MEC&F Expert Engineers : 10/03/15

Saturday, October 3, 2015

At least 1 person is dead and 3 others were injured when a Borough Park building exploded in New York









1 dead, 3 injured in Borough Park building explosion







Updated 35 mins ago

BOROUGH PARK (WABC) -- The FDNY said that an explosion in a Brooklyn building may have been caused when a tenant was attempting to swap out a stove before moving.

At least one person is dead and three others were hurt when the Borough Park building exploded Saturday afternoon.

The surviving victims were taken to Methodist Hospital. The three people who were injured were pedestrians, including one child who was 10 years old. They were all injured by falling debris. One of the victims is in critical condition, but is not believed to have life-threatening injuries. The victim who died was a woman in her sixties who was standing in the stairwell of her building.


A building caught fire in the 4200 block of 13th Avenue in Borough Park following an explosion. WABC 

More than 100 firefighters responded around 1 p.m. to the two-alarm fire that followed an explosion in the 4200 block of 13th Avenue in Borough Park. Smoke was very heavy in the area, and a portion of the building involved had collapsed.



The building is a three-story, mixed-use building with a business on the ground level and apartments above. City property records describe the building as residential, with space for a store or office.

National Grid responded and was working under the direction of the FDNY to shut off gas in the area.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a statement Saturday afternoon about the fire. "This explosion is the latest in a disturbing trend of incidents that occurred in Harlem and the East Village," it said. "In light of this, I am directing the State Department of Public Service to undertake an investigation into the cause of this incident. That investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided to the public as soon as they are available."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Heavy rains and major flooding will continue along the Eastern Seaboard on Saturday as a result of Hurricane Joaquin interacting with a slow-moving cold front.









Rain Lashes Eastern US, Major Flooding Expected
 
By Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
October 3, 2015; 4:49 AM ET
 

Heavy rains and major flooding will continue along the Eastern Seaboard on Saturday as a result of Hurricane Joaquin interacting with a slow-moving cold front.

"Very heavy rain will continue through the early morning hours across parts of South Carolina, including Charleston and Columbia. Rainfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are likely," AccuWeather Meteorologist Mike Doll said.

Serious flooding is already occurring in and around Charleston and the problem will get worse, Doll said.

"People in the Carolinas should be prepared to move to higher ground to protect life if flood waters approach their homes," Doll said. "If you are driving and come across a flooded roadway, your best option is to turn around and find an alternative route."





UPDATES: (All times are listed in Eastern Time)

4:54 a.m. Saturday: Many secondary roads are still impassable due to flash flooding in Charleston, South Carolina, city police said.

4:52 a.m. Saturday: Power outages reported near Darlington Raceway in South Carolina, Darlington County Sheriff's Office said.

4:40 a.m. Saturday: Hurricane Joaquin remains a Category 3 hurricane as the system pulls away from the Bahamas, AccuWeather meteorologists said.



4:22 a.m. Saturday: 0.96 inches of rain fell in 1 hour at the Charleston Executive Airport, Mesonet reports.

4:17 a.m. Saturday: Flash flooding becoming a major problem in Charleston County, South Carolina.

4:02 a.m. Saturday: About 10,000 Duke Energy customers are without power in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area, the utility reported.

4:00 a.m. Saturday: Washed-out roadway in Darlington County, South Carolina.

3:55 a.m. Saturday: 0.96 inches of rain in 1 hour, 5 miles north of Denmark, South Carolina, Mesonet reports.

3:50 a.m. Saturday: Rain band moving onshore may bring up to 2 inches an hour, southwest of Charleston, South Carolina, AccuWeather Meteorologist Ed Vallee said.



3:15 a.m. Saturday: 1.14 inches of rain fell in 1 hour at Elizabethtown, North Carolina, Mesonet reports.

3:10 a.m. Saturday: Record rainfall on Friday in Raleigh, North Carolina.

3:07 a.m. Saturday: More than 12,200 North Carolina power customers are without service as a result of storms, utilities report.

2:48 a.m. Saturday: More road closings have occurred in Charleston, South Carolina, police said.

2:17 a.m. Saturday: More heavy rain bands are moving into Charleston, South Carolina, with rainfall rates approaching 1 inch per hour, AccuWeather Meteorologist Ed Vallee said.



2:08 a.m. Saturday: Flooded roads in and around Asheboro, North Carolina, law enforcement reports.

