Forensic Architecture
Our Forensic Architects are experts in building envelope investigations/analysis, damage/failure investigations, and restoration/reconstruction design.
Our services include:
- Water/Moisture Intrusion Investigation
- Building Envelope Investigation and Failure Analysis
- Glass/Glazing Evaluation and Testing
- Roofing Systems Evaluation and Testing
- Building Materials Evaluation and Testing
- Storm Damage Evaluations – Hail/Water/Wind
- Building and Zoning Code Review and Analysis
- Code Compliance Reviews
- Analysis of Existing Architectural and Structural Building Systems
- Cause and Origin and Scope of Damage Assessments
- Remedial Design and Reconstruction Scope Development
- Construction Defect Litigation Support
- Professional Standard of Care Analysis
- Expert Witness Litigation Support
- On-Site Project Management
- Contract Administration
- Peer Review and Design Construction Documents Review
- Building Envelope Consulting Services (Design, Detailing and Installation Supervision)
Building Envelope
Our experts specialize in the inspection and testing of all elements of the “Building Envelope” including roofing, walls, cladding, curtain walls, fenestration, foundations, and their component parts.
Our services include:
- Building Envelope Evaluation and Failure Analysis
- Roofing System Evaluation and Testing
- Existing Architectural System Performance Analysis
- Storm Damage Evaluations – Hail/Water/Wind
- Intentional Mechanical Damage Analysis
- Moisture Intrusion Origin and Causation Analyses
- In-Situ and Lab Sample Testing – Infrared Thermography, Moisture Survey, Uplift, Fastener Pull-out
- Cause and Origin and Scope of Damage Assessments
- Design Reviews
- Repair/Restoration Feasibility Review and Recommendation
- Code Compliance Reviews
- Construction Document Review and Analysis
- Envelope Design, Construction Monitoring, and Materials Review and Analysis
- Construction Defect Litigation Support
Civil/Structural Engineering
Our Engineers are experts in evaluating properties and building conditions and offering scope of damage assessments for structural failures. They can provide cause and origin analysis, repair assessment, mitigation strategies, and restoration recommendations.
Our services include:
- Structural Systems/Foundation Evaluations
- Civil/Site Works/Drainage Systems Evaluations
- Construction Defect Analysis
- Geotechnical/Subsurface Investigations
- Residential and Commercial Property Evaluations
- Moisture Intrusion Analysis
- Industrial and Agricultural Facility Evaluations
- Storm Damage Evaluations – Hail/Water/Wind
- Roofing System Evaluations
- Expert Witness Testimony
- Appraisals
- Building Envelope Investigations
- Fire Damage Evaluations
- Building Code Analysis
- Cause and Origin Assessments
- Remedial Design and Reconstruction Scope Development
Mechanical Engineering
Our Engineers are experts in evaluating a wide range of mechanical equipment and offering scope of damage assessments, cause and origin analysis, and repair or replacement recommendations.
Our services include:
- Mechanical System Forensic Cause and Origin Evaluations
- Repair Scope Determinations
- Grain Elevator Evaluations
- Mechanical Equipment Damage Evaluations
- HVAC, Refrigeration, and Plumbing System Evaluations
- Chilled Water Systems Evaluations
- Agriculture Process Systems Investigations
- Fire-Suppression System Evaluations
- Elevator Investigations and Analysis
- Machinery Evaluations including:
- Gas Turbines
- Steam Turbines
- Boilers
- Electro-Hydraulic Controls
- Feed Water Systems
- Fuel Storage and Delivery Systems
- Pumps and Piping Systems
- Air Scrubbers
- Energy Recovery Systems
- Plant Start-Up & Commissioning
- Vibration Analysis & Balancing
- In-Service Inspections
- Heavy Equipment Evaluations
- Code Compliance Reviews
- Investigative Engineering Reports
- Scope of Restoration
- Preparation of Detailed Cost Estimates
- Analysis of Contractor Quotes and Invoices
- Subrogation Support
- Expert Testimony
- Clerk of the Works
Electrical Engineering
Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution
Our Electrical Engineering team has extensive experience in the evaluation of power systems components and expertise in conducting cause and origin investigations for electrical systems and equipment. In addition, Halliwell’s electrical experts can provide replacement vs. repair assessments, opinions of probable construction costs, mitigation strategies, and design recommendations.
