Report a case

This report serves the structured case record of Project 550. It is voluntary. Only two entries are required: what kind of appliance it was and when it caught fire. Everything else helps but is optional.

Preserving evidence: what everything now depends on

Cases stand or fall with the preservation of evidence. Materials that have been disposed of can no longer be examined, and a sequence of events that nobody wrote down cannot be reconstructed later. The following steps take little time and decide whether the case remains usable.

Move nothing while the fire scene has not been released. If an insurer is involved, agree the preservation with them beforehand.

The appliance and the possible causes

It is not only the suspected appliance that is preserved, but everything that might be the cause. Only then can one cause be established and the others ruled out.

Preserve the appliance that caused the fire in full, including charred and melted remains.
Preserve components of the electrical installation: fuses, circuit breakers, sockets, distribution boards, supply leads and extension leads.
Preserve other appliances and heat sources that might be the cause.
Pack each item separately, label it and store it dry. Do not throw things together and do not clean anything.

Photographic documentation

Photograph early and generously. One picture too many has never done any harm.

An overview of the room from several directions before anything is moved.
The appliance where it was found, then from every side.
Close-ups of connection points, cables, plugs and switches.
Rating plate with model designation, serial number and year of manufacture.
The surroundings: what stood next to it, how far did the fire travel?

Documents and receipts

Documents establish the age, condition and history of the appliance.

Proof of purchase, invoice or sales contract.
Records of maintenance, servicing and repairs.
Evidence of initial and repeat inspections, where available.
Instruction manual and declaration of conformity, if still available.
An identical comparison appliance is valuable if one is available.

People and sequence of events

Memories fade quickly. Record what happened while it is still fresh.

Ask residents and operators about the sequence of events and write down what they say.
Who noticed what first: smell, smoke, sound or flame?
What was running at that moment, what was switched off?
Record the time and anything unusual in the preceding days.
Note the names and contact details of possible witnesses.

What the record is for

The case record first provides the picture that no official statistic captures: which appliance burned, when and where, and how far the fire spread beyond the appliance itself.

It serves a second purpose as well. Anyone who has suffered damage can pursue claims against the manufacturer. That is open not only to insurers but equally to private individuals seeking compensation for the full extent of their loss.

This requires a sound basis of technical fact: that the fire originated in the appliance, which materials were used and how combustible they are, and whether the derivation of the chosen test severity is documented in the technical file. These are precisely the findings that expert work produces. Recourse and defence against recourse have been among our areas of focus since 1998, and we are glad to assist.

Legal enforcement is a matter for the legal professions. This page is no substitute for legal advice and creates no engagement; time limits run independently of any report.

The appliance

Type of appliance (required) Required. Manufacturer and model If known. Evaluated internally only and never published. Year of manufacture or purchase An estimate is enough. Where it stood

The event

When did the appliance catch fire? (required) Required. Month and year are enough. Postcode of the location The first three characters are enough. Used for regional distribution. Operating state when the fire broke out Was anyone present?

What happened

How far did the fire spread? This is the central question of the examination. Approximate extent of damage Were there personal injuries? Only the broad category, no details. Please do not enter health information about other people here. Do the appliance or its remains still exist? Are photographs available? Was an expert opinion prepared? Is an insurer involved? What happened? In your own words. Please do not name other people here.

How to reach you

Name Voluntary. Initials are enough. E-mail address Needed only if you would like a reply. Please contact me if there are follow-up questions.

Consent

You can also send the details by e-mail. The questions on this form then serve as a guide. axelopp@gmail.com