Coordinate Site Study and Gather Information

Within 2 hours of receiving an assignment, NFE team members reach out to the insured and identify which investigator should be assigned for the site study, based on the loss location and earliest availability. Additionally, coordinators contact the local fire department to gather initial information about the fire.

Interviews With Occupants and Neighbors

The assigned NFE investigator speaks with policyholders and witnesses to collect all available background information. While these interviews provide context around the incident, NFE investigators are also trained not to allow witness statements to influence their findings, thus avoiding confirmation bias.

Initial Scene Safety Assessment

After arriving onsite, the NFE investigator assesses the fire scene to ensure it is safe to enter and determines if any extra safety precautions or specialized equipment are necessary. Evidence at the scene of a fire can be vulnerable to disturbance by unauthorized personnel, weather, and potential theft if not properly protected.

Investigators will notify those handling the claim if additional measures are needed to preserve evidence. This could include securing doors and windows, covering openings with tarps or sheathing, arranging for outside help to fence in large areas, posting signage, and/or hiring security guards.

Exterior Study and Documentation

Employing a systematic approach that starts outside the structure, vehicle, or equipment, NFE investigators carefully inspect the entire perimeter of the structure to reveal the extent and location of damage. They will note how the building was constructed, types of materials used, exterior surfaces, signs of previous remodeling, and note any unusual features that may have affected how the fire began and spread. They analyze and document the exterior from areas of least damage to most.

Interior Study and Documentation

NFE investigators take photographs and document the interior of the fire scene, analyzing fire patterns and proceeding from the least damaged areas to the most damaged areas to determine the fire’s most plausible origin.

3D Interactive Scan, If Applicable

3D scanning tools can be used to automatically map dimensioned floor plans, measure dimensions*, identify and verify contents for desk adjusting, provide insights about the layout of a structure, alleviate spoliation concerns, and communicate findings from the onsite inspection with the client.

Check out this video for a closer look at this technology:

Scene Excavation

NFE team members inspect the area of origin, using debris and other indicators to determine and record the:

• Oxidant

• Competent Ignition Source

• First Material Ignited

• Ignition Sequence

Explore this resource for more on critical fire claim vocabulary:

Scene Reconstruction

Evidence Collection, If Applicable

Certain evidence from a fire scene may need to be securely stored or sent for further testing. NFE investigators can identify this evidence, and Component Testing Laboratories (CTL), also part of Alpine Intel’s suite of services, can perform component testing at one of two state-of-the-art facilities so that carriers can evaluate subrogation potential. CTL’s in-house transportation service, Loss Logistics, reduces the inherent risk of evidence spoliation.

Download this eBook to learn how the partnership between NFE and CTL can streamline your large loss fire claims.

Verbal Report To the Client

NFE investigators waste no time, calling clients from the fire scene after the inspection to provide preliminary findings.

Investigators also discuss and strategize next steps with the client to ensure they have the actionable insights they need.

Written Technical Report of Findings, If Requested

NFE can supply either a standard or comprehensive report depending on the client's needs and the specifics of the fire scene. All NFE reports are technically reviewed and feature an executive summary that outlines claim details, property information, origin and cause findings, and information from the policyholder.

Want to know more about each easy-to-read report type? Save this guide: