FIRE PROTECTION AND

ARSON INVESTIGATION
THEORIES OF
COMBUSTION
• FIRE TRIANGLE THEORY
• FIRE TETRAHEDRON
THEORY
• LIFE CYCLE OF FIRE
THEORY
FIRE
TRIANGLE
THEORY
ELEMENTS OF
FIRE TRIANGLE

HEAT
OXYGEN
FUEL
 OXYGEN ( OXIDIZING AGENT)

FUEL ( REDUCING AGENT)

ELEMENTS OF
FIRE
TETRAHEDRON HEAT (TEMPERATURE)

SELF SUSTAINED CHEMICAL

REACTION
 COMBUSTION /
BURNING
• Is a complex sequence of exothermic
chemical reactions between a fuel and an
oxidant accompanied by the production
of heat or both heat and light in the form
of either aglow or flames, appearance of
light flickering
Common sources of Heat (Types of Energy)

Chemical energy
Electrical energy
Nuclear energy
Mechanical energy
Heat
Light
NATURE OF
FIRE
 PYROLYSIS

• The chemical process whereby fire consumes

the most solid part of the fuel.
• It is the thermal decomposition of solid fuel
through the action of heat
Products of
Combustion
• Fire gases
• Flame
• Heat
• Smoke
Properties of Fire
• Specific gravity
• Vapor density
• Vapor pressure
• Temperature
• Boiling point
• Fire point
• Flashpoint
• Ignition temperature or kindling temperature
Chemical Properties of Fire

• Endothermic reaction
• Exothermic reaction
• Oxidation
• Combustion/flame
Phases of Burning/ The
Three stages of Fire

• Incipient/
beginning phase
• Free-burning
phase
• Smoldering
phase
 • Any action taken during fire fighting
Backdraft operations that allows air to mix with these
hot gases can result in an explosive ignition
 • Occurs when a room or
other area is heated enough
that flames sweep over the
entire surface
• The point in a fire at which
other combustibles within
the area ignite, changing
the fire from one object on
fire to many objects on fire
• Occurs with the initial
ignition of the fire in the
Flashover original object, but on a
much larger scale
 Rollover

• The point at which gases

produced by pyrolysis ignites.
• It only involves any gases and is
typified by a brief, sudden
ignition in the overhead air
Classification of
Fire
Based on Cause
• Natural fire
• Accidental fire
• Intentional fire
Based on Burning
Fuel (Classes of
Fire)

• Class A
• Class B
• Class C
• Class D
• Class K
Classification of Fire
Extinguishers

•Class A
•Class B
•Class C
•Class D
Spontaneous Heating- • Spontaneous heating
the condition that and spontaneous
builds up temperature ignition start as a
high enough to cause result of a chemical
ignition reaction within the
material- a reaction
independent of any
outside source of heat
 Propagation of
Fire
Simply means the spread of
fire
 • Conduction – the transmission of
heat through an object/ medium or
conductor such as pipe metal hot
air, wire, or even wall
• Radiation- the transmission through
Types of Heat
Transmission the discharge and spread of heat
from a heated or burning source
• Convection- the transmission of
heat by the moving currents of
liquid or gas
Intensity of Fire

“how hot the

fire is burning”
Explosive Limits

•The amount of fuel vapor that

can be mixed with air to form an
explosive or flammable mixture
 •Size of fire
Magnitude of •It is governed by the
Fire
surface area of fuel
exposed to the air
Fire Point

• The temperature at which the material will

give off ample vapors to keep burning
Ignition Temperature

• The degree of heat

necessary to ignite
flammable vapours
• This temperature can
come from an external
source (match, spark,
and friction)
Oxidation
• Takes place by using the
oxygen that is present in the
atmosphere
• However, there are instances
that oxidation occurs
because of the chemical
compounds known as
oxidizing agents
FIRE SUPPRESSION, CONTROL,
EXTINGUISHMENT AND
EXTINGUISHING AGENT
 Fire
Suppression
Means slowing
down the rate of
burning
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
2. Smothering
3. Separation
4. Interruption of
the Chemical
Chain Reaction
EXTINGUISHING
AGENTS
FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS
Fire Extinguisher
• It is a mechanical device usually
made of metal containing
chemicals, fluids, or gases for
stopping fires
• Used to put out small fires before
it propagates
• Can be readily moved from lace
to place
• A portable device used to put out
fires of limited size
 Date of original filling

