T H E E X P E R T S I N F O R E N S I C I N V E S T I G A T I O N

T H E E X P E R T S I NF O R E N S I C I N V E S T I G A T I O N

Established nearly 50 years ago, Burgoynes are a world renowned Partnership of consulting scientists and engineers specialising in the forensic investigation of fires, explosions, engineering failures, marine events and other incidents.

In the early 1980s, members of the Partnership in the UK were increasingly being asked to investigate the causes of incidents in South East Asia. In response to this, and in order to better serve our growing clientele in this part of the world, we opened the Singapore Office in 1986. In 2001 our capabilities in Singapore were enhanced by the opening of our materials failure group, which specialises in incidents involving mechanical breakdown, fracture, collapse and corrosion. In 2002 we expanded the range of our operations further, to include the investigation of electrical failures such as those in distribution and power transformers, induction motors and general electrical systems.

Further expansion in 2003 saw the opening of our Hong Kong Office to serve our clients in North Asia. With the addition of a Materials Engineer to the office in 2011, we are able to offer a broad range of expertise throughout the Asia region.

We have been involved in the investigation of many of the most significant incidents that have occurred within the region, including a number of landmark cases in the insurance industry. Our clients include major insurers and loss adjusting companies, re-insurers, marine P&I clubs, salvors, ship owners, major petrochemical companies, companies in the semi-conductor industry, aircraft operators and manufacturers, shipyards, government agencies and private individuals.

The breadth and depth of our experience in investigations and subsequent litigation means that we are able to investigate with a view to the technical aspects of liability, considering such matters as the potential for repudiation, and possible recovery action against a third party. Our experience in litigation is worldwide, our personnel having given expert evidence in various countries including Australia, Brunei, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Republic of China (Taiwan), the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

With the large amount of shipping that serves the region, we have a particularly strong experience in marine fires, engineering incidents and cargo issues. We also have the particular specialist knowledge to advise on the handling of chemical contamination, spills and other hazardous goods incidents, and to investigate incidents of microbiological contamination, spoilage and self-heating of agricultural products. We also provide advice on the management of “live” fires on board ships.

The Asia offices can offer the immediate response that is required in our region and with the backup of the International Burgoynes Group, we have the expertise and resources to assemble a multi-disciplinary team of investigators when necessary. When instructing Burgoynes, you are obtaining a wealth of quality experience and expertise that cannot be matched in the region.

Burgoynes

Fire and explosion investigation and the assessment of all issues arising as a consequence of fire represent the largest sector of our business. Our work takes us into practically every conceivable environment on land and in the marine, offshore, mining and aviation industries. The investigations we handle range from small incidents involving domestic appliances to major catastrophes at complex industrial and petrochemical installations.

Both Singapore and Hong Kong are important strategic hubs for the marine industry. Consequently our fire investigators in Asia have gained considerable experience in the investigation of marine fires. Our investigations have involved fires and explosions that have occurred in shipyards and ports as well as those at sea. We have extensive experience of engine room, accommodation, cargo tank and hold, and container fires.

Examples of incidents that we have investigated include:

• Fires and explosions caused by dangerous cargoes in ships.

• Engine room fires in ships.

• Electrical fires in switchgear and control panels.

• Fires and explosions due to operator errors in petrochemical facilities.

• Deliberate fires in industrial facilities and residential premises.

• Fires and explosions caused by dangerous chemicals in manufacturing facilities.

Fires & Explosions

The failure of machinery and equipment can cause significant disruption to businesses. A forensic investigation into the cause of the failures can assist insurers in technical matters relating to liability and subrogation. Our materials engineers have experience of investigating failures in a diverse range of equipment, including those found in power generation facilities, ships, petrochemical plants and factories and involving all materials groups, such as metals, polymers, composites, paints, ceramics and refractories. We have investigated both land-based and marine incidents involving a wide range of equipment, including:

• Power generation equipment including gas and steam turbines.

