Challenges in Fire Damage Assessment and Remediation: Forensic Engineering Perspectives
May 17, 2016 Kirsten Hoedlmoser, Chemical and Environmental Engineer and Intermediate Associate, Giffin Koerth Forensic Engineering and ScienceLack of guidelines makes fire remediation a tricky science.
Officials say it could take months to extinguish massive Alberta blaze
May 7, 2016 By John Cotter - THE CANADIAN PRESSFORT MCMURRAY, Alta. – Fire officials are bracing themselves for a long, long fight against the blaze that forced the evacuation of Fort McMurray and has eaten up more than 1,500 square kilometres of northern Alberta forest. “Unless we have…
An estimated 90% of homes in Fort McMurray, Alta. neighbourhood lost in wildfire
May 4, 2016 by Canadian UnderwriterAn estimated 90% of the homes in the Waterways neighbourhood of Fort McMurray, Alta. have been lost as a major wildfire continues to sweep through the town. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo said in a media briefing on Wednesday…
Insurance costs more than six times greater for wood frame buildings than for concrete buildings, new study finds
March 21, 2016 by Canadian UnderwriterA new study of the property insurance costs for wood frame and concrete mid-rise residential buildings has found a substantial gap in the risks and insurance rates between the two building systems. The data for the Study of Insurance Costs…
Fire, Pollution and Exclusion
March 31, 2015 Jonathan Hodes, partner, Miller Thomson|Jonathan Hodes, partner, Miller ThomsonPollution resulting from fire is not necessarily subject to insurance exclusion, says B.C. Court.
Understand The Tension
March 31, 2015 Derek Gibson, Project Engineer; and Philip Sarvinis, Managing Principal, Building Science and Restoration practice, Read Jones Christoffersen|Derek Gibson, Project Engineer; and Philip Sarvinis, Managing Principal, Building Science and Restoration practice, Read Jones ChristoffersenAdjusters can help with disaster assessment of post-tensioned reinforced concrete structures.
Electrical Potential
January 1, 2015 Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorLightning strikes somewhere in Canada more than two million times each and every year. While the frequency of homeowner claims for lightning-related damage is low, occasionally, these bolts from the blue cause large losses as a result of fire and electrical surge.
Under Development
November 1, 2014 Paul Kovacs, Executive Director; and Glenn McGillivray, Managing Director, Institute for Catastrophic Loss ReductionSeveral Canadian communities have started incorporating land use planning tools, such as development permits, into their wildland fire management strategies. The idea is that these permits, which can be used to combine management of zoning and site planning, can help reduce potential future losses associated with wildfires.
Marketplace
July 1, 2014 by Canadian UnderwriterREINSURANCE New approach to mitigating, preparing for floods needed: Zurich “There is a need for a radical rethink on the approach to mitigating and preparing for floods,” says Mike Kerner, chief executive office of general insurance at Zurich Insurance Group.…
Wild Ride
January 1, 2014 Angela Stelmakowich, EditorSevere weather – be it wind, rain or hail – will again be a focus in 2014. Will related claims make for a wild ride, leaving adjusters and insurers bruised, but not out, like during a tumultuous 2013? Or will calmer conditions prevail, allowing insurance partners to hang tight and get themselves prepared for the next rough year?
Subrogating Against Subcontractors
November 30, 2011 Pamela D. PengelleyRecovering from subcontractors under a builders’ risk policy: Ontario Court of Appeal opens the door for subrogation
The Fire This Time
October 1, 2011 David Gambrill, EditorA recent earthquake west of Vancouver Island has again raised the debate about whether fire following should be part of a comprehensive earthquake insurance coverage.