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When you think catastrophe response, THINK DONAN!

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With the East Coast already dealing with the fallout from this week’s earthquake, and now with Hurricane Irene setting her sights on a large portion of the same coast, it’s important to have strategic partners that can help you deal with the impending fallout.  Our team of highly qualified professionals is ready and waiting to respond to your earthquake and hurricane losses.  We are ready to consistently deliver the timely, accurate answers you need to successfully deal with the dramatically increased loss volumes.

We pride ourselves on not only responding  to your catastrophe needs, but also in continuing to be there to support your day-to-day needs in areas not directly affected by Mother Nature’s wrath.  At Donan, we understand the many challenges that come from handling these catastrophic situations, and we will work hard to help ensure your ability to service your customers’ needs in the timely manner they demand.

Submit a project here or call us toll free at 800-482-5611.


EF Scale Map of Moore, OK Tornado

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EF Scale map provided courtesy of Weather Decision Technologies. If you are interested in updated iterations of this map, visit their website.

Weather Decision Technologies EF Scale Map of Moore, OK

Latest estimates indicate 13,000 homes damaged and over $1 Billion in insurance claims. Donan’s full-time professional engineers in Oklahoma City and Tulsa are available to assist clients, and a total of 15 P.E.s licensed in OK will be deployed there for as long as necessary. For details, contact Regional Sales Manager, Jason Carnley via email or via phone at 501-319-4441.

The Drones Are Here

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Donan President & CEO, Lyle Donan, P.E., has been sought out for his expertise on the potential application of drones in the property claims industry.  Claims Management Magazine offers Lyle’s perspective on drone models, applications, and future challenges. Read the full article here.

Lightning Investigation is now HVAC Forensics!

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Donan’s Lightning Investigation is now HVAC Forensics, a name which better encompasses the full range of services our Forensic Technicians provide. Beyond inspecting units for lightning or power surge damage, Donan’s forensic technicians also commonly investigate other causes of loss including:

  • hail
  • freezing
  • wear and tear
  • mechanical failure
  • improper maintenance or installation
  • windborne objects
  • flooding
  • vandalism

Customers who submit HVAC claims to Donan will notice that our Project Reporting Tool still lists Lightning Investigation as the service line. Please submit your project as you always have and look for the name to change soon. HVAC Forensics will continue offering services in 17 states for a low fixed price. For more information and our coverage area map, visit us here.

Recent Industry Updates from Around the Web

DONAN Granted Authorization for Commercial Drone Use

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Donan one of two forensic investigation firms to receive FAA exemption

 

Media Contact: Rebecca Hall, DONAN Marketing Specialist, rhall@donan.com or 800-482-5611 ext. 2084.

 Louisville, KY (May 19, 2015) –  Donan – an innovative leader in forensic investigations—has received FAA authorization to utilize Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs, also known as drones) for aerial data collection applications that will assist the property insurance industry with claim inspections.  Donan is one of only two forensic investigation firms that received the first such exemptions on May 5, 2015. They join a handful of top carriers who have also received FAA authorization to fly drones.

“Innovation has always been a hallmark of our company and we’re ready to lead the way in applying the powerful benefits of drone technology to claims handling.  We’ve been researching and testing drones for years now and the FAA’s authorization positions us to utilize the expertise we’ve gained to serve our clients and the industry in some very impactful ways,” said Lyle Donan, President & CEO of Donan.

Donan’s exemption is for the fixed-wing Sensefly eBee UAV, which is equipped with an integrated 12.1 mega pixel camera and a superior software package that includes orthomosaic generation and fully autonomous operation.  The eBee was chosen because of its capabilities in commercial, agricultural, and catastrophe claims that Donan determined would be the most impactful for its clients.

Donan has been researching and testing drones since 2011 and has committed dedicated resources to developing pilot programs, headed by professional engineer and licensed private pilot, Matthew Kenney, Manager of Donan’s Technical Programs. “We have logged hundreds of flights and tested UAVs in various applications, so we feel really good about the implications this technology will have in improving processes and outcomes in the industry.  We also look forward to collaboration through our pilot programs which can assist carriers in better understanding how they can utilize the data and put UAV capabilities to work for them,” said Matthew Kenney, P.E.

