Kitchen Fire Investigations

Upon completion of this course, attendees will have a thorough understanding of what is required of retained experts when examining fires originating in residential or commercial kitchens, specifically focusing on how the scientific method is applied in accordance with NFPA 921 guidance. The course material demonstrates how post-fire data—such as oil consumption, burner and pan size, control knob settings, and smoke detector data—is collected and analyzed to establish precise ignition timeframes that can either corroborate or conflict with eyewitness statements. Through case studies and a live burn demonstration, participants will learn to identify various kitchen ignition sources, including human activity, electrical or mechanical equipment failures, product or construction defects, and natural events. Ultimately, the presentation equips adjusters to recognize key elements of kitchen fire investigations, appreciate the importance of gathering empirical data, and understand how that data is analyzed to form and test initial hypotheses using fire damage and burn patterns.