Fire Protection and Arson Investigation (CDI315) - • Fire Point- it is the minimum temperature that must be

HANDOUTS reached by a liquid in order to release vapors that

supports combustion.
Combustible Matter and its Properties
• Flash Point- the temperature at which the liquid will
Matter – it is anything that occupies space and has mass release enough amounts of vapors for combustion
and shape. Matter as to state can be solid, liquid, gas or
plasma. • Burning rate-– it is the measurement of linear
combustion rate of a compound or substance; it is
Chemical and Physical Properties measured in length over time
Physical Properties Chemical properties
• Specific gravity- the ratio of weight of a substance to • Heat of combustion- refers to the amount of heat
the weight of an equal volume of water, the higher the released by a matter during oxidation in which organic
specific gravity the higher temperature is required to fuel is converted to water and carbon dioxide it depends
burn a matter on type of atoms that consists the matter
• Vapor density- the weight of a volume of gas • Flammability/ Combustibility- refers to the ability of
composed to the weight of a volume of dry air at the a matter to burn; it is also the property whether a matter
same temperature and pressure. The higher the vapor easily ignites or not depending on specific neat, physical
density the higher energy is required to burn a matter properties etc.
• Vapor pressure- the force exerted by the molecules
on the surface of liquid at equilibrium. Pressure is
produced when a liquid is heated and molecules of hot CHANGES IN MATTER IN RELATION TO HEAT
cases collides
• Burning rate- it is the measurement of linear
combustion rate of a compound or substance; it is
measured in length over time
• Specific heat- refers to the heat capacity of substance
per mass: it is the energy(heat) required per weight of
substance to increase its temperature by one unit of
temperature. It varies on state of matters.
•Temperature- refers to the degree of thermal agitation
of matter; severe temperatures if reached by matter will Matter undergoes changes when energy is applied; the
cause reaction of change: decrease/ increase of energy cause changes to state of
Temperatures matter or its components. It can be physical change or
chemical change. When the form is changing it is
• Melting Point- temperature that if reached by a solid physical while if the composition is changing to form
will change its phase to liquid new substance it is chemical.
• Boiling Point- temperature that if reached by a liquid
it produces a vapor pressure equal to atmospheric
pressure.
• Ignition Point- it is the temperature that must be
reached by a matter in order to start the fire.

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Physical change occurs in the following process; Wood- a material came from tree and used for
construction of house and some furniture.
• Fusion (Melting)- solid to liquid
There are factors that affect the combustibility of
• Freezing- liquid to solid woods, these are:
• Evaporation- liquid to gas
✓ Physical form- wood’s mass, volume, density and
• Condensation- gas to liquid other physical form affects its combustibility. The
greater mass, volume, and density the greater the energy
• Sublimation- solid to gas (heat) is required to burn the wood
• Deposition – gas to solid ✓ Moisture content- it refers to water inside the wood,
Process that causes Chemical Change moist defers the burning because it absorbs heat; once
the wood is dry it shall start absorbing heat for it to
• Endothermic Reaction- it is the chemical change that burn.
undergoes whereby a matter absorbs heat
✓ Heat of Conductivity- it is measured by rate which
• Exothermic Reaction- it is the chemical reaction that heat is absorbed and flow through the material. Since
takes place whereby a matter releases heat wood is a poor conductor slow lateral flow of heat
• Oxidation- it is the chemical change or reaction that occurs.
takes place upon introduction of oxygen.
✓ Rate/period of heating – it covers the temperature of
• Pyrolysis- it is the chemical decomposition of matter heat source and time of exposure to such source; is a
in reaction to heat. wood is massive and denser, it requires high heat and
prolong exposure for it to burn.

