Month: June 2024

Introducing the Haag Geoportal: Comprehensive Weather Event Data for Insurance and Legal Professionals

Geoportal US weather Maps

Introducing the Haag Geoportal:
Comprehensive Weather Event Data for Insurance and Legal Professionals

Dallas, TX – June 25, 2024 – Haag, a Salas O’Brien Company, the United States oldest and most respected forensic consulting firm and leader in forensic meteorology, announced today the launch of its innovative new product, the Haag Geoportal. This interactive web-mapping application is designed to provide insurance and legal professionals with comprehensive, reliable weather event data tailored to specific site locations.

A New Standard in Weather Reporting

The Haag Geoportal delivers precise and detailed weather reports, covering a wide range of storm types, including wind, hail and tornado events. Hurricanes will be added in the fall 2024. By leveraging data sourced from verified national weather authorities such as the NOAA Storm Event Database, NOAA Storm Prediction Center, and the National Weather Service, the Haag Geoportal ensure that users receive trustworthy and defensible information every time.

Why the Haag Geoportal is Different

Unlike other platforms that use proprietary algorithms and offer higher-cost services, the Haag Geoportal provides direct, unmanipulated data from multiple national authorities. This approach not only ensures the data’s accuracy and reliability but also makes it defensible in court, a critical factor for legal and insurance professionals.

Product Features and Benefits

With the Haag Geoportal, users can:

  • Access Accurate Storm & Hurricane Reports: The platform delivers tailored, site-specific weather data ideal for insurance claims, legal cases, forensic investigations, and detailed weather analysis.
  • Receive Verified and Reliable Data: Utilizing both preliminary and finalized data from multiple sources, our reports cover a robust 14-year span and are updated daily.
  • Customized Reports to Fit Specific Needs: Each report includes maps, event types, dates, event magnitudes, and more, providing comprehensive data suited to individual requirements.

Discover how the Haag Geoportal can enhance and expedite your data analysis and reporting process. Visit our website to learn more, create your free account, and request a demo to see the platform in action.

For more information, please contact

Polly Prado, Director of Corporate Communications

214.614.6500 or PPrado@HaagGlobal.com

 

About Haag, a Salas O’Brien Company

Established in 1924, Haag, a Salas O’Brien Company, is proud to celebrate 100 years of forensic innovation and consulting excellence. Haag’s comprehensive services include forensic engineering, forensic meteorology, forensic architecture, construction consulting, fire origin and cause, forensic research and testing, education courses and training, and GIS, BIM, and 3D scanning technology solutions. We specialize in serving the legal, insurance, construction, and manufacturing industries, plus private companies. With a century of expertise, Haag has become the national authority in examining, analyzing, and consulting on complex engineering and technical challenges following failure and damage to the built environment. In June 2024, Haag merged with Salas O’Brien, an employee-owned engineering and technology firm at the forefront of sustainable design. Together, Haag is poised to embrace new challenges, adapt to evolving industries, and provide cutting-edge innovations that will shape the future of forensic engineering and consulting.

About Salas O’Brien

Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and technical services firm focused on advancing the human experience through the built environment. Our team is engineered for impact™, helping clients achieve critical goals, advancing our team members through growth and opportunity, and operating at the center of important global issues including sustainability and decarbonization. We are a top firm as ranked by Engineering News-Record and Consulting-Specifying Engineer, and we have appeared for over a decade on the Inc. 5000 list of North America’s fastest-growing private companies.

LED Backlight Circuit Board Failure May Cause Fire: Eveland’s Inc. is recalling certain 2024 Scamp trailers.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V430000

Manufacturer Eveland’s Inc.

Components EQUIPMENT

Potential Number of Units Affected 68

Summary

Eveland’s Inc. (Eveland’s) is recalling certain 2024 Scamp trailers. The LED backlight circuit board in the cooktop range may fail, causing the board to overheat.

