Articles

When Hail Strikes: Assessing and Identifying Building Damage

Every year, hailstorms cause damage throughout Canada. This article outlines the key factors to consider when identifying and assessing building damage caused by a hailstorm. While hail typically falls in a relatively uniform pattern, the extent of damage it causes to a building can vary widely depending on several factors.

Origin and cause: science’s quest for answers throughout the ages

Forensic engineering represents the perfect blend of tradition and innovation. Officially established in the 1970s, it draws on centuries of scientific knowledge. The creation of CEP Forensic in 1972 came at a time when the field was gaining momentum, driven by the knowledge and creativity passed down through generations.

Slips, Trips and Falls

Did you know that in 2022, falls were responsible for 7,189 deaths among Canadians aged 65 and older.  Among children, 12% of fall-related injuries involved falling on or from stairs [1] . Falls are also a common workplace hazard. Each year, approximately 20 percent of workplace injuries in B.C. are related to slips, trips, and falls [2] .   Regardless of the setting, these incidents can lead to insurance claims. Let’s explore how forensic experts investigate such cases.

Sleigh accident? CEP Forensic to the rescue of Santa Claus... and his presents!

Christmas Eve is just around the corner! That’s why Santa was eager to take his shiny new sleigh for a test run. After all, who better than Father Christmas himself to make sure it was ready for the big night? Once he harnessed his trusty reindeer and loaded the sleigh with gifts, he took off into the evening sky. Everything was going smoothly until — BAM! Out of nowhere, his sleigh hit a pole.

Foundations after a fire

When a property is subjected to intense heat resulting from a fire, typically, damages to the wood superstructure are easily identifiable, but what about the concrete foundation? In this technical article, our engineer provides an overview of these types of damages and explains how experts evaluate the structural integrity of a building’s foundations.

Wood in Construction: The Millennia-Old Material that Challenges Ingenuity!

Using wood to build is nothing new, it actually dates back to the Neolithic period with the sedentarization of populations. Since then, this material, often combined with others, has proven itself in construction. With its numerous environmental, economic, and aesthetic benefits, it is THE renewable component to consider in today’s context of sustainability and innovation. How about (re)discovering it through some unique characteristics and surprising facts?

 

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