COMBUSTIBLES ✓ Rate of combustion – it is the measurement of linear

combustion rate of a compound or substance. It is
Combustible Matter- it is the matter that react to measured in length over time; pressure, temperature and
heat and burn. moisture content affect it.
Combustibles Solids
✓ Ignition temperature- it is the temperature required
There are common combustible solids found in the to ignite a wood (roughly from 200 degree centigrade
scene these are; and above; some variables affect the ignition
temperature like specific gravity, physical
1. Wood characteristics, air supply etc.
2. Textiles
3. Plastic Plastics – or polymers are solids composed of various
materials like colorants, plasticizers, petroleum etc.
there are many forms of plastics but the following are
commonly used;
1. Polyethylene (PETE)
2. High density polyethylene (HD PE)
3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
4. Low density polyethylene (LD PE)
5. Polypropylene (PP)
6. Polystyrene (PS)
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7. Others (acrylic, polycarbonate, polyactic fibers, foregoing are typologies of flammable and
etc.) combustible liquids.
Groups of Plastics Flammable Liquids
✓ Group A Plastics- with heat of combustion much Class I-A- liquids with flashpoint below 22.8 degrees

[
higher than ordinary combustibles and burning rate Celsius & boiling point below 37.8 degrees centigrade
higher than group B

·
Class I-B- liquids with flashpoint below 22.8 degrees
✓ Group B Plastics- with heat combustion higher than Celsius & boiling point at or above 37.8 degrees
ordinary combustibles and burning rate higher than centigrade
group C nut not higher than group a Class I-C liquids with flashpoint below 22.8 degrees
✓ Group C Plastics- with heat combustion with similar Celsius & boiling point below 37.8 degrees centigrade
heat of combustion and burning rate of ordinary Combustible Liquids
combustibles.
Class II- with flash point at or above 37.8 degrees
Celsius & below 60 degree
Textiles and fibers- fibers are strands that once process Class III A- with flash point above 60 degrees Celsius
will make a thread; threads once weave will make a & below 93 degree
textile of fabric used for cloths.
Class III B- above 93 degree Celsius
The following affects the burning of textiles
• Chemical Decomposition- fibers will burn depending
on the content that comprises such; pulp, wool, and silk,
are common
• Fabric finish- decorative materials adds to the Combustible Gas
combustibility of fabric; synthetic fabric that undergoes Classification of Gas
thermal shrink reduces the exposure to heat while loose
fabric increases exposure. 1. Class According to Physical Properties
• Weight- if a fabric is massive, it requires more heat to • Compressed Gas- gas that is pressed in the container
ignite but if it is light it requires less heat to ignite. that may produce pressure when heated
• Tightness of weave- air passes through spaces in • Liquefied Gas- gas that is in liquid form when
fabric making it susceptible to burning as supported by confined in a container such as LPG
air supply; if the weave is right air is restricted and
ignition can be delayed • Cryogenic Gas- a gas that produces rapid drop of
temperature when released in container
• Flame retardant treatment – some fabrics have
chemicals that repel combustion. These chemicals may 2. Class According to Usage
cause the fabric not to burn and some once heated • Fuel Gas- gas that is use for burning
shrinks the fabric or covers the spaces in the weave to
limit the oxygen. • Industrial Gas- gas that is used for manufacturing
products
Liquid Combustibles
• Medical gas- gas that is used in health care facilities in
Liquids that burn may be classified as combustible treating patients
or flammable; flammable liquids have a flashpoint of
below 37.8 degrees Celsius while combustible have a
flashpoint of at or above 37.8 degrees Celsius. The

