Investigationg Loss Investigation: Part II

Hello Everyone,
This is the second post in our series on loss investigation in fire engineering.  The first post can be found here.  Our discussion is founded on the idea that fire engineers can support clients and find them settlements totaling millions of dollars.  They do so by studying the behavior of a fire, analyzing what could have prevented it, and how any fire safety and suppression systems that were in place may have failed.  They will support the client during subrogation and litigation, and prove that the party responsible for the system’s failure is help responsible, both criminally and civilly.
During a system failure analysis, a fire investigator will be able to tell a building owner or tenant about the cause and origin of a fire, by doing a cause and origin investigation.  However, this preliminary report may be a simplified version of what actually transpired.  It is useful here to use a theoretical example.
Say, for instance, that, a high school chemistry lab burns down.  A fire investigator might be able to tell you that the fire started from a faulty outlet.  However, a fire engineer would be able to develop a much more complex narrative.  In the high school chemistry lab, a student left a burner on.  The burner blew out, which allowed gas to leak into the room.  Because this school, like any American public high school, is short on supplies and storage, the teacher has stored the flammable chemicals in a cabinet in the room itself, as opposed to in storage.  The electrical system, which is about 50 years old, causes a classroom projector to short out and sparks fly out of the outlet.  When a small fire breaks out that ultimately burns down the whole science wing of the high school, a fire engineer can assess how well the sprinkler system worked.  Instead of the teacher or students being held responsible, the system that failed to do what it was supposed to would be held systematically responsible and the school would be able to collect enough insurance money to build a new (and better) science wing.

Ultimately, using a fire engineering firm will save an institution thousands of dollars after a disaster.

Investigating Loss Investigation: What goes into fire engineering?

Hello Everyone,
This is the first post in a series about how fire & fire suppression engineers preform loss investigation services.  As home improvement contractors, sometimes we like to expand our horizons by looking into what other people who work n the contracting and building industry do, however different their work may be.   Loss investigation is a technical field that is part detective work and part engineering.  Expert fire engineers who specialize in this field use the evidence collected after a fire to determine how the fire protection system that was in place might have malfunctioned.  More importantly, they discover the cause and origin of the fire and evaluate the performance (or lack there for) of the fire protection system, note and analyze the components of the hazard that lead to the spreading of the fire itself and, in doing so, make conclusions that can be used by insurance companies or businesses to decide how to settle after a disaster.
The first component of this service, cause and origin investigation, is firmly grounded in the scientific method, and is controlled and regulated by governmental organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association, who monitors the scientific veracity of all claims made by fire engineers in loss investigation cases.  This means that fire suppression and loss investigation consultations have to use scientific findings and research as the primary evidence, as opposed to the engineer’s professional experience.  This means that fire engineers and companies that provide fire engineering services have to well-versed in all elements of fire science: physics, theoretical mathematics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, etc.  Needless to say, studying the way in which fire behaves is a complex science, and one that requires objective, detail-oriented study.  Be sure that when you are located a fire engineering firm, their engineers are registered Fire Protection Engineers.
Forensic Engineering is a similar field, but one that exclusively examines the reasons behind the failure of a fire protection system.    They are then able to assign responsibility to the correct parties and support the damaged party during any litigation that might occur as a result of the failed system.
After a forensic engineer has identified the party responsible for a fire system’s failure, there is a period in which the subrogation potential is analyzed and debated, which is to say, the total insurance amount is debated.  A trained & qualified fire engineering firm is sometimes able to recover millions of dollars for a client simply by providing evidence of the behavior of the fire and how it could have been avoided.

7 Tips for Hiring A Roofer in Denver

Recent hail storms in the Denver area have left thousands of homeowners seeking professional roofing repair.  Finding a qualified roofing contractor in Denver can be a difficult task.  Many roofing contractors are uninsured, improperly trained, not experienced, or simply imposters.  A poorly installed roof can lead to headaches and losses down the road.  Here are some tips to help you in your quest:

1) License - Make sure your roofer has a license to operate in Colorado. Most states require licenses and impose penalties for various construction crews without permits. Despite the penalties, though, an alarming number of companies function without them. Ask to see a copy of the contractor’s license and/or permits.

2) Insurance – Coverage providers are required by law to carry valid insurance. If a worker or neighbor was injured during the installation or repair of the roof and the contracting company has no insurance, homeowners may be responsible for the damages and injuries. Ask to see copies of the contractor’s liability coverage and documentation to ensure coverage is available throughout the work project. The risks involved of hiring a contractor without insurance is a recipe for disaster – do not tempt fate.