A second drone exemption request is pending with the FAA that will allow Donan to operate its fleet of quadcopters in a scalable service.

Donan commented, “The FAA exemption is a new beginning in Donan’s commitment to leadership and expertise in UAV innovation. We’re building on what we started years ago and dedicating permanent resources to UAV hardware, pilot training, flight safety and operations, and data management.  It’s one of the most exciting opportunities our industry has seen in a very long time.”

Donan provides nationwide coverage from 59 offices and employs 266 professionals nationwide including experts in forensic engineering and component testing, fire investigation, and HVAC forensics.  Donan is also the first and only firm in the industry to utilize an unmanned ground vehicle in forensic investigations.

For more information on Donan’s UAV program, please visit http://www.donan.com/innovation/uav/ or contact Duane Battcher, Managing Director, at dbattcher@donan.com.

 

About DONAN

Donan is a full-service, world class, forensic investigation firm with offices throughout the United States.  Their services include forensic engineering, fire investigation, component testing and HVAC investigation.

Since 1947, Donan’s expert investigators have utilized a rewind approach to research incidents, reconstruct events and reveal causes.  Their mission is to provide conclusive, unbiased and accurate forensic investigation services with the fastest turnaround time and best customer service in the industry.

 

Website: www.donan.com

Industry Updates from Around the Web, June 2015

Industry Updates from Around the Web, July 2015


Meet the Experts: Jennifer Cook, P.E.

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1004_Donan_MeetTheExperts-JenniferAndPablo_ZS_rev2-(1)

 

 

Meet More Experts:

 

1004_DONAN_ClaimsManagement-Ad-FathersDay_JT

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet-The-Experts_Curtis

Industry Updates from Around the Web, August 2015

Repairing Atlas Chalet Shingles: Donan’s Technical Position

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The Atlas Chalet shingle was a three-tab, fiberglass mat asphalt shingle with an additional applique layer of asphalt and granules over the shingle tabs.  The applique layer was for decorative purposes only to give the appearance of a dimensional-style shingle.  Atlas Chalet shingles had a 30-year limited manufacturer’s warranty and a five-year wind warranty for up to 80-mile-per-hour wind speeds.  The exposure on the shingle is 5-5/16 inches.  Atlas Chalet shingled have been discontinued as a result of severe cracking and blistering of the applique layer because of the lack of a reinforcing mat.  As these shingles have become harder to find for use in spot replacement, an alternative must be determined that is of like kind and quality.  Several shingles may be used to repair roofs covered with Atlas Chalet shingles.

The CertainTeed XT30 three-tab shingle is an option.  These shingles carry the same 30-year limited manufacturer’s warranty as the Atlas Chalet, and has therefore been proposed as a viable alternate.  The CertainTeed XT30 comes in both English and metric dimensions, depending on the manufacturing plant.  The English dimensioned shingles have a 5-inch exposure, while the metric shingles have a 5-5/8 inch exposure.  In order to perform a repair using this shingle, only the metric shingles are a viable option because of the required exposure of 5-5/16 inch to match the Atlas Chalet.  The shingles will need to be cut to match the size of the dimensions of the Atlas Chalet.  The wind warranty provided on the CertainTeed XT30 is generally a five-year warranty for wind speeds up to 70 miles per hour.  The wind resistance of the shingle can be increased by reducing the exposure and/or by adding additional sealant and six fasteners for standard installation.

While the CertainTeed XT30 is substantially similar to the Atlas Chalet in quality, three other shingles more directly meet or exceed the like kind and quality standards.  They are the Atlas Pinnacle and Pinnacle Pristine, the Malarkey Alaskan, and the CertainTeed Patriot.

