Electrical Failures and Causes of Fire (Scotland) & Appliance Fires (Scotland)

The Insurance Institute of Perth and Dundee is delighted to announce we have secured not one but 2 speakers from Burgoynes Forensic Scientists to deliver 2 short talks at our next CPD lunch time session

Local Fire Brigades often attribute the causes of fires to electrical failures but is that always correct? By applying first principles to investigating electrical failures Burgoynes can determine whether fires were electrical in origin and the mechanism of ignition. The presentation includes the common types of electrical defects. Recent fires have been attributed to developing technology in generating and storing energy and the presentation will explain how fires can start and develop in modern types of batteries and photo-voltaic (PV) cells.

Over the last couple of decades there has been a dramatic increase in the numbers of white goods in domestic properties and we at Burgoynes have seen a corresponding increase of the number of fires involving these appliances. In the presentation, we will look at trends we are seeing during our investigations and will detail the underlying faults behind some of the well-publicised manufacturer recalls.

Learning Objectives
By attending this event, delegates will be able to describe/identify:

• Basic electrical knowledge
• Techniques and calculations used to determine whether a fire was electrical in nature
• Common electrical defects that can cause a fire and the evidence they can leave behind
• Insight into fires associated with developing technology for example, PV cells, batteries
• Trends in white goods fires
• Common causes of fire in appliances
• Knowledge of the current recalls
• The science behind the recalls

Our Speakers
Before joining Burgoynes in 2002, Graeme worked as a Consulting Engineer and has over 12 years’ experience in the design and the site supervision of a wide variety of electrical engineering installations for industrial and commercial sites. Since 2002, Graeme has investigated fires, explosions and engineering incidents on land and on marine vessels, both within the UK and overseas. Graeme has prepared reports for courtroom purposes and has given expert evidence in court and at arbitrations.

While studying for her Master’s degree, Hannah synthesised new organic compounds and investigated their properties using a number of analytical techniques. She went on to obtain a DPhil that focused on developing computer simulations to describe chemical reactions that are affected by magnetic fields. Hannah joined Burgoynes in 2012 and specialises in the investigation of fires and explosions.

Please note there will be a networking lunch for CII members only commencing at 12.30. Non members should arrive at 12.55.