Re: Hey Jim M. - One Question
Jim,
I understand that to some cajuns english is a second language so I will reiterate and type slowly:
NFPA 921 IS NOT A MANDATORY DOCUMENT.
It is not intended to be so by the NFPA. It is intended by the NFPA to be "...a model for the advancement and practice of fire and explosion investigation, fire science, technology, and methodology." (1.2.1)
This is despite your injecting your PERSONAL opinion that its status as the "standard of care" for fire investigation may make it so.
An incompetent investigator will not be arrested if he does not follow 921. He will not be taken out into an alley and beaten by the "921 death squad." He will, however, probably have to answer for the decision in some litigation setting (e.g. beaten up in court).
Pat Kennedy, CFEI, CFPS, MIFireE
Fire and Explosion Analyst
Sarasota, Florida
[
www.kennedy-fire.com]