Jan 2007
An Engineering and
Investigations
Newsletter
S.E.A.L.
Vol. 26 No.1
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Jan 2007 An Engineering and Investigations Newsletter |
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S.E.A.L. Vol. 26 No.1 |
2007 is here and once again we are happy to offer you our Monthly Monitor.
Quantities are limited so please get your requests in to our Tyler office as soon as possible. To request your calendar today call 1-800-624-0905 or drop us an e-mail.
Would you like to receive this newsletter by email? Now you can. To receive this quarterly publication electronically in a PDF format simply email us your request. We will be changing over our newsletter to an electronic format and also use electronic announcements as a means of keeping you up-to-date on such information as new staff, capabilities, or industry changes. It is our policy not to overwhelm our customers with SPAM or information that is not of value to them. You can use the same email to send requests to be removed from our subscription list.
For fire investigations, electrical or mechanical failures, our field portable X-Ray can be valuable to examine internal components. The X-Ray develops positive prints on the spot for instant results.
Often non-destructive examination of these mechanical and electrical devices for failure analysis is necessary to preserve evidence. Very often an electrical appliance involved in a fire ends up as a large plastic mass that is unrecognizable.
By utilizing a X-Ray, the internal components may be visually examined for identification and failure analysis without destruction of the evidence.
Circuit Breakers
Controls & Switches
Home Appliances
Mechanical & Electrical Components
Industrial Tools
Most Fords and GMs now have “black boxes” that can tell you a lot about what happened just prior to and immediately after an impact or hard braking event. Commercial vehicles can provide even more information if they are not driven from the scene prior to a download. Sometimes data is transmitted via satellite to a trucking company. It’s important to preserve this information.
District attorneys seem to be pursuing more drivers who are deemed to be responsible for injury to their passengers due to negligent operation. Sometimes charges are not filed for many months after the event. Good scene and vehicle investigation and documentation following a fatal crash are important and good insurance.
More models of automobiles, pickups, and commercial vehicles now have antilock braking systems which generally prevent braking wheel lockup and preclude tires from depositing rubber on the pavement. Lack of pre-impact skid marks can make speed calculations and positions of vehicles at impact more difficult to establish. Early and thorough documentation is highly recommended. If documented quickly, antilock braking evidence can sometimes be saved. Use cell phone cameras or a disposable camera if nothing else is available.
The rising price of scrap iron has caused many independent salvage operators to crush and sell wrecked vehicles much sooner than a few years ago. It is important to either keep these vehicles out of independent salvage lots or make sure they are well documented (photographed and measured) prior to disposal. Even if engines, transmissions, or body parts are removed and sold, a crushed frame can still provide valuable information to an experienced investigator.
Most electrical device manufacturers suggest that after each use the device be unplugged from the receptacle. It is observed in most residential fire scenes that numerous electrical devices are plugged in and left unattended.
These devices generally use small amounts of electrical current when operating correctly. The problem generally occurs after the components get dirt on the electrical contacts and the switches get pitted from normal use.
Although most devices are U.L. listed, failures may still occur. There are many U.L. listed products that are recalled for various failures every month. A partial listing of the devices can be found at www.CPSC.gov.
For more information, or to speak with a Fire Investigator, call 1-903-566-4535, or toll-free 1-800-432-4669. You can also visit us on the web at http://cause-and-origin.com.
Fire Cause Investigations (F.C.I.) is a division of System Engineering And Laboratories (S.E.A.L.). Phone (800) 432-4669.
Email us or see our Web pages at http://www.sealcorp.com