The Fire and Explosion Risks Associated With Cannabis/Hash Oil Extraction – A Technical Guide For A Forensic Investigation, International Symposium on Fire Investigations Science and Technology, National Association of Fire Investigators

With the ongoing legalization of marijuana, a new and potentially dangerous trend of extracting the cannabis plant oils is sweeping across the United States. The concept of making marijuana extracts (commonly referred to as “hash oil”) is not a new idea and in the past, traditional “hash” was produced by mechanically separating the natural resins from the plant through sieving, milling, crushing, and/or pulverizing of the raw material. However, the advent of “blasting,” a relatively new method of passing a flammable solvent through the plant material, has led to a brand new hazard associated with the extraction process. Whether it be in a regulated commercial facility or a clandestine extraction laboratory, the potential for an uncontrolled release of flammable vapors has led to an increased number of flash fires and explosions associated with the extraction process.

Fire And Ice: What Happened To Jones High School, International Symposium on Fire Investigations Science and Technology, National Association of Fire Investigators

In the early morning hours of December 10, 2007, the high school in Jones, Oklahoma, burned down in the midst of a massive ice storm that had knocked out power to most of the town. First responders made entry into the building and encountered heavy fire overhead near the intersection of the main north-south and east-west hallways in the north end of the building. The fire resisted suppression efforts and spread through the building via the ceiling and common enclosed roof spaces. The following day the burned-out remains of a second smaller fire were discovered in a locker room in a separate gymnasium building adjacent to the destroyed main building. The doors of both buildings were locked and no signs of forced entry, other than those made by firefighters, were observed.

A fire investigation was subsequently conducted. Given the numerous power outages and lightning associated with the storm, an electrical fire cause was hypothesized. After several days of investigating the fire, however, no evidence was found to indicate that the electrical systems in either building were energized during the fire, and witnesses and alarm records indicated the power to the high school had been out for hours before the fire was discovered. Just as it started to look like the fire would be classified as undetermined, a unique fire pattern was identified on the front of a gas-fired water heater that changed the course of the investigation.

Commercial Cooking Operation-Related Fires, International Symposium on Fire Investigations Science and Technology, National Association of Fire Investigators

Fires that occur in restaurant kitchens typically involve electric, gas, and solid fuel cooking appliances. In some cases, the fire may involve the associated ventilation system.
Determining what component(s) of the commercial cooking operation caused the fire is only one part of the investigation. A potentially equally important aspect of the investigation is the evaluation of the restaurant hood, fire extinguishing system, and ventilation control from a fire spread standpoint. As it relates to commercial cooking operations, this paper outlines the extinguishing system components and operation, ventilation control system components and operation, applicable codes and standards, installation and service requirements, and common failure modes.

All Up In Your Grill, A Look At Gas Grills and Fire Incidents, International Symposium on Fire Investigations Science and Technology, National Association of Fire Investigators

This paper reviews recent survey data related to grill ownership and usage, an references National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data related to gas grill fires. The basic anatomy of gas grills is presented, and standards and safety devices relevant to gas grills are discussed. This background and baseline information is followed by a discussion of the causes of gas grill fires. Potential causes are considered and discussed in great detail than the generalized information available through NFIRS data, and observations based on investigation results and demonstrative tests are provided.