approvals, maintenance records, and prior inspection reports; coordination of material sampling and laboratory testing when physical or chemical analysis is required; application of applicable Florida Building Code provisions, product approval requirements, ASCE 7 wind load criteria, and engineering mechanics; and preparation of a comprehensive, signed-and-sealed engineering report documenting methodology, findings, probable cause, and engineering conclusions.

Yes. Storm and hurricane damage assessment represents a core part of our forensic practice. We evaluate structural damage to roofs, facades, windows, balconies, and primary structural members caused by wind events, determine whether observed damage is consistent with wind loading or pre-existing deterioration, and prepare engineering opinions referenced to ASCE 7 wind load provisions, Florida product approval requirements, and Florida Building Code installation requirements. Our reports are prepared to support insurance claims, repair scoping, and legal proceedings.

Yes. ALTEK Engineering provides court-qualified expert witness services for construction defect litigation, insurance coverage disputes, property damage claims, and structural failure cases. Our expert witness practice includes case review and analysis, evaluation of opposing expert reports, preparation of detailed written expert reports (signed and sealed), deposition testimony, trial testimony in bench and jury proceedings, and consultation and case strategy support for plaintiff and defense counsel.

We work with property owners and homeowners associations, insurance carriers and third-party claims administrators, plaintiff and defense litigation attorneys, general contractors and subcontractors involved in construction defect disputes, real estate developers, and public entities. Our forensic reports are prepared to withstand scrutiny from opposing experts, insurance adjusters, and courts of law.

Special structures are structural assemblies that fall outside the scope of conventional building framing — including railings and guardrails, canopies and shade structures, trellises and pergolas, awnings, sculptures and artistic installations, straight and curved stairways, spiral staircases, grills, louvers, curtain wall systems, screen enclosures, doors and windows requiring engineered shop drawings, and other custom structural conditions. ALTEK Engineering designs and analyzes these elements across concrete, steel, masonry, aluminum, and wood in conformance with the Florida Building Code and applicable referenced standards.

ALTEK Engineering utilizes advanced finite element analysis (FEA) software and proprietary in-house programs to perform 3D structural modeling, dynamic analysis (time-history and response spectrum), push-over (nonlinear static) analysis, wind and seismic lateral load analysis per ASCE 7, post-tensioned floor system analysis, and custom computational analyses for complex structural conditions. Computer modeling is used both to support new design and to evaluate the adequacy of existing structures undergoing renovation, repair, or change of use.

South Florida projects are generally governed by the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023) — including the Building, Existing Building, Residential, Mechanical, Plumbing, Energy Conservation, and Accessibility volumes — together with the Florida Fire Prevention Code, 8th Edition, and NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code) as adopted in Florida. Design loads are established per ASCE 7. Material-specific design standards include ACI 318 (reinforced concrete), AISC 360 (structural steel), TMS 402/602 (masonry), and NDS (wood). ASHRAE standards govern HVAC and energy-related design. Florida product approvals apply to windows, doors, roofing, and cladding systems. Applicable Florida Statutes govern Milestone Inspections and SIRS. Local amendments and jurisdictional requirements are specific to each permitting authority.

Yes. Miami-Dade County imposes several requirements beyond the statewide Florida Building Code, including the Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) product approval system for wind-driven rain resistance of windows, doors, and cladding products; the 40-year (and 50-year) building recertification program; the Certificate of Use requirement for certain foreclosed properties per Ordinance No. 08-133; and local amendments to the Florida Building Code administered by the Miami-Dade Building Department. Projects in incorporated municipalities within Miami-Dade may also have local amendments or additional administrative requirements.

Yes. Alterations, repairs, and renovations of existing buildings are evaluated under the Florida Existing Building Code rather than the new construction provisions, and the applicable requirements depend on the extent of the work, the level of alteration, and trigger thresholds for accessibility upgrades, energy compliance, and life safety improvements. ALTEK Engineering evaluates the project scope and guides clients through the applicable code framework before engineering design begins.

Yes. We assist clients in identifying the applicable code framework based on project type, occupancy classification, scope of work, building age, location, permit pathway, and jurisdictional requirements. Because code applicability depends on specific facts, timing, local amendments, and agency interpretation, final code determinations are always confirmed with the authority having jurisdiction.

To prepare an accurate proposal, helpful information includes: property address and municipality; building type (residential, commercial, condominium, etc.); number of stories and approximate gross square footage; year of construction if known; description of the project scope or issue being investigated; available drawings, prior reports, or photographs; desired deliverables (inspection report, permit drawings, expert report, SIRS, etc.); permit or inspection deadline if applicable; and whether the project involves new design, renovation, inspection, forensic investigation, or litigation support.

Engaging structural and MEP engineering at the earliest stage of a project consistently reduces overall cost and schedule. Early engineering input identifies structural constraints and MEP routing requirements that inform architectural design, prevents costly redesign during permitting, eliminates conflicts between disciplines before construction documents are finalized, supports early permit pre-application discussions with the building department, and allows adequate time for plan review and response to comments.

Structural engineering is typically required when a project affects load-bearing walls, columns, beams, slabs, foundations, roofs, balconies, or any element that contributes to the building's gravity or lateral force-resisting system. MEP engineering is required when a project involves modifications to HVAC, electrical, plumbing, gas, or drainage systems. Renovation and remodeling projects frequently require both disciplines. ALTEK Engineering can review your project scope and advise on the required engineering services before a formal engagement.

Yes. We routinely coordinate with architects, general contractors, specialty subcontractors, developers, property managers, and legal counsel. Our engineers are experienced in both design-team collaboration during the pre-construction phase and in field coordination during construction. For forensic and expert witness matters, we also coordinate directly with attorneys and claims professionals throughout the investigation and litigation process.

ALTEK Engineering can be reached by phone at (888) 402-5835 (toll-free), (305) 778-8111 (Miami office), or (561) 847-3373 (Palm Beach Gardens office). You may also contact us by email at info@altek-eng.com or through the contact form on this website. Our Miami office is located at 330 SW 27th Avenue, Suite 401, Miami, FL 33135. Our Palm Beach Gardens office is located at 11211 Prosperity Farms Road, Suite B202, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410.