Jean L. McDowell

Jean L. McDowell

Jean L. McDowell

IEng, C.G.Eng., FIFireE

Principal/Consultant

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Fire Science, Explosion, and Fuel Gas System Analysis

  • B.S. Degree in Fire Science, B.A. Degree in History, A.BS. in Criminology. Incorporated Engineer and Engineering Council in the United Kingdom. Certified Gas Engineer with extensive training and experience in fire and explosion analysis. Professional experience since 1965 including over fifty years of managerial responsibility with engineering and insurance firms.
  • Primary areas of consultation: Fire and explosion analysis inclusive of liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas fires/explosions, research, and testing involving fires in structures and combustible materials, fire code reviews, fire safety analysis, fire modeling, and fuel gas system application, and installation and code review.
  • Visiting Lecturer for the Fire Safety Engineering Research Technology Center, University of Ulster, Carrickfergus, (Belfast), and Northern Ireland (Fire and Explosion Site Analysis and Fire Modeling, 1994–1996).
  • Professional activities include addresses on fire safety, fire, arson, explosion analysis, and gas system applications, installations, and code compliance before trade associations, fire protection agencies, and professional and educational institutions.
  • 1985-Present

    McDOWELL OWENS ENGINEERING, INC

    Houston, Texas

    Principal and Consulting Scientist. Serves as a consultant in fire sciences. Primary interests include analysis of fires and explosions for origin and cause in structures and equipment, fire safety consultations and fire code reviews, fire modeling, and fuel gas equipment application. Responsible for the development and coordination of special testing programs.

  • 1979-1985

    CRADDOCK, McDOWELL & CRANE, INC.

    Kingwood, Texas

    Principal and Consulting Scientist. Served as a consultant in fire sciences. Primary duties included analysis of fires and explosions for origin and cause in structures and equipment, fire safety consultations, and accident reconstruction involving fuel gas equipment. Responsible for the development and coordination of special testing programs at the fire test facility.

  • 1978-1979

    VERSITECH CORPORATION

    Atlanta, Georgia

    Operations Manager. Responsible for the administrative operations of the firm with technical responsibilities in fire analysis. Accountable for all laboratory facilities and setup of special testing facilities. Coordinated all outside services by special consultants and responsible for review of technical reports by engineers and scientists.

  • 1968–1978

    MARYLAND CASUALTY COMPANY

    Atlanta, Georgia

    Regional Claims Supervisor. Responsible for supervision of lawsuits, product liability claims, special account claims, and technical expert consultation. Worked on the investigation of special claims and supervised subordinates in special investigative techniques. Assignments included fire investigation, accident reconstruction, product design failure management, and fire investigations on property losses of all sizes in Massachusetts and Florida. Interacted with various fire marshals and attorney general offices in several states. Also performed responsibilities as Claims Manager in New Bedford and Springfield, Massachusetts, and as Field Representative for Prudential Insurance Company.

  • 1966–1968

    CITY OF DAYTONA BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT

    Daytona, Florida

    Patrol Functions and Special Deputy. Governor of Florida Crime Commission Cooperated on assignments with the F.B.I. and Volusia County, Florida Sheriff's Department.

  • 1965–1966

    CITY OF BATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT

    Baton Rouge, Louisiana

    Special Investigator: Assigned to Accident Investigation Division.

  • 1964–1965

    LANE-WELLS COMPANY, DRESSER INDUSTRIES

    New Orleans, Louisiana

    Rigger/Operator. Work involved rigging and operating well testing equipment (core samples, etc.) both onshore and offshore, part-time and during summers.

  • 1959–1965

    UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

    Various Assignments Inclusive of Sea Duty. Instructor Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense School, Demolitions, and Explosives.

