Post-Fire Foundation Assessments: Practical Guidelines & Heat Transfer Analysis

This webinar explores the practical application of the SEAOC Recommended Investigation and Design Guidelines for Foundations Exposed to Fire, released following the January 2025 wildfires. Using real-world case studies, the presentation will outline effective methodologies for post-fire foundation damage assessments, emphasizing visual inspections, non-destructive testing, and material sampling.

The session will also examine how preliminary heat transfer analysis can support evaluation of shallow and deep concrete foundations exposed to wildfire and structure fires. Findings from recent studies will illustrate how factors such as soil cover, soil density, temperature exposure, and transitions to above-grade elements influence heat penetration and potential material degradation.

Attendees will gain insight into practical reuse and repair strategies, as well as how targeted excavation—guided by heat transfer analysis—can improve assessment efficiency and confidence when determining foundation performance after fire exposure.

Speakers:

Garrett Mills, S.E., is a Principal and CFO at T&S Structural. He oversees the firm’s work in Southern California specializing in residential and retrofit projects. Garrett served as President of SEAOSC in 2024-2025; he continues to be heavily involved in the recovery efforts for the Los Angeles wildfires and now co-chairs SEAOSC’s ad-hoc Fire Rebuild Committee. Garrett has a strong commitment to service and has performed reconnaissance and design work around the world.

Samantha Eng, P.E., is a Senior Project Engineer at Thornton Tomasetti with expertise in the intersection of architecture, structural engineering, and fire response. Her work focuses on forensic investigations, litigation support, and the assessment and stabilization of existing structures, with particular emphasis on post-fire damage evaluation and recovery. Her project experience includes engineering the stabilization and reuse of partially burned structures following fire events. Samantha is an active leader in the professional community and currently leads the fire initiative for SEAONC’s Disaster Emergency Services Committee.

NCSEA Webinars and Digital Events Cancellation and Refund Policies

Webinar Cancellation

By NCSEA: If a webinar is canceled by NCSEA, all registered attendees will be notified via email. NCSEA will issue a full refund if the event cannot be rescheduled. If the event is rescheduled and a registrant can not attend on the rescheduled date, NCSEA will offer a credit in the amount of the purchase price.

By Registrant/Attendee: Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance of the webinar (or the first webinar in the case of a series or bundle) and in writing via email (ncsea@ncsea.com) with the subject line “NCSEA Webinar Cancellation” and include the following in the body of the email: Title of Webinar, Order/Invoice Number, Name of Registrant, and Reason for Cancellation. No telephone refund requests will be accepted.

If the request has been approved, NCSEA can do one of the following:

• Refund the amount back to the original order payment method (a $25 cancellation processing fee will be assessed)

• Issue a full credit on the purchaser’s account that can be used towards a future webinar/event.

If you are unable to attend the webinar and the cancellation deadline has passed, a recording will be available (in most cases) in the Education Portal after the webinar has concluded.
Refunds are not granted due to attendee technology issues. It is your responsibility as the webinar attendee to test your computer setup prior to the start of the webinar.

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