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Fires & Explosions

EDT provides expert forensic engineering to determine the origin, cause, and contributing factors of fires and explosions. From ignition sources and fire dynamics to explosive events in industrial settings, our multidisciplinary teams deliver clear, scientifically defensible analysis. Whether investigating residential, commercial, manufacturing, or heavy industrial losses, we help clients understand what happened, why it happened, and how to prevent future incidents.

Assessing the Damage

Buildings & Structures—Residential and commercial buildings, bridges and dams, maritime facilities
Energy Infrastructure—Power plants, pipelines, coal mines, offshore platforms, refineries
Machinery & Equipment—HVAC equipment, electrical equipment, agricultural and heavy equipment, appliances
Marine—Cargo, engine rooms, fuel storage areas, fuel tanks, oil leaks
Industrial Facilities, Systems & Processes—Manufacturing plants, chemical plants, electrical systems
Vehicles—Passenger and commercial vehicles, railways, aircraft, boats

Finding the Cause

We'll help you understand where the fire originated and evaluate the immediate and underlying causes.

Electrical Failures—Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, appliance or equipment failures
Heating Systems—HVAC systems, furnaces, boilers, space heaters
Chemical Reactions—Unsafe practices, incompatible substances
Human Factors—Negligence, inadequate safety measures, arson
Combustible Materials—Flammable substances and their storage and handling, gas leaks
Structural Failures—Compromised fire protection systems, inadequate compartmentalization, collapse of load-bearing elements

Forensic Engineering for Fires & Explosions

For Fires & Explosions

Our professional experts provide fire investigation forensics, examining fire patterns, fire scene evidence, ignition sources, and more as well as explosive forensics which can involve industrial explosions, explosive devices, blast dynamics, and more.

Origin & Cause

Origin - Our forensic experts will help you understand the origin—the specifics behind where the fire or explosion initiated (or originated).

Cause - We'll help you determine the cause—the immediate factor or factors that led to a fire or explosion. Mechanical failures, code violations, or human errors are all examples of causes we assess.

Technology & Lab Testing
Our investigation can include laboratory examinations of fire debris and equipment to determine a more defined cause of the fire. We also use our technical expertise to examine:

Combustion
Flammability
Chemistry
Heat transfer
Thermodynamics
Alarm systems
Accelerant analysis
Construction techniques
Digital X-Ray imaging for non-destructive internal evaluation of fire-damaged components

Codes & Standards Interpretation
Knowledge of codes and standards provides a means for assessing the cause of a fire or explosion and the effectiveness of fire protection measures that did or did not exist at the time of the incident.

Codes:

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA 921
NFPA 1033
National Electric Code (NEC)

Scope of Damage/Cost of Repairs
Scope of Damage/Value of Loss - We help identify and quantify the physical damage, interpret the sequence of damage, and differentiate between damage that existed before the loss.

Cost of Repairs - Based on our assessment, we can provide recommendations to repair or remediate the damage. This includes cost details like material estimates, labor costs, and other expenses. And it can also detail instructions for repairs, materials to use, and fire safety improvements to make.

Loss Investigation & Multi-Disciplinary Teams
Choose EDT when you need a complete solution for complex losses. Our wide range of forensic engineering expertise means we can help you assess fire damage to structures, equipment, wiring, machinery, vehicles, marine vessels, and more.

We have 40+ years of experience in the industry and a deep roster of professional engineers to help you handle large loss claims and in-depth investigations. When fires and explosions happen in or near pipelines, fleets, warehouses, industrial facilities, and more, we can deploy multi-disciplinary teams with ease.

When working with a multi-disciplinary EDT team, an Engineer in Charge manages the file and coordinates with multiple engineering disciplines to offer you comprehensive and seamless forensic engineering services.