Robert L. Rowe
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Office: 888-460-2879
Robert Rowe is the Owner/Operator of Pyrocop, Inc., a Southern California based fire investigation and fire consulting company that provides unmatched fire expert services both nationally and internationally. Robert, served in the California Fire Service for over 27 years, where he has gained extensive knowledge and experience in fire investigation, fire/building code interpretation and application, fire protection and fire/life safety systems inspections and plan review. Upon his retirement at the rank of Captain/Deputy Fire Marshal, in 2007, Mr. Rowe founded Pyrocop, Inc. and has since provided fire expert services to municipalities, businesses, insurance companies and law firms across the country.
Areas of Expertise:
• Fire Origin and Cause Investigations
• Fire & Building Codes/Standards rrviee and Interpretation
• Fire Sprinkler and Fire Alarm Systems
• Flammable Liquids/Hazardous Materials Consulting
• Standard of Care for Fire Investigations
• Standard of Care for Application of Codes and Standards
• Marine Fires
• Pyrotechnics
Robert is a Certified Fire Investigator through both the International Association of Arson Investigators and the National Association of Fire Investigators in addition to being a Licensed Private Investigator in the State of California. Robert has investigated over three thousand 3000 fires during his fire service and private sector career has testified numerous times as an expert witness in deposition, arbitration and at trial.
He is currently a member of the National Fire Protection Association, California Conference of Arson Investigators, International Association of Arson Investigators, and the National Association of Fire Investigators.
As Deputy Fire Marshal for the City of Downey Fire Department, Robert served as President of the Area E Arson Task Force, which includes the cities of Downey, Montebello, Compton, Santa Fe Springs and Long Beach. As a member of the arson task force, Robert worked closely with various local, state and federal law enforcement agencies on large fire and special investigations.
As Deputy Fire Marshal, Robert was sworn in as a Special Deputy for the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as with the U.S. Marshals Service.
Robert fulfilled a three-year term as President of the Los Angeles Area Fire Marshals’ Association, served as a member of the Western Fire Chiefs Association’s Uniform Fire Code Development Committee and the Uniform Fire Code Interpretation and Development Committee. While a public fire official, Robert served on the NFPA 1/Uniform Fire Code Technical Committee.
In 2003, Robert was appointed as a member of the California State Fire Marshal's Fire/Life Safety Advisory Board and the California Building Standards Commission’s Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical and Energy Advisory Committee, serving in the capacity of Fire Official. Robert currently serves as Executive Director of the Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board of Southern California and actively serves on several California State Fire Marshal appointed committees.
Being a seasoned fire investigator and fire/building code expert, Robert has the expertise required to evaluate both the origin and cause of a fire in addition to identifying fire/building code violations that may have contributed to the fire loss.
- Building Codes
- Explosions
- Fire
- Fire & Life Safety
- Fire Sprinkler Systems
- Hazardous Materials
- Personal Injury
- Products Liability
- Wrongful Death
- Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
- A: Certified Fire Investigator (CFI)International Association of Arson Investigators, Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) and Certified Fire Investigator Instructor (CFII), National Association of Fire Investigators Licensed Private Investigator, Certified Fire Inspector (California State Fire Marshal's Office), Certified Fire Investigator (California State Fire Marshal's Office), Certified Fire Code Inspector (Uniform Fire Code Association)
- Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
- A: California Conference of Arson Investigators
International Association of Arson Investigators
National Association of Fire Investigators
National Fire Sprinkler Association
National Fire Protection Association
California State Firefighters Association
International Association of Firefighters
International Code Council - Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
- A: Incendiary Devices, Los Angeles County Coroners Office
Incendiary Devices, Southern California Fraud Investigators Association
Fire Investigation and the Fire Code, California Conference of Arson Investigators, Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems, City of Palm Springs Fire Department
Uniform Fire Code Update, Southern California Fire Prevention Officers Association
Uniform Fire Code Update, Apple Valley Fire Protection District
Uniform Fire Code Certification, Chino Valley Fire District
Uniform Fire Code Update, Portland, Oregon
Uniform Fire Code Update, Las Vegas Fire Department
Fire Investigation & the Fire Code, Maui, HI
Fire Investigation & the Fire Code, Hammond, LA
Fire Investigation & the Fire Code, Santa Barbara, CA - Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
- A: No
- Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
- A: 500
- Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
- A: Fire Investigation Analysis, Fire Code Interpretation, Criminal Prosecution, Fire Protection/Fire Life Safety Systems, Hazardous Materials Storage, Pyrotechnic accidents, Arson, Wildland Fires and applicable codes.
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
- A: 50%
- Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
- A: 50%
- Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
- A: 47
- Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
- A: 2024
- Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
- A: 25
- Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
- A: 25
- Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
- A: 34 years
- Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
- A: Fire Investigations, review of fire Investigation and fire Inspection reports, photos, videos and case related files. Answer specific fire investigation and fire life safety related questions asked by Client and participating in case review conferences. This may include but not limited to fire and building code research, analysis, testing, inspection, review of materials, interviews, report preparation, expert testimony in depositions, mediation, arbitration and trial proceedings if necessary, reading and correction of deposition transcripts, and review and signing of affidavits and similar documents.
- Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
- A: Fee schedule available upon request
- Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
- A: Fee schedule available upon request
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
- A: Fee schedule available upon request
- Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
- A: Fee schedule available upon request
- Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
- A: Fee schedule available upon request
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