Remedy

Dealers will cut the circuit powering the LED backlights and terminate the wiring, or remove the LED backlights, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2024. Owners may contact Eveland’s customer service at 1-218-947-4932.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Haag and Salas O’Brien Announce Partnership

Strength in Unity: Haag & Salas O’Brien Announce Partnership

We are proud to share that Haag has merged with Salas O’Brien, an employee-owned engineering and technology firm at the forefront of sustainable design. We are joining an organization with more than 85 global offices and over 3,550 team members.

We are confident this merger will positively impact all our clients. Our capabilities and portfolio complement Salas O’Brien’s existing work while increasing our combined team’s ability to provide comprehensive, integrated, multi-discipline engineering and consulting services.

Here are some key facts:

  • The entire Haag leadership group and team are very enthusiastic about this partnership. You will continue to work with the same team of experts and experience the same decision-making, quality of work, and service delivery. As integration occurs, Haag’s service offerings and geographic coverage will expand.
  • The local Haag leadership team will remain intact with autonomy to best serve our clients. 
  • We share a vision, culture, and leadership style with Salas O’Brien. This was a key factor in our decision to merge with them. We also share a strong portfolio of complementary work.
  • We can now offer additional in-house expertise and design services like sustainability/green energy, industrial process, pharmaceutical and healthcare, data centers, food and beverage, fire suppression, lighting and acoustic design, but only when it makes sense for you, other team members, and the project.
  • We will have greater depth of support for many of our internal and overhead operations, thus improving our ability to serve you and your assignments. This merger also broadens our in-house expertise for key services like mechanical, electrical, and structural design.
  • Haag’s email and website will continue to be maintained and will transition to Salas O’Brien when practical.
  • Our name is now “Haag, a Salas O’Brien Company.” When Haag leadership believes the transition is complete and when the timing is right, we will adopt the Salas O’Brien name.

We’re very excited about this announcement and look forward to continuing our partnership with you. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Learn more.

Enthusiastically,

Justin Kestner, PE, MS, MBA

Sr. Managing Principal

Haag, a Salas O’Brien Company

 

About Salas O’Brien

Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and technical services firm focused on advancing the human experience through the built environment. Our team is engineered for impact™, helping clients achieve critical goals, advancing our team members through growth and opportunity, and operating at the center of important global issues including sustainability and decarbonization. We are a top firm as ranked by Engineering News-Record and Consulting-Specifying Engineer, and we have appeared for over a decade on the Inc. 5000 list of North America’s fastest-growing private companies.

About Haag Global, Inc.:

Established in 1924, Haag Global is proud to celebrate 100 years of forensic innovation and consulting excellence. Haag’s comprehensive services include forensic engineering, forensic meteorology, forensic architecture, construction consulting, fire origin and cause, forensic research and testing, education courses and training, and GIS, BIM, and 3D scanning technology solutions. We specialize in serving the legal, insurance, construction, and manufacturing industries, plus private companies. With a century of expertise, Haag has become the national authority in examining, analyzing, and consulting on complex engineering and technical challenges following failure and damage to the built environment. As we move into the next century, Haag is poised to embrace new challenges, adapt to evolving industries, and provide cutting-edge innovations that will shape the future of forensic engineering and consulting.

For more information, please contact:

Polly Prado, Haag Director of Corporate Communications, 214.614.6500

Incorrectly Routed 7-Way Connector Can Cause Fire: Forest River, Inc. is recalling certain 2004-2024 Cedar Creek and 2006-2024 Puma fifth wheels trailers.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V395000

Manufacturer Forest River, Inc.

Components EQUIPMENT

Potential Number of Units Affected 41,353

Summary

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2004-2024 Cedar Creek and 2006-2024 Puma fifth wheels trailers. The overcurrent protection from the trailer battery may have been incorrectly routed, allowing the wires to be pulled out of the junction box.

