SAFE Labs mechanical engineering department currently specializes in the investigation of mechanical system or component failures that cause or contribute to the cause of fires, explosions or other catastrophic consequences. These systems include those found in industrial, commercial and residential settings. SAFE Labs also offers building and systems fire protection and life SAFEty evaluation services as discussed below.
Some of our most utilized areas of expertise include:
Propane and natural gas systems are frequently of interest during a fire or an explosion investigation. Proper evaluation and testing of these systems is integral to a comprehensive investigation. Mechanical engineers performing investigations involving these systems should be familiar not only with the associated design codes and standards but also investigative documents such as NFPA 921.
Fireplace and chimney systems are frequently at the center of fire investigations and subsequently should be objectively and comprehensively evaluated. SAFE Labs is equipped to systematically exam and test fireplace and chimney systems to get to the root cause of any failure. Field and laboratory tests can be utilized to assist in determining failure causation.
Heat producing equipment comes in all shapes, sizes and varieties, for example: from a relatively small residential oven that sits in your kitchen up to a very large complex commercial oven that may be over a hundred feet long. SAFE Labs is equipped with the proper tools, equipment and experts to test, examine and evaluate the reasons for failures in such equipment whether those failures be in the mechanical, electrical or both subsystems of that equipment. We can also navigate and analyze the numerous codes, standards, regulations and industry literature that govern the design, installation, use and maintenance of this equipment.
Conveyors, materials handling and other process equipment typically found within industrial and commercial facilities are mechanical equipment subject to potential failure resulting in fires and explosions. Such equipment generally contains relative motion components subject to interference and friction generation. The equipment also typically contains bearings which may be subject to failure due to improper installation, overload, improper lubrication, improper temperature and vibration monitoring, and normal wear and tear. The generation of friction via relative moving components and the failure of bearings can both result in fires and explosions.
SAFE Laboratories currently offers some services associated with fire protection and life safety systems, including water-based fire protection systems, non-water based fire protection systems, passive fire protection systems, means of egress and exiting, and codes, standards, and regulations.