Fire Investigation

FIRE INVESTIGATION

Fire Origin and Cause:

Investigative Engineers Association (I-ENG-A®) member firms, which consist of professional engineering firms, each receive specialized training in fire investigation as they come on board with the association.  The expertise a professional engineer combined with our training which focuses on the scientific method, adheres to  current standards.  The qualifications of a professional engineer are above and beyond designations that do not require college educations and backgrounds in fire science.

Investigative Engineers Association member firms perform fire investigations for a wide variety of cases including:

  • Automobile Fires / Stolen Recovered
  • Fire Origin and Cause Investigation
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Electrical Appliance and/or Wiring
  • Equipment Malfunctions
  • Fireplace or Furnace
  • Fires and Explosions
  • Heating Equipment and System Failures
  • Industrial Equipment Failures /Malfunctions
  • Marine Fire Investigations

Initial Investigations:

The investigation begins with a visual overview.  A site inspection is performed for point of origin determination, mapping, interviewing, and photographic survey.  Physical evidence should, if possible, be retrieved and preserved for laboratory testing.

Analysis:

Suspected evidence is researched and tested to narrow the search and isolate the cause of the fire. Examinations of components may be performed to determine the cause of any malfunctions, improper installation, lack of servicing, or careless use or abuse of equipment. Operating temperature profiles of equipment and devices must be found.   Samples may need to be analyzed by a laboratory to determine the presence of an accelerant.

Sample for Accelerant Test
Sample for Accelerant Test

Conclusions:

Investigative Engineers Association members leverage profound expert knowledge from within their own companies as well as other experts in member firms throughout North America. The result is the generation of an easily-understood written document produced from knowledge rather than supposition, stating the cause/origin relationship of a particular fire.  If the evidence can be found, the scientific  I-ENG-A®  approach will reveal it.

Contact Investigative Engineers Association for the best in fire investigation: