Boiler Fire Investigation

American Structurepoint was retained to perform an O&C investigation of a boiler fire.

The fire scene investigation took place at the loss site and involved multiple involved parties and insurance companies. The assignment required coordination with local fire officials and plant safety personnel, product research, materials research, site documentation, disassembly of the boiler, and analysis of the internal boiler components.

Evidence collected during our company's investigation revealed that the rubber cushion drive between the pump and the pump motor of the boiler had worn out due to lack of general maintenance, resulting in the pump not circulating tar materials through the boiler. The tar material reached boiling temperature, resulting in expansion of the piping and ultimately failure of the thin walled pipe. This allowed tar material to contact boiler burner flames, which caused the fire.