FIRE TECHNOLOGY

and ARSON
INVESTIGATION

AJ EYO, RCrim.
FIRE
is a fundamental chemical reaction based
on oxidation; all forms of fire are subtypes
of combustion. Derived from the Greek
word “Pyra” which means glowing ember is
the active principle of burning
characterized by heat light and
combustion.
Common Questions:

• Why fires should be investigated?

Answer: To determine the cause of the fire; and to
prevent similar occurences.
• What constitutes arson?
Answer: Burning, Malice, Motive, Intent and the
three elements of fire of commonly known as fire
triangle: FUEL+OXYGEN+HEAT SOURCE=
COMBUSTION.
ELEMENTS OF FIRE
FUEL

The most important part of the triangle, for fuel is what burns.
The nature and properties of the fuel are essential in combating
fires.

“3 forms of
fuel”
 Solid- materials with definite volume and shape.
: Bulky, Finely Devided, Dust
 Liquid- those which have definite volume but no shape
taking the shape of its container.
 Gas- those which have no definite volume and shape.
Solid Fuels

• Melting Point - The temperature at which a solid turns into

liquid.

• Flammable Solid - a solid (other than an explosive) that is likely

to ignite due to friction.

Examples: match, rocks, etc.

 Liquid Fuels

• Evaporation - occurs when individual molecules of the liquid escape as gas into
the surrounding atmosphere.
• Boiling Point - the temperature at which a liquid turns into gas by producing
continuous vapor bubbles.
• Flash Point - temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapor (gas) to form
an ignitable mixture (that is, a mixture within the explosive range). For gasoline,
this is -50°F; for kerosene 100°F
• Fire Point -temperature at which a liquid produces vapors that will sustain
combustion. This is several degrees higher than the flash point. For example, the
fire point of gasoline is 495°F; for kerosene, 110°F.
Classification of Liquid Fuels:
 Flammable Liquid - The National Fire protection Association (NFPA) defines it as one
whose flash point is below 140°F or 37.8°C.
 Combustible Liquid - a liquid with a flash point higher than 140°F or 37.8°C.
Gas Fuel

Diffusion is the uniform distribution, seemingly in contradiction to

the laws of gravity, of molecules of one substance through those
of another.

Classification of Gases according to Physical Properties:

1. Compressed Gas – one which at all normal atmospheric temperature

inside its container, exist solely in gaseous state under pressure.
2. Liquefied Gas – one which at normal atmospheric temperature inside its
container, exist partly in the liquid state and partly in the gaseous state.
3. Cryogenic Gases – a liquefied gas which exist in its container at
temperature far below normal atmospheric temperature (Methane, Freon and
Nitrogen).
OXYGEN
It is a tasteless, odorless colorless gas which is generally
found within the Earth's atmosphere approximately which
is composed of 97% natural gas. Of the natural gases,
found on this planet 21% of which is oxygen.

Oxygen Sources
21% of normal oxygen, 78% of nitrogen, 1% of other
gases
Oxygen Requirements
12% no fire, 14% flash point, 21% fire point
HEAT

a form of energy generated by the transmission of some other

form of energy, as in combustion or burning; the quality of
being hot; high temperature. Ignition heat is a device or means
to start a fire. It can be a safety match, a lighted candle, or of
more sophisticated forms such as chemical, mechanical or
electrical contrivance designed to start a blaze.
 FIRE TETRAHEDRON
THEORY
Each element of the tetrahedron must be in place for
combustion to occur. If ignition has already started, the
fire is extinguished, if one of the elements is removed
from the reaction.

COMBUSTION
Chemical Reactions

Have their own way of extracting oxygen they require. With

fire involving hydrocarbons such as wood, the reaction
extracts oxygen from carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide,
nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide.
 COMBUSTION
is a complex reaction that requires a fuel (in the gaseous or
vapor state), an oxidizer and heat energy to come together in a
very specific way.
is the sequence of exothermic chemical reaction between
fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat and
conversion of chemical species. The result of the heat can result
in the form of either glowing or flame.
• Glowing Combustion
occurs when solid fuels are not capable of producing sufficient quantities of
gas during pyrolysis to sustain a flame. If access to the oxidant (air) is
limited, glowing combustion may result.
• Flaming Combustion
commonly recognized type of fire and occurs with gaseous fuel sources
only. The color of the flame can give some indication of the composition of
the fuel.
• Spontaneous Combustion
the ignition of organic matter without apparent cause, typically through heat
generated internally by rapid oxidation. A process whereby a material self-
heats.
• Explosive Combustion
can occur when vapors, dust of gases, premixed with appropriate amount
of air are ignited.
 Products of Combustion:
• Fire Gases- are those that remain when other products of combustion
cool to normal temperature.
• Flame –the luminous body of a burning gas which gets hotter and less
luminous when mixed with oxygen.
• Heat - a form of energy measured in degree of temperature, it is the
product of combustion that spreads the fire. It causes burns and other
injuries such as dehydration, heat exhaustion and respiratory tract
injuries.
• Smoke - the visible product of incomplete combustion, usually a
mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide soot
and carbon and miscellaneous products released from the burning
material.
 Flame

Are incandescent gases which accompanies rapid

oxidation of any combustible. the luminous body of a
burning gas which gets hotter and less luminous when
mixed with oxygen.
 Types of Flame

According to Color and Completeness

of Combustion/Combustibility of Fuel:
• Luminous Flame/Fuel - reddish-orange in color, deposits soot and is the
product of incomplete combustion, it has lower temperature.

• Non-luminous Flame/Fuel - bluish in color, it does not deposit soot and

is a product of complete combustion; it has a higher temperature than the
luminous flame.

