Mission Critical / HVAC Expert Witness Services

Clear Opinions. Strong Support

About Us

I’m Tyler Colwell, P.E., a Nevada-licensed mechanical engineer (active since 1993). I support litigation teams with independent engineering investigation and analysis on matters involving HVAC/MEP systems, mission-critical/data center cooling, and code/standard-of-care issues.

My expert work to date has focused on investigations, technical analysis, and written reports to help counsel evaluate liability and causation issues and present the engineering with clarity. I approach each matter with first-principles rigor, careful record review, and plain-English communication.

Services

Colwell ECS provides independent mechanical engineering analysis and litigation support for disputes involving HVAC/MEP systems, mission-critical/data center cooling, building/energy code compliance, and mechanical failures. I am a Nevada-licensed Professional Engineer (active since 1993) with an NCEES Record, and I bring decades of hands-on engineering experience to matters where technical clarity and defensible reasoning are essential.

My litigation-related work to date has been focused on investigation, technical analysis, and written reporting—helping counsel understand the engineering issues, evaluate strengths and risks, and develop a clear technical narrative supported by the project record and engineering fundamentals. (When needed, I also support counsel in preparing for expert discovery and presentation of technical issues.)

Core services for litigation teams

Case intake and technical issue framing (plaintiff or defense) based on first-principles engineering
Document review & analysis (plans/specs, submittals, RFIs, change history, TAB, commissioning, O&M, code documentation)
Standard of care / code compliance analysis (UMC/IMC/IBC, UFC, ASHRAE, Title 24 and related energy requirements)
Failure investigation & causation analysis for HVAC/mechanical performance shortfalls and equipment/system failures
Written technical reports designed to be clear, organized, and well-supported for litigation use

Relevant engineering background that strengthens the analysis

Designed and specified power/cooling infrastructure for 100+ energy-efficient U.S. data centers, with economization and efficiency strategies tied to real-world constructability and compliance
Designed and specified HVAC systems for commercial and federal facilities
Performed machinery diagnostics and failure investigations (rotating equipment, vibration/rotor dynamics) and published research with findings incorporated into industry standards
Consulting experience on select litigation matters involving HVAC failure analysis, code disputes, and data center cooling design issues

Examples of matters analyzed (selected)

Commercial facility dispute: chiller/air handler failure analysis
Federal facility dispute: HVAC integration analysis
Data center cooling dispute: Intellectual property / patent infringement between two major OEM cooling system providers