Remember, remember the 5th of November!

Explosions can result in very dramatic damage.  Sometimes that damage is localised to a relatively small area, e.g. a room or building where the explosion originated but sometimes the damage can have far reaching effects to neighbouring properties and businesses.  In this presentation we will seek to introduce some key scientific principles underlying why explosions happen, before going on to outline the main types of explosion that we encounter.   We will look at the evidence to be gathered, for example witness accounts and patterns of damage, and then demonstrate how that evidence can be used to determine the type and source of the fuel for the explosion and potential sources of ignition.  We will also consider briefly the measures that can, and are, taken to reduce the risk of explosion in high risk environments.  This presentation will be illustrated by a number of case studies of actual investigations undertaken by Burgoynes.

Having attended this session, participates should gain

• An understanding of the key scientific principles underlying why explosions happen
• An overview of the main categories of explosion and when they might occur
• An appreciation for the type of evidence that is useful in investigating an explosion
• An awareness of the circumstances that lead to an enhanced or reduced risk of explosions occurring

Hannah joined Burgoynes in 2012 and specialises in the investigation of fires, explosions and chemical incidents. Since then, she has investigated more than 500 incidents both in the UK and overseas. These have included fires and explosions in a wide variety of industrial, commercial, agricultural and domestic premises, as well as incidents on marine vessels. In addition, Hannah has been involved in a number of personal injury cases involving chemical incidents, and has undertaken the assessment of contamination following fires and other incidents. Although mostly based in Glasgow, Hannah has undertaken two secondments to work from our Singapore office.