

- Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, 2023
- M.S., Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, 2020
- B.Eng., Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria, South Africa, 2017
- 40-Hour Hazardous Waste Operation and Emergency Response Certification (HAZWOPER) (FL)
- Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
- Protecting Flammable and Combustible Liquids, Society of Fire Protection Engineers, 2025
- BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems Installer Training, BlazeMaster, 2025
- Photovoltaic Systems Investigation Training, International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), 2024
- Appliance Fires Training, Maryland Fire and Explosion Investigators Association, 2024
- Fire Investigation Training Program, National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI), 2024
- FED Kitchen Suppression System Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance Hands-On Training, 2023
- Fire Dynamics in the Wildland, CFITrainer.net, 2025
- How Should Lithium-ion Batteries that are Not an Energy Storage System be Stored and Handled?, Society of Fire Protection Engineers, 2025
- AquaMist ULF – Low Pressure Water Mist Systems for Building Protection in Accordance with EN 14972, Society of Fire Protection Engineers, 2025
- Photovoltaic Cells and Systems, CFITrainer.net, 2024
- Residential Electrical Systems, CFITrainer.net, 2024
- Site Safety Assessment, CFITrainer.net, 2024
- Electrical Safety, CFITrainer.net, 2024
- Basic Electricity, CFITrainer.net. 2024
- Construction Fire Best Practices, Society of Fire Protection Engineers, 2023
- A Baker’s Dozen – 13 Things You Might Not Know about CPVC Fire Sprinkler Systems, Society of Fire Protection Engineers, 2023
- Critical Evaluation and Testing of Commonly Reported Accidental Causes, CFITrainer.net2023
- Li-Ion battery Fires, CFITrainer.net, 2023
- Wildland Fires Investigation, CFITrainer.net, 2021
- Documenting the Event, CFITrainer.net, 2017
- Fire Investigator Scene Safety, CFITrainer.net, 2017
- Fire Chemistry, CFITrainer.net, 2017
- Thermometry, Heat, and Heat Transfer, CFITrainer.net, 2017
- Digital Photography and the Fire Investigator, CFITrainer.net, 2016
- Ethics and the Fire Investigator, CFITrainer.net, 2016
- The Impact of Ventilation in Building Structures on Fire Development, CFITrainer.net, 2016
- Understanding Fire Through the Candle Experiments, CFITrainer.net, 2016
- Writing the Initial Origin and Cause Report, CFITrainer.net, 2016
- The Practical Application of the Relationship Between NFPA 1033 and NFPA 921, 2016
- Explosion Dynamics, CFITrainer.net, 2015
- NFPA1033 and Your Career, CFITrainer.net, 2015
- Arc Mapping Basics, CFITrainer.net, 2014
- The Scientific Method for Fire and Explosion Investigation, CFITrainer.net 2013
- Principal Member: NFPA 77, Recommended Practice on Static Electricity, STA-AAA Technical Committee, National Fire Protection Association, 2025 – present
- Principal Member: NFPA 1960, Standard for Fire Hose Connections, Spray Nozzles, Manufacturer’s Design of Fire Department Ground Ladders, Fire Hose, and Powered Rescue Tools, FHS-AAA Technical Committee, National Fire Protection Association, 2024 – present
- Alternate Member: NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, FLC-FUN Technical Committee on Fundamentals of Flammable and Combustible Liquids, National Fire Protection Association, 2024 – present
- Alternate Member: NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code, NFG-AAA Technical Committee, National Fire Protection Association, 2024 – present
- Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE)
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- International Assosiation of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
- National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
- National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA)
Dr. De Beer has multidisciplinary expertise in fire protection, mechanical, and chemical engineering. He applies his expertise to the investigation and prevention of a broad spectrum of thermal and injurious events.
Dr. De Beer investigates and analyzes residential, commercial, and industrial fires and explosions and their origin and cause. Dr. De Beer's project experience includes fire protection and life safety systems, flammable and combustible liquids, electrostatic discharge incidents, hazardous chemicals, smoke alarms, hot work incidents, wildfires, oxygen-enriched systems, gas distribution systems and gas-fires equipment, photovoltaic systems, battery recycling, electric vehicles, gas turbines, and consumer products. Dr. De Beer has experience evaluating the compliance of a myriad of products, materials, processes and systems according to national and international codes and standards — NFPA, ICC, EN, ISO, API, AWS, OSHA, and UL.