Forensic Investigations of Structural Damage Claims from Fires and Explosions
Commercial Building in Nebraska
A fire damaged a single-story masonry laundromat building with a steel joist-supported roof. Mr. Bernhardt was called to investigate the extent of damage to the steel roof and to develop repair plans. No deformations were observed in the steel joists; however, the metal roof deck showed areas of past corrosion damage. Repair plans were developed for the replacement of the roof deck and the replacement of bridging for the steel joists.
Chemical Loading Building in Illinois
An explosive fire in a chemical loading building damaged a portion of the metal building. Mr. Bernhardt was called to evaluate the extent of the damage. An area of the metal roof deck, cable bracing, purlins, and a portion of one girder were heat-deformed and needed replacement. A large area of metal siding and a few girts also needed replacing. Mr. Bernhardt prepared repair construction drawings for the damaged components.
Manufacturing Plant in Illinois
Mr. Bernhardt was engaged to evaluate fire damage to a single-story structural steel manufacturing plant in Illinois. The fire had damaged cold-formed steel purlins, the metal deck, and the roof membrane. Mr. Bernhardt provided a report with a recommendation for the repair or replacement of damaged structural members and roofing membrane. He also prepared repair drawings and construction shoring drawings.
Motorcycle Dealer Sales and Repair Building
Mr. Bernhardt was engaged to evaluate the fire damage to this single-story pre-engineered structural steel building. The fire had damaged cold-formed steel purlins, metal deck, steel girders, and the roof membrane. Additionally, there was a dimension lumber mezzanine that sustained some damage. Mr. Bernhardt provided a report with a recommendation for the repair or replacement of damaged structural members and roofing.
Explosion Damage to an Ammunition Plant in Arkansas
A single-story metal and concrete building sustained structural damage in the manufacturing process explosion. Mr. Bernhardt evaluated the damage by observation, measurement, and inspection of the remaining steel elements and prepared a report and drawings for recommended repairs.
Commercial Building in Northeast Missouri
A fire from an adjacent building damaged the two-story brick masonry building with a wood roof and floors. This building was built in the early 1900s. Mr. Bernhardt was called to investigate the extent of structural damage and repair methods. An inspection revealed that about 40% of the roof structure and 20% of the second-floor framing would require replacement. The finishes on the first floor were heavily water damaged. The brick masonry, though not damaged by the fire, would require internal bracing for stability due to the loss of the adjacent building.
Three-Story Apartment Building in Ohio
A fire started in a third-floor apartment and quickly spread to the roof and second floor of a three-story wood and masonry building. The roof consisted of metal plate-connected wood trusses with plywood sheathing. The floors were plywood supported by dimension lumber framing. Framing for the roof was supported by the exterior concrete masonry walls and the floors were supported by corridor stud walls and the exterior masonry walls. Mr. Bernhardt was called to evaluate the extent of structural damage and investigate repair possibilities. The building had masonry firewalls at approximately one-third points of the building’s length. It was determined that all the roof trusses in the middle third and several trusses beyond required replacement. Additionally, several of the corridor studs, third and second-floor framing members, and a portion of the masonry wall required replacement. Most of the finishes and electrical in the middle third would also require replacement due to water damage. Mr. Bernhardt provided a report delineating the damage and requirements for repair.
Fire Damage to Commercial Building
Mr. Bernhardt investigated the fire damage to pre-engineered metal plate-connected wood trusses. The claim involved thermal damage to the trusses. Mr. Bernhardt observed and measured the damage, and provided a report describing the evaluation of the trusses and an opinion on whether the damage to the trusses was from the fire or from normal aging.
Fire Damage to a Two-Story Masonry Building
This brick masonry structure was built in the early 1900s but had sustained fire damage to the wood floor joists, roof joists, and steel support columns. Mr. Bernhardt mapped out the damage and prepared an opinion regarding the number of floor and roof joists needing replacement. Many of the joists had leakage of sap from the wood, but little char and thus could be reused. Those that sustained too much char damage were recommended to be replaced. A public adjuster claimed that all the joists needed to be replaced but based on scientific evidence Mr. Bernhardt opined that only approximately one-third of the joists needed to be replaced. Mr. Bernhardt prepared a report with drawings describing the damage and recommendations for repairs.