Chemical contents
Information
indicated on Type of extinguisher

the Fire Operating instruction and safety procedure in usage

Extinguishe
Name and address of the manufacturer
r
Name and address of the dealer
INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE OF EXTINGUISHERS

- Once the fire extinguisher is purchased and

installed, it becomes the responsibility of the
owner to maintain the extinguisher so that it
remains fully operable.
- To fulfill this responsibility, THERE
SHOULD BE A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE
FOR THE PERIODIC INSPECTION OF
EACH EXTINGUISHER AND AN
EFFECTIVE EXTINGUISHER
MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
PROCEDURES FOR INSPECTING
VARIOUS TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS
Check Check accessibility and proper location

Check Check for tag for date of last recharge or inspection

Check Check nozzle for obstruction and operations

Examine Examine for corrosion (leaks at seams) or mechanical damage

Check Check lock pin and seal

Determine Determine if full (water level, pressure gauge, weight)

Examine Examine condition of hose and hose couping

Check Check horns for cracks, dirt or grease accumulations

Date Date of inspection and initials of inspector

Different Parts Of The
Fire Extinguisher
• Shell
• Discharge valve
• Pick up tube
• Hose
• Nozzle
• Pressure gauge
• Co2 cartridge
Damage
Extinguishers
• Leaked, corroded or otherwise
damaged extinguisher shells
or cylinders should be
DISCARDED OR RETURNED TO
THE MANUFACTURER FOR
REPAIR

• CAUTION: never try to repair

the shell or cylinder subjected
to pressure
 Testing extinguishers
• Service Test – a service test of an
extinguisher is an operational test of the
extinguisher to see to it that it is operating
properly. Normally conducted at least once
a year during the scheduled maintenance
• Hydrostatic Test – is an internal pressure
check of an extinguisher cylinder or shell to
detect possible failure under pressure
(HYDRO- WATER)
( when an extinguisher fails a hydrostatic test,
IT MUST BE DESTROYED)
CHARACTERISTICS OF FLAMMABLE MATERIALS

• Classification of
fire
• Best
extinguishing
agent
State of Matter

LIQUIDS GASES SOLIDS

Types of Liquid
• Flammable Liquids
• Combustible Liquids
 Chemical properties (flammable
gases, non-flammable gases,
reactive gases, toxic gases)
Gases (Chemical/Physical
Properties)
Physical Properties
( compressed gases, liquified
gases, cryogenic gases)
 Combustible
solids
Solids
Combustible
metals
 FIRE
EFFECTS
ON
BUILDING THERE IS NO
MATERIAL SUCH THING
S AS “FIRE
PROOF”
 HAZARDOUS
MATERIAL
IDENTIFICATI
ON
DOD – DEPARTMENT
OF DEFENSE / UNO

• Class 1 Explosives
• Class 2 Gases: Compressed, liquified, or
dissolved under pressure
• Class 3 Flammable Liquids
• Class 4 Flammable Solids
• Class 5 Oxidizing Substances and Organic
Peroxides
• Class 6 Poisonous (toxic) Infectious Substances
• Class 7 Radioactive Substance
• Class 8 Corrosives
• Class 9 Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances
PRINCIPLES OF
STRUCTURAL FIRE
FIGHTING
STRUCTURAL FIRE FIGHTING

