February 11 - Investigation of Hash Oil Fires & Explosions

  • February 11, 2015
  • 11:45 AM - 2:00 PM
  • DoubleTree Hotel - Westminster, CO

Registration

  • This is the rate for SFPE-RMC "Members" and "Chapter Friend Members" to attend this meeting.
  • This is the rate for attendees who are not members of SFPE-RMC. [Note that membership in the Chapter is only $25 for the year ($15 for SFPE organization members). If you plan to attend more than one Chapter meeting, Chapter Membership pays for itself quickly!]
  • This registration type is for pre-paid "Chapter Friends" or "Chapter Members" who prepaid for all meetings with their membership payment for the year.
  • College-aged students who are currently enrolled in a Bachelors or Masters degree program, who are interested in the profession of Fire Protection Engineering.

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  Investigation of Hash Oil Fires & Explosions 
Abstract, Outline & Speaker Bios 
 
Instructors: Zachary J. Jason, PE, CFEI  & John L. Schumacher, MChE, PE, CFI, CFPS 
 
 
ABSTRACT 
Hash  oil  extraction  is  not  a  new  concept,  but  the  legalization  of  medical  and  recreational 
marijuana production around the country has led to a large increase in the amount of extraction 
laboratories  –  both  legal  and  illegal  extraction  labs  are  typically  setup  in  residential  and 
commercial settings and use methods and materials that may be hazardous to the manufacturers 
and their surrounding neighbors.   As a result there has been a significant increase in the number 
of flash fires and explosions that are occurring while people are manufacturing hash oil.  This 
presentation will cover a wide array of topics associated with hash oil production starting with the 
history  of  hash  oil,  current  state  and  federal  marijuana  laws,  and  accident  statistics,  to  the 
inherent dangers associated with the manufacturing/extraction process, accident scenarios and 
ignition sources, investigation techniques, and lab identification.  We think this topic is certainly 
relevant to the fire protection industry as more licensed commercial extraction facilities are 
opening throughout Colorado and across the US.  The presentation will touch on several of these 
key issues and/or concerns identified by AEI including: 
• Design/installation issues for both licensed and illegal extraction labs  
• Code Issues & New Hazard Classification Areas 
• Gas detection and ventilation requirements 
 
 
PRESENTERS 
ZACHARY J. JASON, PE, CFEI 
PROJECT ENGINEER 
ZACH@AEIENGINEERS.COM 
 
Mr. Jason has been a practicing consulting and forensic engineer since 2005. He is a licensed 
mechanical engineer and a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI). He specializes in fire 
origin and cause determination, explosion investigations, and carbon monoxide incidents. He has 
investigated  numerous  explosions  ranging  from  small  residential  propane  and  natural  gas 
incidents  to  large  commercial  accidents  involving  pipelines,  chemical  manufacturing  plants, 
petrochemical refineries, and other industrial facilities. He has extensive experience involving the 
analysis of fuel‐gas systems, appliances, and other mechanical components related to the oil and 
gas, process safety, fire suppression, plumbing, HVAC, and fireworks industries. Prior to receiving 
his engineering degree, he worked as a volunteer firefighter, and currently works part‐time as a 
certified pyrotechnic display technician. 
 
JOHN L. SCHUMACHER, MChE, PE, CFI, CFPS 
VICE PRESIDENT 
JOHN@AEIENGINEERS.COM 
 
Mr. Schumacher has been a practicing consulting and forensic engineer since 1992.  He is a 
licensed chemical engineer and an IAAI Certified Fire Investigator who specializes in determining 
the origin and cause of fires and explosions; investigating accidents in the chemical process and oil 
& gas industries; analyzing flammable and combustible liquid‐related accidents; and investigating 
carbon  monoxide  and  chemical  related  incidents.  Additionally,  he  is  a  NFPA  Certified  Fire 
Protection Specialist.  Mr. Schumacher has provided expert testimony in a number of states, and is 
the Vice President of AEI Corporation.
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