  • Graduate Studies, Fire Safety Engineering
    University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1994–1996
  • Bachelor of Science, Fire Sciences
    University of Maryland, University College, 1985
  • Graduate Studies, Educational Psychology
    Mercer University, Atlanta, Georgia, 1975–1976
  • Bachelor of Arts, History
    Mercer University, Atlanta, Georgia, 1975
  • Associate in Science, Criminology
    Daytona Beach College, Daytona, Florida, 1968
  • Universities: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts; American International College, Springfield, Massachusetts; Mercer University, Atlanta, Georgia; University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland; University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland; University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
  • Incorporated Engineer (IEng)
    Engineering Council (United Kingdom)
    Registration No. 578098
  • American Society of Gas Engineers (ASGE)
    Certified Gas Engineer
    Registration No. 283
  • Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
    National Association of Fire Investigators
    1993 by Examination, No. 4208-0736 (Life Member)
  • Certified Fire/Arson Investigator (Past)
    State of Texas, Texas Commission on Fire Protection
    1999 by Examination
  • Certified LPG Testing Laboratory, Manager, Category O License,
    Railroad Commission of Texas, Gas Services Division, LP-Gas Section
    License No. 12234
  • Hydrogen Sulfide Awareness Training,
    (OSHA 29 CFR 1910, 29 CFR 1926 and ANSI Z390.1)
  • Permit and Non-Permit Confined Space Entry,
    (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146)
  • Low-Pressure Gas Cylinder Safety for Fillers, Pipeline, and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), October 2005–Current.
  • Compressed Air System for Lowest kW/100 cfm, Compressed Air Best Practices, June 23, 2022
  • IAAI (CFI), CFITrainer.Net, December 22-24, 2023
    • Fire Investigation for the Fire Officers
    • How First Responders Impact The Fire Investigation
    • Documenting the Event
    • Alternative Fuel Vehicles
    • Fire Investigator Scene Safety
    • Emerging Technologies in Fire Investigation, 3-Hour Tested Training Program
    • Fire Flow Analysis, 3-Hour Tested Training Program
  • NFPA 54, Technical Committee on National Fuel Gas Code. (Submitted Change) Oct. 2022
  • NFPA 58, Technical Committee on the LP Gas Code, Teams Meeting, Feb. 2021
  • NFPA 54, Technical Committee on the National Fuel Gas Code, Teams Meeting, Sept. 2021
  • Third-Party Pressure Equipment Inspection: Four Levels of Service, Engineering 360 Webinars sponsored by Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB), 1 hour, March 25, 2020
  • NFPA 58, Liquified Petroleum Gas Code, Technical Committee, Task Group on CGA Connection Face Seal Requirements (CGA 791 and 793 Connections), March 2020
  • NFPA 58, Technical Committee on the LP Gas Code, Charlotte, North Carolina, Feb. 26–27, 2020
  • NFPA Technical Committee on the National Fuel Gas Code, Atlanta, Georgia, July 8–9, 2019
  • NFPA (National Fire Protection Association): NFPA 72 (2019 Edition), Designing for Audibility of Fire Alarm Notification Systems, Video, 0:30 minutes, May 2, 2019
  • SFPE (Society of Fire Protection Engineers): Sprinkler Protection of Storage Updates and Research From NFPA, On-line Webinar, 1 hour, April 25, 2019
