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Tag Archive: forensic testing

Commercial Gas-Fired Cookers Can Do More Than Burn
August 29, 2017 10:00 am Leave a Comment
The first hazard that comes to mind when thinking about large scale ovens and steam kettles is burning or scalding injury. Carbon monoxide poisoning is just as dangerous but less understood, so oftentimes proper prevention methods are not followed. In the United States, this results in over 20,000 emergency room visits and over 400 deaths a year. Before we get to the case study and poisoning prevention methods, we need to know what CO is, where it comes from, and why it is poisonous. (more…)
Should I Trust My Nail Gun?
July 11, 2017 9:21 am Leave a Comment
Can you imagine framing a house with the tools of our forefathers, using hand saws and hammers, rather than power saws and pneumatic nail guns? Power tools have made the job much easier and faster, that even the amateur is well equipped for this kind of work. (more…)
Defective Clevis Pin Culprit in Runaway Trailer
October 24, 2016 9:06 am Leave a Comment
A large agricultural trailer had been connected to a truck using a clevis pin with a spring locking clip. The trailer became disconnected from the truck and collided with an oncoming vehicle. The trailer was in poor condition, did not have safety chains, and had substantial recent modifications by the owner. (more…)
Are You Prepared for Emergencies? Your Generator Set Should Be!
October 13, 2016 10:13 am Leave a Comment
Emergency generators are often called into service during catastrophic events like hurricanes, floods, tornadoes or fires, but also during more mundane events like thunderstorms and other things that may temporarily interrupt the public power grid. Can you rely on your generator to perform at those critical times? (more…)
Why Should I be Concerned About Galvanic Corrosion?
April 22, 2016 3:32 pm Leave a Comment
It is fairly common knowledge that the use of dissimilar metals in plumbing systems can quickly result in a leak due to a corroded pipe or fitting. (more…)
Uninvited House Guests: Mold and Other Fungal Growths
January 21, 2016 10:29 am Leave a Comment
The wet, relatively warm weather recently experienced in the southeast has caused a high incidence of mold and other fungal growth complaints in homes and other structures. Engineers at Warren are often called upon to investigate the cause(s) of these problems. (more…)
Analysis of Double Fatality Fire Allegedly Caused by a Portable Electric Heater
January 12, 2016 4:37 pm Leave a Comment
When fires occur, the effect on people’s lives is often devastating. This is especially true with fires that cause the death of a child. Clearly it is important to try and find the causes of such fires so that they can be prevented in the future. In such circumstances, it is especially important to follow a rigorous methodology in investigating the origin and cause of a fire. Investigators following a less than rigorous methodology may reach improper conclusions. Such was the case in a devastating fire investigated by Warren that was improperly alleged to have been caused by a supposedly defective product, a small electric space heater.
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Flood Damage to Electrical Equipment
October 8, 2015 9:38 am Leave a Comment
As a result of the recent weather, those of us in South Carolina have gained a renewed appreciation of the damage that can result from flooding. Even a few inches of flood water can result in property damage and a loss of services in addition to the immediate risk of physical harm. (more…)
Air Conditioning Evaporators
August 31, 2015 12:37 pm Leave a Comment
This is the third and final of three articles concerning the basics of air conditioning systems. This article concerns the evaporator, a part of the air conditioning system that is usually unseen inside the air handling unit. The evaporator, in concert with a fan, supplies cool air to a building interior. (more…)
Firefighter Burned Due to Improper Industrial Oven Design and Operation
August 28, 2015 9:37 am Leave a Comment
Industrial ovens and furnaces are used in many manufacturing processes. One use of industrial ovens is for drying and curing coatings on fabrics.

We investigated a fire loss involving a very large oven, 10 stories high, used for curing coatings on an industrial fabric. A young firefighter was burned in response to this fire, one of a string of many fires that had occurred involving the oven.

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