The Atlas Pinnacle and Atlas Pinnacle Pristine are a dimensional-style, metric shingle with either a 5-5/8 inch or 6-inch exposure.  Depending on the location, one or both may be available.  Either shingle would need to be cut to match the dimensions of the Atlas Chalet.  They are readily available throughout the United States, and carry Florida Building Code and Miami-Dade County approvals.  The shingle carries a lifetime limited manufacturer’s warranty, and a five-year wind warranty for wind speeds up to 130 miles per hour.

The Malarkey Alaskan is a high quality three-tab metric shingle with shadows to make it appear to have dimension.  It has a 5-5/8 inch exposure. The shingle would have to be cut to match the dimensions of the Atlas Chalet.  It is currently available throughout the United States, and has Florida Building Code approval.  The shingle carries a lifetime limited manufacturer’s warranty and a five-year wind warranty for wind speeds up to 110 miles per hour.

The CertainTeed Patriot is a strip shingle with shadows to make it appear to have dimension, similar to the Atlas Chalet.  The Patriot is a metric shingle with a 5-5/8 inch exposure.  The shingle would have to be cut to match the dimensions of the Atlas Chalet.  It is currently available in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Western New York, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.  As such, the shingle does not carry Florida or Miami-Dade product approvals.  It may be possible to obtain the shingles for spot replacement in other states. The shingle carries a 30-year limited manufacturer’s warranty, and a 10-year wind warranty for wind speeds up to 110 miles per hour.

Spot replacement using any of these products will require trimming of the metric shingle to match the size of the Atlas Chalet.  It will also require careful removal of the damaged shingles on the roof by a roofing contractor experienced in spot replacement, so as not to damage any adjacent shingles in the process.  To perform the repair, the damaged shingle and one above must be unsealed, and then the fasteners must be removed from both of these shingles using a flat wonder bar.  The new shingle is inserted.  Then, the new shingle and one above it is nailed.  Finally, the new shingles must be hand sealed to the existing shingles to ensure proper sealing.

HVAC Claims: Repair versus Replacement

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Learn the ins and outs of investigating lightning damage to HVAC units, from observing collateral damage to determining which component(s) has failed. Obtain the knowledge necessary to make more accurate claims decisions and utilize the best available repair and replacement options to return a covered HVAC unit to pre-loss condition.

 

Approved for continuing education credits (1 hour) in the following states:

AL, GA, MS, TX

Approved Instructors:

Curtis VanNess

For more information, or to schedule a continuing education course for your company, please contact us here.

Wind & Hail 201

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This two-hour course takes a deeper dive into the analysis of property damage following wind and hail events. Acquire expert know-how that you can apply to future field inspections as we take you step-by-step through several case studies. Learn to recognize even the most subtle differences in loss causes so you can make more confident claim decisions.

Approved for continuing education credits (2 hours) in the following states:

AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, OK, TX

Approved Instructors:

J. Marvin Aikens III, P.E., CFEI

For more information, or to schedule a continuing education course for your company, please contact us here.

3-Course CE Session, Utica, NY, 11/5

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1:30pm
Registration

2:00pm – 3:00pm
Wind & Hail 101
Instructor: Michael Spensieri, P.E.
This one-hour course will introduce you to the science behind wind and hailstone forces. Gain the knowledge and skill to perform an effective site study and learn how to conduct a thorough analysis of the most common causes of damage.
Approved for CE Credits in: AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, OK, TX

3:00pm – 4:00pm
Agricultural Equipment Fires 101
Instructor: Ray Baker, IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CVFI
Agricultural equipment losses can be costly and complex. This one-hour course will provide an overview of the basic operation and functional aspects of farm equipment, including potential fuels and ignition sources.
Approved for CE Credits in: AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, OK, TX

4:00pm – 5:00pm
Water Intrusion 101
Instructor: Michael Spensieri, P.E.
This one-hour course introduces you to the effects of hydrostatic forces on a structure. Learn what information you must obtain to conclusively determine the cause of water damage or water intrusion to a property. Discover the science behind water losses and how to differentiate between potential causes.
Approved for CE Credits in: AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, OK, TX

 

 

3-Course CE Session, Morristown, NJ, 10/23

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This continuing education event offers insightful content, expert instructors and a flexible format. Join us for the entire seminar or only for the course(s) that interest you and fit your schedule.

