L4C6 - Fire Investigation (2017)
L4C6 - Fire Investigation (2017)
L4C6 - Fire Investigation (2017)
Introduction
This unit focuses on the specialist understanding and knowledge required by those who carry out
fire and explosion investigations whether they work within the uniformed fire and rescue service or
within the private sector. It covers the scientific principles that underpin the dynamics of fire as
well as the process of investigation.
Learning Outcomes
Candidates who achieve this unit should be able to:
• apply fire science principles in carrying out fire investigations and arriving at conclusions
• explain the preparations and procedures to investigate an incident involving fire and/or
explosion
• explain and apply the principles that underpin the collation and analysis of evidence
• analyse information to produce conclusions based on evidence and fire science
Unit Status
Optional
Content
• Flammability limits
• Flash point and fire point
• Radiation induced flashover
• Flames
• Smouldering combustion
• Spontaneous combustion
• Spontaneous ignition temperature
• Auto-ignition temperature
1.4 Describe the properties of common Flammable materials to include:
flammable materials and assess the • Methane, propane and butane
implications in relation to fire • Acetylene
• Hydrogen
• Petroleum products
• Paraffin
• White spirit
• Diesel oil
• Ethanol (alcohol), methylated spirit, methanol (methyl
alcohol) and isopropanol (2-propanol)
• Plastic and chemicals that are used in plastic
manufacturing industries
• Rubbers (natural and synthetic)
• Carbohydrates
• Cellulose
• Proteins
• Fats
• Wood
1.5 Assess, applying fire science, the Factors to include:
factors that affect accuracy in • Size of fire
determining the location of a seat • Flashover
of fire • Smouldering
• Firefighting procedures
• Fuel load
• Backdraught
• Collapse
• Burn patterns
• Human or animal interaction
1.6 Understand the physical signs that • Low level burning
can illustrate the general locality of • High level burning
a seat of fire and relate those signs • Depth or severity of burning
to fire dynamics (radiation, • Smoke spread
convection, conduction and heat
• Patterning (heat/burn/smoke)
plume)
• Glass fracture, melting, discolouration or staining
• Heat effect on metals
• Melting and degradation of plastics
• Burning effects of timber
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Date issued: 26 August 2017
IFE Level 4 Certificate in Fire Science and Fire Safety
2. Ignition
Note to candidates: fire scenes include buildings, transportation contexts and wildland
o Factories
o Chemical works
o Hospitals and residential homes
o Schools
o Transportation
• Human behaviour in fires
3.4 Outline the effects of firefighting on • Water damage e.g. causing collapse
structure/contents involved in fire • Movement or destruction of items by firefighting
and assess the implications for fire water
investigation • Dilution of liquids
• Hotspots and areas of late extinguishment
3.5 Explain and assess the • Scene priorities
organisational aspects of fire • Range of resources to be used and their application
investigation • Potential and actual contamination of a scene
• Evidence preservation
• Possible hazards which may pose a risk to the fire
investigator at a fire scene including:
o Collapse
o Sharps
o Trips and falls
o Chemicals
o Respiratory risks
o Lone working
• Dynamic Risk Assessment (DRA)
3.6 Describe and assess the aids, • Human nose
including their limitations, that are • Dog
available to the fire investigator to • Portable equipment
detect hydrocarbons • Specialist sampling equipment
3.7 Explain and assess the indirect Indirect methods including:
methods of locating the seat of fire • Observations of witnesses
• Corroboration of witnesses
• Reversal of fire fighting
• Points of entry and exit
• Position of bodies
• Structural collapse
• Knowledge of materials present
3.8 Explain and evaluate the methods • Reconstruction
used to carry out the investigation • Fact finding and testing
• Excavation including:
o Extraneous items and materials
o Fire accelerants (liquid and dry)
o Liquid burn patterns
o Significant items and materials
• Study of pre-fire events
o History
o Odours
o Changes
o Weather
4
Date issued: 26 August 2017
IFE Level 4 Certificate in Fire Science and Fire Safety
o Disputes
• Explain and apply the term “radius of error”
5. Fatal Fires
6
Date issued: 26 August 2017
IFE Level 4 Certificate in Fire Science and Fire Safety
6. Testing
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Date issued: 26 August 2017