Construction Defects | Warren Forensics

Freeze Damage to Fire Sprinkler Systems

Author Warren Team

January 10, 2014

The ongoing frigid temperatures serve as a reminder of the many investigations by Warren engineers involving fire sprinkler systems that have failed when some part of the system was exposed to the sub-freezing conditions. Interestingly, failures do not necessarily occur within the area of greatest freeze exposure, as the failure mechanism is the extreme pressure that results from the growth of an ice plug inside the exposed pipe in which the high pressure will rupture the weakest component which may even be located in a heated area of the sprinkler system. Read More

Fire Losses Involving Improper Construction and Installation of Fireplaces and Chimneys

Author Warren Team

January 9, 2014

On a cold winters night a family is gathered in the living room of their home enjoying the warmth of their fireplace. After using the fireplace all day, they go off to bed to a nice restful sleep. However, they are soon rudely waked by the sound of a smoke alarm in the home. Rushing out into the cold night they can see smoke, but no flame in the home. Outside, they can see that the chase around the fireplace chimney is burning. The fire department is called and thankfully extinguishes the fire before it does widespread damage, however the family must leave the home for several months as repairs are made. Read More

Improper Piping Installation Leads to Costly Repair

Author John Phillips

January 7, 2014

A newly constructed house was flooded when a plumbing pipe ruptured in the attic during unusually cold weather well below the freezing point. This was a very large house and had been constructed with the most visually appealing and expensive finish materials in the construction industry. Read More