ASPE Denver Chapter Technical Meeting Presentation

Wednesday, February 18th, 2025

11:30am to 1:00pm

Forensic Adventures

Mr. Olson will present “Forensic Adventures” to our ASPE chapter during the February chapter meeting. This presentation will describe some basic forensic engineering tasks, will address the various sorts of cases that he regularly becomes involved in and will talk about the typical steps undertaken during a forensic matter. He will provide photographs and commentary of twelve past HVAC, Plumbing and fire related forensic assignments he participated in and will offer discussion regarding his observations and conclusions, revealing some “lessons learned” advice for the audience. He will remain dedicated to animosity with regards to the various parties involved in the described legal cases.

David Olson is a PE with 46 years of consulting mechanical engineering experience. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from University of Colorado – Boulder in 1979. He joined Sturm + Ballard (Ballard Group) immediately after graduating. He performed his first forensic engineering assignment in 1985. In 1986 he formed Integrated Mechanical Systems and successfully operated that full service mechanical engineering firm for 30 years. He spent a brief time with PCD Engineering and then formed Olson Forensic Solutions in 2020 where Dave continues to practice forensic engineering services. Dave has performed building code plan reviews for AEC-West (C-West) for over 35-years (yes, he has most likely reviewed your work) and conducts expert witness work primarily for construction defect attorneys in the State of Colorado. He is currently a licensed PE in nine states. David has acted as an expert witness in over 150 cases, split between Plaintiffs Assignments, Defense Assignments, Subrogation Assignments and Owner Direct (no attorney) about 45% - 40% - 10% - 5% currently. Dave has previously volunteered as a Chapter, Regional and Society level board member in ASHRAE, he has acted as a student mentor at UCB for the past 12 years and has acted as a Judge or Jury member for DOE’s Solar Decathlon on four occasions. He taught HVAC design at UCD for three years in the 90’s and was a voting member of the State of Colorado Electric Board from 2013 – 2019. Dave has been doing sustainable engineering studies and design since long before “green” was considered anything other than a color.

The meeting will be in person and will take place at the Downtown Aquarium, 700 Water Street, Denver CO 80211 in the Nautilus Ballroom at 11:30am to 1pm.  The cost for the meeting and the lunch will be $50.00 and can be prepaid at the ASPE Denver Chapter website or reservations to pay cash or check at the door via email to Mike Huffman.  Take the W 23rd Ave exit from I-25 just south of Speer Blvd for quick access to the Downtown Aquarium.  When you arrive to the Downtown Aquarium, please pull into either parking lot entrance lane. Once you reach the kiosk, you'll press the button on the lower left corner of the touchscreen that reads "Other Access Options," then "Access Code," then enter your event's access code (0218) The kiosk will print you a ticket, the gate will rise, and you may park. Please leave the ticket in your car.  When you're ready to leave, you'll simply scan the barcode on the kiosk's ticket at the exit gate. If you accidentally end up paying, just let us know that day and we can get your parking refunded.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be available for those attendees that complete the program evaluation. 

Tickets

$50.00 Member Ticket

$50.00 Non-Member Ticket