Our expertise
Legal and Forensic
Independent building code, fire protection and life safety assessments for claims, disputes and legal proceedings.
Service overview
Engineering support for claims and disputes
Noven provides legal and forensic engineering support on building code, fire protection and life safety matters. We assist legal counsel, insurers, owners and project teams with technical investigations, independent assessments and expert opinions for construction disputes, insurance claims and legal proceedings.
Our work examines the relationship between the design documents, applicable requirements and conditions found in the building. The assessment may address an alleged deficiency, a disputed code interpretation, the performance of a fire safety measure or the technical basis for proposed remedial work.
Scope of services
- Building and fire code assessments: review of the applicable code editions, permit history, approved drawings, alternative solutions and fire safety requirements relevant to the matter.
- Forensic document and site review: examination of records, photographs, inspection findings and accessible building conditions to assess reported deficiencies and identify gaps in the evidence.
- Fire protection and life safety analysis: assessment of fire separations, firestopping, egress, occupant load and the intended operation of fire protection systems within the agreed scope.
- Fire and smoke modelling: analysis of defined scenarios to examine fire development, smoke movement and occupant tenability, with the assumptions and limitations recorded.
- Expert reports and dispute support: technical opinions, review of other expert reports and engineering support for mediation, arbitration and litigation. Expert testimony is subject to the individual's qualifications and the requirements of the court or tribunal.
Investigation and reporting
Each assignment starts with the technical questions to be answered and the available records. We identify the information needed, agree on the extent of site examination and coordinate any specialist testing or investigation with the project team and counsel.
Reports distinguish observations from assumptions and engineering opinions. They identify the documents reviewed, analytical methods, findings and limitations, including matters that cannot be resolved from the available evidence. Where fire modelling is used, the assessment considers the sensitivity of the results to significant inputs.
Code review accounts for the building's location, construction and alteration history, and the requirements relevant to the period under review. Current requirements for use, maintenance or proposed work are considered separately where applicable.
Independent professional opinions
Our role is to provide objective engineering analysis within the appointed scope. An expert's opinion must remain independent of the position advanced by the party retaining them. Legal advice and litigation strategy remain with legal counsel.
Assignments are undertaken within the responsible engineer's area of competence and the professional requirements of the jurisdiction. The scope, conflicts of interest, intended use of the report and any need for other specialists are addressed at the outset.
Related expertise
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