Fire and Explosion Investigation

Fire and explosion investigation and the assessment of all issues arising as a consequence of a fire represent the largest sector of our work.  Our investigation range from small incidents involving domestic appliances to major catastrophes at complex industrial and petrochemical installations.

Services

Our large team of scientists and engineers is available to respond promptly to incidents worldwide. Several of our team are highly qualified academically in combustion and explosion science, and others in physics, chemistry, chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering. This spread of knowledge allows complex incidents requiring more than one discipline to be carried out in-house. We are experienced in the design and conduct of ad hoc tests on any scale, and in the use of standard tests, to investigate fire behaviour and ignition mechanisms. Our own laboratory is equipped to undertake routine fire and explosion tests. We can also comment on the applicability and the use of fire modelling.

Our library and information service comprises a unique collection of technical papers, textbooks, reference works, journals and portals to a wide range of databases.

The majority of our investigators have considerable experience as expert witnesses in both criminal and civil courts in the UK, and in several other countries. We are often appointed to act as single joint experts.

In recognition of their expertise and experience in fire and explosion investigation, individual members of our team were asked to:

· Chair a committee set up under the Government's new Arson Control Forum tasked with designing protocols and procedures for fire investigation nationally and producing new training schemes for the Fire Service, Scenes of Crimes Officers, Police and forensic scientists.

· Assist with the setting up of the Council for the Registration of Forensic Practitioners (CRFP). Serve on the committee of the CRFP which is tasked with assessing practitioners for technical competence in fire examination.

Experience

Fire investigation
Fire prevention
Fire precautions
Fire detection
Fire extinguishment
Fire risk assessment
Fire debris analysis
Compliance with Statutes, Codes and Regulations

Training

Experienced members of the team frequently lecture on fire and explosion science and scene examination at academic institutions, the Fire Service College and at International Conferences.