As part of our commitment to continuous professional development, Hawkins recently hosted a comprehensive electrical training programme, led by Fire Expert Nick Carey and Electrical Engineer David Edwards. The training, delivered to our experts, covered two key courses: Electricity for Fire Investigation and Electrical Installations & Testing.
These sessions covered a broad spectrum of topics – from the fundamentals of electricity to the operational principles of domestic wiring systems. Attendees engaged in hands-on exercises, including the installation of consumer units and the live testing of appliances to the point of failure.
The training combined classroom-based theory with practical exercises, including:
- Live demonstrations of domestic appliances and wiring pushed to failure, offering insight into how electrical faults can lead to fire
- Installation of a mock domestic circuit, including consumer units, sockets, and lighting, to simulate real-world electrical layouts
- Analysis of arcing patterns, based on Nick Carey’s original research, highlighting subtle but crucial indicators often overlooked in investigations
“I attended both the Electricity for Fire Investigation and Electrical Installations & Testing courses run by Nick and David,” said Adam Ashing, Mechanical Engineer at Hawkins. “They covered a range of topics, from the fundamentals of electricity, to the wiring diagrams and operational principles of common domestic devices. I found the presentation on Nick’s research into arcing patterns and damage most interesting. There’s not much available online or in textbooks showing the range of possible shapes and patterns. This is beneficial for fire and fault investigation, as the subtle details are easily missed if you don’t know what to look for.”
“The first course culminated in a series of in-person demonstrations where domestic appliances and wiring were tested to incendive failure, something you would otherwise never see happening in real time,” Adam added. “The second course ended with us installing a consumer unit, lights, sockets, and switches to mimic a simple house setup, illustrating how electricians typically lay out domestic wiring.”
Michael Chandler, Mechatronic Engineer at Hawkins, also praised the course’s structure and practical relevance. “I thought it was an excellent course, well-paced with a good mixture of classroom and practical learning. I benefitted from seeing how quickly a fire can develop, and the safety features built into domestic appliances to prevent fires. The practical circuit-building exercises were also useful to appreciate the challenges faced by electricians and to observe the effects of a ‘lost neutral’ incident.”
This training not only enhances the capabilities of our own team but is also available to external clients. Hawkins offers UK Association of Fire Investigators (UK-AFI) CPD-accredited electrical training courses tailored for fire investigators, insurers, loss adjusters, and other industry professionals. Whether you’re looking to build foundational knowledge or refine your investigative skills, our courses provide the technical depth and practical experience needed to confidently assess electrical incidents.
To learn more or to book a course for your team, visit our Electrical Training Services page or contact us.
