Training - Webinar

Have you ever wondered how those various fire patterns were formed? How does heat transfer work and how does it relate to fire science? What is thermodynamics and what does that have to do with fires? 

Well, ask no more. Join Bob Shirer, Chemical Engineer, Founder and Consulting Engineer at R.J. Shirer & Associates in this webinar that explores the chemistry and science behind fire patterns. This is Part 3 and final conclusion of Part 1 and 2 webinars Bob delivered in November 2018 and February 21 and continues in an advanced presentation of how fire patterns are created. 

Since his graduation from the University of Toronto in 1983 with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Chemical Engineering) degree, Bob has worked as Forensic Engineer and Manager, conducting Fire Investigations, Accident Reconstructions, Failure Analyses, and a variety of other forensic investigations for the insurance and legal industries.

Bob is a member in good standing of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) and is also designated as a Consulting Engineer by the PEO. He is a Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI) and is an active and contributing member to many industry-related professional groups, such as OSPE (Ontario Society of Professional Engineers), CAFI (Canadian Association of Fire Investigators), SFPE (Society of Fire Protection Engineers), NAFI (National Association of Fire Investigators), IAAI (International Association of Arson Investigators), CATAIR (Canadian Association of Technical Accident Investigators & Reconstructionists), SAE International, Blue Goose Society, and various others.  He also regularly attends training sessions and conferences to keep current with forensic investigation standards and techniques.

Bob has conducted seminars and training courses for various institutions and industry groups, including The University of Toronto Forensic Engineering Certificate Program, Society of Fire Protection Engineers, IAAI, CAFI, University of Toronto Continuing Education, The Technical University of Nova Scotia, EPIC Training, The Insurance Institutes of Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland, The Ontario Centre for Advocacy Training, The Canadian Fire Safety Association as well as in-house seminars to professionals in the Insurance and Legal Industries. He has been admitted as an expert witness and offered opinion evidence as to the origin & cause of fires, accidents, and other technical matters in Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Manitoba on 30 occasions.

Boating season is fast approaching, and soon some 2.8 million small boats and personal watercraft will be out on Canada’s coastlines, lakes and rivers. It’s no coincidence then that it’s around this time of year when fire investigators are called in to investigate marine fire and explosion claims.

These losses are different than structural fires, and require a different set of skills, and experience, to investigate. Distinctive charring patterns, fibreglass delamination, and wind exposure are all unique factors in marine fires that an investigator needs to be aware of. But just like structural fires, the physical evidence tells a story, you just need someone who knows how to read it.

In this webinar, we will be discussing the most common causes of marine losses, including:

• Accidental losses
  o   Electrical failures
  o   Fuel losses
• Manufacturing defects
• Installation and maintenance errors
• Arson
• Human error

A large portion of this webinar will be dedicated to case studies. We’ll be delving into some interesting cases and attempting to shed some light on the more unique aspects, as well as some of the complexities, of marine fire and explosion claims.

Richard Kooren, P.Eng is the Vice-President and Consulting Forensic Engineer at Origin and Cause Inc., the nation’s largest consulting forensic engineering and fire investigation firm.  As a licensed professional engineer and designated consulting engineer with more than 30 years of industry experience, Richard has conducted over 3,000 fire and explosion investigations and has been accepted as an expert by all levels of courts in five provinces.  Richard has a passion in marine craft and is a member and past board of directors participant in the International Association of Marine Investigators.