In This Issue

Vol. 18 No. 4 (Fall 2010)

Page 1 News
For fire investigators it’s almost gospel: All electrical connections for branch circuit wiring must be made in approved junction boxes. If the connections aren’t made in approved boxes, investigators often assume somebody did something wrong.

Not all connections must be housed in such boxes, however. One example, an interconnection device, is not required to be housed in a junction box. It’s in millions of homes today – and can be a source of fires, even if the connections are used appropriately.

Special Report: Was the device plugged in?
When it comes to ruling in or ruling out whether an electrical device caused a fire, one of the first questions to answer is whether the device was plugged in – or not. Seems like the answer should be easy, but it often isn’t. Fire Findings’ Nathan Dwyer, B.S.E.E., C.F.I., explains some key aspects to consider in nearly every fire investigation.

Bonus – Fire Findings’ limited testing shows the differences between occupied and unoccupied electrical outlets.

Make the most of your phone interviews
Phone interviews require you use some different techniques than face-to-face discussions. For instance, describing flame heights can be difficult. You’ll want people to make comparisons to everyday, common objects. For instance, “Were the flames as high as the seat of a chair or a kitchen counter?” Pick up some other important phone interview tips in this issue.

Burning fuel oil has to be done just right
Oil furnaces and other oil-fueled appliances have an uncommon problem. They burn No. 2 fuel, which doesn’t care to burn. You either have to heat (vaporize it) or break it into very tiny droplets so a relatively small heating source can ignite it. Find out how the process works and what scenarios can potentially lead to fires.

And, in every issue:
Fast Facts • Something for Nothing • Reviews • In-Court Tips • Product Recalls and Manufacturer Problems • Techniques • Site Surfing

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