2:01 a.m. Saturday: Hurricane Joaquin remains a powerful Category 3 hurricane and is moving away from the Bahamas, AccuWeather meteorologists said.

(Image/GOES-East/NOAA).

1:56 a.m. Saturday: A small landslide blocked one lane of Old Highway 10 near Marion, North Carolina, emergency management reported.

1:54 a.m. Saturday: More than 15,000 Duke Energy customers in the Carolinas are without lights as a result of storms, the utility reported.

1:40 a.m. Saturday: Horry County, South Carolina, firefighters were busy with water rescues Friday night as a result of a dam/levee failure in the Little River area, WMBF-TV in Myrtle Beach reported.

1:25 a.m. Saturday: Flash flooding continues to be a problem in Darlington County, South Carolina.

1:20 a.m. Saturday: Heavy rain fell over the Carolinas on Friday.
24-Hour Rainfall Totals (as of 12 a.m. EDT Saturday)
CityRain (in inches)
North Myrtle Beach, SC 10.41
Longs, SC 9.69
Sunset Beach, NC 8.24
Oriental, NC 5.64


1:05 a.m. Saturday: 1 inch of rain fell in 1 hour, 8 miles south-southwest of Chesterfield, South Carolina, Mesonet reports.

12:50 a.m. Saturday: Heavier rain band moving into the Charlotte, North Carolina, area with rainfall rates approaching 2 inches per hour.



12:44 a.m. Saturday: Flooding closes streets in Darlington and Hartsville, South Carolina, the Darlington County Sheriff's Office reports.

12:30 a.m. Saturday: 2.44 inches of rain in 3 hours at Santee Coastal Reserve, South Carolina, Mesonet reports.

12:22 a.m. Saturday: Flooding continues in Charleston.

12:20 a.m. Saturday: New road closures around Charleston, South Carolina.

12:01 a.m. Saturday: Trees felled by storm are causing issues in the Raleigh, North Carolina, area.

11:50 p.m. Friday: Flooding continues in North Carolina.

11:46 p.m. Friday: The GOES-East infrared satellite view shows moisture from Hurricane Joaquin interacting with a slow-moving cold front.

(Image/GOES-East/NOAA).

11:42 p.m. Friday: More than 5,400 Duke Energy customers are without lights in the Carolinas, the utility reported.

11:39 p.m. Friday: Significant flooding reported in Whiteville, North Carolina, emergency officials said.

11:34 p.m. Friday: Almost 1 foot of rain reported in parts of South Carolina, the National Weather Service at Wilmington, North Carolina, said.

11:32 p.m. Friday: Some roads have reopened but many others remain closed in Charleston, South Carolina, police said.

11:19 p.m. Friday: Evacuations reported in North Carolina.

11:00 p.m. Friday: Hurricane Joaquin remains a powerful Category 3 hurricane, AccuWeather meteorologists said.

10:50 p.m. Friday: Weather delays reported at Philadelphia, Newark and La Guardia airports, the FAA said.



Most Northeast U.S. airports were reporting normal operations except Philadelphia, Newark and La Guardia airports. (Image/FAA)

10:45 p.m. Friday: 8.19 inches of rain have fallen at North Myrtle Beach, SC, in last 24 hours with 6.60 inches of that in the last 12 hours, Mesonet reports.

4 more pay the piper: 4 killed after a 1984 Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP experienced an inflight breakup and impacted trees and the waters of Lake Hartwell, South Carolina.













UPDATED 9:48 PM EDT Oct 02, 2015


OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. — 

Authorities from Georgia and South Carolina say four people were killed in a plane crash near the state line at Lake Hartwell.

The Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley confirmed to  WYFF News 4 a small plane had crashed near the state line along Lake Hartwell.

Investigators said the plane's debris field was discovered in a tree line near the lake, and in the lake.

Authorities from both Stephens County and Oconee County said the crash was in the Highway 123 area.

Crews said they have located the plane's fuselage and that 4 people on board did not survive.

The FAA says it alerted local authorities and airports around 4 p.m. about a missing aircraft.

According to the FAA, the plane was headed to the Clemson airport.

NTSB and FAA officials are headed to Lake Hartwell to begin investigating the crash.

The plane was owned by Smith Family Aviation LLC of Warsaw, Indiana.


