| Equipment Malfunction - Taiwan An international appliance manufacturer contacted EFI Global after experiencing multiple failures of their product in the European market. EFI Global responded quickly to the site in Taiwan and performed a complete analysis of the product design. After conducting confirmation testing on site, our engineer identified the defect causing the failure. The identification of the failure helped the client determine the best course of action with respect to European Union regulations, thereby ensuring its continued presence in that market. << Top Freight Train Derailment EFI Global responded to two separate freight train derailments to provide rapid assessments of the extent of damage. Our civil engineers were on site within 24-hours and provided documentation of the accident site conditions and environmental concerns prior to site clean up. EFI Global’s timely response and investigative efforts resulted in rapid rail restoration for continued operation. << Top Property Condition Assessment – Japan A large resort in Japan planned an extensive $5 million rehabilitation project requiring project oversight services. EFI Global performed property condition assessment services for the hotel and golf facilities prior to remodeling activities, and assisted in defining and establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the ongoing operations of the resort’s improvements. EFI Global helped establish a formal program for ongoing resort operations and helped maximize the cost benefit of the Japanese resort's rehabilitation and remodeling project. << Top Turbine Operations - United States, Europe and Asia EFI Global has extensive experience with root cause failure analyses on mechanical systems. specifically turbines. Our experts have surveyed turbine operations and practices, and evaluated probablistic risks to nuclear power plants in the United States, Europe and Asia. Our experts analysis have included risk evaluations of hydrogen gas releases, multiple turbine overspeed protection system failures, multiple failures of steam admission valves, torsional vibrations, blade cracking and failures, fires resulting from turbine failures, and penetration damage to turbine casings. The work EFI Global has performed in this area had provided new insight to the hazards and the risks associated with turbine buildings and the equipment in them. << Top Roof Collapse Evaluation A large warehouse roof collapsed during a thunderstorm with heavy rains, resulting in multi-million dollar damage. EFI Global forensic structural engineers evaluated the cause of the collapse, including analyzing the rainfall data, the design of the structural system for the roof, the roof drainage system, and the interaction between the structural design and the roof drainage system. EFI Global also provided expert witness testimony in the resulting litigation. The insurance carriers for the facility subsequently were able to recover a substantial portion of the cost of this loss. << Top Seismic Testing Damage Assessment During extensive seismic testing for petroleum exploration & production, several homeowners in a nearby residential neighborhood experienced collateral damage to their homes. After a rapid increase in insurance claims, EFI Global civil engineers responded to our client’s request to analyze the nature and extent of the damages claimed. Seismic vibration data from the exploration company was used along with visual inspections and elevation survey data to determine the various causes of the claimed damages. << Top Structural Assessment – 10-story Condominium EFI Global performed a Structural Assessment of a 10-story condominium building located on the shore in the Gulf Coast area. Our engineer conducted an evaluation of the building to determine the likely cause of spalling and cracking structural masonry and concrete precast building elements. EFI Global was able to identify the source of the distress and recommended a course of action for the repair of the facility. << Top Structural Assessment – Multi-family Housing During an inspection of an existing multi-family housing structure, several buildings were observed to have undulating first floors with noticeable deflection under load. The first floor structural design included open web wood joists bearing on concrete perimeter beams, creating a crawl space. The open web wood joists were observed to be spanning too great a distance and designed interior piers were observed to be missing. EFI Global structural engineers performed the necessary inspections and designed a remedial structural system to provide structural integrity to the floor framing system. << Top Construction Management – Residential Subdivision EFI Global is currently providing construction management for a single-family residential subdivision project totaling more than 1,300 acres. This multi-use subdivision project requires oversight of underground utility construction improvements for municipal domestic water supply, sanitary sewage, storm drainage, electrical service, natural gas, and fiber optic communications. Common features and amenities include a golf course with clubhouse, a Recreation and Information Center building, street lighting and extensive landscaping. EFI Global’s services will be engaged throughout the project life cycle, with an estimated completion date of 2010. << Top Construction Monitoring – Quality Control EFI Global provides construction monitoring quality control services for numerous projects for a major construction company in the Gulf Coast area. Construction projects include multi-family and hospitality industry structures with work concentrated primarily on roofing. EFI Global performs routine inspections and provides reports verifying construction is completed in strict accordance with design drawings and manufacturers recommendations. EFI Global also prepared and presented a quality control program including implementation methods for construction superintendents and project managers. << Top HVAC System Review EFI Global mechanical engineers performed indoor air quality surveys at six buildings on the campus of a major research facility in the Southeast U.S. The areas included commercial office space, research laboratories, internal combustion engine test bays, and specialized product-testing areas. Occupants of the buildings raised concerns of objectionable odors, inadequate air movement and building pressurization problems. As a result, EFI Global conducted IAQ surveys at the six buildings including mechanical HVAC system review, observations of occupied areas, and indoor air sampling. Our reports included air sampling results and recommendations to improve HVAC system operation, indoor air quality, and building pressurization control. << Top Circuit Breaker Failure An electrical failure of a 5,000-volt power circuit breaker at a paper mill caused damage to a metal-clad switchgear assembly. EFI Global determined that the failure was caused by a poor connection in one of the sets of breaker contacts. Comparison to exemplar circuit breakers in the same switchgear assembly revealed contact