• Initial Procedures ( Sounding the Alarms, Give

exact location of fire, info regarding type of fire
• Fire fighting Procedures ( Size up, Attack,
ventilation, exposures, extinguishment, rescue,
overhaul, salvage
Following are other strategy
used in fire fighting
• Locate the fire
• Confine the fire
• Extinguish the fire
• Exposures
Also added;
• Rescue
• Overhaul
• Ventilation
• Salvage
• LOCATION- finding the location of the
fire
• Confinement- too restrict its spread
• Extinguishment- putting the fire
completely out
FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN
EXTINGUISHING
Time of the day
the hour of the day can have a direct bearing on the life and
fire hazards involved
Time also has a direct bearing on the speed of the response
of firefighting and rescue vehicles
during hours of darkness special lighting equipment may be
needed. night operations may require auxiliary firefighting
personnel
 Some of the weather factors that must be
considered:

Temperature

Weather
Humidity

Wind and precipitation

The fire
Factors to be evaluated at the
fire scene
• Extent of the fire
• its location in the building
• the type of content involved
• Life hazards
• the fire condition
• type of construction
Occupancy

• Determine The number

Of people that occupy
the building including
the materials that are
found in it.
• also note the nature of
the units occupying the
building
 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
• Vertical ventilation –The method to establish vertical ventilation is It must be worked
from the top turned down.
• Cross/ horizontal ventilation – if the smoke and gases have not reached the higher
levels, cross ventilation can clear the building one floor at a time . Windows are the
easiest and generally most available for the common types of buildings but the
indiscriminate Opening Of windows and doors can defeat the purpose of ventilation
• mechanical or forced ventilation – a process or method of ventilation where by a
device such as smoke ejector is utilized to remove faster excessive heat and dense
smoke in a confined building.
Factors to determine the location for the
opening ventilation

• Location of intensity of fire

• highest point on the roof
• Direction of wind
• Existing exposure
• extent of fire
• Obstruction
Advantages of ventilation

• Aids rescue operations

• Speeds attack and
extinguishment
• Reduces property
damages
• Reduces mushrooming
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

• fire exposures – refers to the property expose to the fire such

as property directly across alleys or besides the fire building \
• life exposures – refers to the danger to the lives 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.
Rescue

• any action taken by the firefighters to remove

occupants or persons from a burning
building/hazards to a safety place
Hydraulic rescue tools

• are used by emergency

rescue personnel to assist
the vehicle extrication of
crash victims, As well as
other rescues from small
spaces.
Cutter

• Is hydraulic tools which is designed to cut through metal

Spreader

• a spreader is a hydraulic tool designed with two arms which have a narrow tip
Ladder terminology
• Bed ladder –the lowest section of an extension ladder
• Fly ladder – the top section of an extension ladder
• Butt – the bottom end of ladder
• Heel - the part of the ladder that touches the ground
• Halyard – a rope or cable used to raise the fly ladder
• Pawl or dog – the mechanism located at the end of the fly ladder that locks do the bed ladder
• Rung- the cross member of a ladder that is used for climbing
• top or tip – it is the top part of a ladder
• Hooks – part of a ladder that is used to look over a roof peak, sills, or walls where the heel
does not rest on a foundation ( found only roof type ladders )
• Stops – made of metal or would blocks used to prevent the fly of an extension ladder from
extending out further from the ladder
• Guides – light metal strips of an extension ladder that guides the fly ladder while it is being
raised or lowered
Type of ladder carries

• one man carry

• two-man carry
• four man carry
• six man carry
• Post extinguishment procedures
Salvage And Overhaul Operations

• salvage work in firefighting is preventing excessive damage

caused by fire, smoke, and water. keeping a fire loss at a
minimum requires a knowledge of salvage operations and
the ability to improvise or make do as the need arises
Two Ways of Performing Salvage

• remove the material outside the building

involved in a fire or to an area that is not
involved in the fire
• protect the material where it stands
Factors involved in salvage work

The amount of
the type and
salvage the personnel the method of
amount of
equipment available storage
material involved
available
Overhaul

• involves a complete and detailed check of the structures and materials he

involved in the fire to make sure that every spark and ember has been
extinguished and there is no possibility of reignition
Structural stability

• Condition of the building

• intensity of the fire
• amount of water
PRESERVING EVIDENCE AND
BUILDING CLEANUP

