Building Damage Assessment - Earthquake, Fire and Explosion

Reliable reinstatement of buildings after earthquake, major fires, explosions or damage by impact requires that the extent of damage or transmitted contamination is properly assessed by specialists. Sandberg staff include engineers who have had special training in the expected character and extent of damage which is likely to result from fire or from blast and associated transmitted shock. This knowledge has proved of great value in the investigation, inspection and testing of buildings and other structures, including their component parts, damaged by earthquake, major fires, explosions, damage by impact and other such disasters.

A comprehensive range of in-situ test and inspection instrumentation is available including devices to detect where and to what extent structural integrity has been impaired in areas remote from the source of the fire or explosion. Such tests can extend to measurement of the spread of corrosive constituents of smoke and hot gas emissions and even to the determination of the residual security of individual fixings which have been affected by shock and whose present condition is uncertain.

Much of the specialist testing and inspection may be carried out non-destructively and with minimal disruption to the less affected parts of the building so allowing other operations, including reinstatement work, to proceed in parallel. Advice is provided on the most appropriate clearing up operations, cleaning of contaminated areas and the most economical remedial measures consistent with the important matter of reinstatement of warranties (particularly important on young buildings). This advice includes recommendations on the choice of materials and techniques in collaboration with those responsible for the design and on suitable suppliers and reinstatement specialists.