//----------------------------------//////////////////////


Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP similar to the one that crashed







WALHALLA, S.C. - Former Tippy Valley Football Coaches Charlie Smith and Scott Bibler are among four people that were killed Friday in a plane crashed headed to Clemson for the Notre Dame-Clemson football game, Tippy Valley Athletic Director Duane Burkhart confirmed to WNDU.

Burkhart says Smith's son Scott, a Tippy Valley graduate and former basketball player was also killed in the crash. The 4th person killed was sprint car racer Tony Elliot, his brother-in-law confirms to WNDU.

Oconee County Emergency Services Deputy Chief Adam Williams said the crash happened Friday on the shore of Lake Hartwell in a remote area about 20 miles outside of Clemson. Williams said first responders found debris on the ground and in the water before reaching the site.

The FAA confirmed that plane belong to Charlie Smith. Councilman Smith is a certified pilot and is included by the FAA in the Airmen Certification Database. Burkhart says Smith was the pilot of the flight.

Charlie Smith was the football coach at Tippy Valley when the program first started in 1975. He led them to a state championship in 1979. Smith currently served as a Warsaw councilman.

"Charlie lived life to the fullest," Burkhart said. "He was very well respected in the community, very well respected in not only the Tippacanoe Valley community but also the Warsaw community."

Burkhart said Charlie Smith also was an avid Notre Dame fan and went to all the games, home and away.

Charlie's son Scott Smith was a lawyer in Warsaw. Scott Smith was a Tippy Valley graduate and played basketball for the Vikings.

"They were a very close-knit father and son," Burkhart said.

Bibler coached the Tippy Valley football team from 1990-2005 compiling a record of 98-68. He returned in 2014 but resigned after a 1-9 season.

Burkart says he and his wife were very close with the Biblers.

"He was the most genuine person you would ever meet," Burkhart said of Bibler. "He was a great educator, he was a very good coach and a very good friend to many of us."

Bibler served as a guidance counselor for a long time at Tippy Valley as well.

"His whole life has basically been based around helping other people," Burkhart said.

Elliot was a sprint car driver. He owned Elliot's Cars and Karts in Warsaw. He was known to be a big supporter of Warsaw athletics and recently retired from racing.

"He was unbelievable," Irish Saunders of Plymouth Speedway said of Elliot. "He was great for the sport."

Saunders said Elliot has a billboard up at the Speedway.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Berger said in an email to the Associated Press that the wreckage of the Piper PA-32 was found on the Georgia-South Carolina border. She said the plane was headed to the airport in Clemson, South Carolina, when air traffic controllers lost contact with the flight around 4 p.m.



Flying a small plane near a hurricane for a football game is plain stupid.  They paid with their lives.

Source: http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/Four-dead-after-Warsaw-registered-plane-crashes-on-way-to-Clemson--330486651.html





//--------------------------///

Date:02-OCT-2015
Time:13:36+
Type:Silhouette image of generic P32R model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Piper PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP
Owner/operator:Smith Family Aviation LLC
Registration: N782TM
C/n / msn: 32R-8513001
Fatalities:Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Other fatalities:0
Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:Lake Hartwell near Mt Tabor Landing, SC -   United States of America
Phase: Approach
Nature:Unknown
Departure airport:Warsaw Muni (KASW)
Destination airport:Oconee County Rgnl (KCEU)
Narrative:
The aircraft experienced an inflight breakup and impacted trees and the waters of Lake Hartwell in Oconee County near Mt Tabor Landing, South Carolina. The airplane was destroyed and the four occupants onboard received fatal injuries. Weather may have been a factor to the accident.
Sources:
http://m.wyff4.com/news/sc-georgia-authorities-investigating-plane-crash-reports/35623396
http://wspa.com/2015/10/02/oconee-co-deputies-search-for-possible-plane-crash/
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/plane-crashes-lake-hartwell-killing-4/nns49/
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/2015/10/02/crews-search-reported-plane-crash-site/73230272/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N782TM
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=782TM





Aircraft Description

Serial Number 32R-8513001 Status Valid
Manufacturer Name PIPER Certificate Issue Date 05/06/2011
Model PA-32R-301 Expiration Date 05/31/2017
Type Aircraft Fixed Wing Single-Engine Type Engine Reciprocating
Pending Number Change None Dealer No
Date Change Authorized None Mode S Code (base 8 / oct) 52514651
MFR Year 1984 Mode S Code (base 16 / hex) AA99A9
Type Registration Corporation Fractional Owner NO

