Most fire damage is obvious where the wood has charred or been consumed, the steel is deformed, the masonry exhibits a pink hue and spalling, the concrete exhibits a pink hue and punky sound when struck with a hammer. But… Read More
Category Archives: Fire Damage
Separation of Wood Truss Plates in a Fire
When examining wood trusses for fire damage there is more to consider than charred members, excessive drying of the lumber, and the release of sap. Here’s a reminder to check the steel plates for separation or loosening. Disclaimer Read More
Examples of Heat Damage from a Nearby Fire
We sometimes get called to evaluate damage to the exterior of a building reported to have been caused by the heat from a nearby fire. Following are photographs of heat damage to exterior building components. Disclaimer Read More
What Can We Tell from This Photo? (Case Study 9)
What can we tell from THIS photo? The wood plates and staples indicate that these are very old field built wood trusses. The soot and char indicate that they have been exposed to a fire. The relatively clean separation between… Read More
Fire Damage to Shingles
On occasion we are called in to a situation where a building or home owner is concerned that the shingles on his/her roof were damaged by the heat from a nearby fire. Damage from exposure to excessive heat to shingles… Read More
Evaluation of Fire Damage to Structural Steel (Primer)
We often get called to evaluate fire damage to structural steel framing. It may be an evaluation even as simple as one steel beam in a residence. Some of the evaluations are relatively easy, others more difficult. But here is… Read More
Evaluation of Concrete for Fire Damage
Just read a well-written article in Structure magazine about evaluating fire damage to concrete foundations, entitled Engineering Evaluation of Fire Damage to Concrete Foundations, by Peter Marxhausen, M.S., P.E. Mr. Marxhausen writes about his approach to evaluating numerous concrete foundations… Read More
Fire Damage to Open Web Steel Joists
The determination of fire damage to open web steel joists is not always as obvious as the damage in the photo above, but the application of a few rules can make a preliminary evaluation of fire damage to open web steel… Read More