Fire and Explosion Investigation
We offer fire, explosion, and toxicological investigation and litigation support for small and large-scale losses. With several decades of experience identifying responsibility for extent of loss through evaluation of buildings, systems, and/or operations/processes, we manage all aspects of fire investigation from origin and cause of the fire to origin and cause of the loss, also analyzing duty, breach, and damages. We are experts in the following areas:
- NFPA 921 and Investigative Methodology
- Fire Chemistry, Fire Dynamics, and Fire Modeling
- Fire Detection, Suppression, and Life Safety Systems
- Building Construction and Code Compliance/Deficiencies
- Electrically-Initiated Fires
- Human Behavior in Fire
- Casual Factors in Fire Deaths and Injuries
- Fire and Combustion Toxicology
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Incidents
- Impact of Fire/Smoke on People and the Environment
- Drugs and Alcohol Impairment in Accidental Deaths
- Litigation Support
Through established partnerships with local laboratories, we also offer product failure analysis, fire reconstruction testing, evidence examination, and evidence storage.
Fire Science and Toxicological Research
We develop and execute complex research plans aimed at addressing emerging issues in fire protection engineering and toxicological sciences. Our combined experience in fire prevention and fire investigation has uniquely equipped us with the ability to comprehensively identify deficiencies in existing practices and recognize areas of potential improvements in technology and existing processes. We have access to laboratories that can conduct small and large-scale experiments to study fire behavior of materials/products.
We are dedicated to improving fire safety through focused research efforts in the following areas:
- Human Behavior in Fire and Casual Factors in Fire Deaths and Injuries
- Fire Service Occupational Safety and Health- Impacts of Exposure to Contaminants
- Material Combustion Toxicity & Human/Environmental Impacts in Built-Environment and Wildland
- Human Health & Environmental Impacts of Fire-Related Products, e.g., PFAS in foam and firefighter gear
- Human Health & Environmental Impacts from Emerging Technologies, e.g., Battery Energy Storage Systems
- Fire Investigation Methodology and Tools
- Fire Protection System Improvements and Innovation
Our clients range from government entities to private corporations who share the same desire to reduce deaths, injuries, and property loss resulting from fires.
Fire Protection Engineering
We offer a broad range of expertise in fire protection engineering including traditional design and construction support services, performance-based approaches to tackle unique and complex projects, analysis of breach of contract claims related to design and construction of fire protection and life safety systems. We specialize in emerging technologies such as Energy Storage Systems, Fluorinated foam alternatives, and Wildland Urban Interface risk assessment and mitigation and provide expertise in Fire protection design; Code consulting; Due diligence and risk analysis; Modeling and tenability; Contract breach and errors and omissions claims, and more.
Our specialized services include:
- Fire Suppression, Detection, and Life Safety Systems Design
- Performance-Based Design
- Fire Modeling
- Occupant Tenability Analysis
- Third Party Plan Review and Constructability Analysis
- Code Consulting
- Due Diligence and Risk Assessments
- Phased Inspections, Acceptance Testing, and Commissioning Services
- Litigation Support for Breach of Contract Claims related to Fire Protection and Life Safety
Fire Investigation Training
We offer a full range of fire investigation and safety training seminars and can customize the experience to support your professional development needs, whether it be online or face-to-face training spanning a few hours to a few days.
Course topics include, but are not limited to:
- NFPA 921 and the Scientific Method
- Understanding Fire Growth and Spread – The Basics of Fire Science
- Fire Protection Systems – Post-Fire Analysis
- The Use of Forensic Toxicology in Fire Death and Injury Investigation
- Investigative Methods in Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Incidents
- The Role of Alcohol and Drugs in Fire Deaths and Injuries
- Pain and Suffering in Fire Victims
- Occupational Safety and Health in Fire Investigation