Based on Smoothness:
• Laminar Flame – (smooth flame) flame is laminar when a particle follows
a smooth path through a gaseous flame.

• Turbulent Flame – (rough flame) those having unsteady & irregular.

 Based on Fuel and Air Mixture:
• Premixed Flame- are those observed when hydrocarbon is
mixed with air before reaching the flame zone.

• Diffusion Flame- are manifested when fuel alone is forced

through a nozzle into the atmosphere which spread in the
surrounding atmosphere forming a flammable mixture.
 Physical Properties of matter
• Specific gravity- refers to the ratio of the weight of the liquid or the solid substance
to the weight of an equal volume of water.
• Vapor density- is the weight of the volume of pure gas opposed to the weight of a
volume of dry air with the same temperature and pressure.
• Temperature- refers to the measure of the degree of thermal agitation or
disturbance of molecules.
• Vapor pressure- is the force exerted by the molecules on the surface of the liquid at
equilibrium.
• Fire point- refers to the lowest temperature of a liquid in an open container at which
vapors are developed fast enough to support uninterrupted combustion.
• Flash point- refers to the heat at which a flammable liquid form a vapor-air mixture
that ignites.
• Kindling Temperature- is also reffered to as ignition temperature refers to the
minimum temperature to which the substance in the air must be heated in order to
start a self-contained combustion without adding heat from other sources.
• Boiling point- is the constant heat at which vapor pressure of the liquid is equal to
the atmospheric pressure.
Flame Colors and Temperature (F) Ranges
Light Red 900 1000
Dark Red 1000 1100
Dark Cherry 1100 1200
Medium Cherry 1200 1300
Light Cherry 1300 1400
Bright Red 1400 1600
Salmon 1600 1700
Orange 1700 1800
Lemon 1800 1900
Light Yellow 1900 2100
White 2150 2250
Bright White 2500 and over
 FUEL COLOR OF SMOKE COLOR OF FLAME

Plastics black yellow, smoky

Rubber black yellow, smoky-yellow to red

gray to brown
Wood yellow to red

Paper gray to brown yellow to red

Cloth gray to brown yellow to red

black
Gasoline yellow to white

black to brown
Naptha yellow to white

Benzene white to gray yellow to white

yellow to white
Lubrication black

Oil brownish to black yellow to red

 Lacquer brown to black yellow to white

Turpentine black blue

Acetone brown yellow

Cooking oil black yellow

Kerosene green yellow

Chlorine black yellow, smoky

Tar gray yellow to orange

Grass Brush brown yellow to orange

 3 Kinds of Fire:

• Providential- caused by acts of God. This kind of fire can

never be prevented as usually hard to control. It comes in the
form of lightning bolts, erupting volcanoes or as a result of
tremors.
• Accidental- it is caused mostly by human error and
negligence. Such as smoking in bed, defective LPG containers,
faulty electrical wiring, leaving plugged electrical appliances.
• Intentional- this is known as incidiarism or classified as
Arson. This kind of fire is set on purpose either to collect
insurance, cover-up another crime or personal/business rivalry.
 Phases of Burning / Stages of Fire:
• Incipient Stage (Beginning Phase) - initial stage of fire
and is characterized by: Normal room temperature, oxygen
plentiful, thermal updraft rise accumulates at higher point,
flame temperature of 1000 degrees F, and producing pyrolysis
[products like CO2, CO, water vapor and other gases.

• Free-Burning Phase (Steady State Burning

Phase) - the second phase of burning in which materials or
structures are burning in the presence of adequate oxygen.

• Smoldering Phase - the final phase of burning wherein

flame ceases but dense smoke and heat completely fill the
confined room.
 Fire Behavior:

• Thermal Balance- refers to the natural condition created by the fire or

the normal movement of fire, smoke and fire gases within a structure or
building.
• Thermal Imbalance- refers to that turbulent circulation of steam and
smoke which replaces the normal flow of the products of combustion.
Hot spots may develop during the extinguishment of the fire upsetting
the thermal balance; such holes produced may mislead the investigator
to believe that the fire originated at that location.
Heat- is produced from the breaking and formation of chemical bonds. In a
chemical reaction, atoms are not lost but merely restructured.

4 known sources of heat (aside from Sun):

Chemical
Electrical
Nuclear
Mechanical
 Chemical Heat Energy:
Heat of Combustion- also known as calorific or fuel value, refers to the quantity
of heat released during the complete oxidation where the organic fuel is converted
to water and carbon dioxide.
Spontaneous Heating- refers to the process of raising the temperature of a
material by means of slow oxidation without drawing heat from its surrounding
until the ignition temperature consequences into combustion.
Heat of Solution- refers to the released when a substance is dissolved in a liquid.
Heat of decomposition- refers to the heat released by the decaying and rotting of
compounds requiring the addition of heat for their formation.
 Electrical Heat Energy:
- is produced when electric current flows through a conductor or when a spark
jumps on air gap. In a current flow passing through conductors, electrons are
passed along from one atom to another; metals are good conductors of electricity
allowing easy and swift movement of electrons to pass through it.
Resistant Heating- occurs when the rate of heat generation is proportional to
the resistance and square of the current.
Heat generated by lightning- release of an electric charge on a cloud to an
opposite charge on another cloud or on the ground is called lightning.
Frictional Electricity- also known as static electricity it is an electrical discharge
that amasses on the surface of two materials that have been brought together and
then separated.
Heat from Arcing- Arcing is a product of the interruption of an electrical circuit
either intentionally as by knife switch or accidentally as when a terminal or contract
becomes loose.
Inductive Heating- heating increases with frequency of alteration.
Nuclear Heat Energy:
- is released in the form of pressure, nuclear radiation or heat.
Nuclear Fusion- includes all nuclear reactions in which two light nuclei combine
to form heavier nucleus with the emission of particles or gamma rays.
Nuclear Fission- occurs when a sub-atomic particle called neutron bombards
an appropriate type of nucleus.

