Fire Investigations - Cause and Origin
In 2009, there were over 219,000 vehicle fires reported resulting in 280 deaths and 1610 injury claims. The costs are estimated to be in excess of $1.3 million.
(US Fire Administration, Dept of FEMA)
Auto-Investigations provides a step-by-step investigative report for vehicle fires. Each vehicle is inspected from bumper-to-bumper to determine all of the conditions that may have played a part in the fire and subsequent damage. The procedure followed in our investigations covers the exterior, interior, trunk compartment, engine compartment and undercarriage. We understand the burn patterns that develop as a fire continues to burn which helps us determine how the fire actually started.
Auto-Investigations reports explain the contributing factors and represent a technical, comprehensive representation of the chain of events that caused each vehicle fire.
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We are familiar with the construction of vehicles and their multiple components. This knowledge helps us to determine how they react to fire and heat. All of these factors play a major role in determining the cause and origin of a vehicle fire. Evidence in vehicle fires can be found in many places; from a ruptured fuel line to a pinched wire harness, to a stain left behind by oil residue.
Our investigators "read the car". The evidence left behind, the burn patterns on the body panels and the residue and location of melted components all tell a story. In addition, our investigations often include conversations with owners or technicians familiar with each vehicle model. We identify relevant vehicle service and maintenance records, factory recalls and NHTSA complaints and investigations. All of this information is critical in determining the cause and point of origin for each fire.
Investigating a vehicle fire is a complex task. The investigator must understand the following:
Auto-Investigations reports explain the contributing factors and represent a technical, comprehensive representation of the chain of events that caused each vehicle fire.
Are there RED FLAGS in your case?Click here to see
We are familiar with the construction of vehicles and their multiple components. This knowledge helps us to determine how they react to fire and heat. All of these factors play a major role in determining the cause and origin of a vehicle fire. Evidence in vehicle fires can be found in many places; from a ruptured fuel line to a pinched wire harness, to a stain left behind by oil residue.Our investigators "read the car". The evidence left behind, the burn patterns on the body panels and the residue and location of melted components all tell a story. In addition, our investigations often include conversations with owners or technicians familiar with each vehicle model. We identify relevant vehicle service and maintenance records, factory recalls and NHTSA complaints and investigations. All of this information is critical in determining the cause and point of origin for each fire.
Investigating a vehicle fire is a complex task. The investigator must understand the following:
- vehicle design and electrical systems;
- wiring used in motor vehicles and the presence of current in those wires;
- safety devices (fuses, breakers and fusible links);
- materials used for vehicle contruction;
- chemicals used in vehicles, (composition, flamability, container location and size);
- contributing factors (plugged exhaust systems, engine overheating, lean fuel mixture);
- occupant contribution (smoking, alchohol, illegal drug use).
The investigator must also have:
- a systematic approach for investigating vehicle fires;
- the knowledge to properly document the vehicle fire;
- the ability to photograph the vehicle fire (and scene, if possible) in a systematic manner;
- the expertise to collect evidence from the vehicle and fire scene.
"'The risk of a car or vehicle fire is even greater than the risk of an apartment fire. More people die in vehicle fires than in apartment fires each year in the United States,' said AAA President Robert Darblenet.
At least six flammable fluids under a car's hood can leak onto hot surfaces and start a fire so AAA suggests fluid lines, hoses, caps and filters be inspected and maintained to prevent leaks.
The experts agree that automakers are building safer vehicles. But there are some critics who claim that the reporting system can be made better by digging deeper into the causes of vehicle fires."
(Courtesy of www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/11/car_fires.html)
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Airbag Information
- Airbag Basic Descriptions
- Injuries Associated with Airbag Deployment
(Journal of Emergency Medicine) - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
- NHTSA Home Page
- 5 Star Rating System
- Airbag Safety Q & A's
American College of Emergency Physicians