October 3-Day Seminar
There is ample availibility for the seminar, but due to lack of hotel room reservations there is a chance that the resort will soon rescind the block of rooms that have been designated for our members. We are requesting that all members interested in attending this seminar make these reservations as soon as possible.
Please see below for seminar information and sign-up instructions for Wild Apricot, which is a new platform that we have implemented to make event registration, dues payments, and MAIAAI correspondence easier for our members.
Please note that the only way to enroll in our seminars is through Wild Apricot.
Please join us again at the Red Jacket on beautiful Cape Cod on October 12,13 and 14.
“Investigating Appliance and Product Failures by Using Exemplars” including specifics on “Heating System Failures.”
Presented By:
Michael Stoddard, Meng, CFI, CFEI – Genesis Forensics, Inc.
Michael Stoddard is a Managing Partner and Fire & Engineering Analyst with Genesis Forensics, Inc., in Massachusetts. Michael has been a fire investigator (IAAI-CFI & NAFI-CFEI) for the insurance and legal communities on the private side for over 20 years. He has his Master of Engineering in Advanced Safety Engineering & Management and holds undergraduate degrees in Fire Investigation, Criminal Justice and Electromechanical Technology. Probably most well known as a clothes dryer fire and design expert, Stoddard has qualified as an expert witness, having testified at deposition in over forty-five cases and at several trials. Michael will share his expertise in the field of origin and cause, engineering analysis, fire hazard analysis and safety engineering for the discussion of consumer products and appliance fires.
Jeremiah Pratt, P.E., CFI, CFEI, CVFI – Genesis Forensics, Inc.
Jeremiah Pratt is a Managing Partner, Licensed Professional Engineer and Fire Analyst with Genesis Forensics, Inc. in Massachusetts. Jeremiah has been a fire investigator for the past eight years and is certified IAAI-CFI, NAFI-CFEI and NAFI-CVFI. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Mr. Pratt spent 14 years as a product designer for the department of defense, medical, utility, and consumer markets. Mr. Pratt’s breadth of experience and knowledge make him especially suited to investigations involving all types of electro-mechanical designs.
John Certuse, P.E., CFEI – ISE Engineering, Inc.
John Certuse is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator and President of ISE Engineering in Attleboro MA. He is also a Past President of The national Academy of Forensic Engineers and the author of “Heating Systems Troubleshooting & Repair, Forensic Observations and Maintenance Tips” published by Industrial Press Publishers in May of 2019. John is a graduate from The Massachusetts Maritime Academy with a degree in Marine Engineering, a former U.S. Naval Engineering Officer and is a Registered Professional Engineer throughout the northeast and Atlantic region. In his role with ISE Engineering John performs forensic engineering examinations for the insurance industry for a number of forensic engineering investigation areas including fire and explosions, heating systems, household appliances and building envelope issues. John holds patents for fuel usage analysis, as well as freeze protection piping insulation, and is also a licensed oil burner technician, stationary commercial boiler operator and pipefitter. John has spoken at seminars offered by the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, the Maine and Vermont Chapters of the IAAI, Vocational Technical Training schools as well as numerous insurance companies provided instruction in cause and origin fires and equipment malfunctions.
Thomas Zarek, CFEI, CVFI – ISE Engineering, Inc.
Thomas Zarek is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI), Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), Appliance Forensic Technician and has been employed since 1997 as an appliance failure inspector. Thomas is a licensed Massachusetts Oil Burner technician and National Fireplace Institute as an NFI Certified Gas Specialist. As ISE’s Senior Fire Investigator, Thomas has performed cause and origin analysis involving full building destruction due to fire, explosions due to gas leaks, and cause and origin determination of fires with major and minor appliances and vehicle fire investigation. Thomas attained a Bachelor of Science Degree from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and a Masters Degree from the US Naval War College. Thomas has attended continuing education programs in diesel engines, appliance technology, and cause and origin determination of appliance fires and fuel gas systems. Thomas has spoken at seminars offered by the Maine and Vermont Chapters of the IAAI as well as numerous insurance companies and provided instruction in cause and origin of major appliances as well as heating system fires and failures, and vehicle fires.
The daily schedule for the seminar is as follows:
Wednesday 10/12/2022
8:30 – 8:45 Check in/Registration
8:45 – 10:30 (with breaks) – John Certuse and Tom Zarek – Heating System and Chimney Fire Causes
10:30 – 12:00 (with breaks) – John Certuse and Tom Zarek – Natural and LP Gas Failures and Fires
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 14:30 (with breaks) – Jeremiah Pratt and Michael Stoddard – Investigating Appliance and Product Failures
14:30 – 16:00 (with breaks) – Jeremiah Pratt and Michael Stoddard – Using Exemplars for Product Examinations
Thursday 10/13/2022
8:30 – 9:00 Field Day Arrival
9:00 – ? – Michael Stoddard, Jeremiah Pratt, and Tom Zarek – Demonstration of two appliance failure fires (likely dryer fire and range top fire), demonstration of heating appliance functions and failure modes, demonstration of component fire effects (UL 94 plastic differences), demonstration of wire over current failure.
Friday 10/14/2022
8:30 – 9:00 Classroom arrival
9:00 – 12:00 (with breaks) – Tom Zarek, Jeremiah Pratt, and Michael Stoddard – Appliance Failure and Fire Case Studies
If you would like to reserve your room at the discounted rate, please read the information below.
Hotel Information:
Red Jacket Beach Resort & Spa
1 South Shore Drive
South Yarmouth, MA 02664
Reservation need to be received by September 13, 2022
Group Code: MAIAA221010-130856
Reservations phone number: 800-237-8887
https://redjacketresorts.com/resorts/red-jacket-beach-resort
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