Our Services
Since 1977, Fire Cause Analysis (FCA) has provided fire investigation, forensic engineering, multi-disciplinary engineering, and scientific evaluations to clients in the insurance and legal communities. With the combined expertise of fire investigators, scientists, and electrical, mechanical, and fire protection engineers, FCA provides in-depth analysis rooted in established scientific principles.
Years of Service for
Investigations
Answers from Ashes™ Today
Answers from Ashes™ Today
—Our Services—
Fire Investigation
Our Fire Investigation
The FCA team of certified Fire Investigators specialize in systematic and comprehensive origin and cause investigations. Adhering to NFPA 921 Guidelines and NFPA 1033 standards, our experts employ the scientific method to reach fact-based conclusions. With extensive experience across the various incidents you may encounter – from residential, commercial, vehicle, marine vessel, industrial, agricultural, and wildlands – FCA offers thorough investigations to uncover the truth behind the origin and cause of fires, ensuring accurate and reliable outcomes for our clients.
Certified Fire Investigators
- The International Association of Arson Investigators
- California Conference of Arson Investigators
- National Association of Fire Investigators
- Trained on the NFPA 921 Guidelines and NFPA 1033 Standards
- Following the scientific method to reach conclusions
Broad Experience in Types of Incidents
- Residential
- Commercial
- Vehicle
- Marine Vessel
- Industrial
- Agricultural/Wildland
- Appliances/Products
Prompt Origin & Cause Investigations
Evidence
Our Evidence
In California, Fire Cause Analysis has 3 locations where evidence is preserved. The storage facilities in Berkeley, Santa Clara, and Santa Ana are equipped with laboratories for inspections of stored evidence. Santa Clara and Berkeley have lifts and equipment designed for the inspection of vehicles. The FCA facilities are capable of safely storing items ranging in size from wiring remnants to items as large as vehicles, boats, and transformers. FCA offers independent evidence collection services, with the option to store the collected evidence, upon your request.
Collection
- Our highly trained and qualified staff follows NFPA 921 Guide Chapter 17 to meet the demands required in secure, safe and reliable evidence handling
- Over 25 years experience collecting, documenting and handling evidence
- Residential: appliances, debris, electrical evidence, batteries
- Commercial: HVAC, utility, manufacturing, power storage and distribution
- Vehicles: passenger, commercial passenger, heavy equipment, marine
- Comprehensive documentation to track the entire Chain of Custody process
Storage
- Strict procedures for accurate Chain of Custody following NFPA 921 chapter 17.10
- Locations in California, currently Santa Clara, Berkeley, Santa Ana
- On-site indoor warehouses including racked storage
- Outdoor covered storage options
- Climate controlled solutions available to manage humidity and temperature
- Specific storage protocols for hazardous evidence such as: lithium ion batteries, chemicals, and fuels
- Ability to customize storage for specific needs
Disposition
- Chain of Custody and authorization for complete documentation for disposal
- Reliable and responsible disposal of all materials, especially hazardous wastes
Forensic Engineering
Our Forensic Engineering
Forensic Engineering plays a crucial role in the investigation of fires and failures. FCA engineers are tasked with determining the factors that led to a particular event and providing a defensible opinion of the facts. As a result, FCA engineers work closely with the investigation, evidence, and technical service teams to complete multi-disciplined analyses of an investigation. FCA is ready to provide the expertise and support of our Forensic Engineers through the fire analysis process. Contact FCA today to learn how we can help!
Failure/Cause Analysis with Reports
- Consumer products
- Equipment
- Vehicle
- Electrical systems
- Mechanical systems
- Fire Protection systems
- X-ray and Microscopy evaluation
Incident Reconstruction
- Diagrams of scenes
- 3D modeling
- Fire Progression Modeling
Water Loss Analysis
- Fire Protection Engineers will inspect Fire Protection systems for code compliance or analyze systems for failures
- Mechanical Engineers will inspect water losses related to plumbing for cause of failure
- Engineers can collect evidence for further analysis in our labs
Expert Testimony
Technical Services
Our Technical Services
FCA’s Technical Services team provides our clients and investigators the resources to support their origin and cause investigations. Through informational research, in the field services and laboratory technicians the Technical Services team is ready to lend their expertise and support throughout the entire fire analysis process. Contact FCA today to schedule with our Technical Services team!
Accurate and Detailed Informational Research
- Products
- Permits and building codes
- Vehicle
- Weather
- News and social media
- Recalls and known fire issues
In the Field Services
- LiDAR and 3D Scans
- X-Ray image capture
Onsite Laboratories with Technical Support
- Non-destructive Exams
- Destructive Exams
- Technical support in X-Ray and Microscopy photography
Laboratory Space Rentals
- FCA has 3 labs located in California: Berkeley, Santa Clara and Santa Ana
- Each space has evidence storage, microscopy or x-ray available for your rental needs
- Lab technicians are available at each lab space to assist with equipment
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