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PROPERTIES OF CHEMICALS Factors Affecting wood combustibility
Properties- these are the characteristics of chemicals as - Physical Characteristics
their nature and how those react to various factors like - Moisture content
temperature, environment and to other chemicals or - Heat of Conductivity
matter. - Rate/period of heating
- Rate of combustion
- lenition temperature
COMBUSTIBLE MATTER
Building Materials and Combustible Content
Combustible Building Materials
•Woods- solid materials that came from tree
• Plastics- organic synthetic materials used to roofing,
bathroom doors and other installation parts
• Papers- tiny wood-based products used for wail papers Types of Chemical Properties
• Fiberboard- used in walling and ceilings • Combustible Chemicals- chemicals that can be
• Asphalt- black petroleum applied below the wooden consumed by fire and will likely to burn when heated.
foundation to avoid termite infestation • Oxidizing Chemicals- chemicals that can yield
Non-combustible Building Materials oxygen to support combustion, certain types are
classified too as combustibles
• Steel- strengthened iron used for foundation and
trusses • Unstable Chemicals- chemicals that react violently
beyond anticipation even though the effects are
• Masonry- prefabricated concrete such as bricks and established, its reaction takes place inconsistently.
hollow blocks used in walling and certain floorings
• Air and Water Reactive Chemicals- chemicals that
• Concrete-processed cement used in building undergo chemical change and reaction when exposed to
foundation. pavements and certain walling air or mixed with water.
• Glass- materials made up of silica and other compound • Corrosive Chemicals- chemicals that corrode metals,
used in windows and doors it also causes scalding when in contact with skin.
• Asbestos- it is used in ceiling to repel heat of roof but • Toxic Chemical- chemical that causes adverse effects
prohibited due to adverse effects to occupants' heath to human body, the lethal property of chemicals varies
on human capacity and amount of chemical inhaled or
• Gypsum Plaster- it is applied to protect the steel from
ingested by the person.
melting
• Radioactive- chemicals that emit radiation and has
Combustible Content
unstable nucleus that can be bombarded to produce
Combustible Solids enormous heat.

• Wood
•Textiles
• Plastic

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Fire – the product of chemical reaction in which Molecular Bases of Heat
combustible materials burn at sufficient temperature and
sustained by oxidizing chemicals. MOLECULAR VIBRATION

Elements of Fire When heat is supplied to one end, the molecules at the
hot end start to vibrate more vigorously.
There are three elements of fire namely;
In the process, they 'bump into their neighboring
✓ Fuel- it is the combustible matter that is consumed by molecules. In doing so, some energy is transferred to the
fire neighbor.

✓ Heat- it is the thermal agitation of matter or increase The neighbor molecule gains energy and starts to vibrate
of temperature at kindling point more vigorously. The cycle continues.

✓ Oxygen- it is the element that sustains the fire According to Heat Source
✓ Chemical heat- fire caused by chemical reaction
without the aid of ignition device; it is usually caused by
B. Combustion and Ignition hypergolic reaction.
Ignition- it is literally meaning the start of fire; ✓ Electrical heat- fire caused by electricity that
combustible matter will start to burn once it reaches its includes overloading, overheating and short circuit.
certain temperature to produce fire, it Is called ignition
temperature. ✓ Mechanical heat- fire caused by physical process
that produces heat such as explosion of compressed gas
Combustion- it is the self-sustaining chemical reaction overheating of machinery and the like.
producing energy or products that cause more reaction
of the same kind. ✓ Nuclear heat- fire caused by bombardment of
subatomic particles of radioactive materials such as
Other Forms of Combustion
plutonium or uranium.
✓ Flashover- it is the sudden and dramatic
simultaneous combustion of all solid materials in a room
Propagation means the manner on how the fire
✓ Roll over- it is the combustion of accumulated spreads or transfers; it has 3 means;
combustible gases in a room
✓ Conduction- it is the heat transfer that occurs in
✓ Backdraft- it is the sudden combustion that occurs solids in which heat transfer from molecules to
upon the immediate introduction of oxygen molecules
✓ Fire storm- it is an intense fire during which rising ✓ Convection- it is the heat transfer that occurs in fluids
air creates vacuum beneath surroundings air rushes to (liquids and gases) in which heat transfer from
fill the gap and forms extremely strong winds and molecules to molecules
propagates the fire.
✓ Radiation- it is the heat transfer that occurs in
✓ Conflagration- an extremely large fire that consumes vacuum in which heat travels in the form of heat wave.
a quarter or a half of a city or municipality

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Phases of Fire Types and Classes of Fire
Fire undergoes 3 stages from growth to decay period According to Origin or Cause

✓ Incipient/initial phase- it is the phase in which the ✓ Providential/ Natural Fire- it is the fire caused by
fire starts, temperature rises and small flames are natural cause or act of God such as humidity, sunrays,
produced. volcanic eruption etc.

