Forensic Fire Engineering 

Disasters happen.  Although a fire event in a building may be a low probability occurrence, it almost always results in severe consequences.  These consequences may include loss of building content, loss of the building fabric, business interruption, loss of profit, injuries and fatalities.   

Following determination of cause and origin [by separate fire investigators], Devotec is generally appointed by interested Insurance Underwriters (or their appointed loss adjusters) to investigate the site of the fire event (more than 380 investigations conducted).  Following assessment of structural damage and recommendations by Devotec to repair such, the information is usually passed on to quantity surveyors to determine the quantum of the loss.  Fire is a complex phenomenon.  As such, determination of actual structural damage after a fire event comprises various scientific and fire engineering evaluations of fire dynamics and its impact on the material properties of various structural components and the mechanical response of structural interactions to elevated heat exposure.   

Devotec is also frequently appointed to conduct a scientific assessment on the reason and mechanism of fire spread from point of origin and how this may materially relate to lack of compliance of the facility to the National Building Regulations and/or local authority by-laws.  Because Building Regulations and the application of such under the auspices of various published SABS codes of practice and standards are revised over time, and these regulations are not retro-active in application, assessment of compliance with such will be related to the actual time of original construction of the facility or major alterations/additions to such.