April 30: What to Expect from a Fire Expert

Title:
What to Expect from a Fire Expert

Description:
The scientific investigation to determine a fire's origin and cause is a critical component when insurance claims become complex and transition toward litigation. A reliable fire expert's findings must be firmly rooted in factual science and adhere to rigorous industry standards, notably NFPA 921 and 1033.

This program offers a detailed look at the expert's systematic methodology. We discuss how key fire patterns and effects are used to establish the area of origin, and we demonstrate how identifying the heat source, the first material ignited, and the sequence of fire progression is used to establish the likely cause of a fire.

Drawing on the panel's seasoned experience in forensic property loss investigation, this presentation equips attendees to effectively integrate the expert's findings into their professional work. You will be prepared to critically evaluate the technical evidence and its implications for your claims or overall legal strategy.

Program Outline

• Introduction
• The Basics
• Origin Determination: Fire Patterns
• Origin Determination: Fire Effects
• Cause Determination: Fuel
• Cause Determination: Ventilation
• Cause Determination: Fire Progression
• Cause Determination: Ignition Sources
• Conclusion.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the critical distinctions between public and private fire investigators, including who hires them and the differing burdens of proof in their respective investigations.
• Review the role of industry standards (like NFPA 921 and 1033) and factual science in fire investigations to ensure proper claims handling and protect against liability exposure.
• Articulate how key fire patterns and effects are used by fire experts to systematically determine both the area of origin and the cause of a fire.
• Discuss how to properly integrate the findings and opinions of a fire origin and cause expert with a property damage expert's assessment and the overall legal strategy in a subrogation or liability claim.

Date+Time Of Webinar:

Thursday, April 30th, 2026
1:00pm ET | 12:00pm CT | 11:00am MT | 10:00am PT

Register Now!

Credits:

1 Credit in California, Florida, Nevada and Texas. Many states acknowledge reciprocal credit for courses certified through the Texas Department of Insurance. Be sure to review the guidelines specific to your state, and verify the process for obtaining credit for a course approved with the state of Texas.

Speakers:

• Dan Bonelli, Investigator, Pete Fowler Construction
• Greg Beutz, Investigator, Pete Fowler Construction
• Kris Cherevas, Managing Partner, Cozen O'Connor

By:

Pete Fowler Construction Services.

More Information And Registration