Note: Uranium and Thorium- are basic materials which can be used for the
release of nuclear energy by fission.

 Mechanical Heat Energy:

Frictional heat- is a product of mechanical energy used in overcoming the
resistance to motion when two solids are rubbed together.
Heat of Compression- refers to heat released when gas is compressed also
known as diesel effect.
 Methods of Heat Transfer

Conductive/Conduction Heat Transfer (direct contact)

Convective/Convection Heat Transfer (transfer of heat by a circulating
medium, usually air or a liquid)
Radiative/Radiation Heat Transfer ( transferred if the forms of
electromagnetic energy directly from one object to another.)
 Heat Measurement

Fahrenheit degree (*F)- 1/180 Ice melting point is 32 degrees Fahrenheit,

while boiling point of water is 212 degrees fahrenheit.

Centigrade (Celcius degree) (*C)- 1/100 Ice melting point is 0 degrees

Celcius, and the boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celcius.

Absolute or Kelvin (*A or *K)- same as Celcius degree but the boiling point
of water is 373 and the melting point of ice is at 273.
 5 Classes of Fire
Class A Fire - Fires involving ordinary combustible materials such as wood,
cloth, paper, rubber and many plastics.
Class B Fire - Fires involving flammable and combustible liquids and gases
such as gasoline, oil, lacquer, paint, mineral spirits and alcohol.
Class C Fire - Fires involving energized electrical equipment such as household
appliances, computers, transformers, overhead transmission lines and etc.
Class D Fire - Fires involving combustible metals such as aluminum,
magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium and potassium.
Class K Fire – a new classification of fire as of 1998 and involves fires in
combustible cooking fuel such vegetable or animal fats.
 Pyrolysis

Refers to the chemical process whereby fire consumes

the most solid part of the fuel. It is the chemical
decomposition of matter through the action of heat. This
decomposition may take place in the absence of oxygen,
and the vapors released may include both combustible
and noncombustible gases.
Pyrolyzable solid fuels- include many of the ordinarily accepted
solid combustibles: wood, paper, and so on.
Nonpyrolyzable solid fuels- are difficult to ignite. A common
example is charcoal. Chemical decomposition does not occur because there
are no pyrolyzable elements present. No vapors are released.
Pyrolysis of Wood.- Wood, the most common solid fuel, is composed
of many tubular fiber units, or cells, cemented together. The walls of these
cells are made of cellulose.
 Fire suppression

- refers to the firefighting tactics use

to suppress fires; the proper use of
equipment and proper firefighting
techniques.
 Fire Suppression System
Automatic Fire Sprinkler System - Consist of series of
sprinklers arranged so that the system will automatically distribute
sufficient quantities of water directly to a fire to either extinguish it or
hold it in check until firefighters arrive.
Water is supplied through a system of piping.
Dry Stand Pipe System - it allows water to be admitted after
the fire truck water pressure was attached to the fire department
connection.
Wet Stand Pipe System - contains water under pressure,
connected to the water supply so that a fused sprinkler will
immediately discharged a water spray in the area and actuate an
alarm.
 Fire Protection System

Detection or Warning System

Automatic Fire Alarm System - A system that will transmit a signal to an
off-site location for the purpose of summoning organized assistance in fighting the fire,
the signal produces automatic response.
Manual Fire Alarm System - A system also transmit a signal but with the
help of human intervention, to attract attention of the occupants either of assistance in
fighting the fire or in evacuation.
Smoke and Heat Detector - A system design either single
or combination, primary purpose is simply detection devices
on smoke and heat that normally expected in a space.
 Methods of Fire Extinguishment

1. Cooling – By reducing the heat to below the ignition temperature.

2. Smothering – By expelling oxygen.
3. Starving/Separation – Removing the fire by means of removing the fuel.
 Classes of Fire Extinguisher

• PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS- it offers the greatest potential for

immediately controlling workplace fires.
i. Dry Chemical Extinguisher – Effective in Class B and also effective in Class C.
ii. Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher – Effective also in small quantities of flammable
liquid and in Class C fires. (Electrical fires)
iii. Water Extinguisher – Effective in Class A fire. (Woods, papers, cotton)
• SEMI-PORTABE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS – hose can be run out to the
fire or are in fixed place.
i. Carbon dioxide Hose-Reel System – employed in engine rooms and is space
containing electrical equipment.
ii. Dry Chemical Hose System – storage tank containing the agent, pressurized
cylinders containing nitrogen gas, a rubber hose and nozzle.
iii. Halon–Hose– Reel System
• Soda Acid Extinguisher – Effective in Class A fire but not
in Class B.
• Foam Extinguisher – Effective in small quantities of
flammable liquid or Class B fire. (Gasoline, Kerosene)
• Loaded Stream Extinguisher – Effective in Class A and
also in Class B.
• ABC Chemical Extinguisher – Effective in all types of fire.
How to use a Fire Extinguisher
Principles of Nature Firefighting Strategy

• Locate the fire/report

• Confine the fire/abatement
• Extinguish the fire/extinguishment methods
• Exposures-evacuation-salvaging items, occupants
 Factors to be Considered in Extinguishment of Fire