  • NFPA (National Fire Protection Association): NFPA 13, Understanding Pressure Regulation in Highrise Buildings, Video, 0:30 minutes, April 23, 2019
  • PERC (Propane Education and Research Council): Video Program Training – TB&S Consultants, PERC Docket No. 12457. PERC 006400, Static Electricity in the Propane Industry, Video and Exam, 1 hour, March 28, 2019
  • NFPA (National Fire Protection Association): NEC Connect, What You Need to Know in Assessing Electrical Systems After a Flood, Video, 0:30 minutes, March 28, 2019
  • NFPA 58 Technical Committee on Liquefied Petroleum Gases, Second Draft Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland, September 24–26, 2018
  • NFPA 58 Technical Committee on Liquefied Petroleum Gases, First Draft Meeting, Tampa, Florida, October 16–18, 2017
  • NFPA Research Foundation, San Antonio, TX, March 3–4, 2016, Fire Detection Program
    • Improving Data Collection of Smoke Alarms in Fires
    • Experimental Investigation of Using CO Sensors to Detect Smoldering Fires in Dwellings
    • Influence of the Operating Time on the Behavior of Smoke Alarms in Typical Office Environments
    • Effect of Detector Sensitivity Changes on the Provision of Adequate Warning to Building Occupants
    • A Fire-Induced Displacement Estimation Method for Civil Infrastructures
    • Indoor Positioning Systems Enhance Safety and Security in Buildings
    • Visual Alarm Devices – Their Effectiveness in Warning of Fire
    • Occupant Evacuation Elevator (OEE) Case Studies
    • Impact of Smoke Alarm Performance Considering New Nuisance Fire Tests
    • Beyond Cooking: Smoke Alarm Nuisance Sources Evaluated
    • Multi-angle Multi-Wavelength Light Scattering of Smokes and Cooking Aerosols
    • Physics Based Assessment of Light Scattering in Multi-Color Smoke Detection
  • IAAI (CFI), CFITrainer.Net, February 2014 – NFPA 921 and 1033 – 2014 Revisions
  • IAAI (CFI), CFITrainer.Net, September 2013
    • Arc Mapping Basics
    • Critical Thinking Solves Cases Electrical
    • Safety
    • Evidence Examination: What Happens at the Lab?
    • Explosion Dynamics
    • Wildland Fires Investigation
  • NFPA EuroCon, Amsterdam, November 2012
    • Principles of Life Safety Design: Determining Occupant Load and Egress Capacity
    • Sprinkler Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance
  • Update to NFPA 13, 2013 Edition
    • Human Failures and Decision Risk and Economic Alternatives
    • Principles for Fire Safety Design for Health Care Facilities
    • High Rise Buildings: Designs, Construction and Fire Safety Challenges
    • Fire Alarm Systems for Life Safety
    • Principles of Fire and Life Safety Design: Features of Fire Requirements for Enclosure and Protection of the Means of Egress Applying the Life
    • Safety Code to Building Rehabilitation
    • Installation, Testing, and Acceptance of a Low, Medium, or High-Expansion Foam System
  • Water Mist in North America, The Society of Fire Protection Engineering, May 2, 2012
  • Hazardous Materials Transportation Training and Security Awareness Training, U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline, and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, March 29, 2012
  • CO Detection: Legislation Update and New Code Requirements, The Society of Fire Protection Engineering, December 14, 2011
  • A New Approach to Gas Detection and Environmental Monitoring, The Society of Fire Protection Engineering, December 7, 2011
