Hugh Birchall, Associate

Hugh is a Chartered Surveyor who joined Sandberg in 2013. He specialises in building pathology, hygrothermal and condensation risk analysis, and the forensic investigation of material and system failures. Progressing from site-based inspection and non-destructive testing to consultancy and analytical roles, he delivers evidence-based advice on thermal and moisture movement and durability across commercial, residential, education and industrial assets. He designs bespoke monitoring regimes and custom test environments to validate remedial strategies and derisk refurbishment.

Specific areas of expertise include:

• Investigation of moisture ingress, basement waterproofing performance and sulphate-related masonry decay
• Timber and cladding deterioration, roof envelope failure and remedial strategy evaluation
• Hygrothermal/interstitial condensation modelling and condensation risk assessment
• Long and short-term moisture and structural movement monitoring programme design
• Non-destructive diagnostic techniques (ground penetrating radar, thermal imaging, capacitive moisture measurement)
• Design and implementation of bespoke laboratory / on-site test and monitoring protocols
• Forensic reporting supporting dispute resolution and design review

Memberships / Publication

• Member: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), Aug 2023
• Coauthor: “Practical Application of Hygrothermal Modelling to Forensic Failure Investigations” (1st International Conference on Moisture in Buildings, 2021)