Situation
- An electrical fire impacted a historic wood-framed residential property in Orlando, Florida, raising concerns regarding structural integrity and concealed damage.
- The fire reportedly originated within the crawlspace below the dining room and extended through wall cavities into the second-story bedroom and attic.
- Because the structure was originally constructed in 1925, the investigation required careful evaluation of both fire-related and pre-existing conditions, including concealed structural areas.
Prema's Approach
Prema Consulting Group performed a structured forensic engineering investigation, including:
- Damage Evaluation: Assessment of fire, smoke, soot, and firefighting-related impacts throughout the structure.
- Structural Assessment: Evaluation of the building against Florida Building Code criteria for substantial structural damage.
- Condition Analysis: Review of structural systems, concealed spaces, historical property information, and prior conditions to support repair planning.
Observations
Partial removal of floor planks, subfloor decking, wall finish and ceiling drywall
Soot on the attic insulation, roof framing and decking boards
A charred floor joist beneath the dining room
Tears in the insulation covering the HVAC ducts and soot inside the crawlspace
Ceiling drywall damage in multiple areas
Fractures in the door frame and missing trim along the main entry door
Prema also identified pre-existing moisture-related staining in select interior areas and differentiated those conditions from fire-related impacts through site observations, interviews, moisture readings, and historical imagery review.
Repair Strategy
Prema developed a code-aligned framework for repair and restoration including:
- Replacement of damaged structural and finish materials
- Localized repair of select components
- Cleaning & restoration of soot and moisture-affected areas
- Continued evaluation of concealed structural framing during repairs
Conclusions
Following evaluation under the Florida Building Code, Prema concluded that:
- The structure did not meet the threshold for substantial structural damage
- The overall structural integrity of the building was not compromised
- Damaged structural elements could be restored to their pre-damage condition under applicable code provisions
Why This Matters
Fire-related losses in older residential structures often involve a combination of direct fire damage, concealed condition concerns, smoke migration, and secondary impacts from firefighting operations. Clear separation of these conditions is critical for repair planning, structural evaluation, and effective claim decision-making.
This case highlights the value of:
Evidence-driven forensic methodology
Structured damage evaluation
Clear engineering communication
Code-based structural assessment
Objective differentiation between fire-related and pre-existing conditions
By combining technical rigor with disciplined reporting, Prema helped establish a clearer path forward for evaluating repairability and restoration scope within a complex fire damage investigation.
Evaluating Forensic Engineering Partners?
We can provide representative redacted reports that demonstrate
our documentation approach, technical analysis structure, and
reporting methodology.