  • Fire Investigation Techniques Training, International Association of Arson Investigators, Denver, Colorado, April 30–May 5, 2006
  • Catastrophic Propane Explosion and Carbon Monoxide Claims, Propane Claim Training Seminar, November 17–18, 2005
  • Introduction to Fire Dynamics Simulator and Smokeview, The Society of Fire Protection Engineers, Baltimore, Maryland, September 16–18, 2002
  • 16th Fire Science and Fire Investigation Course, Fire Safety Engineering Group, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland, April 2002 (Examination, IFE, taken)
  • Forensic Photography, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia, February 2002
  • Propane Delivery Truck Operations, Texas Propane Gas Association, San Antonio, Texas, August 2001
  • National Seminar on Fire Analysis Litigation, National Association of Fire Investigators, Sarasota, Florida, July 2001
  • First Annual Conference on Human Reaction to Fire, University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1998
  • INTERFLAM ‘96 (Fire Research Conference), King’s College, Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, 1996
  • INTERFLAM ‘93 (Fire Research Conference), Keble College, Oxford University, Oxford, England, 1993
  • Fire Safety Design and Management, Centre for Maritime and Industrial Safety Technology, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1992
  • Fire Science and Engineering, Centre for Maritime and Industrial Safety Technology, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1992
  • Annual Conference on Fire Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Building and Fire Research Laboratory, Rockville, Maryland, 1992
  • Emergency Response – Planning and Accident Investigation, Institute of Gas Technology, Chicago, Illinois, 1991
  • Research and Data Exchange (Shipboard Fire Suppression Techniques), United States Coast Guard Research Station, Groton, Connecticut, 1990
  • Professional Development Series: Introduction to Hazard-I, Computer Fire Modeling, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Center for Fire Safety Studies, 1990
  • Fire Tests in Building Codes Principles and Applications, Standards Technology Training, ASTM, Southwest Research Institute, 1989
  • Science and Engineering as Applied in Fire Investigation, The Unit of Fire Safety Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, 1987 and 1988
  • Annual Conference on Fire Research, National Bureau of Standards, Center for Fire Research, 1987
  • Automatic Sprinkler Workshop, National Fire Protection Association, 1987
  • LP Gas School (Distribution, Transportation, Storage, and Service), Cal-Gas Technical Center, Sacramento, California, 1986
  • LP Gas Service School (Distribution, Transportation, Storage, and Service), North-Central Technical Institute, Wausau, Wisconsin, 1986
  • Research, Analysis, and Testing of the Harvard V. Fire Code (First Computer Fire Code), Imperial College, London, England, 1983
  • Rural Fire Defense, Texas Forest Service, 1982
  • Electrical Fires Seminar, National Fire Protection Association, 1980
  • Accredited Standards Committee Z223 on National Fuel Gas Code, Principal Member (ANSIZ223)
  • American Academy of Forensic Sciences, General Section, Retired Fellow – Member No. 52065
  • American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) – Member No. 000109246
    • ASTM – Committee E-05
    • ASTM - Committee E-30
    • ASTM - Committee E-30.11
    • ASTM - Committee E-30.92
    • ASTM - Committee E-58