Registered Owner

Name SMITH FAMILY AVIATION LLC
Street 1902 N BAY DR
City WARSAW State INDIANA
County KOSCIUSKO Zip Code 46580-4630
Country UNITED STATES

Airworthiness


Engine Manufacturer LYCOMING Classification Standard
Engine Model IO-540 SER Category Normal
A/W Date 10/17/1984







1,100 gallons of fuel spilled in the Port of Astoria, Oregon after the motor vessel Global Gold allided with the pier


Coast Guard, local agencies respond to spill at the Port of Astoria, Ore.
Oct 2nd, 2015 


Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Campanale, marine science technician at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, surveys the scene of a 1,100 gallon diesel spill in the Port of Astoria, Ore., in the vicinity of Pier 1, Oct. 2, 2015. The diesel was spilled into the Columbia River when the motor vessel Global Gold allided with the pier. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Klingenberg) 








WARRENTON, Ore. — 


A unified command composed of the U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon State Department of Environmental Quality, Washington State Department of Ecology and responsible party was established in response to the diesel fuel discharge at Pier 1 in Astoria, Friday.

An over-flight conducted by an MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Astoria at 9 a.m., confirmed that the spill was contained within the boom surrounding the vessel and pier.

Once the leak was secured, the vessel’s engineer sounded the ship’s tank and Coast Guard Incident Management investigators determined a maximum discharge of 1,100 gallons had occurred.

At 12:55 a.m., Port of Astoria personnel reported to Coast Guard Sector Columbia River that the 565-foot, Panamanian-flagged, bulk carrier Global Gold allied with Pier 1 in the Port of Astoria, causing a 4-foot by 8-inch gash in the port side of the hull approximately 30 feet from the stern.

“The quick response and notification of proper authorities by the crew of the M/V Global Gold prevented this spill from becoming a much more serious situation,” said Chief Petty Officer Brad Bennett, a pollution investigator with U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River. “The unified command was established to deploy a safe and timely response to mitigate environmental damage, and this is a collaborative process with the responsible party, both states and the federal government.”

Clean Rivers Cooperative was mobilized and deployed boom around the vessel and pier by 3:30 a.m. The vessel’s crew applied absorbent pads to the small affected area of land at the end of Pier 1.

The vessel was scheduled to load lumber in the Port of Astoria for the next few days, and the vessel will be detained at its current location until repairs can be made.

The cause of the allision and ensuing spill is under investigation.



Port of Astoria, Ore., diesel spill
Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Campanale, marine science technician at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, surveys the scene of a 1,100 gallon diesel spill in the Port of Astoria, Ore., in the vicinity of Pier 1, Oct. 2, 2015. The diesel was spilled into the Columbia River when the motor vessel Global Gold allided with the pier. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Klingenberg)


Port of Astoria, Ore., diesel spill
Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Campanale, marine science technician at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, surveys the damage done to the motor vessel Global Gold after it allided with Pier 1 in the Port of Astoria, Ore., and spilled 1,100 gallons of diesel fuel, Oct. 2, 2015. The diesel spill has been contained and the Coast Guard is working with representatives from the vessel, local and state authorities to mitigate damage to the environment. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Klingenberg)


Port of Astoria, Ore., diesel spill response
Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Campanale, marine science technician at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, surveys the scene of a 1,100 gallon diesel spill in the Port of Astoria, Ore., in the vicinity of Pier 1, Oct. 2, 2015. The diesel was spilled into the Columbia River when the motor vessel Global Gold allided with the pier. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Klingenberg)

Port of Astoria, Ore., diesel spill response
Capt. Dan Travers, commander Sector Columbia River and captain of the port, is briefed about the response and shown the damage to Pier 1 in Astoria, Ore., by Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Campanale (front), Oct. 2, 2015. The pier was damaged and 1,100 gallons of diesel was spilled into the Columbia River when the motor vessel Global Gold allided with the pier. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Klingenberg)


Port of Astoria, Ore., diesel spill response
Capt. Dan Travers, commander Sector Columbia River and captain of the port, is briefed about the response to a 1,100 gallon diesel spill in the vicinity of Pier 1 in Astoria, Ore., by Petty Officer 2nd Class Mark Campanale and Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Owens, Oct. 2, 2015. The diesel was spilled into the Columbia River when the motor vessel Global Gold allided with the pier. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Klingenberg)



Vehicle on Lake Charlevoix, Michigan cable ferry catches fire. Ferry shut down for weekend


 


A vehicle burns aboard the passenger vessel Charlevoix, a 50-foot, four-car cable ferry, while the vessel is moored in Ironton, Michigan, on Lake Charlevoix Oct. 2, 2015. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Station Charlevoix)
October 2nd, 2015 
 
CHARLEVOIX, Mich. — 

The crew of U.S. Coast Guard Station Charlevoix and Boyne City, Michigan, Fire Department responded to a fire aboard a Charlevoix ferry Friday afternoon on Lake Charlevoix.