Remedy

Dealers will reroute the wires to the protected side of the mini-beaker, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 14, 2024. Owners may contact Puma customer service at 1-574-642-0588 or Cedar Creek customer service at 260-593-4000. Forest River’s number for this recall is 51-1786.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Incorrect Fuse May Overheat and Cause Fire: BYD Coach & Bus is recalling certain 2019-2023 BYD RIDE C10M, K7M, K8M, K9M, K9S, K9MD, and K11M transit buses

NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V374000

Manufacturer BYD Coach & Bus

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY

Potential Number of Units Affected 227

Summary

BYD Coach & Bus (BYD) is recalling certain 2019-2023 BYD RIDE C10M, K7M, K8M, K9M, K9S, K9MD, and K11M transit buses. The rearview mirror control switch module may have been manufactured with an incorrect fuse.

Remedy

BYD will replace the fuse in the mirror control switch module with a 1-AMP fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 10, 2024. Owners may contact BYD customer service at 1-661-940-3250.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

The Art and Science of Collaborative Construction Consulting – June 2024

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF COLLABORATIVE CONSTRUCTION CONSULTING

By Brian Segedin, Senior Construction Consultant

I believe I can safely speak for all construction consultants when I say report writing is the most enjoyable part of being a Construction Consultant.  The effortless speed at which we type, skillfully using our ten human digits, makes writing impactful reports almost instinctive.  Words naturally flow from us, artfully describing the sequence of damaging events and laying out multi-phase repair concepts with flawless clarity.  Our writing stands alone, hardly needing the support of photographs or drawings.  But, of course, we have photos – lots of them.  We only include a select few in our reports because sorting, captioning and keeping track of them is tedious, and too many visuals can distract from our perfected prose. The unseen images? They are compressed and hidden on expensive hard drives.  Who would ever dare meddle with this beloved process?

Haag will.

Development level visualization of exterior finish combinations. The data can be symbolized with various colors, shapes, and overlays to highlight varying attribute information between each unit.

The business units of Haag have a long and rich history of innovating methods, procedures, and tools to turn complex and ambiguous situations into manageable and quantifiable solutions over the past one hundred years.  Haag Construction Consulting is supported by the vast knowledge and experience of our Forensic Engineers, Research and Testing, Forensic Meteorologists, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialists, 3D Scanning/Modeling and Photogrammetry Specialists, and a myriad of technical professionals.  Haag Construction Consultants, who frequently encounter unique and challenging situations in the field, have quick access to our specialist colleagues, providing a massive toolbox for any scenario. 

Units with a specific combination of exterior finishes
Units with a specific combination of exterior finishes. Users can filter data so that only units that meet the specified criteria appear on the screen.

Three key technologies — Geographic Information Systems (GIS), 3D Scanning/Modeling, and Photogrammetry — are the building blocks of data collection, organization, and presentation capabilities at Haag.  Our teams collaborate with specialists in these areas to develop capabilities within our secure web mapping application, the Haag Geoportal. The GeoPortal collects, organizes, and presents the most accurate information possible in a visually engaging interactive map-based environment.  Consultants and engineers will work independently or side-by-side using a custom mobile app to log field observations, notes, sketches, photos and scans that are geocoded to the coordinates where they were captured.  Information is automatically categorized when captured and stored in real time by location in an organized and accessible shared workspace. Team members at their desks can work with the data and images as their colleagues continue to collect in the field.  When a project goes live on the GeoPortal, clients can have access to all their data with the desired level of granularity.

Linked building elevations, sections and floorplans documenting test results
3D scan generated floorplan overlaid with Infrared scan data
3D Scan point cloud

When responding to a catastrophe, accuracy and timeliness are paramount.  In the coming months, Haag’s clients will have the ability to watch a map populate with markers for their inspected losses, select single addresses or individual buildings in a large development or campus, and instantly understanding of the severity of the situation with a mouse-click.  Litigation clients, for example, will be able to view development-wide maps with symbols depicting building types, finishes, and the status of destructive testing progress and results.  The enhanced Haag GeoPortal is expected to launch to the public in Q4 2024.