    Fire Standards

    Forensic Sciences

    Interdisciplinary Forensic Science Standards

    Terminology - Past Chairman

    Forensic Engineering

  • Common Ground Alliance (CGA) (811) – Past Member (2014–2019)
  • Former member of Kingwood, Texas, Fire Department – Past President, Board of Directors, Fire Ground Officer, Firefighter, Motor Pump Operator and Department Fire Investigator
  • Institute of Fire Engineers (FIFireE) Fellow – Member No. 00032209
  • International Association of Arson Investigators – Member No. 28180
  • NAFI (National Association of Fire Investigators) – (Life Member) Member No. 4208
  • National Fire Protection Association – Senior Member No. 117850
  • Member (Principal) NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, Technical Committee
  • Chairman – Task Group on Dielectric Fittings, NFPA 58, 2018
  • Member (Principal) NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code, Technical Committee
  • Member of the International Fire Marshal’s Association
  • Member of the Wildland Fire Management Section
  • PERC (Propane Education and Research Council) – Member
  • Railroad Commission of Texas
    • LP-Gas Advisory Committee, (1997–2006)
    • LP-Gas Advisory Committee, Safety and Security Sub-Committee, (2005–2006)
    • LP-Gas Advisory Committee, National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54), (1999–2001)
  • Texas Propane Gas Association, Affiliate Member
  • Served as a reviewer of Refereed Articles and Publications for the American Society of Testing and Materials and the Journal of Fire Science
  • Served as a Reviewer of Reports for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
  • Texas Society of Professional Engineers – Past Member, Chapter 26
  • National Society of Professional Engineers – Past Member, Membership No. 104047069
  • Society of Fire Protection Engineers – Past Member
  • The Society of Professional Engineers, UK – Past Member, No. A8999
  • International Code Council – No. 5142911
  • Crum & Forster Insurance Company, Risk Analysis Presentation, July 2022
  • “What You Did Not Know That You Did Not Know about NFPA 54 and 58”. Propane Gas Defense Association, Spring Meeting, Houston, Texas, April 7, 2017
  • “Fuel Gas Equipment and Explosions”, Crum G Forster Presentation, McDowell Owens Engineering Lab, Houston, Texas, February 28, 2017
  • “Fuel Gas Explosion Investigation”, Crum G Forster Presentation, Houston, Texas, December 7, 2016
  • “Post-Incident Site Findings”, Tennessee Propane Gas Association Presentation, Orange Beach, Alabama, June 18, 2015
  • “Forensic Science”, CSI Forensic Science Camp – Got Forensic Science? San Jose State University, San Jose, California, July 30, 2014
  • “SAD – (Sudden Acute Disassembly)”, Propane Gas Defense Association 2012 Fall Meeting, Scottsdale, Arizona, September 27–28, 2012
  • “Mock Trial and Safety in Operation”, Alabama Propane Gas Association Presentation, Prattville, Alabama, May 10, 2011
  • “Post Incident Site Examination”, Freeman Gas Manager’s Meeting Presentation, Fontana Dam, North Carolina, April 19–21, 2010
  • “Fuel Gas Explosion Investigation”, Propane Claim Training Seminar, Orlando, Florida, November 17–18, 2005
  • “Fuel Gas Accident Investigation”, Ranger Insurance Company, September 4, 2003
  • “Safety in Residential Fuel Gas Systems”, Annual Conference of The Navajo Nation, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 28, 2002
  • “Managing the Risk at Your Propane Storage Facility”, The Southwest Propane Gas Conference, Arlington, Texas, 2002
  • “Safety in Fuel Gas Operations”, Annual Conference of The Navajo Nation, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 2001
  • “Emergency Services Risk Management Considerations”, National CPCU Association, San Antonio, Texas, 2001
  • “Predicting Human Reaction to Fire Using Computer Fire Modeling”, First Annual Conference on Human Reaction to Fire, University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1998
  • “Origin and Cause”, Fire and Police Arson Seminar of the Kansas Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, Salina, Kansas, 1994
  • "Potential Accumulation of Unburned Gunshot Residue (GSR) in Indoor Shooting Ranges and the Associated Fire Hazard”, Centre for Maritime and Industrial Safety Technology, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1992
  • "Origin/Cause Determination Post Flashover”, Centre for Maritime and Industrial Safety Technology, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1992
  • "The Application of Forensic Engineering and Fire Science to Loss Analysis”, Kansas City Underwriters Association, 1992
  • "What Does a Gas Explosion Look Like”, Institute of Gas Technology, Chicago, Illinois, 1991
  • "Explosion Analysis and Equipment Application”, Ranger Insurance Company, 1991
  • "Explosion Analysis and Investigation”, Houston Claim Association, 1991
  • "Incident Investigation”, New England L.P. Gas Association, 1990
  • "Model Burn Test”, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 1989
  • "Safety in Fuel Gas Applications”, Oklahoma Gas Association, 1988
  • "Engineering and Science as Applied to Fire Analysis, A Case Study”, University of Edinburgh, Unit of Fire Safety Engineering, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1988
