2022 SCIAAI 2nd Quarter Training,
Electrical Class
May 18-19, 2022 (two-days)
Training Location
South Carolina Fire Academy
141 Monticello Trail
Columbia, S.C.
Check-in begins at 8:00 AM until 8:30 AM.
The S.C. Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators (SCIAAI) is proud to
announce the 2022 2nd Quarter Training Seminar. The instructor will be Benjamin Rouleau, P.E.
is currently assigned as an Electrical/Fire Research Engineer with the ATF Fire Research
Laboratory located outside of Washington DC in Beltsville, MD. He serves as a member of the
ATF National Response Team and responds to fire and explosion investigation scenes across the
county. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and a member of the Society of Fire Protection
Engineers (SFPE). Prior to ATF, Benjamin Rouleau performed fire investigations and code
enforcement at the county level and for the Department of Defense in Virginia. He is also a
former firefighter and registered paramedic.
In this two-day electrical class in accordance with NFPA 921, Chapter 9, Edit. 2021, fire investigators will evaluate various electrical appliances, learn methods to interpret post -fire damage and differentiate between fire cause and fire effect. The course will utilize a combination of lecture and practical sessions. This class will focus on small heat producing appliances such as space heaters, clothes irons, coffee makers, toasters, etc.
Investigators in groups will disassemble a small appliance, identify the heat source and protective devices, and attempt to cause failure in a controlled exercise. Others in the class will then examine the remains and attempt to identify the modifications. Findings are then shared with the class. The course assumes basic knowledge and understanding of circuits and electrical theory and will not review these topics. Students will need to bring small hand tools such as a screwdriver, wire cutters and pliers, and eye protection and gloves.
This training is scheduled for a minimum of 16 contact hours. Testing options will be discussed at the training event. The member attendance fee is $25.00, and the non-member attendance fee is $100. Lunch is on your own. Pre-registration is required: Register online for this class at www.sciaai.org. The cutoff date for registration is Friday, May 13, 2022. Non-member attendance must be pre-approved by the SCIAAI Board. Pending applicants pay a “member fee” to attend. Those wishing to apply for SCIAAI membership can download an application from the website at www.sciaai.org.