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Forensic Engineering · Ontario

Expert Analysis.
Clear Answers.

Over 20 years of trusted expertise in the analysis of Building Code, Fire Code, construction, and fire-related issues.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Building & Fire Code Assessments

Provincial and National Building and Fire Code, and Municipal by-law Compliance Analysis and Investigations

Construction Assessments

Design, Workmanship and Building and Fire Code Deficiency Analysis and Investigations

Fire Investigations

Origin, Cause and Fire Spread Analysis and Investigation along with a Construction and Building and Fire Code Assessment Focus

Expert Witness Testimony

Ontario Supreme Court of Justice Qualified

20+

Years Experience

5000+

Investigations Completed

P.Eng

Licensed Engineer

CFEI

Certified Investigator

What We Do

Forensic Engineering Services
for Complex Matters

All services →
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Building & Fire Code Assessments

Ontario Building Code, Ontario Fire Code, and municipal bylaw compliance assessments for litigation support and regulatory matters.

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Construction Assessments

Analyse and Assess Design and Workmanship of Residential, Commercial and Industrial buildings with respect to compliance with the Ontario Building and/or Fire Code.

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Fire Investigations

Origin, Cause and Fire Spread Analysis and Investigation along with a Focus on Construction, Building and Fire Code Assessment Compliance.

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Expert Witness Testimony

Provide expert testimony in Ontario Supreme Court of Justice.

About the Practice

Tom Pepper,
CFEI, P.Eng.

President & Technical Consultant

Tom Pepper is a seasoned forensic engineer with over two decades of experience spanning structural and electrical engineering, construction, municipal building inspections, and fire investigation.

He has provided design and construction guidance to both the insurance and legal industries, as well as to as to architects, engineers, constructors and homeowners, helping clients navigate complex engineering, building and fire code matters with clarity and practical solutions. Tom has been qualified as an expert witness in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

B.Eng. Electrical Engineering

Carleton University · 2001

Fire Protection Systems Cert.

Seneca College · 2009

BCIN 19260 — OBC Designer

Broadest classification available

How We Work

From initial call
to final report

1

Initial Consultation

Discuss the matter, confirm no conflicts, and scope the investigation

2

Site Investigation

Physical inspection, evidence documentation, and measurements

3

Engineering Analysis and Code Review

Engineering analysis, code review, and comparable case research

4

Litigation-ready Expert Report

Litigation-ready report, rebuttal if needed, and testimony support

About

Tom Pepper,
CFEI, P.Eng.

President & Technical Consultant – PepperEng Forensics Inc.

P.Eng. CFEI BCIN 19260
Tom Pepper, P.Eng., CFEI

Tom Pepper is a seasoned forensic engineer with over two decades of experience spanning Building and Fire Code analysis, forensic engineering, construction, municipal building inspections, and fire investigations.

Tom's experience allows him to assist clients navigate complex engineering, building code, and fire code matters with clarity and practical solutions. His practice focuses on delivering technical opinions that are well-reasoned and thoroughly documented.

He has been qualified as an expert witness in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and holds Ontario Building Code certifications (BCIN 19260), spanning architectural, structural, fire protection, mechanical, and plumbing categories.

Prior to forming his practice, Tom held positions in municipal building enforcement, consulting engineering, and construction — a background that provides a rare, multi-perspective insight into how buildings are designed, built, inspected, and when necessary, investigated after a failure.

Credentials & Licences

  • Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) — Licensed in Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Alberta
  • Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) — National Association of Fire Investigators
  • B.Eng. Electrical Engineering — Carleton University, 2001
  • Fire Protection Systems Certificate — Seneca College, 2009
  • BCIN 19260 — Ontario Building Code Designer (Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, Plumbing)
  • Qualified Expert Witness — Ontario Superior Court of Justice

Professional Affiliations

  • Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO)
  • National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
↓ Download CV

Services

Forensic engineering
with Confidence

Providing expert technical opinions with respect to Building and Fire Code compliance, construction, fire safety and fire cause and origin.

01 Code Compliance

Building & Fire Code Assessments

Expert analysis of Ontario Building Code (OBC), Ontario Fire Code (OFC), and municipal bylaw compliance. Tom holds BCIN 19260.

  • Ontario Building Code compliance assessments
  • Ontario Fire Code reviews
  • Municipal bylaw compliance opinions
  • Retrofit and existing building analysis
  • Building permit and inspection history review
02 Construction

Construction Assessments

Identification and documentation of construction deficiencies across design, workmanship, and materials in residential, commercial, and industrial projects.

  • Stair, ramp and guardrail defects
  • Roofing and cladding system investigations
  • Water ingress damage
  • Residential plumbing and mechanical reviews
  • Substandard workmanship documentation
03 Fire · Explosion

Fire Investigations

Comprehensive investigation of fire origin, cause, and spread. Tom is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) with experience across residential, commercial, industrial buildings.

  • Origin and cause determination per NFPA 921
  • Fire spread and timeline reconstruction
  • Electrical ignition source analysis
  • Accelerant and arson investigation support
  • Litigation-ready expert reports
04 Litigation

Expert Witness Testimony

Tom has been qualified as an expert witness in Ontario Superior Court and brings over two decades of technical experience to the stand.

  • Ontario Superior Court of Justice Qualified
  • Detailed technical expert reports
  • Arbitration and mediation support
  • Legal council and trial support

Not sure which service fits your matter?

Call or email directly — most engagements begin with a 15-minute consultation at no charge.

Contact

Start a consultation

Most initial consultations are 15–30 minutes at no charge. We respond to all inquiries within one business day.

Get in Touch

Let's discuss
your matter

Whether you have an urgent scene to preserve or a complex matter that's been in litigation for years, we're ready to help. Call, email, or complete the form.

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Office

Toronto, ON

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Phone

(416) 700-9213

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Email

tom@peppereng.ca

Send an inquiry

All information submitted is held in strict confidence and used solely to assess whether we can assist with your matter.