Colegio de Santa Catalina de Alejandria

Review Materials on Fire Tech. And Arson Investigation

By: Sir Bimboy C. Cueno,Crmgst,MSCJ

Theories of Combustion

1. Fire triangle Theory – The graphical representation of the three elements of fire namely;
oxygen, heat, and Fuel.
Using the same theory, there are three ways to extinguish fire:
1. Remove the fuel
2. Cut – off the oxygen supply
3. Reduce the temperature (cooling)

2. Fire Tetrahedron
Another explanation of the requirement of combustion uses a four – sided. The fourth element
of the tetrahedron explanation is known as chemical reactivity, or chemical reaction.

Components/elements of the fire tetrahedron

1. Oxygen (Oxidizing agent)

Oxidizing agent are those materials that yield oxygen or other oxidizing gases during the process
of chemical reaction. Oxidizers are not themselves combustible, but they support combustion
when combined with a fuel.

2.Fuel (Reducing Agent)

Fuel is the material or substance being burned in the combustion process.

2. Heat (Temperature)
Heat is the energy component of the fire tetrahedron. When heat comes in contact with a fuel, the
energy supports the combustion process.

Combustion
is a self – sustaining chemical reaction producing energy or products that cause more reactions of
the same kind.

Products of Combustion

1. Fire gases – are those that remain when other products of combustion cool to normal
temperature.

2. Flame-It is a luminous body of a burning gas which gets hotter and less luminous when
mixed with more oxygen.

Pyrolosis -It refers to the chemical process whereby fire consumes the most solid part of the
fuel. It is the thermal decomposition of a solid fuel through action of heat.
 3. Heat defined- Form of energy measured in degree of temperature, it is the product of
combustion that spread fire.

4. Smoke -It is the visible product of incomplete combustion, usually a mixture of oxygen,
nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, finely divided particles of soot and carbon,
and miscellaneous assortment of product released from the burning material.

Fire generally have three progressive stages

1. Incipient/beginning phase – it is the initial stage of fire.

2. Free- Burning Phase – the phase of burning in which materials or structures are burning
in the presence of adequate oxygen.
3. Smoldering phase – the final phase of burning wherein flame ceases but dense smokeand
heat completely fill the confined room.

Classification of fire
a. Based on cause
1. Natural fire
2. Accidental fire
3. Intentional Fire
b. Based on burning fuel
1. Class A. – Materials involving vegetable fibers, wood straw, grain, and grass;
combustible minerals such as coal and coke.
2. Class B – Materials including petroleum products such as gasoline, fuel oils, lubricating
oils, lubricating oils, and greases; animal fats such as butter, lard, and tallow; vegetable
compounds such as shortenings and oleomargines; natural as butane, propane, hydrogen,
and acetylene.
3. Class C. – This type of fire involves electrical motors, electrical appliances and
apparatus. Actually a class C fire is composed usually of Class A and class B materials or
a combination of both. Use of water is usually dangerous because of the risk of electrical
shock.
4. Class D. – these are materials involving combustible metals, alloys or metal compounds
either in solid, semi – solid or liquid state.
5. Class K – these are materials involved in the kitchen fires. This classification was added
to the NFPA portable extinguishers Standard in 1998.

Types of Heat transmission

1. Conduction – it is the transmission of heat through an object/medium or conductor, such

as pipe, metal, hot air duct, or even wall
2. Radiation – the transmission through the discharge and spread of heat from a heated or
burning source. This radiation takes place through the air or through space that cause
another flammable object to ignite.
3. Convection – it is the transmission of heat by the moving currents of liquid gas
4. Flame Contact - Heat maybe conducted from one body to another by direct flame
contact.
Intensity of fire-means simply “how hot the fire is burning”

Magnitude of fire- The magnitude of fire means the size of a fire, and it is governed by the
surface area of fuel exposed to the air.

Flashpoint- The temperature at which the material is not hot enough to keep burning, but still
gives off enough vapors to cause a flame to “flash” across the surface.

Firepoint- The temperature at which the material will give off ample vapors to keep burning.

Ignition Temperature- is the degree of heat necessary to ignite flammable vapors.

Fire Suppression- means slowing down the rate of burning, whereas, control means keeping the
fire from spreading or holding the fire to one area. Extinguishment is putting the fire completely
out.

FOUR METHODS OF FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT

1. Cooling - The cooling process uses an extinguishing agent whose primary characteristic
is heat absorption.
2. Smothering - excludes the oxygen from the fuel so that the gases or vapors of the fuel
cannot ignite and continue the combustion.
3. Separation – the removal of the fuel, as in the example of turning off a value in a gas line
prevents the fuel and oxygen from coming together.
4. Chemical Chain Reaction - the fourth method of extinguishment is known as inhibition
or the interruption of chemical reaction.

Fire Extinguisher Defined :

It is a mechanical device usually made of metal, containing chemicals, fluids, or gases for
stopping fires, the means for application of its contents for the purpose of putting out fire
particularly small fire) before it propagates, and is capable of being readily moved from place to
place.

Steps in using portable fire extinguishers:

1. Pull the pin at the top of extinguisher.

2. Point the nozzle or outlet toward the base of the fire.
3. Press the handle above the carrying handle to discharge the agent.
4. Sweep the nozzle.

