IKEA Palo Alto
California
Retail parking structures in seismically active zones carry a specific maintenance liability. Expansion joints are subject to ongoing wear from continuous vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and in California, they must also accommodate the lateral movement demands of seismic events. When the existing expansion joints at the IKEA Palo Alto parking structure in East Palo Alto, California reached the end of their service life, the replacement scope covered horizontal traffic-bearing joints and fire-rated joint conditions across the facility.
The existing joints varied across the structure. Three different joint widths, 5, 6, and 7 inches, were present across the runs, requiring corresponding system sizes throughout. The layout also included two 90-degree tee transitions where joint runs intersect, conditions that require custom-fabricated coverplate geometry and precise field coordination.
At traffic-bearing floor joints, SJS-FR2 Seismic Joint System was installed with sand-blasted aluminum coverplates rated for vehicle and pedestrian traffic. The system is UL-certified and delivers seismic movement accommodation of up to ±3.5 inches at the widest joint opening on this project, 7 inches. Horizontal Colorseal addresses horizontal transition conditions requiring a watertight seal. Emshield® DFR2 was installed at fire-rated joint conditions across the structure. Emcrete was applied to create a level bearing surface at the coverplate and to reduce traffic noise transmission across the joints. Installation was performed by Western Specialty Contractors.
The retrofit restores structural movement capability while maintaining fire resistance across the parking deck.
