Fire and Explosion Investigation Expert: Richard Meier

Hiring the right fire and explosion investigation expert can make or break your case. You need answers to make smart decisions for your clients.

Fire and Explosion Investigation Expert, Richard Meier documenting a fire or explosion scene.

Get the information you need from Richard Meier and Meier Fire Investigation. Our clients get science & evidence based opinions that withstand cross-examination. They get investigations that adhere to NFPA 921, ASTM standards and the scientific method.

Hire, Richard Meier, the expert who knows how things are built, what they’re made of and what can go wrong. Plus, he can explain what happened, in plain English, to you, the other side and a jury.

Manufacturing Trained Fire and Explosion Investigation Expert

Richard Meier worked as a mechanical engineer in manufacturing for almost 25 years. before becoming a fire and arson investigator and fire investigation expert. This experience helps him see potential fire or explosion causes differently.

He knows how products fail and why; and how they’re are built; and the processes and materials used. Couple that with an extensive knowledge of fire investigation and fire science and a clearer picture of the case facts emerges. Meier Fire handles cases big & small, whether you need a simple Origin & Cause Investigation (C&O, O&C) or a fire expert to take your case through trial testimony.

Richard Meier Qualifications

Fire and Explosion Investigator & Mechanical Engineering Technologist

A veteran fire and explosion investigation expert, Rich has investigated 100’s of fires in his career. Cases that range from simple dryer fires to $100 million complex losses. Regardless of size, Rich is committed to finding answers for your client.

Rich is an accomplished and confident witness and educator. He has even taught fire and explosion investigation to NASA engineers.

Practice Specialties

Richard Meier investigates all types of fire and explosion cases. Meier Fire Investigation has expertise on: 

Education

Richard Meier has a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the University of Akron. He has taken additional college courses at the Universities of Maryland and Wisconsin. Rich is a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI), Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI), and Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator. Taking it a step further, Rich became a fire safety expert — having achieved the CFPS – Certified Fire Protection Specialist certification through the NFPA.

Experience

Prior to starting his own company, Rich was a Senior Staff Fire & Explosion Investigation Expert with John A. Kennedy and Associates, the world’s oldest fire investigation company. He also spent 24 years as a design and manufacturing engineer. He designed, built, and trouble-shot a wide range of products and equipment. Rich served in the US Army, both Reserve and Active Duty. During all this time, he gained a broad and diverse knowledge of many subjects which he now brings to bear in his fire and explosion work.

RIchard Meier Fire & Explosion Expert

See Richard Meier’s CV

Get the full picture on Rich Meier’s fire and explosion investigation expertise.

Fire & Explosion Industry Work

Richard Meier actively contributes to Fire Codes and Standards, fire investigator education and research. Including:

  • National Fire Protection Association
    • NFPA 901 – Standard Classifications for Incident Reporting and Fire Protection Data (NFPA committee page)
      Technical Committee Member
    • CFPS Certification Advisory Group Program Information
      Member
    • NFPA 921 –Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigation, Member Task Groups for chapters on Fire Patterns; Marine Fire Investigations; and Heating Systems (new for 2020).
    • NFPA 1033 – Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator, Technical Committee (Past Member 2010-2016)
    • Section Memberships: Research Section; Fire Science Technology Educator Section; Industrial Fire Protection Section
  • National Association of Fire Investigators, International (NAFI Past Positions: Instructor, Treasurer, Member of Board of Governors
  • International Association of Fire Investigators (IAFI) Past Positions: Instructor
  • Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) MiFireE (member)
  • ASTM International (American Society for Testing & Materials) Member Committee E05 on Fire Standards
  • American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Member Electrical Sub-Committee on 3-Phase Electrical Systems
  • International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) Member
  • National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP) Member, Webinar Lecturer
  • International Association for Fire Safety Science (IAFSS) Member
  • Society of Automotive Engineers, International (SAE) Member
  • Society of Plastics Engineers, International (SPE) Member 1989 – 1996

Richard Meier, Fire Investigation expert determines the origin and cause of a fire at the scene.

Need another reason hire Richard Meier as your Fire & Explosion Investigation Expert?

He’s a truly independent Fire & Explosion Investigation Expert.

His only loyalty is to your client and the truth.

You need an expert with your client’s best interests in mind. With Richard Meier, you can be sure of that. Meier Fire Investigation is family owned. We’re not part of some giant engineering conglomerate. That means no billing quotas, no stockholders, no board of directors.


Meier Fire Team

Associate Experts

Associate-experts-enhance-investigations

Specialized Fire & Explosion Investigation Expertise on demand.

When your case needs Specialized Expertise, we can bring in our associate experts. We maintain a wide network of nationally recognized experts in fields aligned with Fire Investigation. With dozens of great experts at your disposal, building a winning team is easy.

  • Electrical Engineers
  • Chemists
  • Metallurgists
  • Product ID
  • Specialists
  • Marine Surveyors

Christine Meier

Christine Kennedy Meier-Fire Investigation Insider

CMO/Operations Manager

Forensic Videographer, Fire Investigation Industry Veteran

Christine Meier is a third generation Fire Investigation professional and over 20-years experience in the Fire Investigation Industry. Before coming to Meier Fire, she served as Executive Director of NAFI, IAFI and was the Operations Manager for John A. Kennedy & Associates.

She earned her Master’s Degree in Film & Digital Media Design from Harvard University (Extension School) in May, 2020. She specializes in animations, documentary films and website design. Her design work is featured on hurtbyfire.com and her full portfolio is available at ckmeier.com

She designs nearly all MFI’s content marketing and is always available to assist your firm with fire related content for your own marketing. In addition, Christine Meier is available for forensic videography of lab and scene inspections.

She and Rich have been married since 2011 and have a rescue dog, Edison.