Hawkins Webinar - BLEVEs: The Hidden Dangers of Back Boilers

In this session Dr Tom Peat will look at the risks associated with domestic back boilers, and how environmental factors and incorrect decommissioning can result in catastrophic damage to property.

Learning objectives:

• Overview of a central heating system
• What is a BLEVE and why do they occur?
• The investigation of BLEVEs and the importance of instructing a forensic expert in a timely manner.
• Industry guidance for the prevention of BLEVEs

Dr Tom Peat graduated with a MEng in Aero-Mechanical Engineering from the University of Strathclyde in 2013. This degree incorporated numerous independent and group assignments, as well as an international research project at the Universitat Politècnica de València in Spain.

Upon completion of his degree, Tom began work as a Supplier Quality Engineer with Jaguar Land Rover, located in Gaydon. This role included the review of suppliers’ manufacturing facilities to ensure correct process controls were in place to maintain part quality and protect the delivery schedule. One of his main projects involved the investigation of defective aluminium plates that were susceptible to splitting during the pressing process. The outcome of this investigation identified the primary cause of the failure and resulted in the implementation of new process controls to reduce the frequency of defective parts.

This role cultivated an interest in materials science which led to the undertaking of a PhD in Advanced Surface Engineering within the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. The PhD project involved the development of an innovative surface engineering process to manufacture highly erosion-resistant composite surfaces containing ceramic and oxide reinforcing particles. The findings of this research were published in leading peer-reviewed academic journals and conference proceedings.

Since joining Hawkins in 2017, Tom has investigated around 400 cases involving fires, explosions, escapes of fluid, and engineering failures. Tom has led investigations ranging from small domestic claims to large multi-million-pound losses in the UK and internationally. He has produced expert reports for Pursuers and Defenders and has given expert evidence in the Sheriff Courts.

Tom is a Chartered Engineer and a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. He is a Senior Associate based in the Hawkins Glasgow office.

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