Mr. Ellison utilizes fire protection engineering tools such as fire dynamics, flame spread, and fire modeling to aid in the investigation and analysis of fires, explosions, and other thermal events. He is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator and has investigated fires and explosions involving consumer products, residential and commercial buildings, and industrial facilities. Mr. Ellison has analyzed a variety of incidents including skin burn injuries, fire protection systems, consumer product failures, fuel-gas and chemical explosions, carbon monoxide exposures, combustion equipment performance, and thermal runaway reactions.
In the laboratory, Mr. Ellison conducts experimental testing and analysis related to heat transfer, fluid mechanics, fire dynamics, and fire spread. Specifically, his testing experience includes fuel gas systems and their individual components, consumer products, and home heating equipment. Additionally, he has experience in textile flammability testing, both on the bench-top and system level scales.
Mr. Ellison has particular interest in the thermal protective properties of clothing items and the causes of thermal burn injuries. In the past, he has supported the U.S. Armed Services in development and revisions of skin burn injury prediction models, as well as the implementation of such models in both bench-scale and large scale tests.
Prior to joining Exponent, Mr. Ellison was an engineer with the U.S. Navy, where he conducted textile flammability and thermal performance evaluations at the U.S. Army Laboratories in Natick, MA. While at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, he conducted performance-based, system level fire evaluations on thermal protective garments for fire fighters. Since 2000, Mr. Ellison has been a fire fighter in Hamilton, Massachusetts.
Davis S, Ibarreta A, Kessel A, Ellison A. Flammability of nylon used as insulation in electrical connectors. Proceedings, International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology, Cincinnati, OH, 2008.
Ibarreta A, Clevenger J., Ellison A. Changes in flammability of nylon used as insulation in electrical connectors. American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Journal, Summer 2009.
Reports
Ellison AD, Culver W, Schott C, Ochs M. Exploring potential opportunities for the Fire Equipment Maintenance Program. Interactive Qualifying Project, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2005.
Ellison AD, Groch T, Higgins B, Verrochi M. Thermal manikin testing of fire fighter ensembles. Major Qualifying Project, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2006.