Kenneth R Quigley, PE
Recent Posts
The Often Misunderstood Science of Frozen Pipes.
[fa icon="calendar'] Feb 24, 2023 11:02:29 AM / by Kenneth R Quigley, PE
AT CCA OUR EXPERTS KNOW HOW AND WHY PIPES FREEZE
Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]Should I panic? The role of structural condition assessment for condominiums
[fa icon="calendar'] Dec 1, 2021 11:04:19 AM / by Kenneth R Quigley, PE
There is much concern about the structural safety of existing condominium properties, and fear of catastrophic building failure. A collapse like in Surfside is extremely rare; yet partial collapses and other structural failures do happen. Owners and boards need to maintain the building and have it inspected regularly. For condos, that means getting a property condition assessment to take a deep dive into the health of the building(s).
Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]CCA opens new office in Florida
[fa icon="calendar'] Oct 14, 2021 12:15:00 AM / by Kenneth R Quigley, PE
We are excited to announce the opening of CCA’s newest office in Ft. Lauderdale to service our clients in Florida and beyond. With its expanding population (14.6% growth in the last decade, double the rate of the US overall) and thriving economy, the time was right to extend our presence in Florida, adding this office to complement our existing presence in Orlando.
Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]Effects of building movement on interior finishes
[fa icon="calendar'] Oct 7, 2021 1:55:33 PM / by Kenneth R Quigley, PE
Buildings are designed to withstand a certain level of expected forces, like gravity and wind, based on their location and function. Forces such as strong winds, earthquakes, or explosions can cause a building to move beyond what the materials are designed to withstand, causing significant damage to the interior finishes of the structure, even without a breach of the building envelope. Knowing how these forces can impact your building are the first step to protecting them before the damage is caused, or repairing them afterward.
Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]Responding to Catastrophes
[fa icon="calendar'] Aug 17, 2021 6:30:00 AM / by Kenneth R Quigley, PE
Disaster can strike at any time—natural disasters like hurricanes, wild fires, earthquakes, tornadoes; and human-caused catastrophes like pipeline leaks, criminal acts, bridge or building collapses, or industrial, air, or rail accidents. After the initial emergency response, property owners and public officials turn their attention to restoring properties and restarting commerce. Business and property owners and their insurance companies want to know:
Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]Four Greatest Risks of a Hurricane’s Impact on Buildings
[fa icon="calendar'] Jul 16, 2021 8:19:49 AM / by Kenneth R Quigley, PE
Hurricanes can cause significant damage to structures in their path. A typical hurricane can span 25-150 miles, and typically involves winds of 74-157 mph. While tropical storm force winds can extend the width of the storm to 300 miles wide, the wind speed is highest near the center of the storm.
Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]A Structural Engineer’s Nightmare, Champlain Towers South
[fa icon="calendar'] Jul 1, 2021 1:03:30 PM / by Kenneth R Quigley, PE
I am deeply saddened by the tragic news of the fatal collapse of Champlain Towers South Condominium in Surfside, Florida early Thursday morning. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. I hope for the safety of my Urban Search and Rescue friends and their success in finding miracles in the debris of the building.
Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]Why Hire a Forensic Architect?
[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 19, 2021 10:15:00 AM / by Kenneth R Quigley, PE
Forensic architects serve multiple purposes throughout construction projects. Most commonly, they are brought in to investigate the root cause of damages caused by construction defects or other damages to buildings. Owners, architects, and contractors also hire forensic architects during the design and construction phase to help identify potential trouble and advise on how to avoid it. These professionals are especially useful when a project team is unable to identify or come to a consensus about the source of a problem. The role of a forensic architect is to be an unbiased, third-party expert, identifying issues within the construction or building, determining causes, and suggesting solutions.
Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]After the storm: Assessing hurricane damage for insurance claims
[fa icon="calendar'] Sep 14, 2020 2:57:05 PM / by Kenneth R Quigley, PE
Hurricanes wreak significant damage in the coastal areas they hit—destroying the built and natural environments in their path. Once a storm has passed, businesses and property owners focus on recovery and restoring the local economy. A key piece of that process is determining the damage caused by the hurricane. Property owners need to have funds to restore their property or business and insurance adjusters need to provide appropriate funds for covered damages. Both Both need experienced engineers to provide wind and flood assessments suitable for property insurance, to understand their needs and determine the facts to decide and defend claims.
Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]CISA Federal Guidance Includes Construction as Essential Critical Infrastructure Sector
[fa icon="calendar'] Apr 9, 2020 1:28:20 PM / by Kenneth R Quigley, PE
Many cities and states have prohibited construction activity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as they shut down non-essential business activity to help slow the spread of the virus. Yet construction is an essential industry, especially at this time both to protect critical infrastructure and to maintain economic activity.
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