Building Forensics

Forensic engineering on the building enclosure can be defined as “the scientific investigation of failures, ranging from system serviceability to catastrophic failures.”

What is Building Forensics

Forensic engineering on the building enclosure is defined as “the scientific investigation of failures, ranging from system serviceability to catastrophic failures.” It includes the methodical investigation of installed materials and systems, products, product compatibility, structural movements and damage or components that fail or do not function as intended, which have caused premature damage to property, including economic loss.

Forensics also deals with retracing the construction and preceding the maintenance process. Generally, the purpose of a forensic engineering investigation is to locate the cause or causes of failure to improve the performance or life of a system or component. Forensic engineering investigations help determine which factors led to the building failure for the ultimate purpose of correcting the problem.

OUR APPROACH

Compared to many so-called experts who spend minimal time on your site and merely identify potential symptoms, our Forensic Staff goes above and beyond during investigations. The ECS/DTR investigation and forensic analysis approach takes time.

If you don’t have a complete forensic investigation, including material sampling, field testing, physical inspection, lab analysis and scientific measurements you are only guessing. Too often, the proposed remediation from a poorly conducted site investigation without a forensic component is money down the drain.

“Care needs to be taken to properly identify and analyze all the site evidence, not just the first thing you see, nor a find that fits your preconceived narrative”

ECS/DTR established its practice and reputation in building forensics through years of experience, site analysis and evaluation of numerous projects. We’ve witnessed and solved a wide variety of system failures from all types of water intrusions, condensation issues, vapor drive problems, freeze/thaw conditions, façade panel spalding, spontaneous glazing failures, biological growth (mold) issues, incoming smoke/odor intrusion, insect infestation, wet/dry rot, excessive humidity problems, flooring failures, poor indoor air issues, coating failures and much more.

Through verification, ECS/DTR uses sophisticated field equipment and engineering software to properly identify and diagnose your building woes. We can also work with you to develop a proper approach to reconstruct the faulty and damaged work with our Remedial Services.

“An incomplete or improper site evaluation (diagnosis) and repair recommendation (treatment) may be the equivalent of professional malpractice.”

Site Investigations

Experienced property owners, managers and design professionals know to call ECS/DTR first to avoid wasting time and money on less knowledgeable and experienced contractors. If you are tired of re-visiting the same problem over and over again, call us to get a true solution!

Through forensic investigations, ECS/DTR draws on a comprehensive understanding of vapor diffusion, thermal bridging and water management principles. We apply this knowledge in the investigations of special use buildings with complex designs and atypical construction such as healthcare facilities, hospitality guest rooms, multi-family units and high-rises, indoor aquatic centers, museums, R+D facilities and laboratories or other projects in unique or abnormal climates.

ECS/DTR investigators request the presence of the owner’s facility staff with the most knowledge of the facility, to be onsite during our investigation, along with maintenance records and record drawings giving our team the most information before the day of the investigation.

The more historical information, the more conclusive the findings report will be. For many situations, a proper diagnosis becomes even better if we can identify what led up to the failure. If the initial failure was caused by ongoing maintenance, we can more properly educate our clients to make sure this does not recur. Other times the root problem may have stemmed from a faulty installation.

Recommendations

Some forensic investigations conclude in more simplistic solutions and can be fully described in the Forensic Finding Report. Other investigation findings and analysis present a more complex solution to remediate the problem. In these cases, our Reports summarize the finding, provide our professional analysis and conclusion and provide an overall recommendation that recommends further design/ engineered solutions and documentation that clients can take for competitive bids.