We provide evaluations for:
- Generators
- Exciters
- Control Systems
- Switchgear
- Automatic Transfer Switches
- Substations
- Switchyards
- Transformers
- Transmission Lines
- Low and Medium Voltage Power Distribution
- Lightning Mapping and Power Surge Analysis
- Electrical Cost Analyses
Control Systems Analysis
The depth of our Electrical Engineering team’s expertise includes the evaluation of industrial control systems and componentry. Halliwell’s electrical experts can analyze complex control systems as part of cause and origin investigations, and provide replacement vs. repair assessments, opinions of probable construction costs, mitigation strategies, and design recommendations.
Our experts can assist with:
- SCADA Systems
- Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
- Industrial Control Panels
- Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
- Soft Starters
- Protective Relays
- Motor Control Centers (MCCs)
- Communication protocols
Fire and Explosion
Our Fire and Explosion experts meet the qualifications of NFPA 1033 – Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigators and have a deep expertise in conducting cause and origin investigations following the criteria of NFPA 921 – Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations.
Our services include:
- Cause & Origin Investigations
- Fire Protection Systems Evaluations
- Fire Alarm Systems Evaluations
- Product Fire Investigation
Manufacturing, Process Plant, and Heavy Machinery Services
Our consultants and engineers have extensive experience assessing mechanical, energy, and industrial systems including motors, compressors, transformers, and other machinery. We rely on decades of industry practice and technical expertise to deliver objective and independent analysis and provide comprehensive solutions for our clients.
Our experts conduct damage analysis, condition assessments, scope of repair and estimates for properties and equipment in the following areas:
- Power Distribution
- Controls
- Mechanical Systems
- Manufacturing
- Agricultural and Food Processing Plant Machinery
- Heavy Machinery
- Pump Stations
- Industrial Equipment
- Manufacturing Equipment
Energy – Exploration, Piping and Refineries
Our energy systems and machinery experts are highly experienced in analyzing and determining the root cause of failure and scope of damage to fossil fuel energy plants, systems, and equipment as well as renewable systems including wind, solar and hydro. Whether a component-related failure or a full system catastrophe, we have a deep bench of forensic mechanical, electrical and finite analysis engineers and metallurgists to conduct damage investigations, scope of restoration and detailed cost estimates for systems and equipment in the following areas:
- Mechanical analysis of energy/industrial systems and equipment
- Electrical analysis of energy/industrial systems and equipment
- Metallurgical testing and analysis of component failures
- Structural evaluations of equipment and component failures
- Renewable Energy – evaluations of wind turbines, solar arrays, hydroelectric and geothermal facilities
Renewable Energy
Photovoltaic (PV) solar arrays, wind farms, hydro-electric generators, and geothermal facilities exist worldwide, and their use continues to increase as cities, utilities, and businesses pursue decarbonization plans around the world. When these systems fail or become damaged, it takes an expert knowledgeable in their design, construction, maintenance, and operation to properly assess their condition.
Our Renewable Energy experts have investigated everything from PV solar to wind to hydro, including challenges ranging from hail, snow, hurricanes, tornadoes, design deficiencies, fires, deferred maintenance, and operational errors. We have the background to manage rotating machinery and heavy equipment to chemical considerations, fires and explosions, and structural evaluations. We have the knowledge and expertise to address the root cause of your failure and provide replacement cost assessment.
Our Experts conduct damage analysis, condition assessments, scope of repair and estimates for properties and equipment in the following areas:
- Utility scale wind generation
- Photovoltaic Solar Electric Plants
- Geothermal Systems
- Hydroelectric Plants
Construction Defect
Our team of Engineers, Architects and Construction Consultants specialize in construction defect analysis and evaluation to determine whether construction defects were caused by improper design, installation, or workmanship and to document extent of damage and offer repair recommendations.