1. Time of the Day - hour, time, during hours of

darkness
2. Weather - Temperature, humidity, wind and
precipitation
3. The Fire
Extent of the Fire:
 Its location in the building
 Type of contents involved
 The life hazard
 Fire conditions
 Type of construction
4. Occupancy - determined the number of people that occupy the
building, including the materials that are found in it.
5. Ventilation - it is the method for clearing the building of smoke
and gases, localize the fire, and reduce smoke and forcible entry
damage.
• Vertical Ventilation
• Cross or Horizontal Ventilation
• Mechanical or forced Ventilation
EXPOSURES - it is an action taken by the firefighters
to cover or secure other buildings, people from exposing
themselves near the affected area or danger from fire.
 TYPES OF EXPOSURE
1. Fire Exposure - refers to the property exposed the fire, such as property
directly across alleys or besides the fire building.
2. Life Exposure - refers to the danger to the life of the occupants of any
building that is in line with the travel of dangerous fumes or gases thrown off
by fire as well as to the occupants of any building that is seriously exposed to
the fire from the building on fire.
3. Rescue - an action taken by the firefighters to remove occupants from a
burning place or hazard to a safety place.
4. 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.
5. Salvage - an action taken by the firefighters in preventing excessive
damage by fire, smoke and water with the use of salvage cover or by
removing materials out from the burning building.
 BUILDING CODE AND BUILDING REQUIREMENTS

BUILDING CODE - a standard rules for safety in the construction of buildings.

Building codes vary in their fire-resistance requirements in accordance with the
occupancy classification.
SHORT CIRCUIT - failure in electrical circuit: a failure in an electrical circuit
caused by an accidental flow of excessive current.
DANGEROUS BUILDINGS- are those which are structurally unsafe or not
provided with safe egress, or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise
dangerous to human life.
FIRE ZONES- are areas within which only certain types of building are permitted to
be constructed based on their use, occupancy, type of construction, and resistance to
fire.
 CLASSIFICATION OF OCCUPANCY AND HAZARD OF
 Places of Assembly: CONTENTS
Class A – capacity of 1000 person or more
Class B – capacity of 300 to 999
Class C – capacity of 50 to 299
 Educational Occupancy:
-All buildings
- Gathering of group of six (6) or more person for the purpose of
instruction.
 Institutional Occupancy:
-Used for treatment of persons suffering from physical or mental
illness.
 Residential Occupancy:
-Sleeping on or sleeping accommodation are provided for
residential purposes.
 Mercantile Occupancy:
-stores, markets, and etc.
 Business Occupancy:
- used for transactions of business other than that covered under mercantile, for
the keeping of accounts and records and similar purposes.
 Industrial Occupancy:
- factories making products
 Storage Occupancy:
-utilized primarily for the storage or sheltering of goods, merchandise,products,
vehicles, or animals.
 Mixed Occupancy:
-– 2 or more classes of occupants are present
 Miscellaneous:
-cannot be properly classified in any of the preceding occupancy group.
 TYPES OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Type I Buildings - shall be of wood construction. The

structural
elements may be any of the materials permitted by this
Code.
Type II Buildings - shall be of wood construction with
protective
fire-resistant materials and one-hour fire-resistive
throughout:
Except, that permanent nonbearing partitions may use
fireretardant treated wood within the framing assembly.
Type III Buildings - shall be masonry and wood construction, Structural
elements may be any of the materials permitted by this Code: Provided,
that the building shall be one-hour fire-resistive throughout.
Type IV Building - shall be of steel, iron, concrete, or masonry
construction. Walls and permanent partitions shall be of incombustible
fire-resistive construction.
Type V Buildings - shall be fire-resistive. The structural elements shall
be of steel, iron, concrete, or masonry construction. Walls and
permanent partitions shall be incombustible fire-resistive construction.
 Fire Trucks
any other type of truck used to carry equipment or people to a fire or
emergency.
 Types of Fire Trucks
• PUMPER FIRE APPARATUS
This is the most common style of apparatus that is used for the sake of putting out fires. The National Fire Protection
Agency (NFPA) states that a pumper is “[a] fire apparatus with a permanently mounted fire pump of at least 750 gpm (3000
L/min) capacity, water tank, and hose body whose primary purpose is to combat structural and associated fires.”
• FOAM AND WATER TENDERS
Mobile water supply apparatus are better known as “tankers” or “tenders” and are defined by the NFPA as “a vehicle
designed primarily for transporting (pickup, transporting, and delivering) water to fire emergency scenes to be applied by other
vehicles or pumping equipment.” Water tenders are the most common variety but there are also foam tenders that may be
used to transport foam.
• QUINT FIRE APPARATUS
Quints are fire apparatus that perform five different jobs: fire pump, water tank, hose bed, ground ladder, and aerial
ladder. Quints are typically the apparatus of choice for a smaller department as it serves more functions for less of a cost and
is able to be operated by fewer firefighters.
• INITIAL ATTACK FIRE APPARATUS
Initial attack fire apparatus look more like a traditional truck and are intended to handle the first go at the fire. They are
defined by the NFPA as “fire apparatus with a fire pump of at least 250 gpm (1000 L/min) capacity, water tank, and hose body
whose primary purpose is to initiate a fire suppression attack on structural, vehicular, or vegetation fires, and to support
associated fire department operations.”
• AERIAL FIRE APPARATUS
Aerial fire apparatus are defined by the NFPA as “a vehicle equipped with an aerial ladder, elevating platform, or water
tower that is designed and equipped to support firefighting and rescue operations by positioning personnel, handling materials,
providing continuous egress, or discharging water at positions elevated from the ground.”
• RESCUE FIRE TRUCKS
are enclosed vehicles equipped with many of the same kinds of forcible entry tools that ladder trucks carry but also carry
additional equipment for unusual rescuers.
 FOAM AND WATER TENDERS

