Cause Analysis

To determine the origin and the cause of a fire or explosion, Sereca’s technical, science-based approach has been proven over many years and many hundreds of fires.

Sereca people are trained and experienced in analyzing the precise location and causal factors, even in the most complex architectural structures. Our tested approach combines practical investigation, evidence collection, thorough testing, and theoretical analysis. Sereca’s staff, with diverse backgrounds in scientific, engineering, prevention, and code-related aspects of fire, can respond to a broad range of technical issues related to a fire’s cause.

Fire Spread Determination

After a fire’s cause has been discovered, the calculation of losses—and responsibilities—can depend on how the conflagration spread.

We are the experts in analysing fire propagation and identifying the contributing factors—such as the building materials, structure and ventilation. Analyses can involve the evaluation of products and materials and small and medium-scale fire testing. The results are then interpreted, relative to the applicable codes and standards. We can use this information to build accurate computer models of the fire to demonstrate and validate our analyses, and to evaluate hypotheses or fire-spread scenarios.

We then factor in the building codes and standards, to help our clients measure the expected vs. the actual damage. Our objective reviews provide context on technical issues to assist in resolving the complex matters pertaining to the fire.

Compliance Audits

After a fire—or even when no fire has occurred—it may be essential to verify a building or facility’s construction history and its compliance to applicable building and fire codes.

Our code compliance experts have a library of current and historical code documents to draw on—many of which are out of print—and can prepare a clear, concise code compliance audit that accurately references the appropriate standards.

Failure Assessment

A forensic failure analysis can include an assessment of the interrelated faults and failures that contributed to the fire.  The information gleaned from a failure analysis can inform insurers and authorities and possibly help prevent a reoccurrence.

Sereca’s fault-tree methodology identifies the many and various factors that played a part, and Sereca’s professionals, with their experience of conducting investigations, provide clear and comprehensive failure assessments.