fire damage 1

[craigory28]

Has anyone had any experience in evaluating structures after fires?

Is there any reference you can point me towards. I have been asked to look at a few buildings in one unit that have had fires in them. The buildings are built of different materials concrete, steel, wood, masonry. I would like some background information to go with my engineering judgement which would lean toward conservatism.

Thanks

 

[SperlingPE]

I have done two investigations involving fires in the last year. Try to find out duration of fire. Try to estimate maximum temperature of fire. These two items will help in determining if there is suspected damage to steel or concrete members. Wood members are a little more obvious. Loss of section can be seen. Other items to pay attention to are all the plastics and other materials. There was no apprecaible damage to one of the roofs that I inspected. However, the insulation and roofing membrane sustained damage. Wear clothes that you won't mind throwing in the trash when you are done. My work coat still smells like burned tires. One of the fires was at a gas station. The tire storage area sustained the most damage. Also, do a search on here using key words such as fire damage.