John Allum

John Allum joined the Stevenage office of Dr J H Burgoyne & Partners LLP, as an Associate in 2001 and transferred to Hong Kong in 2004.

He has a degree in Analytical Chemistry from Plymouth University and a PhD in Emulsion Explosives from the Royal Military College of Science (Cranfield University). As a Research Fellow at the College, he investigated accidental initiation mechanisms for condensed phase explosives. He is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institute of Explosive Engineers and is a qualified quarry explosives shot firer.

He has been involved in the investigation of a significant number of fire/explosion incidents worldwide, ranging from small domestic premises to large industrial plants. He has also provided advice on the storage and use of damaged explosives and the appropriate use of explosives in wreck removal.

He has investigated a wide variety of marine incidents on ships and yachts, including fires in containers, engine rooms and bulk cargoes. John has also provided advice on ‘live’ ship fires involving cargoes such as coal and agricultural products, and dealt with a number of ship contamination cases – including taking samples and interpreting analytical results – to identify appropriate methods of cleaning and supervising the clean-up. His significant experience of agricultural bulk cargo claims, includes determining causes of product deterioration and advice on the carriage and care of the cargo. This work involves supervising surveyors, agricultural scientists and sampling experts as well as providing reports suitable for use in both local courts and London Arbitrations. Advice has also been provided on IMDG CODE and BC CODE cargoes, including chemical and dangerous cargoes.

John has delivered lectures to the students of the Forensic Engineering Masters degree at Cranfield University, to the Motor Vehicle Insurance Bureau, the Hong Kong Medico-legal Society, Taiwan Insurance Insitiute and the Hong Kong Nautical Institute.