Rob joined Burgoyne Incorporated as an Associate in 1999 and became a Partner in 2003. Since 1999 he has been continuously engaged in the investigation of major fires, explosions and incidents of mechanical failure. He has undertaken over 300 investigations and has been required to attend court to give expert testimony. He is based in the firm’s Atlanta office and has undertaken investigations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. 

His principal areas of work are the investigation of fires, explosions and incidents of an engineering nature and the presentation of expert testimony in civil court and to arbitration tribunals. He has investigated fires, explosions and other catastrophic incidents arising from the physical and chemical properties of substances, the mechanical properties of structures, fluid dynamics and thermodynamic phenomena.

Fires investigated have involved power and chemical plants; industrial, commercial and residential premises; marine vessels, aircraft and automotive vehicles. Advice has also been provided on fighting marine fires.

Explosions investigated included chemical plants, silos, pumps, commercial buildings and marine vessels and have involved the combustion of vapour, liquid and solid phase fuels, as well as hydraulics, steam and pneumatics.

Mechanical failure investigations have included interstate pipelines, pressure vessels, hydraulic systems, ocean going ships and reciprocating engines and have involved fatigue cracking, corrosion, improper welding, concealed damage and improper operation.

Computer modelling has been conducted as part of several investigations to predict the likely development of fires and gas cloud dispersion given multiple sets of potential initial conditions.

Rob has lectured on the maritime carriage of hazardous bulk cargos and on the capabilities of the forensic engineer in the litigation of yacht and marina fires before the Ft. Lauderdale Mariners Club in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He is also a registered professional engineer in the state of Georgia and a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.