Scope of Assignment

Logical Process of Loss

Detailed Inspection of Machinery

Post Inspection Meeting

Submission of Final Report

Scope of Assignment

Our scope of assignment is usually defined with our clients either prior to and/or during our first on-site visit to the loss site. Initially, we try to verify if a current asset register is available. If an asset register is not available to us, then we conduct our own physical inventory of the plant equipment. During our inspection, we also document those damages sustained on our inventory and through photographs or videos as well. Also, if a current building footprint layout plan is not available from the plant, we will also, in most cases, develop our own sketch during our on-site visit. During our initial visit, we will commonly request the plant to provide us with a copy of any plant records regarding the machinery in question, including not only internal records but outside contractor records as well. (i.e.: Purchase Orders and/or Invoices.)

[ TO TOP ]

Logical Process of Loss

By using initial client and insured supplied information to construct an overview of the loss, we then complete all aspects of our inspection and documentation process in a timely manner with the most accurate and detailed information possible. During this logical process, we obtain or create a plan view, which would include some of the following events:

• Sketch machinery in a building layout, relative to its location at the time of the loss.
• Designate each machine with a simple sequential number or line, for ease of following with inventoried items on our excel spreadsheets.
• Photograph machinery in logical sequence around each room and label or number photographs on-site if using digital technology, as necessary to assist in following sequence of item order on our inventory spreadsheets for later review and research.
• Prior to leaving area of written and photographic record, ensure that all items are documented as needed.
  
  [ TO TOP ]

Detailed Inspection of Machinery

Inspection Documentation Process - Photograph each machine at an angle to maximize detail and take detailed photographs to supplement the overall photographs taken. During inspection, locate and record all identification from machinery and ensure any measurements and/or machinery capacities are also recorded. During inspection, also note if there is any tooling attached to the machinery as well.

How Much Fire was the Machinery Exposed To? - During our on-site visual inspection, we determine how much direct heat or flame damages were sustained to the machinery. During our inspections, we often look for unconsumed combustibles in the same areas that the fire damaged machinery is located. These unconsumed combustibles are very good indicators as to how much or a range of heat in those areas that the machinery may have been exposed to during the fire. We also check electrical control panels, spring loaded buttons, and other controls on control panel facings and electrical wiring leads at their termination points. When metal sheeting or framing of machines is involved, we check for any type of visual metal deformation as well.
Collection of Information Regarding Fire - Listed below are some frequent questions that we normally ask upon arriving at the loss site:

• When was the fire reported to authorities?
  
• Who was the individual(s) who made the call?
  
• Who was the first to arrive on the scene?
  
• What was the estimated time of response of the fire department?
• Was the in-house fire suppression system working?
  
• How much time passed from the start of the fire to the time when suppression was applied?

Damage Identification for Flood or Water Damage

How Much of the Machine was Under Water?

• Was the water clean or did it appear to be contaminated; and approximately how long had the machine been under water?
• After the receding of the water, how long was it before the machine(s) were treated with an un-wetting agent?

What Type of Bearings does the Machine Have?

Exposed sleeve bearings or closed faced sealed bearings?

Were the Controls in Some Type of Watertight Housing?

Look for conduit runs that would provide openings into sealed boxes.

Were the Motors Sealed or Non-Sealed Type?

Were they operating at the time of the water damage?

Unpainted Metal Surfaces

• What types of metals are in the area of flooding?
• How long was the machine(s) immersed in water and wet?
• How long has the machine(s) in question been un-wetted?

Identification of Functional Usage

• Piece Work
• Job Shop
• Production
• Specialty Work

Identification of Specific Damages for Piece Work Type Equipment

• Check movement area for isolated damages.
• Check to see if parts necessary for operation of the machine are present.
• Check with the insured's machinery operators to see if machines functioned properly prior to the loss.
• Determine when the last upgrade or repair was performed.
• Determine if a scheduled maintenance program was in place.

Identification of Specific Damages for Job Shop

• Determine specific age of machines when possible.
• When was it purchased?
• Was it purchased as new or used?
• What is it's current age, based on purchase?

Identification of Specific Damages for Production

• Look specifically for isolated damages due to restricted running areas for repeated production of same type of part.
  
• Identify specialty options or attachments specifically for production work.
  
• Identify parts, feeders, and conveyors leading into and out of the machine as separate items for the inventory purposes.

Identification of Specific Damages for Specialty Work

• Identify if machine(s) were built by a single Manufacturer.
• Make special effort to obtain machine manuals, part manuals, operator manuals, or print on the machine
  
• If built in-house, see if purchasing department setup a special account number to track costs for the machine when it was built.

Procedures to Prioritize and Address Damage Repair Needed

Flood or Water Damages

• Un-wet overall unit.
• Open or expose areas that could trap water.
• Use high-pressure air on casting and machine cavities.
• Use pressure injection to get UN-wetting agents into bearing area and areas that involve close tolerances.
• Address printed circuit boards with UN-wetting agent and finish off with a non-conductive cleaning agent.
• Lubricate overall machine with light grade lubricant.

Fire Damages

• Parallels UN-wetting procedures since most fires result in machines getting wet during fire fighting operations.
• Examine area around and above machine to get a feel for how high the temperatures were during the fire.
• If machinery was exposed to direct flame, estimate the total burn time and the highest ambient temperatures that were present.
• Determine if metal was sprayed directly with water while still hot.
• Examine each machine for unconsumed combustibles.
• Determine if machine was operating at the time of the fire.
• Did the machine have an open reservoir or an open intake? (These areas can draw in water, soot, and/or open flame if right conditions are present.)
• Look for distortions, metal fractures, and misalignment of metal parts due to the thermal dynamics of the fire.
• Identify what type of parent metal you are dealing with.

[ TO TOP ]

Post Inspection Meeting

This meeting is held to verify the quantity and function of the machinery and equipment and to identify any equipment that should not be included in the loss. Identify and agree on covered property with all parties as needed.

During this process, we meet with all parties involved to discuss the following:

• Quantity of machines involved in loss situation.
• Any machines to be excluded from the loss.
  
• Clear up any remaining questions or issues generated during the inspection process.

[ TO TOP ]

Submission of Final Report
Submission of a final report of findings and recommendations regarding the loss values of the damaged machinery and equipment in question.

Submit Final Report via any of the following:

• Paper Form
• Facsimile
• Electronic E-mail

Once our final product is completed, we will use the appropriate method or requested method in which to get our final product to our clients.

[ TO TOP ]