Richard A. Rice, PE SE CBO - Editor

mutual@bellsouth.net

July 2026

Happy Birthday to the USA!!!

When I was fourteen in 1976, I wondered what kind of car I would be flying during the 250th birthday of the United States. When I wasn't thinking about flying cars, I was thinking about...building codes and how they standardize construction practices across the fruited plain. I was real fun at parties.

Seriously. Did you know that the first "formal" building code on this continent was established in Boston in 1631 (395 years ago). It seems that building chimneys out of wood and thatch was a bad thing. Click Here

If you are not on the mailing list, please click here "Join the Mailing List" to automatically receive the monthly newsletter and timely updates. If you feel you have received this email by mistake, please see the bottom where you can remove yourself from the mailing list. 

Again, thank you. If you have suggestions for OFI, please email me any time. 

Sincerely,

Richard A. Rice, PE SE CBO

LinkedIn Profile

#forensicengineer

#mutualengineering

#mei

#expertwitness

Deposing the Adverse Expert Witness

This article provides a list on how to prepare to depose the adverse expert witness. It also provides a means to see if your adverse expert is worthy of a Daubert Challenge. Click Here

Home Depot to Start Selling Left-Handed Wall Insulation

It seems Hemp has been developed for material used in wall insulation. The phrase, "Three bundles of reefer", will have a whole new meaning. Click Here

Winner of "The Stupidest Exterior Wood Deck Design" Goes To...

Just when you thought you've seen the dumbest design ever, you get this.

Click Here

A Deep Dive into Daubert

For my readers who want to learn about the latest Daubert news, this article is for you. Click Here

Exterior Wood Deck Failures Kill People

We are in the middle of Exterior Wood Deck Failure season. One of the worst was in 2015. An exterior wood deck failure in Boston, MA killed six young adults and injured many others. Inspect your decks, people!!! Click Here

Expert referral companies have their place. However, the added referral fee on top of the expert's hourly rate can make using these experts prohibitive. Let me help you. I know hundreds of Board Certified Forensic Engineers from all disciplines. Please allow me to refer you to one of these vetted, court tested experts for your next insurance claim or legal matter. There is no charge to you! I do not receive a fee from anyone. This is my way of helping you and my Forensic Engineering colleagues. Please email me or call 404.395.7441. 

Note: No warranties, expressed or implied, are made to the suitability of any expert referred to you. Do your homework to make sure you have the right expert.

Richard A. Rice, PE SE CBO is President and Forensic Engineer for Mutual Engineering, Inc. - MEI. Because of 30+ years of continuous civil/structural design services, and his early and continued exposure to his friends and families many construction businesses, Mr. Rice is uniquely qualified to provide Civil/Structural Forensic Engineering services to the insurance, legal, and construction industries. Services include building design and construction, roadway design and construction, building inspection and code compliance, building/foundation collapse, construction site incidents, slip and fall investigations, and other property loss subjects. Mr. Rice is an ICC Building Code Official, a licensed professional engineer in many states, and a Fellow and Board Certified Diplomate of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers (NAFE). Mr. Rice has written a novel and numerous technical articles published in professional journals for NAFE, the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP), and the Georgia Defense Lawyer Association (GDLA). Please call/email Mr. Rice:

Richard A. Rice, PE SE CBO

Mutual Engineering, Inc. - MEI

13009 Panhandle Road

Hampton, GA 30228

(Phone): 404.395.7441

Email: mutual@bellsouth.net 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardaricepe/

Click Here for the CV of Richard A. Rice, PE SE CBO



Happy Semiquincentennial to the USA!!!