  • "Cause, Origin, and Identification of Incendiary Devices”, Kingwood Texas Fire Department, 1979–1983
  • "Arson and Industrial Security”, Canadian Society for Industrial Security, 1982
  • "Role of LP Gas in Arson”, American Gas Association Annual Conference, 1981
  • Fire/Explosion Site Analysis, Graduate School Short Courses, Fire Safety Engineering Research Technology Center, University of Ulster, Carrickfergus, (Belfast), Northern Ireland, March 1994, 1995, and 1996.
  • HAZARD I (Fire Modeling), Short Course, University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland, September 1995.
  • Convective flow of flammable vapors into a structure through an appliance vent and the accumulation of those vapors in clothing materials within the appliance.
  • High-pressure fuel gas application to the appliance control valve and the effect relative to gas burner operation.
  • Field use of ultraviolet light source for identification of flammable and combustible liquids as fire accelerants.
  • Field designed and manufactured ignition devices and substances and their identification at fire scenes.
  • Reaction aging for ignition delay of field manufactured ignition sources.
  • Heat sink properties of loose fill cellulosic insulation with application of low-grade heat source.
  • The effect of moisture content of combustibles upon burning characteristics and associated temperatures.
  • Cellulosic fiber thermal insulation and its flame-retardant properties when considered in the end-use environment and subjected to absorption of organic vapors and particles.
  • Ignition characteristics of methane in both static and dynamic environments employing various ignition devices.
  • Ignition characteristics of entrapped LPG fuel in a non-static environment.
  • Ignition characteristics of entrapped LPG fuel in both static and non-static environments.
  • Ignition characteristics of LPG based on diffusion and layering characteristics.
  • Fire detection and suppression systems response in standard room burns under ASTM E-603 proposed standard.
  • Multiple full-scale room burns for the determination of various flame spread, heat characteristics, flashover potential, and temperature range identification.
  • Full-scale room burn design using both the Harvard Fire Code and HAZARD I.
  • Full-scale room burns that utilize configuration based on scaling of actual loss site with scaled reduction of fire load.
  • Full-scale structure fires with repeated structures for structural damage comparisons based on various origin(s) and cause(s).
  • Extensive research testing of 1st, 2nd, single, and appliance regulators and their reaction to vent blockage and resultant associated downstream pressures.
  • Radiant heat effect on fuel gas system regulators and anticipated regulator response.
  • Toxicological evaluation of PVC products of combustion as the result of piloted ignition versus electrical arc degradation.
  • Evaluation of down-range accumulation of gunshot residue (GSR) and resulting fire hazard.
  • Potential for the unobserved existence of deep-seated fire in cellulosic masses, i.e., baled cotton and various extinguishment procedures.
  • The reaction of specific appliances to various fire origins within the appliance and the exterior.
  • Demonstrated the continued off-gassing of DOT fuel gas containers (LPG) through Schlieren Photography when open to the atmosphere. (Time at 70 degrees F ambient exceeded 1 hour).
  • Demonstrated LPG hose permeation by fuel gas under various normal operating pressures.
  • “Virtual Loosening of Fittings from Elevated Temperatures”, Annual Meeting American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Dallas, Texas, February 20, 2004
  • “Bad Science from Big Brother”, Annual Meeting American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Dallas, Texas, February 20, 2004
  • “Current Prevention and Protection Strategies for Industrial Explosions”, The Professional Engineer, The Society of Professional Engineers, United Kingdom, Issue 30, March/April 2000
  • “The Forensic Engineering Application of Computer Modeling Techniques in the Determination of Human Response to Fire”, Human Behavior in Fire, Proceedings of the First International Symposium, University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland, September 1998
  • “Computer Modeling and the Fire Investigator”, Fire and Arson Investigator, Vol. 48, No. 3, March 1998
  • “Mathematical Computer Fire Modeling and the Fire Investigator”, The National Fire Investigator, Vol. 36, No. 2, 1998
  • "Toxicological Investigation of Combustion Products from Polyvinylchloride, Chloroprene Rubber, Polyethylene-Propylene Rubber and Treated Wood Relative to the Clark Street Tunnel Fire in the New York City Transit Authority System”, Journal of Forensic Sciences, Accepted for Publication, 1993
  • "Toxicological Investigation of LP Gas Explosion: Human Model for Propane/Ethyl Mercaptan Exposures”, Journal of Forensic Sciences, 1990

Overview

  • Professional Summary
  • Employment Record
  • Education
  • Registrations, Licenses & Certifications
  • Continuing Education
  • Professional Memberships and Participation
  • Professional Presentations
  • Teaching Experience
  • Research and Testing
  • Publications