AGENDA

8:30am
Sign-in/Registration

9:00am – 10:00am
Plumbing & Appliances 101
Instructor: Don Mikel, P.E.
This one-hour course takes a look at common sources of water losses including plumbing components, supply lines, appliances and water filters. For each area of focus, learn more about the most common failures, the documentation required to ensure a solid case, and what evidence you need to obtain.
Approved for CE Credits in: AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, TX

10:00am – 11:00am
Fire Behavior 101
Instructor: Craig Ally, IAAI-CFI, CFEI
Fire claims equal expensive losses so it pays to be in-the-know. This one-hour course provides an in-depth study of fire, exploring fire behavior, and examining the classifications and stages of fires. Our experts will give you the knowledge necessary to handle fire claims with confidence.
Approved for CE Credits in: FL, GA, MS, TX

11:00am – 12:00pm
Wind & Hail 101
Instructor: Michael Spensieri, P.E.
This one-hour course will introduce you to the science behind wind and hailstone forces. Gain the knowledge and skill to perform an effective site study and learn how to conduct a thorough analysis of the most common causes of damage.
Approved for CE Credits in: AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, OK, TX

 

12:00pm – 1:00pm
Lunch & Networking

This event is free, but registration is required.


Tornado Damage Assessment: OK & TX

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Texas and Oklahoma

After a tornado event, devastation and destruction are found along the tornado path.  Due to the wood-framed construction predominant in Texas and Oklahoma, extensive damage to a house can occur.  But how do you know whether visible cracks in the Sheetrock or brick finishes are just cosmetic damage or the signs of structural failure?

During a tornado, the winds that encounter a house are deflected over and around it.  Positive (inward) pressure is applied to the windward walls, and negative (outward) pressure to the side, leeward walls and roof.  The tornado is a dynamic and moving event; several walls of the house become the windward wall as the tornado moves.  The other primary effect of the wind is internal pressurization.  A breach in the exterior envelope due to broken windows, doors, or roof may cause an increase in the pressure acting on the building.

The roof framing is more susceptible to damage, followed by the wall framing, and then the foundation.  Gable ends will be the first damaged; members can crack at the connections or detach from the wall’s top plate.  A standard stick-built roof framing will sustain more damage than a pre-fabricated truss due to the increased number of site-fabricated connections in the stick-built.  As the wind pressure “pushes” and “pulls” the roof covering, the connections in the roof framing are exposed to an increase load.  In a stick-built frame, the purlins and strut braces may fail once the push occurs.  If any of these members fails by detaching, cracking, or breaking, the rafter will be susceptible to damage as its effective length increases.  During the pulling, the collar ties might fail, and the connection of the rafters with the ridge board can be compromised.  On a pre-fabricated truss framing system, the loads are evenly distributed along the members.  Failure could occur where loads exceed design and break or detach a member from the truss plate.  Roof framing members and wood decking can also be damaged by wind-borne debris.

Brick veneer is prone to damage, as it is not fully supported against a flat surface.  The brick ties installed on the wall studs prevent the brick veneer from moving outward. The wind pressure applied can detach the ties from the studs, break it, or pull it out from the mortar, thereby allowing the veneer to move freely, resulting in horizontal cracks or broken bricks.  The same will be true for stone veneer.  The same force exerted on the exterior of the wall is experienced by the wall framing, which will flex to accommodate the movement.  The interior wall cover will crack consistent with the degree of movement.  The flexing of the wall framing will not compromise its structural integrity, as long as it does not pull the sole plate off the foundation or permanently deform the wall.  This can be detected by verifying the plumbness of the wall.

Foundations are the least expected to be damaged by a tornado event.  If the foundation was failing due to soil-induced movement prior to the event, the wind pressure can aggravate the condition.

The structural damage to a house can be repaired, as long as it meets current codes and city requirements.  The economic impact of an extensive repair should be analyzed to determine its feasibility against razing the structure and starting from scratch.

