Electrical Failures and Causes of Fire

The Insurance Institute of Kendal is happy to announce that their next CPD event will focus on the topic of electrical failures and causes of fire.

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.

Learning Objectives

By attending this event, delegates will be able to 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

The seminar will be delivered by Greg Rogers from Burgoynes. Greg worked in the chemical industry specialising in determining the ignition and explosion characteristics of materials before joining Burgoynes in 2006.

He specialises in investigating fires, explosions and other incidents arising from the physical and chemical properties of substances, electrical faults, mechanical failures and the failure of safety systems and control systems, and chemical contamination assessments.

Greg has marine investigation experience, including super-yachts, ro-ro vessels, container carriers and gas carriers. Greg also has experience in the preparation of reports for courtroom purposes and has given evidence in connection with criminal proceedings.

Sandwiches and chips will be provided.