Matt Strader, CFEI and Fire Investigator with AEI Corporation, will be the featured presenter for the September 2020, Colorado Chapter of Property Casualty Underwriters meeting. Matt’s presentation is titled, “Fire Scene Documentation with 2020 Vision.”
The presentation will touch on the ways in which modern technology has been integrated into fire scene documentation and investigations via technology like drones and 3D scanners. Additionally, ways in which the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 921: Guide For Fire & Explosion Investigations is being modified to respond to these advances in technology will be discussed.
We are pleased to announce that Matthew G. Strader has joined the AEI Corporation team as our newest Fire Investigtor. Matthew interned with AEI Corporation in the summer of 2019, and graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with his BS in Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation in December of 2019.
Mr. Strader is proficient in the use of NFPA 921 and 1033 and has hands-on experience working on dozens of fire investigations. Additionally, he has completed extensive research with professors at Eastern Kentucky University related to the application of fire investigation science and methodology.Mr. Strader is a member of the National Fire Protection Association, the National Association of Fire Investigators, and the International Association of Arson Investigators.
Learn more about Matt and AEI Corporation at www.AEIengineers.com.
Contact – matt@AEIengineers.com, Office (303) 756-2900, Direct (303) 339-3229,
Mobile (720) 402-0026, Headquarters: 8197 West Brandon Drive, Littleton, CO 80125
AEI Corporation is pleased to announce Mr. Brian N. Stranjord has joined our team. Mr. Strandjord is a licensed mechanical and electrical professional engineer with an extensive and diverse background. His experience ranges from the thermal analysis of individual electronic components and assemblies to the design, implementation, and operation of automation systems for control of HVAC, mechanical, and lighting systems in large facilities. Mr. Strandjord’s background also includes extensive hands-on fabrication and welding experience including the production of commercial and military aircraft components. Mr. Strandjord has investigated incidents involving fires and explosions as well as other mechanical and electrical failures.
AEI Corporation is so proud and honored to work with this amazing man! Jeff Berino, Summit Fire and EMS Chief (https://lnkd.in/eipR_Wy), was recently named the Colorado Fire Chief of the Year by the Colorado State Fire Chiefs. Congratulations, Jeff. Thank you for all of your dedication and hard work.
Congratulations to Scott Raszeja, MS, PE, intPE, CFEI, CID and Angel Darmer for a great presentation at the DRI Product Liability Conference on February 7, 2020. Scott with AEI Corporation (Advanced Engineering Investigations) and Angel with Carr Allison presented on the topic of printed circuit board failures. Their presentation covered the proper investigation of purported losses and the retention and collection of important, relative data needed to develop a strong defense. Nicely done!
Zachary J. Jason and John L. Schumacher will be presenting on February 7th and 8th, respectively, during the 2019 DRI Product Liability Conference being held in Austin, TX. If you haven’t signed up for this excellent conference yet, there is still time! This conference covers all aspects of defending the product manufacturer, from voir dire to closing arguments, with legal writing and depositions in between.
DRI is an organization whose members are made up of defense attorneys and in-house counsel. DRI provides access to resources and tools to help their members provide excellent service to their clients.
John L. Schumacher, Vice President, MChE, PE, CFI, CFPS, will be presenting as part of the Fire Science and Litigation Session. Mr. Schumacher’s presentation is titled, “Boy, That Escalated Quickly! A Fast-Spreading Fire in an Apartment Building.”
Zach J. Jason, Principal, PE, CFI, CFEI, will be presenting as part of the Young Lawyers Breakout session. Mr. Jason’s presentation will discuss strategies for getting the most out of your expert witnesses, from investigation through trial.
Gasoline begins producing vapors at temperatures well below freezing. On a balmy summer day, gasoline in a fuel tank setting in the sun can reach temperatures within its boiling range. Gasoline temperatures can be further elevated by engine and exhaust heat. If the fuel tank venting is not sufficient, the vapors produced by these elevated temperatures can build pressure inside the gas tank. If the fuel tank is opened under these conditions, liquid gasoline can suddenly be released from the tank. This violent ejection of gasoline is referred to as “gasoline geysering” and the results can be catastrophic. Gasoline can spray onto the equipment operator, the equipment, and surrounding area. If the gasoline gets ignited, property damage, serious injuries, and death can occur.
Over the past several years, the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana has surged. This footage demonstrates the types of explosions that may be experienced in the process of extracting hash oil using butane. Typically, most accidents do not occur in the professional extraction laboratories, but rather in homes, garages, hotels, cars, and anywhere else a user might attempt the extraction process.
Here along the Colorado Front Range, we are no strangers to the wide range of unique and even bizarre, organized summertime outdoor activities like bike rides, run-walks, and even zombie-crawls. One of the latest trends in charity or fun runs is the use of colored powders to dust and color the participants as a way to celebrate their progress along the course of the race or success at the finish. Powdered materials like wheat flour, confectioners’ sugar, coffee creamer, and corn starch are all flammable as mixtures of “dust” in air. This is the same phenomenon that is responsible for grain silo explosions that some readers may have heard about. This video provides a demonstration of the flammability potential.
This video is of a news segment shot by Denver 7 News. In it, AEI simulates a gas grill fire on a patio and possible extension into a dwelling through the overhead eve. In this scenario, the grill catches fire due to a simulated defective seal on a propane cylinder. The news piece contains additional important safety reminders related to grilling, and features AEI engineer, Dennis Shelp.