5 UAV Applications You Should be Considering

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One of the primary advantages Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) bring to claims investigations is their ability to capture high-definition photos and videos, particularly in hard-to-access areas like steep roofs or structurally unsound buildings.

But limiting UAV utilization to a flying camera is a little like using a smart phone exclusively for phone calls. It’s great for that purpose, but why stop there?

Donan takes you beyond the imagery, to the technological tools and software that add significant value to claims investigations. We’re talking about data that will inform claims decisions, delivered with greater speed and efficiency than ever before.

Here’s a look at the top five ways to turn UAV imagery into actionable intelligence.

Thermal Imaging#5  Thermal Imaging

Advanced software enables engineers and adjusters to quickly and efficiently identify and measure damaged areas, calculate total area in need of repair or replacement, and identify patterns across larger areas that can help reveal causes.

 

Contour Mapping#4  Contour Mapping

Contour maps identify elevation changes across an area.  This technology can be utilized for underwriting purposes to show how the ground around a building drains, or in water intrusion claims to identify problems in commercial roof slopes or ground elevations.

 

Orthomosaic#3  Orthomosaics

Orthomosaics can be used in catastrophe response to identify patterns of damage not seen from the ground.  Additionally, rapid damage assessment of individual properties and extraction of other data linked to property addresses allows carriers to quickly assess their total exposure and plan for adjuster deployment.

 

3D Point Cloud#2  3D Point Clouds

A 3D model is used to measure any length, area or volume of interest—such as the area of a roof surface or volume of a storage tank. These models are also great for documenting large loss scenes.

 

 

3D-Simulation_circle#1  3D Simulations

Flood simulations depict water rising during a flood event and can be used to calculate water height and depth, and to answer questions such as did floodwaters reach the house, and if so, to what depth? Simulations are also useful in calculating flood risk for underwriting purposes.

 

Donan now has an expansive UAV webpage dedicated to educating the industry on the hardware, technology, applications and data that make UAV innovation an integral part of improving claims outcomes and processes. Visit our site, look around, and then let us know how we can help you implement UAVs into your organization.

 

uav web scrn shot

 

Button_201505

 

Repairing Atlas Chalet Shingles: Donan’s Technical Position

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The Atlas Chalet shingle was a three-tab, fiberglass mat asphalt shingle with an additional applique layer of asphalt and granules over the shingle tabs.  The applique layer was for decorative purposes only to give the appearance of a dimensional-style shingle.  Atlas Chalet shingles had a 30-year limited manufacturer’s warranty and a five-year wind warranty for up to 80-mile-per-hour wind speeds.  The exposure on the shingle is 5-5/16 inches.  Atlas Chalet shingled have been discontinued as a result of severe cracking and blistering of the applique layer because of the lack of a reinforcing mat.  As these shingles have become harder to find for use in spot replacement, an alternative must be determined that is of like kind and quality.  Several shingles may be used to repair roofs covered with Atlas Chalet shingles.

The CertainTeed XT30 three-tab shingle is an option.  These shingles carry the same 30-year limited manufacturer’s warranty as the Atlas Chalet, and has therefore been proposed as a viable alternate.  The CertainTeed XT30 comes in both English and metric dimensions, depending on the manufacturing plant.  The English dimensioned shingles have a 5-inch exposure, while the metric shingles have a 5-5/8 inch exposure.  In order to perform a repair using this shingle, only the metric shingles are a viable option because of the required exposure of 5-5/16 inch to match the Atlas Chalet.  The shingles will need to be cut to match the size of the dimensions of the Atlas Chalet.  The wind warranty provided on the CertainTeed XT30 is generally a five-year warranty for wind speeds up to 70 miles per hour.  The wind resistance of the shingle can be increased by reducing the exposure and/or by adding additional sealant and six fasteners for standard installation.

While the CertainTeed XT30 is substantially similar to the Atlas Chalet in quality, three other shingles more directly meet or exceed the like kind and quality standards.  They are the Atlas Pinnacle and Pinnacle Pristine, the Malarkey Alaskan, and the CertainTeed Patriot.