Our services include:
- Construction Design and Deficiency Analysis
- Design and Material Review and Analysis
- Workmanship Review and Analysis
- Installation Review and Analysis
- Code Review
- Standard of Care
- On-Site Testing
- Documentation and Reporting
- Mitigation and Restoration Counseling
- Repair Recommendations
- Expert Witness and Litigation Support
Builder’s Risk
Evaluating damage and loss to structures under construction requires specialized understanding of the construction process and the ability to analyze the scope of work, determine required remediation or restoration, and calculate the impact costs. Our team of Engineers, Architects and Construction Consultants specialize in knowledge and handling of property and construction claims related to Builder’s Risk losses.
Our services include:
- Loss Value and Mitigation
- Cost Estimating and Analysis
- Review of Policy and Contract Documents
- Detailed Documentation and Reporting
- Contract Negotiation
- Code Review/Upgrade Analysis
- Project Management
- Schedule Analysis
- Dispute Resolution
- Expert Witness and Litigation Support
Meteorology
Our Meteorological Services provide research and analysis for weather events including hail, flooding, tornado, hurricanes, storm surge, lightning damage, heat waves and winter storms. We can provide site specific reporting for tropical events on water vs. wave issues, timing, storm side, wave effects and rainfall and analysis for severe weather including hail, derechos, downbursts, and severe thunderstorms.
Our services include:
- Meteorological Forensics & Analysis
- Storm Surge Analysis
- Surge Height Surge Timing
- Hurricanes/Tropical Storms
- Gradient wind speeds
- Storm tides
- Dynamic breaking waves
- Flood Inundation
- Timing analysis of different perils
- Tornadoes
- Detailed mapping of wind speeds
- EF rating vs. property locations
- Lightning
- Strike locations
- Timing analysis
- Hailstorms
- Dual polarization radar analysis
- Maximum estimated hail size (MEHS) analysis
- Maximum hail size/timing analysis exact locations
- Wind speed/direction
- Past hailstorm report
- Flooding
- Inundation mapping
- Flood depths vs. locations
- Ground contours/elevation mapping
- Snow & Ice Storm Analysis
GIS/GMS Services
Our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geographic Mapping Support (GMS) services provide detailed information about natural disaster–related events including flooding, hurricanes, hail, and tornadoes. We use a wide variety of nationwide data sources, including from governmental organizations and private firms to develop maps for cause and origin assessments as well as flood zone determinations, damage causation, demographic profiles, disease prevalence and cartographic visualization.
Our Services include:
- Geographic Information Systems Analysis
- Cartography/Mapping Support
- 3D Modeling and Visualization
- Web-based GIS Development
- FEMA Flood Zone Determinations
- Storm Surge/Flood Inundation Analysis
- Wind vs. Storm Surge/Wave Damage Analysis
- Earthquake Monitoring and Mapping
- Power Outage Analysis
- Tornado Damage Analysis
- Hailstorm Damage Investigations
- Pre and Post Event Comparisons
- Cause and Origin Damage Analysis
- High Resolution Mapping of Portfolios
- Boundaries, Surveys, Infrastructure Mapping
- Contours, Elevation Mapping
- Weather Forces/Perils Mapping
- Post‐Event Early/Initial Damage Assessments:
- Portfolio of Properties in the Affected Areas
- Geo‐Coding/Mapping of All Properties
- Exposure Analysis of All Perils
- Severity/Metrics of Perils at Each Location
- Composite Analysis of Perils/Damage
Expert Witness Testimony and Litigation Support
Our team of Engineers and Forensic Architects have the licensure and experience to assist with all forms of dispute resolution including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, subrogation, appraisals, depositions, affidavits, and court appearances. We thoroughly research and analyze evidence and deliver clear, accurate and defensible testimony. In addition, we have a full team of Construction Consultants to provide construction cost estimating, claim evaluations/auditing, productivity loss and schedule delay evaluations, and standard of care assessments.
Our services include:
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- Site Assessment and Quantification of Damages
- Analytical Research and Document Review
- Deposition Preparation
- Negotiation, Subrogation, Mediation, Arbitration and Appraisal Services
- Change Order Evaluations
- Construction Claim Evaluations
- Construction Cost Estimating/Auditing
- Construction Defect Investigations
- Productivity Loss and Schedule Delay Analysis
- Standard of Care Assessment
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Expert Testimony