The power of a knowledgeable team of construction professionals equipped with a well-developed GIS workspace and mobile collection app cannot be understated.  It is an exciting time to be part of Haag, working with a project team to develop a system that will enhance the way our team communicates findings for decades to come.

3D scan generated elevation documenting invasive testing

Author

Brian segedin, senior construction consultant
 

Brian Segedin is a Senior Construction Consultant with Haag Construction Consulting. Mr. Segedin is an experienced consultant with more than 27 years in the construction industry. He is based in Pequannock, New Jersey, near the NYC area. Mr. Segedin’s areas of expertise include facility condition assessments, energy efficiency, construction management, and property loss consulting. He most recently conducted facility condition assessments, including 30 Boston Public Schools campuses and 20 sites for First Energy. He was the owner of Atlantic LED Solutions for almost 10 years and worked on lighting projects for medical centers, roadways, warehouses and more. He has experience with property loss recovery and reconstruction projects, including New York Law School, and Hurricane Sandy recovery at One New York Plaza. He spent 13 years as a construction manager overseeing large commercial projects.

Mr. Segedin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Montclair State University. He is certified as a Qualified Individual – General Contractor Unlimited: South Carolina and Virginia, and an Associate Member of the Illuminating Engineering Society. He is skilled with Fulcrum, ArcGIS, Quickbooks, Xactimate, Timberline, Microsoft Office 360, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and Google Earth Pro.

 

Any opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of Haag Technical Services, Haag Engineering Co., Haag Education, or parent company, Haag Global, Inc.

Brandon Alaniz Promoted to Vice President, Leader of Haag’s Construction Consulting Group

 

Brandon Alaniz Promoted to Vice President, Leader of Haag’s Construction Consulting Group

Dallas, Texas – June 6, 2024 – Haag Global, Inc., the United States’ oldest and most respected forensic consulting firm, is proud to announce the promotion of Brandon Alaniz to Vice President, where he will lead Haag’s construction consulting group.

“Brandon Alaniz is skilled in project management and experienced in leading teams of experts on large-scale and complex projects,” said Justin Kestner, P.E., CEO of Haag Global. “Over the past seven years at Haag, Brandon has successfully overseen demanding construction consulting projects including major litigation files.  He has been trained and mentored by industry veteran and outgoing Construction Consulting leader Larry Dillon to prepare for this leadership role. I am excited to see the imprint Brandon will make on our construction consulting team.”

Brandon has managed or had leading roles in numerous high-profile construction consulting projects, including multiple hurricane and earthquake files in Puerto Rico such as the historic El San Juan hotel. With over 27 years in the construction industry that spans luxury residential to large complex construction projects, he brings a wealth of experience in building construction, repair, and restoration cost assessments for the insurance and legal industries. Brandon is adept at preparing cost estimates and providing litigation support including construction defects and addressing contractor’s standard of care.

As Vice President of Haag Construction Consulting, Brandon will oversee a talented team of consultants, many of whom are likewise very experienced and accomplished. One of Brandon’s priorities will be to expand the division and elevate team members into leadership roles.  Brandon was honored with Haag’s Outstanding Leadership and Mentorship Award and Project of the Year awards. Before joining Haag, Brandon worked as a Commercial Project Superintendent for Manhattan Construction Company and held supervisory roles with Braswell Company, Stephenson Consulting, and David Weekley Homes.

Larry Dillon will continue to play a key role in Haag Construction Consulting as Executive Vice President Emeritus/Litigation & Appraisals Lead. Larry will focus on expanding and enhancing litigation and appraisal services and overseeing staff development in those areas.

“Since joining Haag in 2016, Larry significantly enhanced the quality and reputation of Haag Construction Consulting and grew the division into an industry leader,” said CEO Kestner.  “He hired and mentored talented staff, took on large projects domestically and internationally, and developed Haag into a go-to firm for building and construction consulting services.  Larry has always enjoyed the challenge of litigation and appraisal files, and we are both excited that he will be able to help grow that work at Haag.”