PUMPER FIRE APPARATUS

 INITIAL ATTACK FIRE APPARATUS

QUINT FIRE APPARATUS

AERIAL FIRE APPARATUS

RESCUE FIRE TRUCKS

 Ladder

is a portable piece of equipment with rungs

attached to sides made of metal, wood or rope
used for climbing up and down.
 Types of Ladder
Single or Straight Ladder (Wall Ladder) – non-adjustable in
length (12’, 14’, 16’, 18’, and 24’).
Extension Ladder – adjustable in length and consists of two or
more sections, with travels in guides or brackets to permit length
adjustment; equipped with TORMENTOR (stabilizing pole).
Roof Ladders – single ladder equipped with folding hooks at the
top end which provides means to anchor the ladder over the roof
ridge or other roof parts.
Folding Ladders – single adder with hinges rungs, allowing them
to be folded up so that one beam roots against the other.
Aerial Ladder – power operated aerial ladder mounted on
specially build chassis; hydraulically powered.
Elevating Platforms – controlled elevators or portable elevators
by an operator.
Single or Straight Ladder (Wall Extension Ladder Roof Ladders
Ladder)
Folding Ladders Aerial Ladder Elevating Platforms
 Fire Hose

a type of flexible tube used by

firefighters to carry water under
pressure from the source of supply to a
point where it is discharged to
extinguish fire.
 Types of Hose

Hose Hoist – a device over which rope or hose may be pulled to

hoist (lift) or lower equipment.
Hose Clamp – a tool to shut off the water in hose lines when other
control valves are not applicable.
Hose Jacket – used to seal small cuts or breaks which may occur
in fire hose or to connect damaged couplings of the same size.
Hose Spanner Wrench – used to tighten or loosen hose couplings
but this versatile tool can be used to closed utility cocks, pry and
hammer.
Fire Hose Ramps and Bridges – protects hose from injuries from
vehicles crossing hose lines.
Nozzle – a piece of firefighting equipment used to direct and control
the stream of water.
 Nozzle

Fire Hose Ramps and Bridges

 Fire Investigation

As far as fire investigation is concerned, it

should be established:
Cause - that which made the fire started: it
explains the existence of fire. The “WHAT” in
investigation.
Reason - that which lead to the cause of fire (a
motive leading to the action), “WHY” in fire
investigation.
 ARSON
- The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.
- The term derives from Law French “arsoun” (late 13th century),
from Old French “arsion”, from Late Latin “arsionem” [a burning],
from the verb ardere, [to burn].

Arson investigation- is part of the more complex science of

fire investigation.
 ELEMENTS OF ARSON

 Actual burning took place.

 Actual burning is done with malicious intent.
 The actual burning is done by person/s legally and criminally liable.

Constitutes:
 Burning
 Willfulness - the act was done purposely and with intention.
 Motive - the moving cause that induces the commission of the
crime.
 Malice - it denotes hatred or a desire for revenge.
 Intent - the purpose or design with which the act is done and
involves the will to do the act.
Corpus delicti in Arson Cases involves the following Factor:

Burning - that there was a fire that may be shown by

direct testimony of complainant, firemen, and other
witnesses of the incident.
Criminal Design - a willful and intent action done must
be shown. There must be incendiary devices presents.
Evidence of Intent - when valuables were removed from
the building before the fire or the absence of effort to put
off the fire and such other indications.
 Prima Facie Evidence of Arson:

1. Fire started simultaneously.

2. Substantial amount of flammable substance or materials are stored within the
building not necessary in the business.
3. Gasoline, kerosene, petroleum or other flammable or combustible materials are
found in the ruins or promises of the burned building or property.
4. Building or property is insured for substantially more than its actual value at the time
of the issuance of the policy.
5. If more than two fires have occurred in the same or other premises owned or under
the control of the offender and/or insured.
6. If shortly before the fire a substantial portion of the effects insured and stored in
building or property had been withdrawn from the premises except in the ordinary
course of business.
7. If a demand for money or other valuable consideration was made before the fire.
 MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED IN ARSON INVESTIGATION

Point of Origin – the area in which the fire is actually started which often is the most
heavily damaged area in the fire.
Incendiary Materials – the fire starting mechanisms used by the fire setter. It includes
matches, candles, chemicals, gas & electrical system/appliances, heating units,
smoking devices.
Accelerants – materials that speed the progress of fire. Gasoline is the most common
type of accelerant.
Plants – which are materials placed around the ignition device to feed the flame, such
as newspapers, rags, clothing, & etc.
Trailers – are materials used to spread the fire. The trailer is ignited by the blaze from
the plant & carries the fire to other parts of a room or building. It can be rope, rags
soaked in gasoline, newspapers, & etc.
3 MAJOR FACTORS THE ARSON INVESTIGATOR MUST CONCENTRATE
IN DETERMINING THE MOTIVE

Point of Origin

Modus operandi

Beneficiaries
 COMMON MOTIVES OF ARSONIST

• Economic Gain
 Insurance Frauds-Benefits
 Desire to dispose merchandize-loss of market value, being out of season
• Concealment of Crime
• Punitive Measure/Revenge
• Intimidation/Economic Disabling – Economic Saboteurs
• Pyromania – compulsive desire to set fire
• Abnormal Youth – Epileptics, Imbeciles, Morons
• Hero Type
• Drug Addicts & Alcoholics (easily gets excited)
• Sexual Deviates & Perverts
 FIRES MAY BE SET BY:
a. Person with motives
 those who desire to defraud the insurer
 employees or such other person who has grievance
 those with desire to conceal the evidence of other
crime
 those who set fire for the purpose of intimidation
b. Persons without motive
 Those who are mentally ill
 Pathological fire setters
 Pyromaniac
 Psychopath
 STAGES IN THE COMMISSION OF ARSON

Attempted Arson - If the scorching is on a concrete wall where there is a

remote possibility of the fire to spread; the act to set fire with the preparation of
inflammable material at the place to be burned.
Consummated Arson – The mere discoloration or scorching of a wooden
wall by fire.
BASIS OF CRIMINAL LIABILITY IN ARSON

