Chapter One: General Information
This chapter discusses the general information that all fire
investigators should know. It outlines the incident data,
the purpose of investigations, the methods, legal considerations,
and expert testimony.
Chapter Two: Codes and Standards
This chapter reviews the major codes and standards used
in the design and installation of commercial kitchen exhaust
systems. It also covers code analyses concepts for
investigations.
Chapter Three: Appliances
This chapter provides an overview of appliances and their
applications and how the use of different appliances affect
the amount of grease accumulation in exhaust systems.
It also covers the ignition properties of cooking oils and
fats.
Chapter Four: Kitchen Exhaust Systems
This chapter discusses the differences between Type I and
Type II exhaust systems, and the theory of air movement.
What the components of the exhaust system are; including
different kinds of hoods, ducts, fans, and where the access
panels should be located.
Chapter Five: Fire-Extinguishing Systems
This chapter addresses fire protection principles and requirements
for commercial cooking appliances and exhaust
system fire-extinguishing equipment.
Chapter Six: Non-Compliant
This chapter explains the different areas of non-compliance
in the commercial exhaust system. Today non-compliant
systems are created when contractors or installers
ignore code requirements. These elements are factors in
many of the more serious structural fires in commercial
kitchens.
Chapter Seven: Conducting the Investigation
This chapter discusses how to plan the investigation,
and how to organize both the investigation and the
specialized personnel and technical consultants needed.
It also discusses the fire scene examination and
includes checklists for cooking appliances and equipment.
Chapter Eight: Interviewing
This chapter discusses what you should do while
conducting interviews in the field. It includes sample
questions to ask the restaurant management, incident
witnesses, and system contractors.
Chapter Nine: Analysis and Reporting
This chapter will assist the investigator in the analysis
phase of an investigation including origin and fire
cause determination and determining the cause of the
loss. A primer is provided on fire science and the use of
time lines in fire analysis, selecting the final hypothesis
(opinion), and report writing tips are included as well.
Chapter Ten: Case Studies
This chapter is a series of photos from seven case studies
and actual field conditions illustrating deficiencies.
Chapter Eleven: Appendices
Peer Reviewers
The following individuals provided valuable peer review time and talent:
- Besal, Barney, Technical Expert, Besal Services Inc., Atlanta, GA.
- Bradbury, Steve, Technical Expert, Russell Food Equipment, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Steve Coolidge, CRM, SFPE, Loss Control, CGI Insurance Services, AB, Canada.
- Eddy, James R., CFI, Fire Chief Ret., Chief Fire Analyst, New England Fire Cause & Origin, Inc., Barrington, NH.
- Foster, David L., Senior Technical Coordinator, Risk Decision Services, Insurance Services, Inc., Jersey City, NJ.
- Hopson, Gary G., CSP, CFPS, ARM, Senior Consultant – Property Risk Control, Aon Risk Services, Southfield, MI.
- Icove, David J., Ph.D., P.E., Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Tennessee, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Knoxville, TN.
- Lentini, John, CFI, Fire Investigator, Applied Technical Services, Atlanta, GA.
- Levin, Steven, Regional Risk Control Consultant, CNA Insurance, Downers Grove, IL.
- McDonnell, Paul A. Attorney, Singleton Urquhart LLP, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Neuens, Chad, Attorney, Neuens and Associates, St Paul/Travelers Insurance, Greenwood Village, CO.
- Parikh, Jay, Code Consultant, Compliance Solutions International Inc, Chicago, IL.
- Ray, Shaun, Director of Engineering, Metal-Fab Inc., Wichita, KS.
- Roberts, Jim, Technical Expert, DPW Services, Louisville, KY.
- Sauve, Stan, Fire Inspector, City of Calgary, AB, Canada.
- Smith, Dennis W., Senior Fire Expert, Kodiak Fire & Safety Consulting, Fort Wayne, IN.
- Stewart, Don, Senior Technical Expert, National Fire Services, Gurnee, IL.
- Tracey, Sean, P.Eng. Canadian Regional Manager NFPA, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- Trellis, Javier, Ph.D., Senior Engineer, Hughes Associates, Baltimore, MD.
- Wilson, Rory, Technical Expert, DPW Services, Louisville, KY.
- Zawacki, George, Food Service Consultant, UpYourStack.com, Arlington Heights, IL.
Biography
A. Elwood Willey, CFI
For over 12 years, A. Elwood Willey, CFI, has served as a Senior Associate at FIREPRO Incorporated, where he manages the Fire Reconstruction Program.
He provides fire consulting and litigation support services to a variety of clients, including law firms, insurance companies, property owners, and product manufacturers. He conducts fire investigations and analyses of fire incidents including those involving commercial cooking equipment and exhaust systems.
Mr. Willey has over 35 years of fire safety experience, including 21 years with the National Fire Protection Association, where he was responsible for managing and reviewing major fire studies and conducting fire investigations. While at NFPA, he also served as a staff liaison to NFPA technical committees including the Committee responsible for NFPA 96. He is experienced in fire incident analysis, human behavior in fire projects, fire litigation support, and the fire service. Mr. Willey has authored over 25 professional articles, papers, and reports; and he has co-authored a chapter of the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, 19th Edition. He is a member of the National Fire Protection Association's Committee on Fire Safety for Manufactured Housing and an alternate on the Committee on Venting systems for Cooking Appliances, holds a BS from the University of Maryland, and is a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI).
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