Fire Investigations and Expert Witness
Haines Fire & Risk Consulting (HFRC) performs incident investigations, forensic engineering and conducts technical evaluations to help its insurance, commercial and industrial clients understand the root causes of fire and explosion incidents so that they may prevent reoccurrences. These services, as well as expert witness support are also provided to assist the legal profession in case development or defense.
HFRC's staff has years of practical experience in participating in and leading incident investigations. This staff specializes in the investigation of fires and explosions involving flammable/combustible liquids and flammable gases. HFRC personnel have investigated fires and explosions in:
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Refining/chemical process units
Tank Farms
Truck loading/unloading operations
Aerosol recovery plants
Laboratories
Gas and service stations |
Pipeline facilities & equipment
Commercial & residential properties
Automobiles
Waste water treatment plants
Negotiations with insurers and code officials |
HFRC has also conducted forensic investigations for fire and safety system failures. HFRC has investigated failures and operational problems with fire pumps, fire water distribution systems, fire hydrants and monitors, fire detection and alarm systems and gas detection systems.
Incident Investigations
HFRC can conduct incident investigations alone or as part of the client's incident investigation team. HFRC uses industry accepted techniques and procedures to develop technically sound and defensible cause and origin determinations for fire/explosions and fire/safety equipment failures. Where appropriate, HFRC will bring in or recommend other specialists who can further assist in the investigation efforts. HFRC is a NJ licensed private investigation firm.
Technical Evaluations
HFRC provides technical evaluation services to assist its commercial, industrial and legal clientele to evaluate the accuracy and credibility of investigations completed by other parties. In doing so HFRC evaluates incident reports, witness and expert witness statements/depositions, photographic and video evidence, process control/instrumentation data and other related documentation.
HFRC also conducts preliminary evaluations to assess the technical aspects of an incident so that its clients may better judge the potential for legal action.
Expert Witness Services
HFRC's staff provides depositions and court testimony to support the technical opinions and determinations made during incident investigations and technical evaluations. Our staff is experienced and can provide sound, logical and understandable testimony.
Engineering Services & Code Review
HFRC conducts code reviews and other engineering services for legal clientele and/or for restricted distribution. These services, identical to the HFRC fire protection consulting and process safety management services, are performed under the direction of an attorney in order to retain privileged communication and document distribution control.
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