Vehicle Fire Investigation courses

FireWiseUK deliver the world renowned Park Lodge International Vehicle Fire Investigation courses, founded by Richard Dunbar in 1999 and now entering their 25th year! The ever popular courses are delivered worldwide, attracting delegates from many sectors - Fire Services, Law Enforcement, Crime Scene Investigators, Private sector Fire Investigators, Fleet operators, vehicle manufacturers, Recovery agents and Insurance Assessors.

Our experienced delivery team includes experienced, practicing Fire Investigators, Certified Fire Investigators and Vehicle Examiners, with partners such as Leica Geosystems, Pro-Tech Academy, Bridgehill Vehicle Fire Blankets, Total Safety Solutions, Prosol and OTFM, with research support from Cranfield University (in 2024 we conducted ballistic testing on Electric Vehicle Traction Batteries and forensic recovery of rounds!).

Our Vehicle Fire Investigation(VFI) courses cover 'vehicle fire science', vehicle fire investigation theory, investigator safety, practical 'skills workshops', pre & live vehicle burns and practical scene examinations, with the practical elements accounting for 70% of the course.

Practical 'skills workshops' include:

Physical examination of parts & components
Testing vehicle systems - high pressure fuel, electrical etc.
Vehicle Identification & information gathering
Physical evidence recognition, preservation & recovery

During the vehicle examinations delegates will:

Follow a methodical & systematic approach, quadranting the vehicle
Observe, identify and interpret fire patterns and post fire indicators
Consider fire development (and extinguishment)
Determine the compartment of origin, and the point of origin
Explore & identify potential, viable ignition sources and fuels
Gather and document vehicle history, information and evidence
Form working hypotheses and discuss these

The first three or four practicals, each syndicate investigates a vehicle which was burnt the day before the course; during investigations delegates are encouraged to question their findings and provide possible causes, points of origin and whether the incident was deliberate or accidental. Excavation, the observation and interpretation of post fire indicators and theories and hypotheses are discussed while the investigations are in progress, but also in the review stages.

Each syndicate will plan and then burn a vehicle, staging either an accidental or deliberate fire. This experience focusses the delegates to understand fire spread, ventilation with slow and quick fire development. Each syndicate needs to plan, describe and implement the scenario and then witness the fire which for many is the first time of seeing a ‘start to finish’ fire situation which in itself provides knowledge. Throughout all practicals, reviews, discussion and questioning take place in order that each delegate maximises the learning opportunity. It also gives delegates an opportunity to try various fire setting, dispose of some myths in order to give them the objective view capability for fire investigation.

The third day will discuss how Alternative Fuelled Vehicles(AFVs)/Electric Vehicles(EVs) can affect Vehicle Fire Investigation, common causes of Traction Battery and HV system abnormal thermal events and fires, Electric Vehicle fire investigation theory, risks & hazards and Investigator safety using our 'IAIIM' protocol. It will also cover some detailed 'EV fire' case studies, an opportunity for delegates to share an interesting investigation they have undertaken and more detailed practical investigations with evidence locating and recording.

With cross sector delegates much shared learning occurs throughout the courses, with peer discussion around case studies, individuals sharing knowledge and areas of expertise, and discussions

around emerging vehicle design and manufacture.

Our Electric Vehicle Fire Investigation(EVFI) course incorporates Electric Vehicle fire investigation theory, risks & hazards and Investigator safety using our 'IAIIM' protocol, practical 'skills workshops', live Electric Vehicle burns and containment methods, and practical scene examinations, with the practical elements accounting for 80% of the course.

Practical 'skills workshops' include:

Investigator safety - PPE & RPE requirements
'Making safer' an Electric Vehicle using our 'IAIIM' protocol
Physical examination of parts & components
Testing vehicle HV systems
Breaking down a Traction Battery
Evidence recognition, preservation & recovery

During the scene and vehicle examinations delegates will:

Observe, identify and interpret fire patterns and post fire indicators, discussing how they may differ from ICE vehicle fires
Explore common faults, viable ignition sources and fuels
Consider abnormal thermal events, thermal runaway, cascade and fire development