In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rajan Suwal, one of Nepal’s leading structural engineers, academics, and current President of the Structural Engineers’ Association of Nepal (SEANep). As an Associate Professor at the Institute of Engineering (IOE), Pulchowk Campus, Dr. Suwal shares invaluable insights into building safety, fire damage repair, and retrofitting techniques essential for Nepal’s urban future. He begins by analyzing the recent fire damage and explains how houses are inspected and repaired after such incidents. Dr. Suwal dives into the technical aspects of retrofitting—especially the process of repairing Singha Durbar and Parliament after the Gen-Z protest fires. The conversation covers construction grade selection (such as whether 25 grade is suitable for commercial or residential buildings) and how house grades and materials affect insurance claims. Furthermore, he breaks down the fire temperature data, the damage assessment process, and the lessons Nepal must learn from the damage to the Hilton Hotel during the protests. The discussion expands to earthquake-resistant design principles and building maintenance practices that can save both lives and infrastructure in the long run. If you’re an engineer, architecture student, homeowner, or policymaker, this episode is packed with expert insights on fire safety, retrofitting, and structural resilience in Nepal. GET CONNECTED WITH Dr. Rajan Suwal: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rajan.suwal.1/?_rdr LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajan-suwal-5aa9b434/?originalSubdomain=np Google Scholar - https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=d3nFYBsAAAAJ&hl=en
