Fire and Materials Research Laboratory LLC

Assists fire investigators with sampling, examination, and analysis of documentation from fires and explosions.

• On-Site Scene Investigation
• On-Site documentation Sampling
• Protocol Development for documentation Examination
• documentation Preservation
• Fire Debris and Materials Characterization
• Thermal and Fire Damage Evaluation

Evaluates the reaction-to-fire and reaction-to-heat of materials according to standard test methods from UN, EPA, ASTM, and NFPA.

• Flammability Testing
• Burn Rate Determination
• Ignitability Assessment
• Heat Release Rate Evaluation
• Combustion and Thermal Decomposition Gas Analysis

Develops custom test methods tailored to the end-use application of a product or material, including bench-scale, medium-scale, and full-scale testing.

• Bench-Scale Material and Chemical Testing
• Medium-Scale Ignition Scenario Reconstructions
• Full-Scale Fire Exposure and Burn Testing
• Chemical and Materials Analysis After Heat Exposure

Performs sampling and analysis of materials to determine their composition, mechanical, and physical properties.

• Plastics Analysis
• Metals and Metal Powders Testing
• Chemical and Oxidizer Characterization
• Waste Streams and Liquids Analysis
• Corrosion and Gaseous Decomposition Evaluation
• Particle-Size Distribution and Morphology
• Analysis of Unknown Substances

Investigates responses of products, chemicals, and materials to normal and abnormal thermal, electrical, and mechanical use or abuse conditions.

• Metallurgical Failure Analysis
• In-Process and In-Service Failure Analysis
• Thermal Abuse Testing
• Root-Cause and Potential Failure Modes
• Chemical Reactivity Assessment
• Electrical Device and Appliance Evaluation
• Vehicle Collision and Fire Investigation
• Gas Distribution Component Testing

Conducts on-site investigation and support at fire, explosion, and hazardous material loss scenes with HAZWOPER-trained staff.

• Residential Loss Scene Investigation
• Commercial and Industrial Loss Investigation
• Hazardous Waste Loss Site Support