✓ Free Burning Phase- it is the phase in which all ✓ Accidental Fire- it is the fire caused by human error,
materials are burning, flashover occurs at this phase and neglect or imprudence.
serves as that phase where intensity is at its peak.
✓ Intentional Fire- it the fire caused by deliberate act
✓ Smoldering Phase- it is the phase in which all of man or incendiarism
materials are consumed by fire oxygen and heat are
released that yields to reduction of heat until such time it
does not burn at all. According to Fuel
✓ Class A Fires- fires in which burning fuels are
Intensity- means the rate of fire’s temperature or how composed of wood-based products and papers
hot the fire is; it is the rate of burning that varies in
✓ Class B Fires- fires in which burning fuels are
different conditions.
composed of flammable liquids
- Amount Materials
- Quantity of Heat Produced ✓ Class C fires- fires that are composed of electrical
- Adequacy of Oxygen appliances
- Total Area of Material available for combustion ✓ Class D Fires- fires that are composed of combustible
- Length of Flame Produced
metals

✓ Class K fires- fires that are composed of kitchen

Magnitude- is the size of fire usually indicated by
height of flames and span of damage. products

- Combustibility of matter
- Amount of fuel exposed to air According to Mode of Combustion
- Sufficiency of oxygen ✓ Flameless Type – it is the type of fire that is not
- Amount and type of released free producing incandescent gas
radicals/combustible gases from materials
✓ Flaming Type – it is the type of fire that produces
incandescent gas called flames.

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According to Phase of Combustion Based on Fuel and Air Mixture

✓ Condensed Phase (Glowing combustion)- it is the • Premixed flame- the type of flame in which
combustion that does not produce incandescent gas due hydrocarbon is mixed with air before reaching the flame
to less intensity of heat zone

✓ Gas Phase (Flame) – it is the combustion that • Diffusion flame- the type of flame present when fuel
produces incandescent gas is mixed with air at the flame zone

✓ Explosion- a combustion in which the process is

confined to produce appreciable pressure Burns- wounds caused by heat
✓ Detonation- it is the combustion that occurs if the Types of burns
pressure reaches a supersonic speed producing
shockwave ➢ First Degree- blistering and red discoloration of skin

➢ Second degree burn- exposure of dermis without

deep scarring
Effects of Products
➢ Third degree- charring of skin and deep scarring
Smokes
- Panic
Effects of Heat
- Low Visibility
- Acute respiratory irritation
✓ Perspiration ✓ Dehydration

✓ Heat shock ✓ Heat stroke

Fire Gases
✓ Comatose ✓ hyperthermia
- Intoxication
- Loss of consciousness
- Comatose
- Death

Based on Smoothness
• Laminar flame – type of flame in which gas follows a
smooth path; it occurs when the fire is in thermal
balance (state when the pattern of movement of fire is
normal with no interference to chain of chemical
reaction)
• Turbulent flame- type of flame that has an unsteady
swirl; it happens if there is thermal imbalance
(interference to the chain of chemical reaction happens)

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Fire Safety Other measures in for Fire Safety Education
Fire safety is the totality of undertakings, process or • Fire prevention through civic organization
systems that ensure persons and properties against the
effects of destructive fires. • Fire safety clinics and seminars

