Conference TitleJune 23, 2010

LocationHartford, CT

1© 2010 H. Ross Clements, AIA

All Rights Reserved

Forensic Tools 101Forensic Tools 101

Presented By:H. Ross Clements, AIAConstruction Science and Engineering, Inc.Westminster, South Carolina

A Little about Me…A Little about Me… Presenter:

H. Ross Clements, AIA

Employed by:

Construction Science and Engineering, Inc.218 E. Main St.Westminster, SC 29693

Education:

Bachelor of ArchitectureUniversity of TennesseeCollege of Architecture and Design, 2001

As a Forensic Architect I am asked to:As a Forensic Architect I am asked to:

Determine cause of damage

Determine extent of damage

Determine necessary repairs

Determine who is responsible for loss or damage

A Little about CSE…A Little about CSE…

Staff located in Westminster, SC

Forensic Architecture and Engineering Firm

50/50 Defense/Plaintiff

Defense Case Outline:Defense Case Outline:

Common ToolsCommon Tools

Dictaphone

Camera

Tape Measure

Probes

Sharpie, Chalk,

Crayon

Utility Knife

Flashlight

Blue Tape

Level

Mirror

Scale

Specialty Diagnostic EquipmentSpecialty Diagnostic Equipment

Observant Eyes,

Attentive Ears, and an

Objective Mind to

approach each case…

Specialty Diagnostic EquipmentSpecialty Diagnostic Equipment

Moisture Meter

IR Camera

Metal Detector

Boroscope/Camera

Water Test Kit

Roof Core

Crack Monitor

Slip Meter

Adhesion Tester

Cone Penetrometer

Microscope

Withdrawal Tester

EIFS Pull TestDatabase: Historical

Library of Codes and Industry Standards

Moisture MeterMoisture Meter

Pin-type meters and Pinless meters

Can provide a qualitative indication of the substrate conditions , helpful in determining if damage exists behind cladding

IR CameraIR Camera

IR CameraIR Camera Creates an image using

infrared radiation rather than visible light

Used to capture images showing potential problems not apparent on the surface

Metal DetectorMetal Detector

Metal DetectorMetal Detector Used to detect and

mark the locations of existing brick ties in masonry walls

Boroscope/CameraBoroscope/Camera

Can obtain images of small cavities

Used to capture images of spaces which may be difficult to access

By drilling a small opening and inserting the camera, images may be obtained which can determine where damage exists

Boroscope/CameraBoroscope/Camera

Water Test KitWater Test Kit Consists items used to test an installed window unit for

water leakage in accordance with AAMA 501.2

AAMA test method used to determine the installed condition of window units in existing buildings

Determines a variety of issues:◦ flashing defects ◦ window installation defects◦ window component failures ◦ window manufacturing defects

Water Test KitWater Test Kit

Moisture Test StripsMoisture Test Strips

Used to show moisture in areas in which water is hard to see

Strip changes color when put into contact with water

Roof Core SamplerRoof Core Sampler Used to take samples from a

low sloped roof

Saw teeth at the end of the cylinder allow the cylinder to be pushed into the roof and ultimately remove a sample of the layers

Crack MonitorCrack Monitor

Crack MonitorCrack Monitor Once positioned over a crack, the crosshairs

on the two plates of the crack monitor will shift when slabs move, making movement easier to see

Used in cases involving differential settlement of foundations.

Progress chart records movement

Once a pattern of movement is established on the Progress Chart, forensic professionals can then decide what remedial action is needed.

Slip Resistance MeterSlip Resistance Meter

Slip Resistance MeterSlip Resistance Meter Measures the

resistance to slipping on a floor covering

Used to test slippage potential

ASTM

Paint Adhesion Tester (PAT)Paint Adhesion Tester (PAT)

Conducts adhesion tests on paints applied to a flat, uniform surface in accordance with ASTM Test Method D 3359, Method B and DIN Standard No. 53151

Used in cases involving

coating failures

Results can be used to determine the cause of the coating failure

MicroscopeMicroscope Used to…

PosiPenPosiPen Used for measuring dry non-magnetic coatings on

steel and the ferrite content in metal.

Smoke PenSmoke Pen Used to dispense test smoke smoke-emitting wick is inserted into the clutch pencil and ignited Used for a variety of testing applications:

◦ Leaks in duct work, heat exchangers, furnaces, plumbing ◦ Air movement & ventilation systems ◦ Turbulence around fume hoods ◦ Duct mounted smoke detectors ◦ Fume evacuation from gas heaters, etc ◦ Leakage in ventilation systems ◦ Leakage in drainage systems ◦ Exhaust fans

Withdrawal TesterWithdrawal Tester Assesses the adequacy of the installation and overall effects of deterioration, such as

moisture, on the EIFS wall assembly (as opposed to small localized areas of degradation)

Questions / Comments?Questions / Comments?

H. Ross ClementsH. Ross Clementscell: (864) 650-8012cell: (864) 650-8012

e-mail: e-mail: rossclements@bellsouth.net

Construction Science & EngineeringConstruction Science & Engineeringoffice: (864) 647-1065office: (864) 647-1065

www.constructionscience.orgwww.constructionscience.org