The Atlas Pinnacle and Atlas Pinnacle Pristine are a dimensional-style, metric shingle with either a 5-5/8 inch or 6-inch exposure.  Depending on the location, one or both may be available.  Either shingle would need to be cut to match the dimensions of the Atlas Chalet.  They are readily available throughout the United States, and carry Florida Building Code and Miami-Dade County approvals.  The shingle carries a lifetime limited manufacturer’s warranty, and a five-year wind warranty for wind speeds up to 130 miles per hour.

The Malarkey Alaskan is a high quality three-tab metric shingle with shadows to make it appear to have dimension.  It has a 5-5/8 inch exposure. The shingle would have to be cut to match the dimensions of the Atlas Chalet.  It is currently available throughout the United States, and has Florida Building Code approval.  The shingle carries a lifetime limited manufacturer’s warranty and a five-year wind warranty for wind speeds up to 110 miles per hour.

The CertainTeed Patriot is a strip shingle with shadows to make it appear to have dimension, similar to the Atlas Chalet.  The Patriot is a metric shingle with a 5-5/8 inch exposure.  The shingle would have to be cut to match the dimensions of the Atlas Chalet.  It is currently available in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Western New York, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.  As such, the shingle does not carry Florida or Miami-Dade product approvals.  It may be possible to obtain the shingles for spot replacement in other states. The shingle carries a 30-year limited manufacturer’s warranty, and a 10-year wind warranty for wind speeds up to 110 miles per hour.

Spot replacement using any of these products will require trimming of the metric shingle to match the size of the Atlas Chalet.  It will also require careful removal of the damaged shingles on the roof by a roofing contractor experienced in spot replacement, so as not to damage any adjacent shingles in the process.  To perform the repair, the damaged shingle and one above must be unsealed, and then the fasteners must be removed from both of these shingles using a flat wonder bar.  The new shingle is inserted.  Then, the new shingle and one above it is nailed.  Finally, the new shingles must be hand sealed to the existing shingles to ensure proper sealing.

5 UAV Applications You Should be Considering

$
0
0

One of the primary advantages Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) bring to claims investigations is their ability to capture high-definition photos and videos, particularly in hard-to-access areas like steep roofs or structurally unsound buildings.

But limiting UAV utilization to a flying camera is a little like using a smart phone exclusively for phone calls. It’s great for that purpose, but why stop there?

Donan takes you beyond the imagery, to the technological tools and software that add significant value to claims investigations. We’re talking about data that will inform claims decisions, delivered with greater speed and efficiency than ever before.

Here’s a look at the top five ways to turn UAV imagery into actionable intelligence.

Thermal Imaging#5  Thermal Imaging

Advanced software enables engineers and adjusters to quickly and efficiently identify and measure damaged areas, calculate total area in need of repair or replacement, and identify patterns across larger areas that can help reveal causes.

 

Contour Mapping#4  Contour Mapping

Contour maps identify elevation changes across an area.  This technology can be utilized for underwriting purposes to show how the ground around a building drains, or in water intrusion claims to identify problems in commercial roof slopes or ground elevations.

 

Orthomosaic#3  Orthomosaics

Orthomosaics can be used in catastrophe response to identify patterns of damage not seen from the ground.  Additionally, rapid damage assessment of individual properties and extraction of other data linked to property addresses allows carriers to quickly assess their total exposure and plan for adjuster deployment.

 

3D Point Cloud#2  3D Point Clouds

A 3D model is used to measure any length, area or volume of interest—such as the area of a roof surface or volume of a storage tank. These models are also great for documenting large loss scenes.

 

 

3D-Simulation_circle#1  3D Simulations

Flood simulations depict water rising during a flood event and can be used to calculate water height and depth, and to answer questions such as did floodwaters reach the house, and if so, to what depth? Simulations are also useful in calculating flood risk for underwriting purposes.

 

Donan now has an expansive UAV webpage dedicated to educating the industry on the hardware, technology, applications and data that make UAV innovation an integral part of improving claims outcomes and processes. Visit our site, look around, and then let us know how we can help you implement UAVs into your organization.

