Why NFPA 921® And Alarm Science Can Help Identify Responsible Parties In Subrogation Investigations

NFPA 921® Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations is the premier, consensus-based forensic standard for scientifically investigating fire incidents. It provides methodologies for scene reconstruction, origin and cause determination, and evidence handling to ensure investigations are admissible in court. Updated every 3–4 years, it is essential for investigators, insurance experts, and legal professionals.

Expert Fire Investigator Steve Carman MSc FPE, IAAI-CFI, CFI, (ATF retired) of Carman & Associates Fire Investigations, Inc, Grass Valley, California, provides this critical insight as to the criticality of having the proper Subject Matter Expert (SME) performing Alarm System Investigations.

The NFPA 921® chapter on determining the origin of a fire states:

18.1.2 Determination of the origin of the fire involves the coordination of information derived from one or more of the following:

(1) Witness Information and/or Electronic Data. The analysis of observations reported by persons who witnessed the fire or were aware of conditions present at the time of the fire, as well as the analysis of electronic data, including but not limited to security camera footage, alarm system activation, or other such data recorded in and around the time of the fire event.

Carmen states that a major hurdle to complying with this provision is if a Fire Investigator is unaware of an alarm system deficiency that can instantly render its operation non-functional, meaning that the alarm system instantly fails to function as intended, when fire is introduced onto any part of the single data-bus circuit wiring that is commonly installed throughout a home, including inside interior walls, in the attic, the basement and inside the garage.

The Single Data-Bus Circuit Wiring On All Combination Listed Control Units Does Not Conform To UL And NFPA 72 Standards

According to Carmen, The data-bus circuit wiring connects to burglar alarm detection sensors, such as motion detectors and audio glass break detectors, zone expansion modules and dialer capture cellular alarm transmitters. Resultantly, despite UL and NFPA 72 strictly prohibiting a fault on the system from causing the alarm system to instantly fail, it does just that. The alarm system fails to activate, and the Central Station is not notified. Recent efforts by Nationally Recognized Forensic Alarm Expert, Jeffrey D. Zwirn President, CPP®, CFPS®, CFE®, SET, ITFAS-I, ITFAS-II, CHPA-IV, NFPA 3000(PS), MSYL, MBAT, SSI Hall of Fame Inductee, have shown deficiencies in millions of household and commercial burglar and fire alarm systems, including combination listed control units, which can lead to the inability of the system to activate, notify the central station, and gather accurate activation data. Identifying whether a system does not conform to UL and NFPA 72® Standards requires the analysis of a Forensic Alarm Expert.