When Should You Call a Fire Investigator?
Few events can be as devastating to your home or business than a fire. While you may take every precaution, accidents do happen. However, there are some fires that are not accidents, but may be deliberate acts of arson. Fire investigators can determine the cause of a fire in your home or office, but they also fulfill a number of other important roles. Below, you’ll find out when to call a fire investigations company and why it can be so important to do so as soon as possible after a fire.
Once a fire is put out, the investigation process begins. All states have fire marshals who are employed by the state. They are usually called out by the local fire departments or they may respond to every structure fire. Fire marshals determine the cause of the fire as they see it and file a report with the local fire department and state. If there is evidence of arson, a fire marshal’s report is often used as the basis for criminal charges. However, there are many times when you may wish to hire your own fire investigator. If you feel the fire marshal’s report was not accurate or that there are other mitigating factors that were not considered, then a private fire investigations company should be notified. Many times, this is also needed for some insurance claims.
A fire investigations company can also provide a number of other services. Code consulting is in great demand, as the building codes in place in most cities are very restrictive and precise when it comes to fire codes. A fire investigator can help your building meet these needs and provide you with recommendations to make your property safer. If your company uses or stores hazardous materials, a fire investigations company can help your company ensure these materials are stored and used in accordance with local, state, and federal laws.
If a fire is determined to be arson, a fire investigator can appear as an expert witness in the criminal and civil case. You want to ensure the investigation company you use is very reputable and the witness has already been declared an expert in fire investigations in a court of law. The other parties in the case will likely have their own expert witness, too. It’s very important that you choose a fire investigations company that is professional, knowledgeable, and ethical.
In closing, there are a number of different reasons why you might need a fire investigator. The most important thing to remember is that the sooner you contact a company specializing in these types of services, the better chance there is of determining what actually happened. This can be crucial for your insurance and should you face any type of criminal charges. Don’t leave anything to chance. Protect your company, your assets, and yourself with the right fire investigations company.
PyroCop provides expert fire investigations services across the United States. With knowledgeable, experienced, and ethical fire investigators, they will determine fire causes, code and hazardous material consulting, and expert witness services.
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