Contamination Assessment

       

Fires and escapes of chemicals frequently result in the contamination of surrounding equipment and facilities.  Burgoynes' specialist in materials, corrosion, electrical engineering and restoration can provide advice and assistance on the following:

  • The types of equipment  most at risk of damage due to contamination.
  • Detailed site surveys to determine the type and extent of the contamination.
  • Whether or not equipment can be cleaned.
  • The best methods of cleaning and restoration.
  • Whether or not there is any residual risk subsequent to cleaning.
  • Whether or not the contamination was caused by the insured event or pre-dated the incident.

Contamination Due to Fires

Soot and other combustion products always contaminate equipment during fires.  The most damaging contaminants are chloride and bromide, which are incorporated into many polymeric materials.  PVC is the most common material used in the manufacture of electrical cable insulation.  When PVC burns chloride is released as hydrogen chloride gas, which reacts readily with moisture to form hydrochloride acid.  Even a relatively small fire can result in considerable contamination by chloride and or bromide.

Contamination Due to Escapes of Chemicals

Corrosive chemicals are used in many manufacturing processes, either as raw materials or for preparing surfaces.  If any escapes occurs, equipment and facilities can be contaminated, not only at the incident premises but also neighbouring sites, giving rise to third-party claims.

How Burgoynes Can Help

Burgoynes can carry out analyses to determine quickly whether contamination has occurred.  A detailed survey can then be carried out to determine the full extent of the contamination and to establish whether all of the contamination is attributable to the incident.  Using our expertise in the fields of materials science, corrosion, electrical engineering and remediation we can then advise on the likely risks to equipment and how cleaning, restoration  and repair could mitigate those risks.  We can also prioritise the cleaning tasks. 

With experts located in our offices in the UK and Singapore, we can respond promptly, often attending sites within 24 hours of being instructed.  We can determine the extent of contamination so that swift remedial action can be initiated.

Principal Contact

Ian Wadsworth, Northern Office