The Forensic Examination of Photovoltaic Systems & Lithium Batteries

Time:

09:00 am – 09:30 am: Morning Coffee & Registration

09:30 am – 12:00 pm: The Forensic Examination of Photovoltaic Systems & Lithium Batteries

12:00 pm – 01:00 pm: Lunch

The detailed forensic examination of fire scenes, or fire damaged equipment in the laboratory, is critical when considering causation and gathering evidence from such scenes in relation to insurance investigations. In particular, there are also a number of safety issues when examining fire damaged photovoltaic (PV) systems or damaged lithium batteries whether on-site at fire scenes, or during laboratory examinations of fire damaged equipment (i.e. electric shocks, electrocution, overpressure incidents and resultant fires).

Join us as experts from Hawkins explain the basics of photovoltaic installations and lithium batteries, the electrical safety risks of fires scenes involving them, and typical faults/damage which can lead to fires or other failures.

Key Talking Points:

• Introduction to PV installations including residential and commercial designs.

• The safety risks associated with PV installations

• Issues with High Voltage (HV) connections and associated equipment on solar farms

• The common causes of fires within PV installations and associated equipment

• The chemistry of different battery types

• Common failures involving lithium batteries

• Video demonstrations

• The safety risks when examining fire scenes involving lithium battery packs

• Counterfeit equipment and associated issues

• Issues with carriage and disposal of lithium batteries

• Case studies.

Speakers:

• Dr Nick Carey – Principal Associate, Hawkins & Associates

An ex-firefighter, Nick has undertaken a number of electrical examinations within the UK. This has included multi-agency teams investigating several firefighter fatality incidents and the investigation into the cause of the Cutty Sark fire in Greenwich. He has delivered electrical training to Fire Brigades, Police Forces and Forensic Laboratories and presented at training conferences both within the UK and overseas. Nick’s experience in fire investigation led to him being asked to chair the writing group for the now published judicial primer “Fire Investigation – A Primer for Courts.”

• Dr David Rose – Principal Associate, Hawkins & Associates

David became interested in forensic investigation while working as part of the DERA TWA 800 air accident investigation team, investigating the destruction of a Boeing 747 that was caused by the ignition of a fuel-air mixture in the centre wing tank. David has carried out over 1,000 forensic investigations involving petrochemicals, confined space entry, fire and explosion incidents both in the United Kingdom and overseas. These cases have included small scale incidents to multi-million pound losses involving vehicles, houses, shops, warehouses, factories, petro-chemical plants and ships. David is experienced in the legal process and has given evidence in the capacity of an expert witness in Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court, High Court (Queen’s Bench Division) Arbitration and Mediation in the UK; the Supreme Court and a Public Inquiry in Singapore, Guangzhou Maritime Court (People’s republic of China) and the Samut Prakan Provincial Court in Thailand.