Explosion Investigation Expert - Meier Fire Investigation

Natural Gas, LP Gas, Propane, Battery, & Ammunition Explosion Investigation

No two explosion investigations are the same. You need an experienced explosion investigation expert who can find the origin and cause of an explosion and communicate their findings clearly. Richard Meier has successfully handled all types explosion cases, big and small, for over 10 years.

Common Explosion Investigations

The most common types of explosion investigations @ Meier Fire are:

Barbecue grill and outdoor kitchen accidents
Gas water heater explosions
Restaurant and home stove explosions
Fireplace explosions
Gas firepit explosions
Gas appliance explosions
Lithium ion battery explosions
Cellphone, computer and tablet battery explosions
E-cigarette explosions
Horizontal Boring Gas Leaks & Explosions

Getting your Explosion Investigation Started Early is Key.

The first thing you need to do is hire a gas explosion expert. That’s where Richard Meier & Meier Fire Investigation come in. As a gas explosion expert, he has the experience and knowledge to guide you through the investigation.

We’ll investigate the scene and collect evidence. Next, we inspect and analyze the evidence in our lab. Finally, when it’s time for testimony, we’ll give your clear, supported conclusions and opinions.

Expert explosion investigations at Meier Fire Investigation.

What you need to know about Explosion Investigations

First, you need to know a little about the science of explosions. NFPA 921 defines an explosion as “the sudden conversion of potential energy (chemical or mechanical) into kinetic energy with the production and release of gases under pressure, or the release of gas under pressure. then do mechanical work, such as moving, changing or shattering nearby materials.” – 2017 Edition, 3.3.56.

In plain English, an explosion is the release of energy – often quickly or violently – due to a chemical reaction or pressure change. That sudden release causes:

damage to the container,
movement of materials and debris and
damage to the surrounding environment.

An explosion investigation begins with scene investigation. We record the damage and the position of the debris. We analyze the damage and speak to witnesses to find the origin of the blast.

Next, we work to identify fuel and ignition sources at the source of the explosion. Potential fuels can include: natural gas, propane gas, batteries, chemicals, combustible dust and particles, or explosive materials like gunpowder. We look for mechanical failures that could have caused the explosion. Our explosion expert will track fugitive gas, check for gas leaks and gas migration through the soil.

After we’ve nailed down the explosion sequence, we help you assign responsibility for the explosion, damage and injuries.

We enhance our explosion investigations with Richard Meier’s Labels and Warnings, Heavy Equipment Fire Investigations and Battery Fire and Explosion Investigation expertise.

Explosion Investigations for Attorneys, Insurance Companies and Manufacturers.

We work with attorneys who represent the injured, property owners, installers and manufacturers.

We also work directly with claims adjusters. Richard Meier can be on the explosion scene quickly to get the facts you need to make smart decisions on claims, responsibility and subrogation.

Fast Response to Explosion Investigation Requests.

We responds to investigation requests quickly, usually within an hour. Once we’re retained, we can open a file and be on scene in a matter of days.

Case Study: Explosion Investigation.

Fire and Explosion Investigator, Richard Meier untangles the details of an explosion at a group home during a hurricane.

Read Now

We’re Explosion Investigation Experts

Richard Meier is a full-time fire and explosion investigator and expert. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the University of Akron. He has taken additional college courses at the Universities of Maryland and Wisconsin.

Prior to starting his own company, he was a Senior Staff Expert with John A. Kennedy and Associates, the world’s oldest fire investigation company. He also spent 24 years as a design and manufacturing engineer designing, building, and trouble-shooting a wide range of products and equipment. Richard Meier served in the US Army in both Reserve and Active Duty. During all this time, he gained a broad and diverse knowledge of many subjects which he now brings to bear in his fire and explosion work.

Richard Meier’s cases have included property damage, death and injury investigations resulting from liquid propane (LP) gas, natural gas, and gun powder/ammunition, and fireworks explosions.

A portion of our work focuses on explosions caused by battery failures. Richard Meier has in depth knowledge in the construction and common failures of Lithium Ion (LI-ion) batteries.