3 E’s of Fire Safety • Community events

• Safety education in the school
✓ Education- process of teaching fire safety to citizens
• Publicity program
✓ Engineering- the application of engineering
principles in fire safety such as development of fire • Media education
codes
• Fire prevention month observance
✓ Enforcement- process by which compliance with the
codes is ensured.
Engineering for Fire Safety
Development of fire codes
Education for Fire Safety
Fire codes are laws that provides specific provision on
Community Fire Safety Education- it is the measure fire safety in community, provides rules of structural
performed to educate the community in fire safety using requirements for fire safety. The Philippines 1st Fire
the following steps; Code was the PD 1185 and was repealed by the RA
1. Conduct community analysis- evaluate and study 9514 The Comprehensive fire Code of the Philippines of
the community within AOR and determine problems in 2008. The City of Manila has a City Ordinance on fire
fire safety and needs. safety. The RA 9514 provides for comprehensive fire
safety measures for all stakeholders.
2. Develop community partnership- fire department
should have formal partnership in localities with Performance based design
stakeholders (citizens, institutions, etc.) It is the engineering approach to design element of a
3. Create intervention strategy- after the problems are building based on performance goals and objective,
identified, create strategies to respond to problems. engineering analysis, scientific measurement and quality
Support from local government is essential for this like assessment using accepted engineering tools,
funding, infra structures, etc. methodologies and performance criteria.

4. Implement the strategy- after creating a strategy,

implement such to effect intended outcomes in fire
safety.
5. Evaluate the result- assess the effectiveness of the
strategy; lapses should be corrected and continuing
improvement of strategy must be made.

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Enforcement Measures in Fire Prevention in Houses and
Institutions
The following are measures to enforce fire safety
policies; ✓ Seclusion of heat source from combustibles
• Review of building plans by fire safety engineer ✓ Use of non-combustible building materials & content
• Control of sales and use of product ✓ Use of fire alarms and extinguishers
• Structural control as means of enforcing codes
✓ Proper storage and disposal of waste
• Control of ignition source
✓ Maintenance of electrical system
• Control of occupancy
✓ Occupants’ awareness
• Condemnation of unsafe structure
✓ Fire safety education for occupants
• Conduct of inspection of fire department
✓ Compliance to fire code

Fire Protection Organizations

There are organizations created for promoting fire Fire Suppression
safety. Fire suppression pertains to the undertakings or means
The National Fire Protection Association employed to pacify the fire.

The NFPA is a non-profit educational and technical

organization devoted entirely to prevent loss of life and Methods of Suppression
property by fire and other hazards. It was founded on
1896 at Quincy, Massachusetts; its activities are ✓ Cooling- it is the method employed to reduce the heat
publishing technical codes, practices, manuals, model below the ignition temperature.
fire codes etc.
✓ Smothering- it is the method employed to separate or
Other fire safety organizations prevent the oxygen to interact and support the fire.
• International Association of Fire Chiefs ✓ Separation of Fuel- it is the means employed by
• International Association of Arson Investigator separating combustible materials from fire.

• International Association of Fire Fighters ✓ Inhibition of chemical reaction- it is the means

employed to prevent the combustion process by
• Society of Fire Protection Engineers simultaneously preventing the elements of fire to
• International Fire Service Training Association combine

Fire Prevention
Fire prevention pertains to means employed to avoid the
possibility of fire to occur

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Extinguishing Agents Public Fire Departments
Extinguishing agents are chemicals used to suppress the On 1679, Boston established the first city funded fire
fire, certain kinds are the department
following; Cincinnati established the first state fire department on
1853.
✓ Water

✓ Carbon Dioxide

✓ Dry Chemical

✓ Dry Powder

✓ AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam)

✓ Halons

Fire Control
- Control of external spread
- Control of internal spread
- Choice of construction materials
- Proper use of firefighting equipment
- Providing access to fire brigade
- Installation of fire alarms
- Rescue facilities
Vigiles- organized by Augustus Ceasar to fight fire in
Rome AD 64
Indian Soldiers are using pump to suppress fire
Bucket- this is primary tool in firefighting used be
Vigeles and was required to have one each home.
Bucket Brigade- people will form a line from water
source to fire scene; buckets filled with water shall be
passed until it reaches the one who will throw the water
to the fire.
Fire Insurance- a company were established. One of
the founders is Benjamin Franklin with private
firefighters that suppress fire to homes covered by fire
insurance on 1752.

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