F.E. Investigations Of Residential & Small Commercial Building Fuel Gas Systems Involved In Fires & Explosions

Abstract

After A Building Burns And/Or Explodes, A Fire Cause And Origin Investigation Is Often Requested To Investigate The Scene. During That Investigation, When The Suspicion Of The Involvement Of Fuel Gas Has Been Developed And The Area Of Origin Or Suspected Areas Of Origin Have Been Preliminarily Determined. A Forensic Engineer Is Frequently Called Upon. That Engineer Is Assigned The Task Of Inspecting The Building Fuel Gas System To Determine Any Causative Relationship Between That System And The Fire And/Or Explosion. The Responsibilities Of The Forensic Engineer Are To Work In Cooperation With The Fire Cause And Origin Investigator And To Limit Their Scope Of Work To The Areas Where They Possess The Required Expertise. The Responsibilities Of The Forensic Engineer Do Not Normally Include Performing A Fire Cause And Origin Investigation. The Purpose Of This Paper Is To Provide General Guidelines To The Forensic Engineer Who Is Requested To Inspect A Fire Scene Where A Residential And Small Commercial Building Fuel Gas System Is Suspected Of Being Involved In The Cause Of A Fire Or Explosion, Or Involved In The Spread Of A Fire. It Should Be Noted That Specific Conditions Might Exist At A Particular Fire Scene That Might Require The Engineer To Deviate From The Guidelines Described In This Paper. The Reason(S) For Justifying Any Deviation From Generally Accepted Guidelines Should Be Documented.