Professional Summary:

Mr. Sweeney has over 20 years of experience as a Manufacturing, Mechanical and Forensic Engineer. His design experience includes protective robotic equipment and building HVAC and plumbing systems. Mr. Sweeney began his career as a Manufacturing Engineer where he gained experience in the production of laser-welded steel blanks for the automotive industry. Mr. Sweeney then worked as a Mechanical Engineer designing HVAC systems for commercial buildings. After this engagement, Mr. Sweeney worked as a Mechanical Engineer/Project Manager at a consulting engineering firm. Here he gained experience designing mechanical systems for the telecom industry. Mr. Sweeney then worked as a Project Engineer with an engineering firm gaining further experience in building mechanical systems including plumbing systems within commercial buildings.
 

Since transitioning to a forensic engineering role in 2011, Mr. Sweeney has performed over 1,500 investigations to determine the cause of loss and extent of damage in pipe freeze failures, building pathology including causes of vandalism, storm damage, water intrusion, mechanical equipment (i.e. chillers, boilers, etc.) failure investigations, agricultural equipment failures, automotive failures, loss inspections including accident reconstruction, boat/watercraft evaluations, chimney failures, environmental investigations, furnace and generator evaluations, interior staining evaluations, lightning damage evaluations, pool failure evaluations, and agricultural field tile evaluations.

Mr. Sweeney has provided continuing education presentations and laboratory workshops to insurance adjusters, subrogation specialists, and legal professionals.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering – The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

Licenses and Certifications:

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE): OH
• Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) – National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) – US Green Building Council (USGBC)
• NFPA 1003 & NFPA 921 Putting it Together – (NAFI)
• Mold/Indoor Air Quality/Industrial Hygiene Workshop – EMSL Analytical, Inc.
• Failure Analysis: The Science of What Went Wrong – Techniques, Fractography, Polymer Failure, Fire and Explosions – American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Water Entry Prevention and Moisture Control in Buildings – Exterior Walls and Roofing Systems – University of Wisconsin
• HAAG Engineering – Residential Certified Roof Inspector (expired)
• Investigation Solid Fuel-Burning Appliance Fires – Fire Findings
• Investigation of Gas and Electrical Appliance Fires – Fire Findings
  

Project Experience:

• HVAC System Design: Commercial
  • Design of HVAC systems for athletic facilities, medical facilities, office buildings, and worship facilities, among others.
• Building Envelope Failure: Commercial
  • Investigation of External Insulation Finish System (EIFS) resulting in water, mold, and revenue loss.
• Building Plumbing System Failure: Commercial
  • Investigation of plumbing structural support resulting in several water and revenue losses within a hotel structure.
• Machine Repair: Commercial
  • Determine the cause of loss to a laser welding line and develop a plan of action to provide a repair to improve manufacturing cycle time.
• Machine Repair: Commercial
  • Preventative Maintenance Rebuild of a Metal Shear for a Laser Welding Manufacturing Line.
• Fire Loss: Residential
  • Investigation of a suspected gas meter failure loss of a Residential Home.
• Fire Loss: Commercial
  • Investigation of an Agricultural Structure and Equipment fire loss due to improper installation of the building furnace.
• Fire Loss: Agricultural
  • Investigation of a Commercial Structure and Equipment fire loss due to improper installation of building water heater.
• Product Failure: Commercial
  • Investigation of a door interlock which allowed an elevator door to open without an elevator car present resulting in a personal injury claim.
• Installation Failure: Commercial
  • Investigation of self-leveling flooring compound which leaked into an elevator shaft damaging the elevator door mechanisms preventing operation of the elevator.
• Fire & Explosion: Residential
  • Investigation of a fatal explosion and subsequent fire of a suspected gas line failure.
• HVAC System Damage: Commercial
  • Determine Repairability of Rooftop HVAC Units due to storm damage.
• HVAC System Failure: Commercial
  • Determine cause of HVAC failure resulting in a freeze failure and subsequent water loss
    to a golf club and attached locker room.
• Smoke Loss: Residential
  • Determine cause of fire to a residential HVAC unit.
• Maintenance Failure: Residential Hot Water Heaters
  • Investigation of failure to maintain water heaters which resulted in a water loss.
• Malicious HVAC Claim: Condensing Unit
  • Investigation of a “power surge” which was the result of cut wires and torch.
• Product Failure: Hot Water Heaters
  • Investigation of three water heaters which resulted in a water loss to a newly constructed apartment building.
  • Investigation of a failed thermostat seal resulting in a water loss to a residential home.
• Fire Suppression Systems
  • Determined failure of a fire main resulting in flooding to a large commercial retail space due to long-term corrosion of a bolt rather than a recently installed shutoff valve.
  • Investigation of freeze failures as a result of improper maintenance.
• Paint Failure: Village Government
  • Determined failure of paint to a water tower due to improper installation rather than a storm-related event.
• Insulation Failure: Local School
  • Investigation of a pipe break due to premature corrosion failure as a result of improperly installed insulation.
• Fire Loss: Packaging Equipment
  • Determine the cause of loss to a cardboard box-cutting machine.
• Concrete Failure: Commercial/Residential
  • Investigationofdrivewayfailureduetosaltapplicationandaseconddrivewayasaresult of normal weathering.
• Well Failure: Village Government
  • Investigation of a failure due to long-term deterioration.
• Roofing Failures: Commercial, Agricultural and Residential
  • InvestigationsofPVC,TPO,BUR,EPDM,ballastedandunballasted,wood,slate,asphalt, metal, and tile roofs for damage as a result of storm, improper installation, and fraud.
• Chimney Fires: Residential
  • Investigations of chimneys after a fire for structural and operational damage.