All passengers and crew were safely escorted off the vessel with no reported injuries.

Just before 3 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, received notification of a vehicle on fire aboard the passenger vessel Charlevoix, a 50-foot four-car cable ferry, while the vessel was moored to the pier.

Crews from the Boyne City Fire Department arrived on scene, extinguished the fire and removed the vehicle. A Station Charlevoix crew, aboard a 45-foot response boat, diverted from nearby to assist.

A Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie marine inspector also responded to the scene to investigate. Due to damage caused by the fire, the Charlevoix has been shut down until Monday for further assessment of damage to ensure passenger safety.

Metropolitan Engineering, Consulting, Forensics, and Environmental Remediation Services. Construction, Investigation, Remediation and Forensic Expert Engineers



Construction Defects, Construction Claims, Engineering, Property & Casualty Investigations, Assessment, Site Investigation, Remediation, Litigation and Indoor-Air Expert Engineers



Bill Stephan, PhD, PE, CIH, CHMM, JD, MBA

Principal Engineer



P.O. Box 520

Tenafly, New Jersey 07670-0520

Phone: (973) 897-8162

Fax: (973) 810-0440




______________________________________________________________________



Firm Overview


The engineering and forensic firm of Metropolitan Forensics and Consulting Engineering and Environmental Services was established for the purpose of providing a high value service to the insurance industry and to the insured companies or individuals. Our founding principal (Bill Stephan) is a licensed professional engineer in several states, including, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.



We specialize in the in-situ remediation of petroleum and chlorinated spills, the defense of liability claims, the investigation and defense of first or third party insurance claims and the handling of subrogation claims.  We are also experts on oil and gas energy sector issues (design, investigations, construction oversight), renewable energy sector (wind turbines, solar panels, biofuels, etc), vapor intrusion evaluation, vapor phase and transport and in design on vapor mitigation systems.  Additionally, we offer forensic engineering services, including age-dating of contaminant releases, construction defects, oversight, evaluation of remedial alternatives, sub-slab ventilation system design and installation.  The list of our core services is:



  • Cause and Origin Investigations
  • Construction Failure Analysis (Residential, Industrial and Commercial)
  • Structural Integrity Evaluation
  • Site Investigation
  • Tank removals and tank installations; licensed and insured to perform entire UST work
  • In-Situ Remediation of Soil and Groundwater
  • Vapor intrusion, indoor air evaluation and mitigation
  • Causation
  • Forensic Investigations (age-dating)
  • Oversight
  • Review of Remedial Action Work Plans
  • Reserve Estimation
  • Cost Allocation
  • RAWP Preparation
  • Site Remediation
  • Cleanup Level Development and Negotiation
  • Subrogation
  • Expert Witness/Litigation Support
  • Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) Services
  • Construction Claims (Delay, Differing Site Conditions, Loss of Productivity, Acceleration, and others)

 





































Additional Specialty Service Areas

Age Dating
Boilers & Burners
Bridges
Building Codes
Building Inspections


Construction Accident
   Reconstruction
Construction Defects
Construction Delay Claims

Construction Surety Claims
Construction Disputes
Construction Differing Condition Claims
Construction Oversight
Construction Management
Construction Acceleration Claims

Construction Failures
Construction Injuries
Contractor Performance Issues
Corrosion


Defective Designs
Defective Roadway Design
   Evaluations


Earthquake
Electrical Accidents/Injuries
Electrical Equipment Failures
Electrical Fires
Elevators, Escalators
   & Conveyors
Embedded Software Hazards
   & Analysis
Equipment Failures
Errors and Omissions
Explosions

Failure Analysis
Fire
Fire Codes
Fire Protection Systems
Fire Suppression Systems

Flood Damage Assessment

Foundation Systems

Gas Systems

Hailstorm damage

Heating & Ventilation Systems
Heavy Construction
Highway/Roadway Design
Human Factors


