Can speak for the IAAI process, but under NAFI one must certify that they have extensive experience in fire investigation. If someone is merely taking a 40 hour class and then applying to sit for the NAFI certification test, they are being dishonest.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Have you looked in Ignition Handbook?
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Remember the author of that publication claiming that he could determine the cause of any fire. He is also one that claimed that a fire investigator had no need to understand building codes, fire codes, building construction and fire protection systems as these subjects had nothing whatsoever to do with fire investigation.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

I was specifically referring to this as a potential source for the information that Jim was seeking: "The third type of failure is the one most likely to cause a fire. If the resistance in a failed MOV is low, but not zero, the current through the failed MOV hovers at about 8 amps, and the MOV consistently dissipates about 960 watts of energy.11 The heat generated can quickly damage and p
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Check out this paper. There is a discussion of the MOV issue and the name of an individual who has conducted testing.
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Don't have specific test data handy, but to have first hand experience. Older Ford Econoline van, which overheats. Hood raised, obvious broken hose and overheated engine. Hood closed and vehicle owner transported from the site. Within 5 minutes after leaving site, the engine compartment ignited. FYI: I was the person who stopped to assist the motorist, the one who opened the hood
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

In residential, the NEC has very specific locations for electrical outlets. In other occupancies, there is no specified number, just sufficient for the loads.
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Can say without reservation that this is not taught in any of fire investigation, fire dynamics or fire modeling classes at the NFA.
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What John said!.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Anyone had an incident where a GE electric stove had control failure which allowed an eye to come on at random?
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

These sections from NFPA 921 should help. 25.2.1* Carbon Monoxide. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced at some level in virtually every fire. All carbon-based fuels (e.g., wood, paper products, plastics) produce carbon monoxide as a result of incomplete combustion. During burning of organic fuels, CO is initially formed and then subsequently oxidized to carbon dioxide (CO2). In underventila
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Jim, I just strikes me as an attempt to use information regarding motive and/or opportunity establish, as some point in time, that the fire was incendiary even though there is no "evidence" to support that conclusion.
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Very much.
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Absolutely!
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Those "chairs" burn with an extremely high HRR. Several years ago in some test burns in Pelham, Alabama we used one of those "chairs" as the only fuel load in a bedroom. It along drove that room to flashover with very little of the chair left.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Anyone have a copy of or a link for the latest decision in this case issued by Cumberland County Judge Edward Guido last month?
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Will be back at the NFA in a couple of weeks and will see what I can find out.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

I can say without reservation, that what is actually taught in the R0206 Fire Arson Origin and Cause class at the NFA is taken directly from NFPA 921. It is made crystal clear that all dog hits, must be confirmed by a lab. It is made clear that the canine is only a tool and that working the scene completely and systematically is still the responsibility of the scene investigator. This same
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Sir Gary, the important question is did the moles (gophers) survive?
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Dr. Hurst was clearly a leader in our profession. I had the honor and privilege of working with him a several matters over the years. His dedication to improving our profession through science was unquestionable.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Appears to have the basic characteristics of a ionization device.
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I thought that they put a date code on the bottom.
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Were the samples ever retested, or the GC results reevaluated?
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Looks like what we call here in the states a "tankless" instant on water heater. Sir Gary you are correct in that water flow is necessary for the burn to fire and remain on - of course that assuming that there was no failure of any of the controls.
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More likely than not
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Same old BS that keeps on getting repeated over and over. The life safety of the public would be so much better served if everyone's efforts were directed towards ensuring that every home had properly installed, tested, maintained and OPERABLE smoke alarm(s).
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

FYI to all who read this and use this forum. Richard Taylor is a plaintiff attorney out of Mobile Alabama who, along with his experts, pursues the ionization is bad approach. He is one of the attorneys who is involved in the class action suit against all of the smoke alarm manufacturers.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Sir Gary, your first incident is consistent with what I have posted about the potential competent ignition sources being within the refrigerator compartment as opposed to being the compressor. The second incident is also consistent with this and further shows why there are specifically tested and listed laboratory grade refrigerators and freezers.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

While the freezer compartment should maintain a temperature below 31 degrees F, without the freezer being full of contents, the freezer compartment temperature would tend to rise during the operation of the defrost heater thus increasing the potential for vaporization of the butane. The is also the question of the temperature of the initial mixture and the time necessary for the freezer to lowe
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations