CWA - CV - Ken Palmer

Fire & Explosion Casualty

CAREER SUMMARY - Kenneth Norman Palmer

Background
Current Position at CWA
Professional Background
Specific Expertise and Experience
Summary of Previous Employment
Publications

Nationality:	British

Qualifications:	BA & MA Natural Sciences, Pembroke College, University of Cambridge C.Chem FRSC CEng, FInst Energy FInst Petroleum FInst Fire Engineers

Institutes & Affiliations:	Safety Committee of the Institute of Petroleum Loss Prevention Panel of the Institution of Chemical Engineers 1994 Franklin Medallist of IchemE Visiting Professor in Chemistry at UMIST, 1986-1992

Current Position at CWA External Consultant. Senior Fire & Explosion expert. Closely associated with the practice for over 15 years, responsible for fire and explosion incident investigation, combustion and blast phenomena, loss prevention and safety studies covering a wide range of industrial facilities and plant, storage facilities and vessels, expert advice on all aspects of fire causation and smoke spread, fire protection and fire fighting. Has conducted numerous fire incidents, both shipboard and on-shore. Recent casework includes self heating of coal, investigation of fires in various cargoes, including wheat, cotton, fish meal, cocoa beans, oil seeds, personnel injury due to LPG fire, investigation of engine room fires, advice on dangerous goods handling etc. Professor Palmer is well versed in the disciplines and procedures for forensic investigation of fire and explosion incidents and the preparation of expert evidence for litigation. Specific Expertise and Experience Active in the British Section of the Combustion Institute. Supervision of post-graduate courses on fire safety matters at UMIST, Manchester, and in Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Specialist course lecturer for many years on the fire and explosion hazards at Bradford and Leeds Universities. External Examiner for University degrees in: DSc Birmingham DTech Trondheim PhD Leeds, Sheffield, Strathclyde, Surrey and University College, London Summary of Previous Employment Joined the Fire Research Station, Borehamwood in 1949 and in subsequent years carried out research into the burning of solids, including the burning of powders, gas and dust explosions, the detection and control of fires. In 1973 became Head of the Fire Protection Division, being responsible for the work of 24 scientific staff plus Research Associates sponsored by the industry. In 1983 was appointed Director of the Fire Research Station, being directly responsible for the work of 55scientific staff and an equal number of support staff. The research of the Fire Research Station covers a very wide range, reflecting the widespread problems of fire in national life. The subjects include the ignition, growth and extinguishing of fires, the reaction of people to fire, statistical and sociological aspects. Publications Author of “Dust Explosions and Fires” (Chapman and Hall, London 1973). Ken is also the author of more than 60 technical papers and reports published during his career. Continuing with lecturing and the writing of articles on combustion topics.