Indoor Air Quality
Laboratory Services
Ladders, Scaffolding Falls
   & Failures
Lightning

Mechanical Defect Evaluations
Metallurgical Age Dating
Mold Causation
Natural Disasters/Weather
   Related Issues
Nuclear Energy
Occupational Hazards
   & Illness

Piping
Playground Equipment Injuries
Plumbing
Product Failures
Roofing Problems & Failures
Safety Codes
Safety & Human Factors
   Engineering
Scalding
Scene Mapping and Photographs
Sick Building Syndrome
Sports Equipment Injuries
Standardized Codes
Steam Systems
Subrogation Issues


Transportation Issues
Trips, Slips & Falls
Underground Storage Tanks
Utilities Expertise
Vibration
Water Damage
Windstorm



Mission Statement


Our mission is to work as an extension of our clients to expeditiously achieve the most economically favorable resolution of claims on their behalf and on behalf of their insured. We have developed and will continue to create new solutions to the technical problems and issues which are facing the insurance industry and the insureds today.  

Metropolitan provides forensic engineering work (age-dating or fingerprinting), site remediation, auditing, cost control and litigation support services to insurance carriers, their insureds and to private or public companies.  In its risk management role, examines, manages and audits environmental claims to ensure that assessment and remediation services provided to both carriers and policy holders are reasonable and necessary, properly rendered and appropriately charged. 



In its litigation support role, Metropolitan assists carriers and their counsel to ensure that litigious disputes are resolved fairly and reimbursement benefits are provided when appropriate.  The corporations service area includes the entire United States, with our corporate office located in Northern New Jersey.  The Firm's professional staff also travels regularly throughout the United States on assignment.


Forensics at Metropolitan


There are many issues associated with disputes over responsibility for cleanup. Who, what, when, where, and how chemicals were released can be investigated. The tools of forensic investigation include mathematical models, statistical models, fate and transport calculations, chromatography, lead isotope analyses, time of travel assessments, library search site characterization, tracer additives, and recently developed software applications.



Effective forensic project management should include an evaluation of multiple forensic tools based on site specific circumstances. The process of evaluation and the ultimate selection of the forensic tool are critical to a successful outcome. When project budgets allow, combining forensic methods for corroborative evidence can substantially strengthen your client’s position in an effort to prevent or support litigation. The effective forensic consultant must be well acquainted with an ever expanding list of analytical methods, environmental regulations, assessment procedures and remedial technologies.



The forensic field is one that utilizes a wide range of scientific tools to identify and characterize complex adverse environmental events. Some of the scientific disciplines involved in forensics include engineering principles (biological, physical and chemical), hydrology, lithology, geology, site history, site practices, mathematics, and statistics. These areas may be combined with technologies such as respiratory analyses, chromatography/mass spectrometry and chemical fingerprinting methods to answer complex questions with the ultimate goal of establishing responsibility for a particular event. Accurate, defensible forensic analyses are an essential component of any strategy that attempts to resolve the extent of the insurer or insured client responsibilities in the cleanup of contaminants.


Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our forensic services.



Property Damage Services at Metropolitan

Metropolitan assists property owners, claims professionals, businesses, and attorneys in   the assessment of the cause & origin (C&O), extent of damage and required restoration after pipe bursts, settlements, manufacturing and construction failures, fire, flood, earthquake, or storm damage.  Our teams of engineers have extensive experience in the many systems that make up a building including structural, mechanical and electrical systems.   We also have the necessary background to evaluate property damage to items such as communications towers or solar panels. We can help determine alternative, appropriate, and cost effective solutions for repair or restoration of any damaged property, both commercial and residential. 

Providing Competent, Expert and Objective Investigative Engineering and Consulting Services.

Our experts are multi-skilled, competent, and objective professionals who apply their analytical and common sense skills to reconstruct, determine the root cause, and document the events that give rise to property, casualty, and liability claims.  Thorough investigations and detailed measurements/research help us distinguish between pre-existing conditions and sudden and accidental losses.


Our investigations are:

·         Comprehensive & Accurate

·         Legible & Easy to Understand

·         Timely Performed

·         Delivered Quickly

·         Cost Effective

·         Clear & Concise

·         Developed by Professionals

·         Dependable

·         Our own uniform reporting system saves time and money.


Our Fast Track Investigation and Uniform Format Reporting systems allow us to conduct and deliver a comprehensive response to the assigned claim.  In most cases, we will obtain findings based on a site visit, visual observations, photographs, interviews, and field measurements.  Further investigations and testing will be provided upon request and approval by the client.



