FORENSIC INSPECTION AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSULTING

Forensic engineers are specialized licensed professionals who investigate the root causes of failures, document and analyze physical evidence, determine causation, prepare detailed reports, and serve as expert witnesses in dispute resolution, insurance claims, and litigation. Failures may result from design flaws, material defects, poor construction, improper maintenance, or human error.

Structural engineers design buildings and structures to safely resist and transfer loads while meeting applicable building codes and safety requirements. Structural engineering is primarily preventive and predictive — calculating how structures should behave under loads such as gravity, wind, earthquakes, and occupancy.

Forensic structural engineers investigate buildings or structures after damage or failure to determine the cause and sequence of events that led to the failure. Forensic engineering is primarily investigative and analytical — examining what actually happened after distress, collapse, cracking, fire, corrosion, or other failures.

Many forensic structural engineers were originally trained and worked as structural engineers before specializing in investigations.

Forensic engineers gather and analyze many types of information to determine the cause of a structural failure, accident, or defect. This typically includes:

• Physical evidence from the site
• Site conditions at the time of the incident
• Documentation and reports available
• Original building plans and design drawings available
• Maintenance and inspection logs available
• Weather conditions before and during the event
• Soil tests and geotechnical data

By examining these factors together, forensic engineers can identify what went wrong, why it happened, and whether design flaws, construction errors, environmental conditions, or poor maintenance contributed to the failure.

The outcome of the forensic engineering report will not be influenced by who paid for the service. All state engineering boards require engineers to issue public statements objectively and truthfully. Engineers are also required to avoid any conduct or practice that deceives the public, including making statements that contain material misrepresentations of fact or omit material facts. An engineer is obligated to include all material facts that support their conclusions, opinions, and statements. In conclusion, an engineer must conduct themselves ethically, above any client relationship, while upholding the truth and protecting the welfare of the public.

A forensic engineer typically does not reach or communicate a final conclusion during the site inspection. During the inspection, the engineer collects physical evidence and observations. After returning to the office, additional information is reviewed and analyzed, including weather records, soil reports, construction documents, photographs, testing data, and other relevant materials before an opinion is formed.

Another important reason conclusions are not provided onsite is that state engineering boards generally require engineers to protect confidential information obtained in a professional capacity. Engineers are obligated to act as faithful agents or trustees for their clients or employers and may not disclose facts, data, or professional opinions without proper authorization, except when required by law or professional ethical standards.

A building code is a set of laws and regulations that controls how buildings are designed, constructed, and maintained. It covers things like structural safety, electrical and plumbing systems, heating and ventilation, fire protection, and safe exits. The main purpose is to ensure that buildings are safe for the people who live or work in them by establishing minimum safety standards.

In general, a property owner or someone authorized by the owner must get a building permit before doing most significant construction-related work on a building or structure. That includes work such as:

• Building something new
• Expanding or remodeling
• Repairs
• Moving or demolishing a structure
• Changing how the building is used or occupied

The owner or agent must apply to the local building official and receive approval before starting the work.

There are some specific exceptions where a permit is not required under the International Code Council’s International Residential Code (IRC). However, even if a permit is not required, the work still must comply with all applicable building codes, laws, and local ordinances.

The following building works are exempt from the building permit requirement as stated in 2021 IRC:

• One-story detached accessory buildings where limited to 200 square feet in floor area(other than storm shelters)
• Fences not over 7 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high
• Water tanks supported directly on grade, if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the height to diameter ratio does not exceed 2 to1
• Sidewalks and driveways
• Painting, papering, tiling carpeting,  Cabinets, Counter tops and similar finish work
• Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
• Swings and other playground equipment
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall
• Decks, if (1) 200 square feet maximum, (2) limited to 30 inches above grade, (3) not attached to a dwelling and (4) not serving the required exit door.

Many residential buildings are exempt from the requirements of the International Building Code (IBC) because they fall under a different code: the International Code Council’s International Residential Code (IRC).

Under the IRC, the following types of residential structures are covered:

• Detached single-family homes
• Detached duplexes
• Townhouses
• Accessory structures associated with those buildings (such as garages, sheds, etc.)

To qualify under the IRC, the buildings must generally:

• Be no more than three stories above grade plane
• Have individual means of egress

The IRC provides comprehensive prescriptive requirements for:

• Building construction
• Plumbing systems
• Mechanical systems
• Electrical systems
• Energy efficiency

Structures outside these limits or occupancies are typically regulated by the International Building Code (IBC) instead.

Required Building Inspections

The inspection function is one of the most critical activities in the entire code enforcement process. At various stages of construction, inspectors provide the final verification that a building complies with safety-related code requirements. When appropriate, the building official may accept inspection reports from approved agencies that verify compliance with applicable code provisions. These agencies must be highly qualified and reliable.

Required Inspections (where applicable)

1. Foundation Inspection
   Inspect setback from lot lines; Inspect footing dimensions; Inspect reinforcement; soil conditions (suitable soil and base materials); Vegetation, loose soil, and debris removed; sufficient depth for frost protection; and foundation construction before concrete placement.
2. Plumbing, Mechanical, Gas, and Electrical Inspections
   Ensures all systems are installed according to code and safety standards before concealment.
3. Floodplain Inspection
   For flood hazard areas, confirm compliance with flood hazard area regulations and required elevation standards. Elevation certificate prepared and sealed by a registered design professional before work proceeds above.
4. Frame and Masonry Inspection
   Checks structural framing, masonry work, connections, and load-bearing components.
5. Fire-Resistance Rated Construction Inspection
   Verifies fire-rated assemblies, penetrations, fire stopping, and related protection systems.
6. Other Inspections Required by the Building Official
   Additional inspections may be required depending on the project type, complexity, or local regulations.
7. Elevation Documentation Inspection
   Reviews elevation certificates or related documentation to confirm compliance with floodplain requirements.
8. Final Inspection
   Conducted upon project completion to verify the building is safe and ready for occupancy. Inspect comfort heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment and systems; Inspect plumbing fixtures and systems; Inspect electrical circuits, devices, and fixtures; Inspect stairs, railings, landings, and other means of egress components; Inspect smoke alarms; Inspect emergency escape and rescue openings; Inspect other items regulated by the code.

Site development in designated flood hazard areas must meet special requirements for flood-resistant construction to minimize damage during a flood event. State or local floodplain management ordinances often supersede the IRC provisions for flood-resistant construction. Requirements are similar, however, and are designed to satisfy the minimum standards set forth in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (Figure 3-8). [Ref. R322].