 

About Haag Global, Inc.:

Established in 1924, Haag Global is proud to celebrate 100 years of forensic innovation and consulting excellence. Haag’s comprehensive services include forensic engineering, forensic meteorology, forensic architecture, construction consulting, fire origin and cause, forensic research and testing, education courses and training, and GIS, BIM, and 3D scanning technology solutions. We specialize in serving the legal, insurance, construction, and manufacturing industries, plus private companies. With a century of expertise, Haag has become the national authority in examining, analyzing, and consulting on complex engineering and technical challenges following failure and damage to the built environment. As we move into the next century, Haag is poised to embrace new challenges, adapt to evolving industries, and provide cutting-edge innovations that will shape the future of forensic engineering and consulting.

 

For more information, please contact:

Polly Prado, Director of Corporate Communications, 214.614.6500

HaagGlobal.com

Expert Spotlight: Brandon Alaniz, Vice President, Principal Construction Consultant

Haag 100 Year Anniversary - A century of forensic innovation

Brandon Alaniz: Leading Innovation and Excellence in Construction Consulting

Brandon Alaniz has built an impressive career as a construction consultant, seamlessly blending his extensive construction knowledge, business acumen, and interpersonal skills. His journey in the construction industry spans over 27 years, during which he has cultivated deep expertise in building reconstruction, restoration, and equipment and machinery remediation. As of June 1st, Brandon serves as Vice President and Principal Construction Consultant at Haag’s Construction Consulting division. Brandon is responsible for overseeing all consulting services and ensuring the delivery of high-quality work products, primarily serving the insurance and legal industries.

One of Brandon’s most challenging projects was the El San Juan Hotel in Puerto Rico, which was extensively damaged during Hurricane Maria in 2017. The hotel project presented a myriad of obstacles due to its island location and the large and complex nature of the claim. It tested all facets of his professional skills, from dealing with unique circumstances to navigating potential litigation. Brandon’s ability to meticulously gather and analyze information proved crucial in overcoming hurdles and highlights his capacity to manage even the most demanding assignments.

Brandon Alaniz - Vice President Expert Spotlight

Brandon’s approach to problem-solving is grounded in simplicity. He tackles complex issues by breaking them down into manageable steps, allowing him to steadily progress toward a solution. This methodical approach was particularly evident in his work on the Puerto Rico litigation claims and the Dallas Independent School District tornado damage in 2019. He introduced new scoping methods that utilized an expanded use of technology, efficiently collecting, transferring and managing data. By integrating this technology company-wide, Brandon has enhanced the efficiency and accuracy of documenting losses, providing clients with superior outcomes.

Team collaboration and effective communication are cornerstones of Brandon’s leadership style. He emphasizes the importance of teamwork in delivering timely and high-quality results. By fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and leveraging the diverse expertise within his team, Brandon ensures that projects are completed efficiently, regardless of their scale.

Throughout his career, Brandon has achieved numerous milestones. He takes pride in his journey from construction production to his current leadership role. A pivotal moment in his career was joining Haag, a company with a storied history in forensic engineering and construction consulting. Brandon was recognized with Haag’s Leadership and Mentorship awards two years in a row and was honored with the Project of the Year award several times as well, a testament to Brandon’s dedication and expertise.

Brandon’s advice for aspiring professionals is to leverage the knowledge of those around them and technology, which can set them apart in the industry. He also emphasizes the importance of time management and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Outside of work, Brandon coaches AAU competitive basketball teams, participates in his children’s soccer activities, and enjoys golfing and exploring nature with his family.

Looking ahead, Brandon is excited about the future of Haag Construction Consulting. He is committed to attracting and nurturing talent within his team, and continuing the significant growth Haag has experienced over the past eight years. His vision and dedication position him as a standout leader in construction consulting.