Dry-Powder Extinguishers- These types of extinguishers are designed for use on Class D fires.

Ventilation- It is a method used for clearing the building of smoke and gases, localize the fire,
reduce smoke and forcible entry damage.
Types of Ventilation
 1. Vertical Ventilation – the method to establish vertical ventilation is it must be worked
from the top and down.
2. Cross or Horizontal Ventilation – If the smoke and gases have not reached the higher
levels, cross ventilation can clear the building one floor at a time.
3. Mechanical or Forced Ventilation – A process or method of ventilation whereby a
device such as smoke ejector.

Exposures- It is an action taken by the fire fingers to cover or secure other building/s, people
from exposing themselves near the affected area or danger from fire.

Rescue- Any action taken by the firefigthers to remove occupants /persons from a burning
building/ hazards to a safety place.

Overhaul- A complete and detailed check of the structures and materials involved in the fire to
make sure that every spark and ember has been extinguished and to have an assurance against re-
ignition.

TYPES OF NATURAL COVER FIRES

1. Ground Fires – (‘’ undergrowth’’ of ‘’duff’’ fires) – Ground fires travel at ground
level or below the surface. Dry leaves, humus, paet, and other organic materials that
have become part of the soil.
2. Surface fires – Surface fires burn over grass, weeds and grain, brush, and shrubs.
3. Crown Fires – Crown fires are in the tops of trees and high brush.
4. Spot Fires - Spot fires are started in advance of the heads by windows sparks or bits of
burning material.

PARTS OF NATURAL COVER FIRE

The HEAD is the point where the fireline is progressing faster.

The withdraw or upward portion of the fire is called the tail.
All portions of the fire lone between the tail and the various heads and those slower burning
areas between the heads are called the flanks.

Methods for Controlling and Extinguishing Various Types of Natural Cover Fires

1.Sectional Method – The sectional method consists of placing a unit on a specific section of the
fireline. Its mission is to stop the progress of the fire, extinguishing it at the fireline, and execute
mop-up patrol work. The unit has the full responsibility for that section of the fireline. This
method is best used against a slow-moving fire.

2. One –Licked Method - It is the fastest and easiest method to use on a running fire. A
is placed at the location designated as the fireline and ordered to work in a specific section.

Firebreaks - Artificial firebreaks are consist of roads, highways, survey lines, or cleared areas.
Backfires - Backfires are employed to burn back toward the advancing heads, thus creating a fast
break and stopping the fire because of a lack of fuel.

Person / s Responsible to Examine and Inspect the Fire Scene ( American Setting)
 Fire Marshall
 Fire Chief
 Assistant Chief for Technical Service
 Fire Inspector responsible for the specific building
 Senior Fire Officer at the fire scene
 Photographer
 Utilities Personnel (particularly electrician)

What Constitute Arson?

1. Burning - there must be burning ar changing, i.e., the fiber of the wood must be
destroyed or decomposed, its identity or physical state changed.
2. Wilfulness – the act was done purposely and with intention
3. Motive – the moving cause that causes that induces the commission of the crime.
4. Malice - it denotes hatred or a desire for revenge.
5. Intent - the purpose or design with which the which the act is done and involve the will
to do the act.

Basic of Lines of Inquiry

Point of Origin of Fire

Initially, the important point to be established is the point of origin of fire, or what
particular place in the building the fire started.

What are the common motives of arsonist?

1. Economic Gain
2. Profit by the Perpetrator other than the Insured Person
3. Concealment of Crime
4. Pyromania

Indication of Color of Smoke and Fire

Color of Smoke Material / Substance

Black smoke with deep red flame Petroleum products such as Tar, rubber,
plastics, etc.
Heavy brown with bright red flame Nitrogen Products
White smoke with bright flame Magnesium products
Black smoke with red and blue green flame Asphalt
Purple violet flame Potassium products
Greenish-yellow flame Chloride or Manganese products
Bright reddish-yellow flame Calcium products
ARSON- It is the international or malicious destruction of property by fire.

The Legal Aspect’s of Arson/Fire Investigations:

1. It is the concern of the fire investigator to prove malicious intent of the offender. Intent
must be proved, otherwise no crime exist.
2. The law presumes that a fire is accidental, hence criminal designs must be shawn.
3. Fire caused by accident or criminal design must be shawn.
4. Fire caused by accident or negligence does not constitute arson.

P.D. No. 1613 – Amending the Law of Arson

Special Aggravating Circumstances in Arson

1. If committed with intent to gain;
2. If committed with the benefit of another;
3. If the offender is motivated by spite or hatred towards the owner or occupant of the
property burned;
4. If committed by a syndicate (three or more persons).

The Fire Investigation Report

It is the final written results of taking notes, recording observations and interviewing
witnesses. It includes the written result of the construction and size of the burned structure, what
the firemen observed and encountered upon their arrival at the fire scene, the color of the smoke
and flame, and the intensity and location of the fire.

“Words are not firm ladders to success, every person gains victory by doing much and
talking less; Talkative people often bask in defeat”
Sir Cueno,2014