 

uav web scrn shot

 

Button_201505

 

Repairing Atlas Chalet Shingles: Donan’s Technical Position

$
0
0

The Atlas Chalet shingle was a three-tab, fiberglass mat asphalt shingle with an additional applique layer of asphalt and granules over the shingle tabs.  The applique layer was for decorative purposes only to give the appearance of a dimensional-style shingle.  Atlas Chalet shingles had a 30-year limited manufacturer’s warranty and a five-year wind warranty for up to 80-mile-per-hour wind speeds.  The exposure on the shingle is 5-5/16 inches.  Atlas Chalet shingled have been discontinued as a result of severe cracking and blistering of the applique layer because of the lack of a reinforcing mat.  As these shingles have become harder to find for use in spot replacement, an alternative must be determined that is of like kind and quality.  Several shingles may be used to repair roofs covered with Atlas Chalet shingles.

The CertainTeed XT30 three-tab shingle is an option.  These shingles carry the same 30-year limited manufacturer’s warranty as the Atlas Chalet, and has therefore been proposed as a viable alternate.  The CertainTeed XT30 comes in both English and metric dimensions, depending on the manufacturing plant.  The English dimensioned shingles have a 5-inch exposure, while the metric shingles have a 5-5/8 inch exposure.  In order to perform a repair using this shingle, only the metric shingles are a viable option because of the required exposure of 5-5/16 inch to match the Atlas Chalet.  The shingles will need to be cut to match the size of the dimensions of the Atlas Chalet.  The wind warranty provided on the CertainTeed XT30 is generally a five-year warranty for wind speeds up to 70 miles per hour.  The wind resistance of the shingle can be increased by reducing the exposure and/or by adding additional sealant and six fasteners for standard installation.

While the CertainTeed XT30 is substantially similar to the Atlas Chalet in quality, three other shingles more directly meet or exceed the like kind and quality standards.  They are the Atlas Pinnacle and Pinnacle Pristine, the Malarkey Alaskan, and the CertainTeed Patriot.

The Atlas Pinnacle and Atlas Pinnacle Pristine are a dimensional-style, metric shingle with either a 5-5/8 inch or 6-inch exposure.  Depending on the location, one or both may be available.  Either shingle would need to be cut to match the dimensions of the Atlas Chalet.  They are readily available throughout the United States, and carry Florida Building Code and Miami-Dade County approvals.  The shingle carries a lifetime limited manufacturer’s warranty, and a five-year wind warranty for wind speeds up to 130 miles per hour.

The Malarkey Alaskan is a high quality three-tab metric shingle with shadows to make it appear to have dimension.  It has a 5-5/8 inch exposure. The shingle would have to be cut to match the dimensions of the Atlas Chalet.  It is currently available throughout the United States, and has Florida Building Code approval.  The shingle carries a lifetime limited manufacturer’s warranty and a five-year wind warranty for wind speeds up to 110 miles per hour.

The CertainTeed Patriot is a strip shingle with shadows to make it appear to have dimension, similar to the Atlas Chalet.  The Patriot is a metric shingle with a 5-5/8 inch exposure.  The shingle would have to be cut to match the dimensions of the Atlas Chalet.  It is currently available in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Western New York, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.  As such, the shingle does not carry Florida or Miami-Dade product approvals.  It may be possible to obtain the shingles for spot replacement in other states. The shingle carries a 30-year limited manufacturer’s warranty, and a 10-year wind warranty for wind speeds up to 110 miles per hour.

Spot replacement using any of these products will require trimming of the metric shingle to match the size of the Atlas Chalet.  It will also require careful removal of the damaged shingles on the roof by a roofing contractor experienced in spot replacement, so as not to damage any adjacent shingles in the process.  To perform the repair, the damaged shingle and one above must be unsealed, and then the fasteners must be removed from both of these shingles using a flat wonder bar.  The new shingle is inserted.  Then, the new shingle and one above it is nailed.  Finally, the new shingles must be hand sealed to the existing shingles to ensure proper sealing.

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