Clive Hubbard is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator. He has over 35 years of experience with the Toronto Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service, and most recently, with the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal, conducting comprehensive investigations of the origin, cause and circumstances of fire and explosion scenes. This also includes identifying issues relating to fire safety and involves the identification, collection, preservation, and presentation of evidence to be used in court. He has completed over 400 investigations and, in many cases, has provided expert witness testimony. Additionally, as an Adjunct Instructor, Clive instructed students enrolled in the National Fire Protection Association Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator (NFPA 1033) at the Ontario Fire College (OFC) and Regional Training Centre’s (RTC) throughout Ontario.
Russ is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, as well as a former Fire Captain, Fire Prevention officer, and member of the Arson Strike Force. He has over 20 years of experience and has performed over 1,200 fire and explosion investigations, including large structural losses, vehicle fires, and wildland fires. Russ also investigates and reports on technical failures, specializing in fire sprinkler systems.
Tyler is an architectural technologist and BCIN qualified designer with experience preparing formal engineering plans and permit drawings, as well as conceptual drawings and high-quality renderings. Tyler has a proven track record of managing a wide array of projects, ranging from residential renovations to new commercial constructions. He has extensive knowledge of applicable building codes and zoning laws.
Mesbah is a Civil Engineering Professional with nearly 10 years of demonstrated proficiency in the field of Structural Engineering. He specializes in structural analysis and design. His experience includes the design of low- and mid-rise steel and concrete residential buildings, as well as providing as-built plans for bridges and other infrastructure. He has analyzed and designed concrete and steel structural elements, examined bridges for structural deficiencies, and inspected steel framework, reinforcing steel mesh and rods, and concrete forms to ensure quality standards and to verify conformance to specifications and building codes. Mesbah has further experience developing concrete mix designs and is proficient in concrete technology. In addition, he has sound knowledge of safety standards which he is able translate onto construction sites. Mesbah is in expert in AutoCAD and structural design software such as ETABS and SAP.
Jimmy is a certified Fire and Explosion Investigator. His professional experience includes 22 years as a Fire Fighter with the Ottawa Fire Service and 10 years as a Fire Investigator with the Ottawa Fire Department, Fire Investigations Unit. He has performed over 200 investigations and assisted in a further 12 investigations with The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office, three of which were fatal fires and one a large explosion. Jimmy has been accepted as an expert witness in Ontario Provincial and Civic court.
Kelly is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator and Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator and has conducted over 350 fire scenes. He has over 15 years of experience with the Calgary Police Department, including as a Detective on the Arson Team where he investigated 50 fatality fires. Prior to the Calgary Police Service, Kelly spent 13 years as an Advanced Care Paramedic for the City of Calgary and served as a Firefighter for the Cochrane Fire Department. He is a member of the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) and was awarded the Alberta Emergency Service Medal for 32 Years of Service.
Guy is a Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator and Fuels Specialist with extensive experience conducting forensic investigations into fires and explosions as well as mechanical systems and equipment. Guy worked within the Fuels Safety program at Ontario’s Technical Standards & Safety Authority for 17 years, prior to which he was employed in the HVAC industry for a further 15 years, both as a technician and a commercial/industrial gas instructor. Guy has served in leadership roles, including vice-chair at the Regional Common Ground Alliance, statutory director under the Technical Standards & Safety Act, and as a member of the B149.1 code committee.
Amanda is a Fire Investigator specializing in mechanical engineering, failure analysis and origin and cause investigation of fires. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from McMaster University, along with a Co-Op designation. Amanda has attended and participated in over 100 fire scene investigations and mechanical failure examinations.
In July, the insured experienced a significant loss when a fire sprinkler system failed to perform as expected during a fire-related incident. This occurred despite a routine annual inspection by the contractor a month prior. Additionally, recent building expansion and sprinkler system modifications raised concerns about whether the system had been updated or altered correctly.
Our investigation revealed issues with system components, along with potential gaps in the contractor’s maintenance and communication, all of which contributed to the loss.
The root cause of the failure was identified as improper materials and installation practices. The corrugated flexible plastic hose that connected the circulation relief valve to the floor drain lacked any markings or certifications, indicating that it was likely not listed for this application. Furthermore, the way this hose was connected – using a gear clamp and electrical tape – was not adequate for this application.
The contractor’s annual inspection reports and maintenance history were reviewed in detail to determine whether any previous issues or shortcomings in system performance had been identified and addressed. The contractor had inspected and maintained the system for several years and had previously flagged the status of the jockey pump. According to the contractor’s inspection report, the jockey pump had been left off, with the expectation that the fire pump would start automatically if pressure dropped. However, the failure to resolve or address this issue was a significant oversight.
Recommendations included replacing the faulty hose with a certified, compliant material and proper fittings, enforcing stricter maintenance protocols – particularly for critical components like the jockey pump – and regularly testing pressure levels in the system. This case underscores the importance of adhering to fire safety codes and maintaining fire protection systems in optimal working order to prevent such failures.
For the first time in five years, the National Tour is Back on the Road! Our team of engineers and forensic experts will be delivering in-depth presentations on a series of critical industry topics, including:
Each seminar will feature four hours of expert-led discussions, with topics tailored to each city based on local expertise. Attendees will also enjoy a networking lunch, providing valuable opportunities to connect with industry professionals.
We’re thrilled to be speaking in front of a live audience once again and sharing insights that enhance investigative practices and further professional knowledge.
