 NFPA 921 Section 6-5
Specialized Personnel and Technical Consultants
[interFIRE VR Note: Tables and Figures have not been reproduced.]
6-5 Specialized Personnel and Technical Consultants. In planning
a fire investigation, specialized personnel may be needed to provide technical
assistance. There are many different facets to fire investigation. If unfamiliar
with a particular aspect, the investigator should never hesitate to call
in another fire investigative expert who has more knowledge or experience
in a particular aspect of the investigation. For example, there are some
experts who specialize in explosions.
Sources for these specialized personnel/experts include colleges or universities,
government agencies (federal, state, and local), societies or trade groups,
consulting firms, and others. When bringing in specialized personnel, it
is important to remember that conflict of interest should be avoided. Identification
of special personnel in advance is recommended. The following paragraphs
list examples of professional or specific engineering and scientific disciplines
along with areas where these personnel may help the fire investigator. This
section is not intended to list all sources for these specialized personnel
and technical consultants.
It should be kept in mind that fire investigation is a specialized field.
Those individuals not specifically trained and experienced in the discipline
of fire investigation and analysis, even though they may be expert in related
fields, may not be well qualified to render opinions regarding fire origin
and cause. In order to offer origin and cause opinions, additional training
or experience is generally necessary.
6-5.1. Materials Engineer or Scientist. A person in this field
can provide specialized knowledge about how materials react to different
conditions, including heat and fire. In the case of metals, someone with
a metallurgical background may be able to answer questions about corrosion,
stress, failure or fatigue, heating, or melting. A polymer scientist or
chemist may offer assistance regarding how plastics react to heat and other
conditions present during a fire and regarding the combustion and flammability
properties of plastics.
6-5.2. Mechanical Engineer. A mechanical engineer may be needed
to analyze complex mechanical systems or equipment, including heating, ventilation,
and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, especially how these systems may have
affected the movement of smoke within a building. The mechanical engineer
may also be able to perform strength-of-material tests.
6-5.3. Electrical Engineer. An electrical engineer may provide
information regarding building fire alarm systems, energy systems, power
supplies, or other electrical systems or components. An electrical engineer
may assist by quantifying the normal operating parameters of a particular
system and determining failure modes.
6-5.4. Chemical Engineer/Chemist. A chemical engineer has education
in chemical processes, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer. When a fire involves
chemicals, a chemical process, or a chemical plant, the chemical engineer
may help the investigator identify and analyze possible failure modes.
A chemist has extensive education in the identification and analysis
of chemicals and may be used by the investigator in identifying a particular
substance found at a fire scene. The chemist may be able to test a substance
to determine its chemical and physical reaction to heat. When there are
concerns about toxicity or the human reaction to chemicals or chemical decomposition
products, a chemist, biochemist, or microbiologist should be consulted by
the investigator.
6-5.5. Fire Science and Engineering. Within the field of fire
science and engineering, there are a number of areas of special expertise
that can provide advice and assistance to the investigator.
6-5.5.1. Fire Protection Engineer. Fire protection engineering
encompasses all the traditional engineering disciplines in the science and
technology of fire and explosions. The fire protection engineer deals with
the relationship of ignition sources to materials in determination of what
may have started the fire. He or she is also concerned with the dynamics
of fire, and how it affects various types of materials and structures. The
fire protection engineer should also have knowledge of how fire detection
and suppression systems (e.g., smoke detectors, automatic sprinklers, or
halon systems) function and be able to assist in the analysis of how a system
may have failed to detect or extinguish a fire. The complexity of fire often
requires the fire protection engineer to use many of the other engineering
and scientific disciplines to study how a fire starts, grows, and goes out.
Additionally, a fire protection engineer should be able to provide knowledge
of building and fire codes, fire test methods, fire performance of materials,
computer modeling of fires, and failure analysis.
6-5.5.2. Fire Engineering Technologist. Individuals with bachelor
of science degrees in fire engineering technology, fire and safety engineering
technology, or a similar discipline, or recognized equivalent, typically
have studied fire dynamics and fire science; fire and arson investigation,
fire suppression technology, fire extinguishment tactics, and fire department
management; fire protection; fire protection structures and systems design;
fire prevention; hazardous materials; applied upper-level mathematics and
computer science; fire-related human behavior; safety and loss management;
fire and safety codes and standards; and fire science research.
6-5.5.3. Fire Engineering Technician. Individuals with associate
of science level degrees in fire and safety engineering technology or similar
disciplines, or recognized equivalent, typically may have studied fire dynamics
and fire science; fire and arson investigation; fire suppression technology,
tactics, and management; fire protection; fire protection structures and
systems design; fire prevention; hazardous materials; mathematics and computer
science topics; fire-related human behavior; safety and loss management;
fire and safety codes and standards; or fire science research.
6-5.6. Industry Expert. When the investigation involves a specialized
industry, piece of equipment, or processing system, an expert in that field
may be needed to fully understand the processes involved. Experience with
the specific fire hazards involved and the standards or regulations associated
with the industry and its equipment and processes can provide valuable information
to the investigator. Industry experts can be found within companies, trade
groups, or associations.
6-5.7. Attorney. An attorney can provide needed legal assistance
with regard to rules of evidence, search and seizure laws, gaining access
to a fire scene, and obtaining court orders.
6-5.8. Insurance Agent/Adjuster. An insurance agent or adjuster
may be able to provide the investigator with information concerning the
building and its contents prior to the fire, fire protection systems in
the building, and the condition of those systems. Additional information
regarding insurance coverage and prior losses may be available.
6-5.9. Canine Teams. Trained canine/handler teams may assist
investigators in locating areas for collection of samples for laboratory
analysis to identify the presence of ignitible liquids.
6-6.* Case Management. A method should be employed to organize
the information generated throughout the investigation and to coordinate
the efforts of the various people involved. This topic of case management
is addressed in the context of major loss investigations in Chapter 16 of
this guide. It is also the focus of some of the reference material listed
at the back of this guide.
For more information, contact:
The NFPA Library at (617) 984-7445 or e-mail library@nfpa.org
 Taken from NFPA 921Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations
1998 Edition, copyright © National Fire Protection Association,
1998. This material is not the complete and official position of the NFPA
on the referenced subject, which is represented only by the standard in
its entirety.
Used by permission.
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