Assessing Fire-Damaged Metals: Metallurgical Approaches for AEC Professionals

Metallurgy plays a crucial role in evaluating structures and systems exposed to fire, yet its importance is often overlooked in the broader AEC industry. After a fire, assessing the safety and integrity of metals—from structural steel and fasteners to piping and fire suppression systems—is complex, requiring deep knowledge of how elevated temperatures and environmental conditions affect material properties. In this webinar, we will share insights from real-world investigations to highlight key considerations in fire damage assessment from a metallurgical perspective. We will also explain how metallurgical analysis helps determine whether components should be repaired or replaced, and what failure modes can tell us about the origin and progression of a fire. We will also explore common causes of fire suppression system failures, including corrosion and mechanical stress, and offer a framework for evaluating fitness for service.