Christopher J. Reed, CFEI, MIFireE, MSc.Eng (Fire), P.Eng,
\nSereca Fire Consulting Ltd., British Columbia, Canada<\/p>\n
Presented at International Symposium on Fire Investigation, 2014<\/p>\n
ABSTRACT
\nFires occurring in marine environments present the fire investigator with unique challenges. The nature of the\u00a0marine environment presents an immediate safety hazard and introduces complications in suppression, scene\u00a0documentation, and evidence contamination. As the scene can sink or become submerged, fire patterns are obscured\u00a0and evidence can be lost, contaminated, or otherwise dispersed. Because the fire may occur in remote areas, within\u00a0boathouses or in close proximity to other boats, additional fuel, the environment, and suppression tactics can further\u00a0limit the investigator\u2019s ability to identify causation factors.<\/p>\n
Overall, the general site conditions, construction materials, and the specific electrical and mechanical systems leaves\u00a0the investigator wading through collapsed structures and sunken vessels, endless piles of burned fiberglass,\u00a0congealed plastics and melted aluminum, and a disarray of electrical, fuel, and mechanical systems all potentially\u00a0compromised further by salt water and oxidation not related to the fire. The interpretation of fire patterns is further\u00a0complicated by specific ventilation effects, fuel loads in different areas of the vessel, and the unusual progression of\u00a0the fire as it is obstructed or contained by bulkheads in the cabins and hull. The combination of lightweight materials\u00a0and the influence of venting from open hatches, port lights, or passageways can create fire patterns that could\u00a0mislead the investigator from the true origin and cause.<\/p>\n
This paper examines the process of conducting a marine fire investigation from securing sunken vessels to\u00a0evaluating common ignition scenarios in vessels and land based associated facilities. Investigation methodologies\u00a0outlined in NFPA 921 (2014) are reviewed and common failure modes of the various systems are categorized with\u00a0characteristic fire damage to assist in cause determination.<\/p>\n
Download the complete paper<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Christopher J. Reed, CFEI, MIFireE, MSc.Eng (Fire), P.Eng, Sereca Fire Consulting Ltd., British Columbia, Canada Presented at International Symposium on Fire Investigation, 2014 ABSTRACT Fires occurring in marine environments present the fire investigator with unique challenges. The nature of the\u00a0marine environment presents an immediate safety hazard and introduces complications in suppression, scene\u00a0documentation, and evidence contamination. … Continue reading The Anatomy of a Marine Fire Investigation<\/span>