David P. Amori, PE, RRC, is the senior district manager atEFI Global, Inc.

Building envelope assessments for storm-related damage is a normal part of job for the propertyadjuster and forensic consultant. The assessment of storm-related damage inevitably becomes aquestion of whether the observed condition pre-dates the storm oris the result of sudden and recent event. In fact, the question mayvery well be, “Did the observed condition exist during or evenbefore the building was constructed; is the condition the result ofa construction or design related defect?”

Buildings are fairly straightforward. With four walls and a lid,there isn't much really that can go wrong. Right? Actually,buildings are doing quite a bit even though it appears that theyare sitting there, blocking the view of the sunset. Even a simplebuilding is, in actuality, a somewhat sophisticated “machine.” Itkeeps the wind and rain out, hopefully. A building reflectsradiation, insulates from temperature fluctuations, maintains aninternal environment, cycles gas, and manages vaportransmissions.