3) Detailed Contract – Professional coverage from any contractor should include a detailed proposal that includes cost estimates for each element involved in the project from start to finish. A professional proposal will also specify the exact dates and payment terms of the project. A formal proposal should be requested for every project, small or large.

4) References – Asking for references is a good way to get recommendations from previous customers. Good contactors should be able to offer a several positive referrals if they are experienced and professional. You can also request the addresses of other residences nearby, where you can see previous work for yourself. Good contractors are proud of their work and will proudly give this information to you.

6) BBB – Make sure that the contactor is with the Better Business Bureau. The Better Business Bureau is an excellent resource for homeowners who are seeking information on the quality and performance of local contractors. Check with the BBB office in Denver for any complaints against roofing contractors you are considering.

7) Website – Top roofing companies in Denver should have a professional website completed with a professional layout and pictures. The contractor’s website should include photos of prior projects, products, contact information, and BBB information. Here is a good example of a company website from a local roofer in Denver.

Reasons to Hire a Plumber

Lone Star Roofing – Dallas, Tx | Featured PRO

Company Name: Lone Star Roofing
Local: Dallas, TX
Category: Commercial Roofing Dallas
Phone: 972-342-2986

Lone Star Roofing is a third generation commercial/industrial/institutional roofing company in Dallas, TX

Evergreen Asphalt Paving & Repair – Featured SP

Right now – there are really only two Asphalt Companies in Evergreen, CO who provided dedicated asphalt paving, repair, patchwork and stripping and my personal choice goes to Enright Asphalt.

Enright Asphalt has been in the paving business for since 1989 and have been providing top rated asphalt services to both residential and commercial clients alike.

If your in the business for Asphalt  Repair or Maintenance in Evergreen, CO Colorado make sure you check out Enright Asphalt your Evergreen Asphalt and Denver Asphalt PRO. Check them out online at www.enrightasphalt.com.

Denver Grout Cleaning

Featured Denver Grout Cleaning Contractor
Grout Tek
(888) 300-1131
(Call for a free, no obligation estimate!!!)

Hiring a Denver Grout Cleaning professional is an affordable solution to revitalize your home or office.

Grout Tek, a Denver Grout Cleaning Company who has been serving the Denver Metro area for more than 10 years provides a high range of Grout “Enhancement” services for your home or office, here are a few to get you started!

Denver Grout Cleaning Services:

• Chemical Free High Pressure Steam Vapor
• Deep Cleaning
• Grout Coloring
• Re-grouting
• Residential & Commercial Restoration
• Shower Mold Solutions
• Showroom Quality
• Stain Proof Epoxy

Here’s a bit about Denver Grout Cleaning Contractor, Grout Tek:

Grout Tek, in association with Laticrete International, developed the first epoxy grout for shower walls, and in 2001, became the first company to install it. Since then, Grout Tek has restored thousands of residential showers, health club showers, steam rooms, restaurant floors, and building lobbies.

For grout and tile cleaning, Grout Tek uses High Pressure Steam Vapor heated to 300 degrees and pressurized to 50 pounds. This creates a dry vapor of only 6% water, which has proven extremely effective in deep cleaning grout. Once cleaned, the grout can be sealed with a stain proof sealant that is backed by a 15-year manufacturer’s warranty. At Grout Tek, we guarantee our workmanship, and customers are assured of many years of continuous premium performance with our Epoxy Grout and Stain Proof Sealer products.

We have a “can do” attitude that has given us a reputation for never saying “no” (well, almost never). If a customer can visualize it, a Grout Tek Installation Team can do it – watch as our talented and very experienced tile technicians make your ideas come to life. From simple bath remodels to auto dealership showrooms, restaurants and recreation centers, no job is too big or too small. We just can’t say no – because we CAN DO IT!

Here’s how to contact Grout Tek:
(888) 300-1131

Roof Corp of Metro Denver – Feature

RoofCorp is a locally owned and operated Denver Roofing company specializing in residential roofing.  If you have a worn out roof, or if your home has hail or wind damage, they can help! We’ve installed thousands of roofs throughout the Denver Metro area, and are proud to maintain an A+ Rating, and Gold Star Award status with the Denver Better Business Bureau.

Ask us for a PROMPT FREE Roofing Estimate for your upcoming roofing project!  They are a factory certified roofing contractor offering a full line of roofing products and shingles from all the major roofing manufactures, and all of our whole roof installations are warrantied and certified for up to 20 years.

For more information about Denver Roofing Company, Roof Corp Inc – visit www.roofcorpinc.com.