Forensic Investigation of Property Damage Claims

Metropolitan Consulting, Engineering & Forensics understands your need to complete a claim investigation accurately and efficiently as possible.  Whether it is accident reconstruction, damage due to environmental forces such as wind, water, hail, snow, tornado, etc.; fire origin & cause investigation or any other claim, the engineers at Metropolitan understand both you and your client want to resolve the claim.  The analysis you receive from Metropolitan will be accurate and complete, giving you the information needed in the claim adjustment and analysis.

Our services have extended beyond the forensic analysis phase into the remediation and repair phase of many large loss claims.  Upon the completion of the cause and origin (C&O) investigation, Metropolitan can provide our clients with complete working drawings and specifications needed to repair or rebuilt damaged buildings or other structures.  Metropolitan Consulting & Engineering’ staff possesses many-many years of experience in rehabilitation design, construction management, and project oversight to ensure the loss is restored in a timely and cost-effective manner without sacrificing quality.  Building code knowledge allows us to identify possible code upgrades as needed.  Metropolitan understands constructability and realizes making an insured whole goes beyond forensic investigation and design. We pride ourselves in providing practical solutions contractors can understand and follow.

At the forefront of available technology, we provide professionals and staff capable of handling a variety of engineering evaluations.  Our reports are clear, concise, complete and efficiently produced.  Our engineering objectives are achieved in an ethical manner consistent with the traditions and character of engineering professionals.

Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our property damage services.


Extensive Experience helping Sureties

Metropolitan also has extensive experience helping sureties fulfill their bond obligations resolve disputes after a contractor has defaulted.  This work includes the evaluation of contractor bid pricing, evaluation of the contractor’s ability to perform work, risk assessment, evaluation of termination, construction completion services, claim and litigation support services, loss recovery services, evaluation of payment bond claims, negotiation and settlement of payment bond claims, and construction defects investigation services.  Metropolitan has provided these services for commercial, development, educational, and assisted living projects.

Construction is a business fraught with risk.  Disputes over even the smallest of issues can quickly escalate, with crippling consequences to the project and the parties.  Over the years, the construction industry has developed various methods of contractually allocating the risk of project delay and disruption.  Some of these methods include liquidated damages provisions, "no damages for delay" clauses, mutual waivers of consequential damages, provisions that limit liability, claims notice provisions, and provisions addressing responsibility for the adequacy of the construction plans and specifications.  Parties frequently litigate the sufficiency of these risk-shifting efforts in conjunction with the underlying merits of delay and disruption disputes.
Construction Claims & Disputes
The most frequently encountered claims include:
1.            Construction Delay Claims
2.            Disruption and Loss of Labor Productivity Claims
3.            Design and Construction Defect Claims
4.            Force Majeure Claims
5.            Acceleration or Compression of the Schedule Claims
6.            Suspension, Termination and Default Claims
7.            Differing Site Conditions Claims
8.            Change Order and Extra Work Claims
9.            Cost Overrun Claims
10.         Unacceptable Workmanship or Substituted Material Claims
11.         Non-payment Claims (stop notice (or Notice to Withhold) claims, mechanics’ lien (only for private construction projects) and payment bond claims)



Forensic Engineering Experience Case Studies


Metropolitan staff has developed and utilized scientific methods to assist clients in a variety of ways related to their claim issues. The following is a partial list of such projects:

