A collaboration between the Association of Insurance Building and Engineering Consultants and the University of Sydney is expected to deliver better escape of liquid claim assessments.

The university’s School of Civil Engineering has been commissioned to undertake a 12-month study and provide a technical framework to evaluate escape of liquid damage.

AiBEC chair Deniz Bekir says there is no industry guideline on the cause and extent of damage from such flooding, and the partnership should produce an empirical method to evaluate incidents.

“Escape of liquid decisions are made on the basis of opinions from engaged experts – without factual engineering basis on the cause of building movement and damage, which has led to incorrect or poor outcomes,” he said.

AiBEC will host a lunch event on June 3 with research team head Professor Yixiang Gan, featuring an outline the project and a tour of the testing laboratory. Register here.