• Kind and character of the building burned

• Location of the building
• Extent of the value of the damage
• Whether inhabited or not
 Basic steps in Fire Scene Investigation

 Search systematically - make a plan, have in mind what

you will look for. Be thorough, complete and orderly.
 Observe - use the five senses. Observe the fire and the
expectators.Take Photograph.
 Work by the Process of Elimination - establish a
checklist and check off each item.
 Check and Verify - do not assume or take for granted.
Don’t jump to conclusions.
 Take Note
 Draw Diagrams
 Areas to Conduct Fire Investigation

Exterior - determine where the fire vested first by

comparing burn char, smoke, and heat patterns around
windows, doors, and roof.
Interior - conducts a cursory examination or general
survey of the entire structure of interior for the extent of fire
damage.
 STEPS IN TRACING THE ORIGIN OF FIRE AND
SEARCHING FOR EVIDENCES

1. External/Outside Survey - careful conduct of inspection to the

burned building.
2. Internal/Inside Survey - enters the building to correlate the same
with the outside survey of the structure in question.
3. Locate the point of origin of fire, the ceiling area must be checked
first.
 GUIDELINES IN THE INVESTIGATION OF ARSON
I. Arrival and Observation
Arrival
 Observe person / vehicle leaving the area
 Characteristics of person or vehicle leaving the area
 Unusual road street condition
 Barricade showing the progress of response
 Vehicle parked in such a manner as to create obstruction to the fire scene.
Observation
 Identify the person who called the fire department
 First person who leave the fire scene
 Did the fire occur during or after business hour?
 Was it during daytime or night time?
 Condition of traffic in the area
II. The Fire Scene
Protecting the Fire Scene
 Cooperation of the firemen and the police
 Assignments of guard
Mechanics of Search
Planning
Sifting of the debris
Location of the point of origin of the fire
General Rules / SOP’s
Collecting and Preserving of Evidence
Photography
Sketching
Assistance of qualified experts
Handling of physical evidence
Forwarding of the physical evidence

III. Post Investigation

 Methods
 The Fire Investigation Report
 Inventory of Evidence
 Bureau of Fire
Protection
Organization (Section 3, RA No. 9263)

The BFP and the BJMP shall be respectively headed by a Chief who
shall be assisted by two (2) deputy chiefs, one (1) for administration and
one (1) for operations, all of whom shall be appointed by the President
upon recommendation of the Secretary of the DILG from among the
qualified officers with at least the rank of senior superintendent. The
Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau shall serve a tour of
duty not to exceed four (4) years: Provided, however, that in times of war
or other national emergency declared by Congress, the President may
extend such tour of duty.
Appointment of Uniformed Personnel (Section 5, RA No. 9263)
Fire Officer I - Senior Fire Regional Director for
Officer IV Fire Protection

Fire Inspector - Fire Chief of the Fire

Superintendent Bureau

Fire Senior Secretary of the DILG

Superintendent

Fire Chief Superintendent President

- Fire Director
 Lateral Entry (Section 6, RA No. 9263)

In general, all original appointments of officers in the Fire

Bureau and Jail Bureau shall commence the rank of fire/jail
inspector wherein applicants for lateral entry into the BFP shall
include all those with highly specialized and technical
qualifications such as, but not limited to, civil engineers,
mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, chemical engineers,
chemist, architects, criminologists, certified public accountants,
nurses, physical therapists, and dentists, while applicants for
lateral entry into the BJMP shall include all those with highly
specialized and technical qualifications such as, but not limited to,
social workers, psychologists, teachers, nurses, dentists and
engineers. Doctor of Medicine, members of the Philippine Bar and
chaplains shall be appointed to the rank of fire/jail senior inspector
in their particular technical service. Graduate of the Philippine
National Police Academy (PNPA) shall be automatically appointed
Professionalization and Upgrading of Qualification Standards in
the Designation of Uniformed Personnel of the BFP and the BJMP
to Key Positions (Section 7, RA No. 9263)
1. Municipal Fire Marshal. – Should have the rank of senior
inspector, who must have finished at least second year Bachelor of
Laws or earned at least twelve (12) units in a master's degree program
in public administration, management, engineering, public safety,
criminology or other related discipline from recognized institution of
learning, and must have satisfactory passed the necessary training of
career courses for such position as may be established by the Fire
Bureau;
2. City Fire Marshal. - Should the rank of chief inspector, who must
have finished at least second year Bachelor of Laws or earned at least
twenty four (24) units in a master's degree program in public
administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology
or other related disciplines from recognized institution of learning, and
must have satisfactory passed the necessary training or career
courses for such position as may be established by the Fire Bureau;
3. District Fire Marshal, Provincial Fire Marshal, Assistant
Regional Director for Administration, Assistant Regional Director
for Operations and Regional Chief of Directorial Staff. – Should have
the rank of superintendent, who must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or
a holder of a master's degree in public administration, management,
engineering, public safety, criminology or other related disciplines from
recognized institution of learning, and must have satisfactory passed the
necessary training or career courses for such position as may be
established by the Fire Bureau;
4. District Fire Marshal for the National Capital Region, Regional
Director for Fire Protection and Director of the Directorate of the
National Headquarters Office. – Should have at least the rank of senior
superintendent, who must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a holder
of master's degree in public administration, management, engineering,
public safety, criminology or other related disciplines from a recognized
institution of learning, and must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training or career course for such position as may be established by the
Fire Bureau;
5. Deputy Chief for Administration of the Fire Bureau, Deputy Chief
for Operations of the Fire Bureau and Chief Directorial Staff of the
Fire Bureau.- Should have the rank of Chief Superintendent, who must be
a member of the Philippine Bar or a holder of a master's degree in public
administration, management, engineering, public safety, criminology or
other related disciplines from recognized institution of learning, and must
have satisfactory passed the necessary training or career courses for such
as may be established by the Fire Bureau; and
6. Chief of the Fire Bureau. – Should have the rank of director, who must
be a member of the Philippine Bar or a holder of a master's degree in
public administration, management, engineering, public safety,
criminology or other related discipline from a recognized institution of
learning, and must satisfactory passed the necessary training or career
courses for such position as may be established by the Fire Bureau.
 RELATED LAWS

