Frequently Asked Questions
These are the most commonly asked questions. Can't find what you're looking for? Email our friendly team!
National Fire Experts (NFE) is the new brand identity for Donan Fire Investigation. NFE has the same fire team, with the same level of professionalism, expertise, and customer service you’ve come to expect, just under a new identity all its own.
Donan has a reputation as an engineering firm that also performs fire investigations. But that isn’t the whole story. As part of the Alpine Intel suite of services, we’ve improved our cycle times and reports. We decided that we deserved a name change that says exactly what we are – National Fire Experts.
Our nationwide footprint ensures coverage and capabilities to service the country’s largest carriers as well as smaller, regional clients.
Clients can expect consistency, quality, and conclusive findings. Each investigation is performed to the highest standards, and the reports we produce are looked upon as top of class by our clients. National Fire Experts conducts a technical review for quality control and consistency, and you can expect industry-leading cycle times. We provide unbiased, conclusive findings in each of our reports, giving our clients a clear understanding of the cause of loss.
Each of our fire investigations is certified with one or both of the following bodies:
- The International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) – Certified Fire Investigator (CFI)
- The National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) – Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
In addition to this certification, many of our fire investigators have attained additional certifications in specialized areas.
Client services will reach out within 2 business hours to schedule an inspection with a National Fire Experts investigator based on the loss location and earliest availability. After we have reached out to the onsite contact to verify information and obtain their availability, our average* response time to the scene is 2 business days. Our average* time to produce a peer reviewed report is 5 business days after the date of the inspection.
Investigations will be conducted using the scientific method and in accordance with guidelines established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 921 to determine the origin and cause of the fire. Once completed, the fire investigator will provide a verbal briefing with the preliminary findings following the inspection. We offer a variety of reports to meet your needs and back up our conclusions with evidence and scientific observations.
Our average* cycle time is 7 business days for structure fires and 10 business days for vehicle/equipment fire or fewer from project acknowledgement.
- Within 2 business hours of receiving an assignment, we will reach out to the onsite contact, your insured, the responding fire department, and our client to gather information about the fire and coordinate the site study.
- Our fire investigator will conduct in-person (preferred) or telephone interviews with owners/residents, neighbors, or anyone else with information about the fire.
- The fire investigator will conduct an initial scene safety assessment.
- Our expert will study and document the exterior of the property.
- The fire investigator will study and document the interior of the property.
- If applicable, we will conduct an interactive 3D scan of the structure.
- Our fire investigator will excavate the scene.
- Our expert will reconstruct the scene.
- We will collect any relevant evidence, if applicable
- We will call the client and provide a verbal report of our findings and strategize any next steps.
- If the client requests it, we will provide a written technical report of our findings.
Evidence at the property can be vulnerable to disturbance by unauthorized personnel, weather, and potential theft. Steps to protect evidence may include securing doors and windows, securing openings with tarps or sheathing, and fencing the fire scene. Posting signage at the fire scene or hiring security to guard a scene is also an option. Fire investigators must adhere to the NFPA guidelines and ASTM International standards and must have specialized training and certifications. We can also secure evidence for transport to our secure evidence facility and can utilize Loss Logistics for white-glove transportation of evidence.
*”Average” is used to define assignments without delays that can’t be anticipated or mitigated. These include, but are not limited to, lack of response by the onsite contact, weather, joint inspections, litigation, etc.