  • Provided expert witness services for plaintiff seeking remediation of contaminated groundwater that caused indoor air inhalation problems;
  • Testified that engineering and scientific evidence was improperly collected and analyzed and was inadequate to show the age of the release;
  • Origin and cause of retaining wall failures.  
  • Lightning damage to structures or electrical systems and equipment
  • Roof failure or collapse as a result of accumulated load, additional weight and snow drift at hundreds of commercial and residential properties.
  • Demonstrated that solvents in groundwater at client's property originated from off-site dry-cleaner and that client's site actually provided remediation for the off-site release of dry cleaning solvent;
  • Expert witness for property owner impacted by industrial waste disposal from industrial manufacturer;
  • Demonstrated that environmental analysis by a previous consultant for a manufacturing site was inadequate; as a result, the lender's concerns were alleviated and financing proceeded;
  • Chemical "age-dating" and contaminant transport analyses of petroleum in groundwater at a gas station showed that contaminants originated from other parties;
  • Age-dated petroleum release at a former gas station to show that the previous owner of the gas station caused groundwater contamination;
  • Age-dated petroleum releases at an industrial facility to show that the on-site plume was the result of an off-site source;
  • Prepared age-dating reports for over one-hundred residential fuel oil spills;
  • Assisted insurance companies attorneys in defending subrogation claims; was able to demonstrate that the forensic data collected by the first party consultant were collected and analyzed using invalid methods;
  • Demonstrated that structural damage to a residence was from a source other than the alleged high lake level
  • Collected evidence (for the primary responsible party) that identified other responsible parties to share in the cost of a Superfund cleanup;
  • Review of the site data at a bulk petroleum facility indicated that the site releases were not the result of regular oil transfer operations and that they were caused by the negligent actions of the insured’s agents; the case was settled in favor of the insurance company;
  • Was able to demonstrate that the majority of the removal actions at petroleum release sites were neither reasonable nor necessary; as a result of our opinion, the insurance client settled the claim in favorable terms;
  • At several drycleaner sites we were able to demonstrate that the age of the release was much earlier than the parties originally believed; as a result, the insurance client settled the claim at a fraction of the alleged liability;
  • We performed numerous flood and wind damage assessments at commercial and residential properties.
Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our forensic engineering services.




Site Remediation Services


 Characterizing and remediating contaminated sites involve some of the most complex and difficult issues for environmental lawyers and their clients. Problem areas include responding to regulators; negotiating enforcement settlements; negotiating or litigating cost allocation and recovery claims; working with the insured or insurer client, lawyers and regulators to develop efficient, cost-effective remediation approaches; and selling, buying, or developing contaminated properties.



Metropolitan staff has developed and applied an innovative approach to the use of sodium persulfate for the sequential in-situ treatment of subsurface contaminants through chemical oxidation followed by enhanced biological degradation through sulfate reduction. This approach has broad applicability to a wide range of contaminants, and shows strong cost-saving benefits through reducing the initial volume of chemical oxidant necessary and enhancing the in-situ biological degradation of contaminants.



Through proper subsurface geochemical characterization and chemical dosing design, the approach focuses on utilizing the oxidant for immediate mass reduction at the source area, followed by degradation or polishing of the residual contamination using sulfate reducing bacteria.  Depending upon the oxidant activation method, this approach is applicable to petroleum hydrocarbons including both volatiles and PAHs, chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) including chlorinated ethene, ethane and methane groups, as well as PCBs.


Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our Site Remediation Services.





Vapor Intrusion and Indoor-Air Studies


Vapor intrusion has received increased attention over the last few years near contaminated sites because some contaminants have the potential to migrate into nearby buildings and negatively affect indoor air quality. The accumulation of these volatile vapors in buildings can result in significant safety and health concerns.
To properly evaluate vapor intrusion a thorough evaluation of the building's ventilation system and subsurface conditions needs to be conducted by a knowledgeable professional in accordance with state and federal established procedures. 
The evaluation process typically includes a thorough building chemical inventory, the advancement of soil gas probes and the collection of soil gas samples. When indoor air quality problems are identified they can normally be resolved through the modification/installation of a properly designed ventilation system.
Metropolitan is well experienced with U.S. EPA and State vapor intrusion investigation techniques. We have completed numerous vapor intrusion and indoor air quality studies at commercial and residential properties. We have the experience to identify and resolve indoor vapor intrusion problems and the practical know-how to resolve indoor quality issues in an efficient and cost effective manner.
Contact us online or call 973-897-8162 to learn more about our Vapor Intrusion and Indoor Air Studies.




Metropolitan Engineering, Consulting, Forensics, and Environmental Remediation Services.

Construction, Investigation, Remediation and Forensic Expert  Engineers

P.O. Box 520

Tenafly, New Jersey 07670-0520

Ph.: (973) 897-8162

Fax: (973) 810-0440




Contact: Dr. Bill N. Stephan, PhD, PE, JD, CIH, MBA, CHMM



Insurance claim examiners, insureds, insurers, insurance adjusters and risk managers use Metropolitan for determining cause, evaluating the extent of damage, determining the age of the release, separating unrelated damage, analyzing loss scopes and managing restoration data, determining costs to repair, restore or replace, and preparing for insurance appraisals.



Attorneys call on Metropolitan for help when preparing for Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution such as arbitration and mediation