Dufresne Group provides forensic engineering services. Usually this service is provided after there has been a failure of a structure or piece of equipment and the insurance or replacement costs are significant. Our investigations have included failures with ventilation systems, well pump failures, domestic piping systems and boiler failures. A forensic study of a system failure would include the following components:

• Documentation of the existing conditions at the time of the failure, including temperature, pressure and loads on the failed equipment.
• Complete documentation of damages as the result of the failure.
• Assessment of whether the equipment or material was suitable for the task on which it was employed.
• Development of a professional opinion as to why the failure of the material or equipment occurred.
• Recommendations on changes in material, equipment or operations that would limit the potential for future failure occurrences.