Failure & Forensics
Fire, Explosion & Forensic Engineering
Multidisciplinary fire and explosion investigation capability focused on evidence preservation, cause hypotheses, equipment, process and control contributions, reconstruction and technically defensible reporting. BlackOut Power assembles the appropriate specialist mix based on the event.
- UEI
- ZR3PJZEA7A21
- CAGE
- 174X8
- Independence
- Findings challenged before release
- Deployment
- Remote response within 24 hours
What This Discipline Covers
Scope of the technical capability.
Multidisciplinary fire and explosion investigation capability focused on evidence preservation, cause hypotheses, equipment, process and control contributions, reconstruction and technically defensible reporting. BlackOut Power assembles the appropriate specialist mix based on the event.
- Fire and explosion evidence review
- Cause hypothesis development
- Incident reconstruction
- Equipment failure contribution
- Process contribution
- Controls and electrical contribution
- Documentation and expert report support
Problems The Technical Lead Solves
The questions this discipline is engaged to answer.
- 01
Industrial fires
- 02
Explosions
- 03
Equipment origin incidents
- 04
Property loss investigations
- 05
Insurance claims
- 06
Litigation technical support
Equipment And Systems
Assets this Technical Lead has worked on directly.
- Industrial plants
- Machinery
- Pressure systems
- Electrical systems
- Process equipment
- Buildings and infrastructure
Industries And Environments
Operating environments where this experience was built.
- Industrial and process
- Power
- Oil and gas
- Insurance and claims
- Legal disputes
Diagnostic And Investigation Methods
How the technical work is actually performed.
- Evidence preservation and chain of custody
- Field examination and dimensional verification
- Fractography and damage mechanism assessment
- Root cause and root cause failure analysis
- Hypothesis testing against operating data
- Engineering calculation and fitness for service screening
Tools Capability
The platforms, instruments and measurement methods used on assignments.
These platforms, instruments and methods are used to produce evidence that holds up under audit, underwriting review and cross examination.
Fire and Explosion Analysis
Fire dynamics and zone modeling, including FDS
Fire growth, heat release and smoke movement reconstruction.
PHAST and FLACS
Release, dispersion, fire and explosion overpressure modeling correlated to observed damage.
Arc flash and electrical ignition assessment
Evaluation of electrical sources as ignition origin.
Origin, Cause and Method
NFPA 921 and NFPA 1033 methodology
Systematic origin and cause determination with documented hypothesis testing.
Fault tree analysis and Apollo Root Cause Analysis
Formal elimination of alternative ignition and escalation scenarios.
Barrier and change analysis
Assessment of which detection, suppression or isolation barrier failed and why.
3D Capture and Scene Documentation
3D laser scanning and photogrammetry
Scene geometry and damage patterns preserved before the site is cleared.
Drone survey of fire and blast damage
Overall damage extent and directional indicators recorded from above.
High speed and time lapse video review
Sequence evidence from CCTV, plant cameras and recovered footage.
Remote and Laboratory Examination
Borescope and robotic access into damaged plant
Internal examination where the structure is unsafe to enter.
Laboratory examination of recovered evidence
Component, material and residue examination under chain of custody.
Evidence Handling and Dispute Support
Chain of custody, evidence logging and spoliation protocol
Preservation of physical evidence to a standard that survives challenge by other parties.
Joint examination and exhibit preparation
Coordinated inspection with insurers, counsel and other experts, documented throughout.
BlackOut Power / TerraTolga Proprietary Capability
- Engineering Records Intelligence
Maintenance, permit, alarm and inspection records reconciled against the fire or explosion sequence.
- FMECA Engine
Systematic review of ignition, escalation and protection failure modes across the affected system.
- TerraTolga PDF / Vault Compare
Revision comparison of drawings and procedures where a change preceded the loss.
Codes And Standards
Frameworks applied to the analysis.
- ASME BPVC Sections I, V, VIII and IX
- ASME B31.1 and B31.3
- API 579 fitness for service
- API 510, 570 and 653
- NFPA 921 and NFPA 70E where applicable
- NFPA 921 and NFPA 1033
- ASTM E1188 and ASTM E620 evidence and expert practice
Credentials And Qualification
The professional basis for this discipline.
- 01
Degreed engineering background with industrial operating experience
- 02
Professional engineering registration or equivalent recognized credentials
- 03
Code and standards qualification relevant to the equipment examined
- 04
Expert report and testimony experience in disputed matters
Representative Professional Experience
Assignment types this discipline supports.
- 01
Root cause investigation of a catastrophic rotating equipment failure with recovery planning
- 02
Forensic assessment of pressure boundary rupture including metallurgical and operational analysis
- 03
Multidisciplinary loss investigation coordinating mechanical, electrical, and process specialists
- 04
Independent review of an opposing technical opinion in a contested claim
Assignment descriptions are generalized to protect client confidentiality. Specific references can be discussed during scoping where permissions allow.
Multidisciplinary Interfaces
Disciplines this work commonly coordinates with.
- Mechanical & RCA
- Process
- Electrical
- Controls
- Materials
- Reliability
- Inspection
Discuss a fire & explosion assignment.
Initial conversations are confidential and without obligation. We will confirm independence before scope is discussed.