• Gears, bearings compressors and other rotating equipment.

• Cranes, cradles, wire ropes and other lifting equipment.

• Scaffolding, racking and other structural items.

• Pressure vessels, reformers and other petrochemical plant components.

• Boilers, heat exchangers and cooling water systems.

• Corrosion and mechanical damage to ship’s tanks, structures and cargo.

• Damage to ship’s engine components, propulsion equipment and steering gear.

• Aviation and aerospace components.

Engineering & Materials

We provide the highest quality, independent investigation of the cause of electrical incidents.

We have carried out investigations on the following types of equipment / incidents:

• Generator, power and distribution transformers.

• High voltage cable joints

• High voltage and low voltage switchgear.

• Induction motors.

• General electrical systems including control panels.

• Security, fire, CCTV surveillance and home automation systems.

• Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units.

• Lightning Strikes

Electrical Engineering

Fires and escapes of chemicals frequently result in the contamination of surrounding equipment and facilities. Burgoynes’ materials and corrosion specialists can provide advice and assistance on the following:

• The types of equipment most at risk of damage due to contamination.

• Detailed site surveys to determine the type and extent of the contamination.

• Whether or not equipment can be restored.

• Whether or not there is any residual risk, subsequent to cleaning.

• Whether or not the contamination was caused by an insured event or pre-dated

the incident.

Contamination Assessment

Marine Cargo Investigation

Every day thousands of tons of goods are shipped to and from the numerous ports and container terminals within the Asia region. When goods suffer damage during marine transit, disputes often arise as to extent of damage and how and when the damage occurred. Burgoynes’ scientists and engineers can assist with arranging chemical analysis and testing of samples, providing interpretation of results and with on-site handling of ‘live’ incidents such as cargo fires and self-heating.

Examples of the types of incidents involving allegations of damage to marine cargo include:

• Spoilage of foodstuffs such as soya beans and yellow corn.

• Generation and release of flammable and toxic gases from cargoes.

• Contamination of chemical cargoes and fuels.

• Self-heating of bulk cargoes.

• Liquefaction of bulk cargoes.

• Corrosion of cargoes.

Hong Kong OfficeDr JH Burgoyne & Partners (Int’l) Ltd1606 Arion Commercial Centre2-12 Queen’s Road West, Sheung WanHong Kong

Tel (24 hrs): +852 2526 6731 Fax: +852 2526 6755Email: hongkong@burgoynes.com.hk

http://www.burgoynes.com/about/burgoynes-hong-kong

Singapore OfficeDr J H Burgoyne & Partners (Int’l) Ltd9 Purvis Street #03-01Singapore 188588

Tel (24 hrs): +65 6225 9011Fax: +65 6225 0698Email: singapore@burgoynes.com.sg

http://www.burgoynes.com/about/burgoynes-singapore

Hong Kong Office - Consultants

Rob BachelardBEng, CEng, MIMMMResident Director

Justin MarchantBEng(Hons), PhD, AMIChemE

Portia PongBSc, MSc

Singapore Office - Consultants

Jon SykesBSc, PhD, MIMMM, CEngResident Director

Sebastian NoragerBSc, ARCS, PhD

Edwin LowBEng

Darren Holling MSci, PhD, MRSC, AIFireE

Youming Chen BSc, MSc, MBA

Contact Details

Hong Kong OfficeDr JH Burgoyne & Partners (Int’l) Ltd

1606 Arion Commercial Centre

2-12 Queen’s Road West, Sheung Wan

Hong Kong

Tel (24 hrs): +852 2526 6731

Fax: +852 2526 6755

Email: hongkong@burgoynes.com.hk

Singapore OfficeDr J H Burgoyne & Partners (Int’l) Ltd

9 Purvis Street #03-01

Singapore 188588

Tel (24 hrs): +65 6225 9011

Fax: +65 6225 0698

Email: singapore@burgoynes.com.sg