Fire & Explosion Investigations
Arcon’s fire and explosion investigators have completed thousands of investigations involving residential, industrial & commercial properties, household and recreational products as well as automobiles, trucks and heavy equipment. Our investigators are qualified to the highest industry standards and regularly attend educational seminars to remain apprised of emerging methodologies and standards. The results of their work is used by insurers, lawyers and manufacturers to settle claims, invoke subrogation and establish liability.
Performing a thorough fire or explosion investigation requires proper methodology and the application of experience that comes from exposure to a wide range of incidents. Whether the fire or explosion originated by human error or intention, electrical fault, lightning, chemical reaction or mechanical means, our experts have the resources to fully investigate its origin & cause. The ability to utilize the expertise of Arcon’s mechanical, electrical and structural engineers in complex investigations provides added value for our clients.
Building Fires & Explosions
The sources of fires & explosions in residential, commercial and industrial structures are many. Some of the more common sources are:
- electrical faults
- heating sources
- chemical reactions
- human intervention
Electrical faults arise from a wide range of sources including extension cords used to power appliances, faulty electric panel breakers, and overloaded circuits. The inappropriate use of electrical products, improper installation & maintenance of fixtures or manufacturing defects contribute to the likelihood of an electrically-ignited fire.
Heating sources utilizing a flame to burn fuel such as propane or natural gas can be a source of fires and explosions. Other heating sources such as wood stoves, fireplaces and electric or oil heaters also contribute to the many residential fires seen each year.
Chemical reactions can originate from something as simple as solvent soaked rags left in a pile in a garage or as a result of a more complex conditions such is required for a Lithium ion battery combustion.
Human intervention is all-encompassing and is usually part of the series of events leading to a fire related to an electrical fault, heating source ignition or chemical reaction. These human interventions can be innocent, ignorant or devious.
In commercial and industrial settings, the common sources of residential fires and explosions exist along with mechanical sources related to manufacturing processes.
Vehicle and Heavy Equipment Fires
Vehicle fires can arise from a collision, from mechanical and electrical failures or be intentionally set. The potentially complex mixture of ignition sources associated with vehicle fires requires a specialist in this type of investigation.
Our investigations cover every possible ignition source and go beyond the obvious.
We look at vehicle recall histories, vehicle maintenance and modification work as well as possible ignition sources common in arson investigations.
Fires are not unique to gas or diesel powered vehicles. Electric vehicles are also susceptible to fires. The electrical nature of the charging apparatus presents another possible ignition source.
Our experts in electrical and structural engineering are available to support Arcon’s vehicle fire investigators for fires involving buildings or unique electrical circumstances.
Equipment & Appliance Fires
Where electrically powered products are thought to have been the source of ignition of a fire or explosion, rest assured that our team’s extensive experience with a wide variety of fire investigations related to household appliances, recreational products, industrial machinery & HVAC components will lead to the most comprehensive analysis possible.
As these types of investigations commonly involve multiple parties, our experts take the utmost care to avoid claims of spoliation whether examining the item in-situ or in a laboratory setting. Arcon has the capability to coordinate and host testing in its head office laboratory.
