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Dr. Ornstein has over fifty-five years of mechanical engineering experience in root cause failure analysis, accident reconstruction and loss prevention. Dr. Ornstein has had formal training and extensive experience on warnings, labels, instructions, and product liability litigation. Dr. Ornstein possesses in-depth knowledge to reach the root cause of a wide range of accidents and failures in the following areas: piping systems, fire protection sprinkler systems, heat transfer and thermodynamics, water intrusion – building envelope degradation, commercial and residential HVAC systems, structures, material science, metallurgy, plastics, furnaces, boilers, freezers, refrigeration systems, heat pumps, elevators, cranes, hoists, escalators, aerial platforms, forklifts.

Dr. Ornstein is a member of NFPA’s 211 Committee (committee on chimneys, and flues, the International Code Council (ICC) [formerly BOCA], the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Dr. Ornstein has an EPA Universal License for Freon handling (40 CFR part 82, Subpart F).

Mechanical Engineering:
Consults on the mechanical engineering aspects of accidents, design errors, design problems, operational problems, operator errors, materials problems, materials defects and other causes of loss. Provides investigation and analysis for insurance companies, attorneys, public utilities, industrial manufacturers, property managers, property owners, construction companies, manufacturers, and individuals. Performed root cause failure analyses on a wide variety of equipment failures and industrial accidents, including: consumer and household products, medical equipment, engines, generators, turbo-machinery, gas transmission and distribution systems, fire protection sprinkler systems, HVAC systems, AHUs, heat exchangers, piping systems, reactors, scrubbers, incinerators, and water heaters. Analyzed accidents involving elevators, escalators, man lifts, ladders, hoists, scaffolds, cranes, booms, forklifts, conveyors, punch presses, and concrete grinders. Also investigated damages to structures that were attributed to blasting, hail, wind, water intrusion, etc.

Safety – Human Factors – Warnings – Walkways – Buildings – Vehicles:
DA requirements, OSHA requirements, building and construction code requirements, human factors, man-machine interface, consumer products, warnings, labels, operating instructions, slips and falls, trips and falls, adequacy of walking pathways, walking surfaces, obstructions to perambulation, adequacy of lighting and illumination for safety and for security. Adequacy of packing and shipping containers. Fabric flammability. Vehicular accident reconstruction – automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and all-terrain-vehicles (ATVs)
 
Fire Origin and Cause:
Conducted fire origin and cause evaluations involving mechanical equipment, HVAC systems and structures; including fires in boilers, industrial plants, manufacturing facilities, commercial buildings, restaurants, and residences, fires in cars, trucks, excavators and forklifts. Investigated and evaluated fires and smoke damage from commercial and residential cooking equipment, including: salamanders; gas, electric, and mesquite grills; hoods, filters, and ducts. Investigations also include sooting and smoke damage involving fireplaces (vented and vent-less), furnaces (oil and gas), emergency generators (diesel, propane and natural gas), farm equipment, including: tractors, silos, and conveyors.