STEPS IN PRESERVING EVIDENCE

1. protecting and preserving evidence
2. Guarding evidence
3. identifying and removing evidence
PROTECTING AND PRESERVING
EVIDENCE
• keep the evidence where you found it untouched and
undisturbed if at all possible
• when you discover that you cannot leave at the fire
scene properly identify and safeguard it
• Photograph the evidence immediately
GUARDING EVIDENCE

• cordon or rope the area containing the evidence

• post guards to prevent tampering with the evidence or handling it needlessly
IDENTIFYING AND REMOVING
EVIDENCE STEPS PROCEDURES
• collected evidence should be properly identified, And preserved in clean
containers
• make a careful notation of the date time and place where the evidence found
• initials of the person investigators / persons who collected the evidence ) on
cans, bottles and other articles should be noted
• keep a record of witnesses and of each person who has had or will have
responsibility for the care and preservation of the evidence
• protect partly burned paper and ash between layers of plastic or between
pieces of window glass for the investigator in for transportation to a
laboratory
• Preserve letters documents and bills to assist in establishing a person's
financial status which might be a motive for arson
• place would suspected of containing paraffin or oil in a clear container
and seal it until a chemical analysis will be conducted
• pack objects such as charred candlewick and burned matches in a
bottle containing cotton to prevent breaking the evidence by jarring
and handling
• store samples of material such as cotton, wood rayon, felt, and other
fabrics in a clean large mouthed bottles seal tightly and mark properly
• volatile liquid’s, oil samples, oil-soaked rags waste and the like should
be kept in tin cans and seal them
BUILDING CODE AND BUILDING
REQUIREMENTS

• building code – a standard rules for safety in the construction of buildings

BUILDING CODE REQUIREMENTS

- intended occupancy and use
- life safety
- fixed Fire Protection system
- spacing of structures
- height requirements
- fire retarding features
MISCELLANEOUS HAZARDS
• Sparks
• mechanical devices
• acids and other chemicals
• Coal tar derivatives
• effects of the sun
FREE FIRE PLAN
• it is a process of an advanced and organized planning of
possible firefighting operations in a particular building or
groups of buildings
 PURPOSE AND
REQUIREMENTS FOR
PRE FIRE PLANS
• The streets roads and alleys
between the fire station and the
scene of the fire
• location of the water supply and
the volume and pressure available
• exposure is also be given
consideration
FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN
PRE-FIRE PLANNING
• to recognize the specific problems involved
when a fire occurs in a given building
• the questions of availability of equipment
• availability of manpower
 FIRE
INVESTIGATION
cause and reason
FOUR GENERAL CLASSES
OF FIRE CAUSES
• NATURAL FIRE
• ACCIDENTAL FIRE
• ARSON
• UNKNOWN FIRE
THREE GENERAL
CLASSIFICATIONS OF FIRE

innocent fire

incendiary fire

unknown fire
PERSONS RESPONSIBLE TO
EXAMINE AND INSPECT THE FIRE
SCENE

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
FIRE INVESTIGATION
AND EVIDENCE KIT

• Evidence kit provides

equipment for the use in the
investigation and for the
preservation of any evidence
found at the scene after
evidence has been
photographed in its original
location
BASIC STEPS IN A FIRE
SCENE EXAMINATION

Search Systematically
Observe
Take Photograph
Work By The Process Of Elimination
Check And Verify
Take Note
Draw Diagrams
AREAS TO CONDUCT
FIRE INVESTIGATION

• Exterior
• Interior
• Debris
• furnishings
 FIRE REPORT AMERICAN
SETTING
• time of incident
• location of incident
• size and nature of fire
• fire involvement
• Fire department plant response
• injuries and fatalities
• time fire extinguished
• most probable cause
• follow up and corrective action required
TYPES OF FIRE ARSON
INVESTIGATION
• Basic investigation
• Purposes
• To determine what property was damaged
• What the causes and reasons where
• The number and extent of injuries or
fatalities
• The recommended corrective actions to
prevent recurrence
TECHNICAL
INVESTIGATION
• it is an in-depth
investigation to determine
more specific details of
the cause and effects and
to establish necessary
corrective action
 REASONS IN CONDUCTING
TECHNICAL INVESTIGATION

