Only highly experienced professionals can perform the complex tasks of uncovering the origin and cause of a fire or explosion. By evaluating the circumstances surrounding what happened and why, VERTEX is able to provide our clients with the technical expertise needed for them to determine coverage in a timely manner, reduce claim costs, combat fraud, and ultimately achieve closure with a solid, court defensible understanding of events and outcomes.
Using a full service approach and in a manner consistent with the Scientific Method and guidelines of NFPA 921, our NFPA 1033 qualified experts apply the highest level of professional competence in their investigative skills and techniques. VERTEX provides evidence collection, chain of custody as well as incident reporting, providing our customers with solid and reliable determination of origin and cause that will withstand the challenges of litigation.
Through scientific analysis, VERTEX can quickly and accurately determine whether the root cause of the fire or explosion was due to an electrical or mechanical component, human error, natural events, or arson.
VERTEX experts assist the insurance client and litigator by having highly trained and qualified professionals conduct site investigations that can determine the potential existence of third party culpability. VERTEX experts are experienced in reporting, depositions, and court testimony regarding fire and explosion incidents.
Our experts are available to not only investigate the origin and cause of structure fires, but also fires that have taken place in motor vehicles, trucks, industrial equipment and marine vessels.
Origin & Cause Investigation of Fire at Auto Repair Shop
Henry Stormer, IAAI-CFI (V), CFPS
National Division Manager, Fire Investigation
Henry Stormer is the National Division Manager for VERTEX’s Fire Investigation Division. His primary responsibilities include management of origin and cause investigations nationwide for the insurance industry as well as conducting Cause and Origin investigations of fire and explosions. Mr. Stormer is a fire expert with over 30 years of experience investigating fires and explosions both in the public and private sectors. His fields of expertise include: fire and explosion investigations, origin and cause, subrogation, failure analysis, evidence collection and preservation, fire code analysis and research, crime scene investigations, and arson investigations.
November 18, 2019
VERTEX’s CEO, Bill McConnell, recently executed a publishing agreement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (NYSE: JW.A) for a book titled, “Fundamentals of Construction Claims: A 10-Step Guide for General Contractors, Subcontractors, Architects, and Engineers.” The book is expected to be published by the Summer of 2020. Bill has a Bachelor of Science degree in…
November 11, 2019
During a recent CU Board of Regents meeting, VERTEX’s Chief Learning Officer, Russell Fitzpatrick, and CU Denver’s College of Engineering, Design and Computing Dean, Martin Dunn, led a discussion about the success of their partnership and what made it possible. “VERTEX and CU share a vision for the future that incorporates a lifetime of learning…
October 29, 2019
VTX Consulting Services Inc.8750 Holgate Crescent Milton, ON L9T 0K3 VTX Consulting Services Inc. (VTX), the Canadian subsidiary of The Vertex Companies Inc., is celebrating 6 years. Since 2013, VTX has continued to grow its operations, expanding expertise in all service areas and remaining committed to achieving the highest levels of service for clients. Headquartered…
October 17, 2019
VERTEX is proud to be part of the ENR Mountain States 2019 Best Small Project winning team as the structural engineering consultant on the SugarSquare project in Downtown Denver, CO. Congratulations to Urban Villages, Semple Brown Design, P.C., Jordy Construction and IMEG Corp. (formerly MKK Engineers). SugarSquare is a four-story, 11,400-sq-ft building in Denver’s LoDo…
October 1, 2019
Michael Plainte, VERTEX, and Archie Barrett, CEI (October 2019) The Vertex Companies, Inc. (VERTEX) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Compliance Environmental International, Inc. (CEI). The agreement was signed in the presence of senior leadership of both organizations including Archie Barrett, President and Owner of CEI; Jaron Frieden, Managing Director of VERTEX; Michael Plainte,…
October 31, 2019
By planning ahead and following these Halloween Safety Tips from the National Fire Protection Association you can help make this Halloween a fire-safe one. When choosing a costume, stay away from long trailing fabric. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so he or she can see…
October 10, 2019
Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored Fire Prevention Week which is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire. This year’s campaign is “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” which is aimed at educating people about the small…
March 5, 2019
With the continued growth in litigation over the past several years, VERTEX has seen a steady increase in expert consulting work to support our clients. VERTEX has been retained to act on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants in regards to liability and damages. The main goal of expert consulting is to add value to the…
December 19, 2018
Here in New England, the winter weather is in full swing. With the cold weather comes the threat of home fires from heating sources. According to the US Fire Administration (USFA): 890 people die in winter home fires each year. $2 billion in property loss occurs each year from winter home fires. Winter home fires…
October 10, 2018
Each year, at the beginning of October, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sponsors Fire Prevention Week; a campaign to raise awareness around fire safety and prevention. This year’s focus is “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” which is aimed at educating people about three basic but essential steps to take to reduce the likelihood…
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