Flood damage inspections determine the source and scope of flood-related damage to your building or its foundation. The forensic engineer who performs the inspection works with the property owner to ensure the safety of building occupants following a natural disaster or man-made flood caused by dam failure or faulty appliances. Your commercial property has suffered flooding damage. Your employees are safe, but your utilities have sustained damage. Some floodwater has drained away or dried, but part of your infrastructure is still submerged in standing water. It is only a matter of time before mold and mildew develop.
You need an inspector on site to record as much information as possible before you file a claim and plan your next steps. Trust ATS to send a licensed and experienced Professional Engineer (P.E.) to inspect your property for flooded areas and signs of water damage.
What Is a Flood Damage Inspection?
An ATS engineer can perform a visual inspection of your site for evidence of flood damage. Our experts determine whether the damage is due to:
- Hydrostatic Pressure
- Hydrodynamic Pressure
- Erosion
- Consolidation
- Scouring
Bridge inspections for scouring are especially important to avoid bridge collapse and loss of life.
After determining the location and type of damage, the professional inspector offers their expert insight for your next steps. Using years of education and experience, our experts advise clients on the costs and benefits of repair or replacement for damaged materials.
Specialized mechanical engineers can inspect your HVAC components, elevators, and escalators for electrical or mechanical damages that prevent safe function. Mold in an HVAC system can become airborne and lead to adverse health effects and poor indoor air quality. Without proper drying and ventilation, the wood in pivotal walls and structures will rot and jeopardize the structural integrity of your building.
ATS engineers follow new building codes and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) recommendations to provide accurate and reliable counsel on preventative flooding measures in future construction projects. For instance, we can recommend elevated building or slab on grade foundations based on your location and needs.
We keep records of high-water mark (HWM) areas to predict flood risk as severe conditions develop. During major storms, we calculate environmental factors, such as wind speed and maximum flood depth, that contribute to the extent of flood damage. Immediately following a major flood, we can take aerial footage of the scene to be used as evidence for analysis during legal proceedings or insurance disputes.
Standards and Regulations
An engineer performs elevation and positive drainage surveys to assess whether your building qualifies for flood coverage under the NFIP or your insurance company. The engineer can also inspect if the building is up to code according to:
- International Building Code (IBC)
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- State regulations
- Local regulations
About ATS
ATS serves national and international clients in commercial and engineering fields. Since our founding in 1967, we have devoted our resources to high-quality service for our customers in the construction, manufacturing, and chemical industries, to name a few.
ATS Experts & Labs
We employ highly educated professionals with practical experience and deep knowledge of building codes and regulations. All professional engineers must meet state requirements, which include:
- Four-year degree (bachelor’s, master’s, Ph.D.)
- Four or more years’ practice under a professional engineer
- Passed comprehensive exams
- Attaining license granted by a state engineering board
- Continuing education and training
ATS delivers comprehensive reports on flood damage to your building to help you make informed decisions about repairs and replacements. Additionally, our engineers serve as expert witnesses in legal proceedings when required.
We maintain NADCAP and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation in mechanical and nondestructive testing. Also, we meet the ISO 9001:2015 standard for a continuously improving quality management system.
Click here to view a full list of our certifications and standards.
Contact Information
Floods are terrifying, but flood damage inspections don’t have to be. Call +1 (888) 287-5227 for a flood damage inspection by a forensic structural engineer.