RA 9514 - An Act that established the Comprehensive Fire Code of the Philippines or
the "Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008."
RA 6541 - An act considered as the National Building Code of the Philippines.
PD 1613 - An Act establishing the Law on Arson.
PD 1185 - The Fire Code of the Philippines.
Art 320 of the RPC provides the Destructive Arson in its penalty. The maximum
penalty of which is reclusion Perpetua as amended by PD 1613.
Art 326-A, RPC – there is no complex crime resulting from arson. Hence, if death
resulted as a consequence of arson, the penalty impose must be in its maximum.
RA 9514 - Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 (Dec. 19, 2008).
PD 1185 - known as the fire code of the Philippines, was enacted into law 1977,
repealed by RA no. 9514.
RA 9263 - Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
Professionalization Act of 2004.
 OTHER TERMINOLOGIES
ABATEMENT - Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire
hazard.
ADMINISTRATOR – any person who acts as agent of the owner and manages the use of a building or
establishments.
ARSON - intentional or malicious destruction of property by fire.
BLASTING AGENT – any material or mixture consisting of fuel and oxidizer used to set off explosives.
CELLULOSE NITRATE OR NITRO CELLULOSE – a highlycombustible and explosive compound produced by
the reaction of nitric acid with a cellulose material.
CELLULOSE NITRATE PLASTIC (PYROXYLIN) - any plasticsubstance, materials or compound having
cellulose nitrate as base.
COMBUSTIBLE/FLAMMABLE OR INFLAMMABLE - Descriptive of materials that are easily set on fire.
COMBUSTIBLE FIBER – any readily ignitable and free burning
fiber such as cotton, rags, waste clothes, papers, kapok, hay, straw, Spanish moss and other similar materials
commonly used in commerce.
COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID - any liquid having a flash point at or above 37.8 degrees Celsius or 100 degrees
Fahrenheit.
COMBUSTION – a chemical process accompanied by the evolution of heat and light. More accurately, it is the
rapid oxidation of fuel so as to produce flame (burning gases), heat, and light.
Flashover - occurs when a room or other area is heated enough that flames sweep over the entire surface.
Propagation of Fire - means the spread of fire. As a substance burns, fire propagation will be increased by the
transmission of heat by nearby materials.
Intensity of Fire - means “how hot the fire is burning.” There are factors to determine the intensity of fire: the
type of fuel being burned and the percentage of oxygen present.
Magnitude of Fire - the size of a fire and it is governed by the surface area of fuel exposed to the air.
Backdraft / Smoke Explosion- an explosion resulting from the sudden introduction of air (oxygen) into
a confined space containing oxygendeficient superheating products of incomplete combustion.
CORROSIVE LIQUID – any liquid which causes fire when in contact with organic matter or with certain
chemicals.
CURTAIN BOARD - a vertical panel of non-combustible or fire resistive materials attached to and
extending below the bottom chord of the roof trusses, to divide the underside of the roof into separate
compartments so that heat and smoke will be directed upwards to a roof vent.
CRYOGENIC - descriptive of any material which by its nature or as a result of its reaction with other
elements produces a rapid drop in temperature of the immediate surroundings.
DAMPER - A normally open device installed inside an air duct system which automatically closes to
restrict the passage of smoke or fire.
DISTILLATION - the process of first raising the temperature to separate the more volatile from the less
volatile parts and then cooling and condensing the resulting vapor so as to produce as nearly purified
substance.
DUCT SYSTEM - a continuous passageway for the transmission of air.
DUST - a finely powdered substance which, when mixed with air in the proper proportion and ignited will
cause an explosion.
ELECTRICAL ARC - an extremely hot luminous bridge formed by passage of an electric current across
a space between two conductors or terminals due to the incandescence of the conducting vapor.
EMBER - A hot piece or lump that remains after a material has partially burned, and is still oxidizing
without the manifestation of flames.
FINISHES - materials used as final coating of a surface for ornamental or protective purposes.
FIRE ALARM - any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system to warn the occupants
of the building or the fighting element of the presence or danger of fire to enable them to undertake
immediate action to save life and property and to suppress the fire.
FIRE ANALYSIS - the process of determining the origin, cause and responsibility as well as the
failure analysis of fire or explosion.
FIRE CAUSE - the circumstances or agencies that bring a fuel and an ignition source together
with proper air or oxygen.
FIRE DOOR - a fire restrictive door prescribed for openings in fire separation walls or partitions.
FIRE HAZARD - any condition or act which increases or may cause an increase in the probability
of the occurrence of fire or which may obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with firefighting
operations and the safeguarding of life and property.
FIRE LANE - the portion of a roadway or public way that should be kept opened and unobstructed
at all times for the expedient operations of firefighting units.
FIRE POINT/FLAME POINT - the lowest temperature at which liquid fuel produces a flammable
vapor in sufficient quantity such that if a source of ignition is introduced, the vapor will ignite and is
usually a few degrees above the flash point.
FIRE PROTECTIVE AND FIRE SAFETY DEVICE - any device intended for the protection of
buildings or persons to include but not limited to build in protection system such as sprinklers and
other automatic extinguishing system, detectors for heat, smoke
FIRE SAFETY CONSTRUCTIONS - refers to design and installations of walls, barriers, doors, windows,
vents, means of egress etc. integral to and incorporated into a building or structure in order to minimize
danger to life, from smoke, fire, fumes or panic before the building is evacuated.
FIRE SPREAD - the movement of fire from one place to another.