• there is suspicion of arson in

connection with any fire
• there is suspicion of negligence or
violation of regulations
• the cause of any fire is
undetermined (to establish the most
probable cause )
• there is evidence of negligence or
mismanagement in the fire
suppression or rescue operation
• loss of life or disabling as a result of
fire
 • the direct result of the
basic or technical
ARSON
INVESTIGATION investigation or it may
be brought about from
outside knowledge
 he should possess knowledge of
investigative techniques

he should have an insight of human

CHARACTER
behavior
TRAITS OF
QUALIFIED
ARSON he should have a first-hand knowledge
INVESTIGATOR of the chemistry of fire and its behavior

he should be resourced full

PHOTOGRAPHIN
G THE FIRE
SCENE

• The use of
photographs to
document much of
the evidence
 Arson
• is a crime against persons or property
• The willfull and malicious burning of
another’s property With intent to injure
LAWS ON or defraud the insurer of that property

ARSON • the burning Of all kinds of buildings,

structures, Aircraft, watercraft, crops,
forestland and personal property. arson
laws vary as to details throughout US,
however most will contain as the core of
the corpus delicti.
 • the fire was ignited willfully and maliciously
to destroy buildings or property (of human
origin, by incendiary means, not natural or
accidental)
• the burning actually occurred (property need

Arson
not be destroyed, scorching is sufficient)
• that the property is of another, or in the case
of one's own property the intent was to
injure or defraud the insurer
• that any person who caused the fire to be
set, is Aided, counseled or procured the
burning is equally responsible as the actual
fire setter
WHAT CONSTITUTES ARSON
• Burning – there must be burning or changing , example the fiber of the
wood must be destroyed or decomposed its identity or physical state
changed
• 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
 • concealment of other crimes
• defrauding the insurance company
The most
common
motives of
arson
 • it is the fact of that crime was
committed

• factors involved : burning ,

What is corpus criminal design , evidence of
intent
delicti?
BASIC LINES OF INQUIRY

point of origin of fire

the fingerprint of fire

Motive
 MOST COMMON MOTIVES OF ARSON
• Economic gain defrauding the insurance company
• 1. insurance fraud – benefits
• 2. desire to dispose merchandise – loss of market value being out of
season, lack of raw materials, oversupply of merchandise

• Profit by the perpetrator or other than the insured person

• Concealment of crime
• Pyromania
1. abnormal youth
2. hero type
3. drug addicts and Alcoholics
4. sexual deviates and perverts
LEGAL ASPECTS OF FIRE
INVESTIGATION
• Arson- the intentional or malicious destruction of property by fire

The Legal aspects of arson/ fire investigation

- It is the concern of the fire investigator to prove malicious intent of
the offender. intent must be proved otherwise no crime exists.
- the law presumes that a fire is accidental, hence criminal designs
must be shown
- fire caused by accident or criminal design must be shown
- fire caused by accident or negligence does not constitute arson
BASIS OF CRIMINAL
LIABILITY IN ARSON
• Kind and character of
the building burned
• Location of the building
• Extent of value of the
damage
• Whether inhabited or
not
REPUBLIC ACT 9514

• Revised fire code of the

Philippines of 2008 – An act
stablishing a comprehensive
fire code of the Philippines
• Repealed the presidential
decree number 1185 And for
other purposes
• was signed and approved by
president Gloria M Arroyo on
December 19 2008
AUTHORITY POWER OF BFP CHIEF
• issue closure orders for building structures declared as fire
hazards, notwithstanding any permits, clearances or
certificates earlier issued by local authorities
• order the removal of hazardous materials or hazardous
operations of business establishments whose physical layout
is prone to industry related fire incidents
• order the work stoppage of structures still being constructed
for absence or violation of any approved construction plan
download
Thank You!
Praying for
your success!