misalignment performed by a maintenance company prior to the failure. Evidence uncovered by EFI Global’s engineers allowed our client to pursue subrogation against the maintenance company. Our personnel also provided safety recommendations to the plant owner to minimize the risk of serious injury or fatality in the event of future failure. << Top Mechanical System Building Review EFI Global’s mechanical engineers performed a mechanical system assessment of a 31-story commercial office building and parking garage associated with a real estate transaction. Our mechanical engineers conducted a full building visual survey and assessment of the existing systems at the 18-year old property. EFI Global provided a 10 to 18 year projection of anticipated mechanical system repairs and replacements with associated cost estimates. << Top Vehicle Engine Failure Analysis A ten-year old vehicle with over 167,000 miles was involved in a fire that inflicted damage to a surrounding structure. Prior fire investigative efforts identified the vehicle’s engine compartment as the area where the fire originated, but offered no specific cause. EFI Global performed a mechanical failure analysis of the vehicle’s remains augmented by available scene documentation. Our analysis identified the specific aftermarket vehicle component that caused the fire. Our team of professionals also identified the specific design deficiency that resulted in a favorable Federal Court verdict on behalf of the insurance company that was subrogating against the vehicle’s manufacturer. << Top Improper Product Maintenance Investigations EFI Global mechanical engineers have been engaged in numerous cases involving subrogation against manufacturers and maintenance facilities. Failures resulting in fires include punctured hydraulic lines, overheated bearings, and failure to perform proper maintenance repairs. As an example, EFI Global conducted a mechanical engineering investigation of a hay baler relating to a personal injury case. Our analysis resulted in a large judgment against a repair facility for improper adjustment of a power-take-off control. << Top Material Analysis – Petrochemical Refinery Fire A series of fires occurred in a petrochemical refinery during startup after a maintenance shutdown. EFI Global's team of fire investigators, engineers and chemists traced the problem to new gaskets used in the transfer piping. According to the manufacturer, the new gaskets were rated for the temperatures, pressures, and chemicals in use. Testing of the gasket material by Thermal Gravimetric Analysis proved the gaskets were degrading well below the manufacturer’s specification and the operating temperature of the plant. EFI Global’s findings were then used for successful subrogation against the gasket manufacturer. << Top Roof System Failure Analysis When a new domed stadium experienced catastrophic failure of portions of its roof system, EFI Global structural engineers were engaged to determine the cause. Our investigation proceeded in conjunction with emergency repairs to avoid interruption of the events scheduled in the facility. As a result of our investigation, successful litigation was initiated to recover the cost of the damages for the owners and their insurance providers. << Top Electrical Failure Investigation An underground 480-volt cable fault at a large manufacturing facility caused a failure of a pad-mounted transformer. The insured party claimed damage to numerous panelboards and a switchgear assembly, as well as a 15,000-volt primary cable system. EFI Global’s investigation determined that most of the reported damage was either easily repairable, or was not related to the 480-volt cable failure, which significantly reduced the amount of the claim paid by our client. << Top Equipment Failure Investigation EFI Global provided a mechanical air conditioning system review and evaluation at two commercial office buildings following equipment failure. The systems were originally installed in the mid-1980’s and were reportedly experiencing capacity losses and shut downs during elevated temperatures in 2000 and 2001. In June 2001, hail and thunderstorms caused further damage to the equipment that lead to failure of outdoor condensing units at each building. After completing numerous damage assessments, our engineers provided equipment replacement recommendations with cost estimates to the owner and insurance company. << Top Chemical Exposure Analysis – Respirator Failure An industrial worker was exposed to high levels of toluene and incurred serious injury. An investigation by EFI Global traced the exposure back to a failure in the respirator used by the worker. Laboratory testing showed that the exhalation valve in the respirator was made of latex and was dissolved by exposure to toluene and toluene fumes. EFI Global’s laboratory report was instrumental in the successful settlement of the case against the employer and respirator manufacturer, and secured compensation for the injured worker. << Top Material Forensic Testing EFI Global was requested to provide engineering investigative services for a liquefied petroleum (LP) gas supplier. The LP provider was notified by an investigative service, who was representing a construction contractor, that the LP gas equipment he provided might have caused the fire. The fire resulted in complete loss of the hotel, which was 78% constructed at the time of the fire. An EFI Global engineer performed instrumented temperature testing with an exemplar 400,000 BTU/hr heater at the hotel. In addition, the engineer performed instrumented operational testing of the heater situated directly at one of the unfinished walls. The testing showed that the heater was incapable of raising construction materials temperature to the auto ignition point. Investigative work was accomplished and documented to form a defensive case, utilizing empirical data, against a future complaint to the client company. << Top Construction Draw Reviews – Downtown Tourist District In the downtown area of one of the largest cities in the U.S., EFI Global performed construction draw reviews and general technical compliance for the renovation of two high-rise hotels, including a 12-story guestroom tower with 314 guestrooms and a separate parking garage. EFI Global’s involvement in the project proved essential to the city’s ability to accommodate the influx of traveling patrons arriving for the celebration and opening of two sports complexes. << Top Property Life Cycle Analysis – 50+ Acre Office Complex EFI Global performed engineering due diligence for the refinancing of an office complex consisting of 10 high-rise buildings ranging from 12 to 35 stories, a hotel, four free standing parking structures, shopping mall, and an associated physical plant exceeding 2.5 million square feet residing on a 50-acre parcel of land. In addition to facilitating the refinancing, our Property Condition Assessment provided a budgetary cost estimate and life cycle analysis for correcting construction defects, poorly maintained building components, and aging building systems that exceeded $6 million. << Top | 