FIRE TRAP - A building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or because it lacks adequate exits
or fire escapes.
FIRE ALARM - Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system to warm the occupants of the
building or firefighting elements of the presence or danger of fire to enable them to undertake immediate
action to save life and property and to suppress the fire.
FIRE HAZARD - Any condition or act which increases or may cause an increase in the probability of the
occurrence of fire, or which may obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with firefighting operations and the
safeguarding of life and property.
FLASH FIRE - a fire that spreads with extreme rapidity such as the one that race over dust, over the
surface of flammable liquids or through gases.
FLASH POINT - The minimum temperature at which any material gives off vapor in sufficient concentration
to form an ignitable mixture with air; the lowest temperature at which liquid fuel produces a flammable
vapor.
FORCING - a process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing its shape or dimensions.
FUEL – a material or substance being oxidized or burned in the combustion process; material such as
coal, gas, or oil that is burned to produce heat or power.
FUEL LOAD - the total quantity of combustible contents of the building, spaces or fire area, including
interior finish and trim expressed in heat units or the equivalent weight in wood.
FULMINATE - a kind of stable explosive compound which explodes by percussion.
HAZARDOUS OPERATION/PROCESS - any act of manufacturing, fabrication, conversion etc., or produces
materials which are likely to cause fires or explosions.
HEAT RELEASE RATE - is a measure of the amount of energy a specific type of fuel can contribute to the heat
flux in a fire.
HEAT TRANSFER - the mechanism in which fire can spread from its origin to other sources of fuel.
HORIZONTAL EXIT - passage way from one building to another or through or around a wall in approximately the
same floor level.
HOSE BOX – a box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves, and other equipment are stored and arranged for
firefighting.
HOSE REEL – a cylindrical device turning on an axis around which a hose is wound and connected.
HYPERGOLIC FUEL - a rocket or liquid propellant which consists of combinations of fuels and oxidizers which
ignite simultaneously on contact with each other.
IGNITION/AUTO-IGNITION TEMPERATURE - the temperature at which a fuel will ignite on its own without any
additional source ignition.
IGNITION TEMPERATURE – Temperature at which a flammable material will ignite whether it be gas, liquid, or
solid.
INDUSTRIAL BAKING AND DRYING - the industrial process of subjecting materials to heat for the purpose of
removing solvents or moisture from the same and, or to fuse certain chemical salts to form a uniform glazing the
surface of materials being treated.
JUMPER - A piece of metal or an electrical conductor used to by pass a safety device in an electrical system.
OCCUPANCY - the purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used or intended to be used.
OCCUPANT - any person actually occupying and using a building or portions thereof by virtue of a lease
contract with the owner or administrator or by permission or sufferance of the latter.
ORGANIC PEROXIDE - a strong oxidizing organic compound which release oxygen readily. It causes firewhen
in contact with combustible materials especially under conditions of high temperature.
OVERLOADING - The use of one or more electrical appliances or devices which draw or consume electrical
current beyond the designed capacity of the existing electrical system.
OWNER - the person who holds the legal right of possession or title to a building or real property.
OXIDIZING MATERIAL - a material that readily yields oxygen in quantities sufficient to stimulate or support
combustion.
POINT OF ORIGIN - the exact physical location where a heat source and fuel comes in contact with each other
and a fire begins.
PRESSURIZED OR FORCED DRAFT BURNING EQUIPMENT - type or burner where the fuel is subjected to
pressure prior to discharge into the combustion chamber and /or which includes fans or other provisions for the
introduction of air above normal atmosphere pressure into the same combustion chamber.
PUBLIC ASSEMBLY BUILDING - any building or structure where 50 or more people congregate, gather or
assemble for any purpose.
PUBLIC WAY - any street, alley or other strip of land unobstructed from the ground to the sky, dedicated for
public use.
PYROPHORIC - descriptive of any substance that ignites spontaneously when exposed to air.
REFINING - a process where impurities and, or deleterious materials are removed from a mixture in order to
produce a pure element of compound. It shall also refer to partial distillation and electrolysis.
REKINDLE - a return to flaming combustion after incomplete extinguishment of a fire reigning at some time
after being put out.
SPALLING - chipping or pitting of concrete or masonry surfaces.
SELF-CLOSING DOORS - automatic closing doors that are designed to confine smoke and heat and
delay the spread of fire.
SMELTING - melting or fusing of metallic ores or compounds so as to separate impurities from pure
metals.
SPRINKLER SYSTEM - An integrated network of hydraulically designed piping installed in a building,
structure or area with outlets arranged in a systematic pattern which automatically discharges water when
activated by heat or combustion products from a fire.
STANDPIPE SYSTEM - A system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire hoses can be attached on
each floor, including a system by which water is made available to the outlets as needed.
THERMAL INERTIA - the ease at which a material can be ignited.
VAPOR DENSITY - the density of the vapor relative to the density of air and is calculated by dividing the
molecular weight of the gas by that of air.
VERTICAL SHAFT - An enclosed vertical space of passage that extends from floor to floor, as well as
from the base to the top of the building.
VESTIBULE - a passage hall or ante chamber between the outer doors and the interior parts of a house
or building.
CONGRATULATIONS
TOPNOTCHERS AND
REGISTERED
CRIMINOLOGISTS!!
 END
“Seek first the Kingdom of God
and all these things shall be
added unto you” (Matthew 6:33)