Fire Technology

and
Arson Investigation
The Concept of Combustion
Fire or Combustion is a
chemical process caused by the
combination of one or more
substances
It is awithcomplex
oxygen. 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 a glow or flames, appearance of
light flickering.
What does it mean?
Basics
What is FIRE ?
 It is a series of chemical reaction.
 The visible active phase of combustion.

 The active principle of burning,

characterized by the heat and light
combustion. (R.A. 9514)
 A rapid oxidation process, which is a

chemical reaction resulting in the

evolution of light and heat in varying
intensities. (NFPA 921, 2008 edition)
1. W hat are the components
of fire? Or

2. What is it made of?

Components of Fire
 Fire Triangle
- Heat
- Oxygen
- Fuel

 Fire Tetrahedron
- Heat
- Oxygen
- Fuel
- Chemical Chain Reaction
The of
FIRE
phenomenon
The Fire Science
 Fire Tetrahedron – The combustion
reaction can be characterized by four
components. The FUEL, OXIDIZING AGENT,
HEAT and self sustaining CHEMICAL
REACTION. These four components are
classically symbolized by four sided solid
geometrical form called the tetrahedron.
Fire can be prevented or suppressed by
controlling or removing one or more of the
sides of the tetrahedron.
The Fire Science
 What are the sides of
this tetrahedron?
Fire Tetrahedron
 Fuel - a fuel is any substance that can undergo combustion.
Example includes wood, plastic, foam, gasoline alcohol and
natural gas.

 Oxidizing Agent - in most fire situation, the oxidizing

agent is the oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere. Fire can occur
in the absence of atmospheric oxygen when fuels are mixed
with chemical oxidizer.

 Heat - the heat component of the tetrahedron represents

heat energy above the minimum level necessary to release fuel
vapors and cause ignition.

 Chemical Reaction - combustion is a complex set of

chemical reactions that result in the rapid oxidation of a fuel
producing heat, light and variety of chemical by-products.
Fire is extinguished by limiting or interrupting one or more
of the essential elements in the combustion process

Fire Tetrahedron

OXYGEN
HEAT

FUEL
UNINHIBITED CHAIN REACTION
OF COMBUSTION PROCESS
Ignition Sources
 Mechanical heat, mechanically produce
heat, is the heat of friction it will
produce when ever the two surface
move against to each other
 Solar heat, radiant heat from the sun

can ignite the combustible materials

by the aid of glass materials such as
magnifying glass, transparent bottle
 Chemical heat, if the two or more
substances combining in order to form
a new substances some chemical react
and produce heat that can ignite fire.
 Electrical heat, Energy produce by

electricity, Electrical wiring is

frequently involved as a source of fire
incident (faulty wiring), overheating of
appliances
Toxic Gases Produce by the
Fire
 Gases produce by fire depends on
many variables
• Chemical composition of the burning
materials.
• Amount of oxygen available for
combustion.
• Temperature
 Carbon Monoxide, the hazard of
carbon monoxide, its toxicity and
may cause death by asphyxia, it
removes the oxygen from the blood
and at the same time carbon
monoxide from the blood prevents
the disposal of a carbon dioxide
through the lungs.
Carbon Dioxide, This type of gas is
usually produced in a large volume
from fire and high level of this gas over
stimulates the rate of breathing, this
condition combined with decreased
oxygen and the presence of irritating
substances in the environment that
may cause the lungs to swell(bloating
of the lungs) due to excess of fluid
Hydrogen Sulfide, it will be develop or
form if the burned products are
rubber,animal meat,hair and silk, highly
toxic gas it smells like a rotten egg,
prolong exposure to a concentrate for
more than a half an hour may cause
poisoning such as dizziness nausea and
intestinal dis order other effect is chest
pain or respiratory dis order and
respiratory paralysis.
Ammonia, a combustible materials
containing nitrogen such as silk wool
feathers, skin of animals, acrylic
plastic, phenol and a melamine resins
once burned it will produce ammonia.

Hydrogen Chloride, Chlorine containing

plastic material will produce hydrogen
chloride when burned, it may cause
irritation once smelled.
Hydrogen Cyanide , this gasses may
produce by incomplete combustion of
nitrogen cyanide, nitrogen cyanide
containing material such as wool,
urethane, polymide, and acrylics,
colorless gas is highly toxic.
What are the Kinds or
Classifications of Fire?
(International standard setting)
Classification of Fire
Fires may be classified according to the type of

materials that is burning:


Class A – Ordinary combustible materials (wood,
paper, cloth, rubber)

Class B – Flammable or combustible liquids
(gasoline, fuel oil)

Class C – Energized electrical equipment (reverts
to Class A or B when no longer energized)

Class D – Combustible metals (magnesium, titanium)

Class K – Cooking media (oil, lads, fats)
The Fire Development
1. What are the stages / levels of fire
development?

2. How does fire develop into larger

proportion?
Phases of Fire Development

Incipient

Emergent Smoldering

Open or Free Burning

Flashover
- Post Flashover
- Rollover
Incipient/Initial Stage
 As an ember lands
within a load of
flammable material,
a fuel source, such
as pine needles and
leaves left in rain
gutters, it is setting
the stage for ignition
to occur. With the
help of oxygen, the
ember increases in
heat and strength.
Emergent Smoldering
Stage/Decay
 Decrease in fuel or
oxygen, the fire reduces
down to embers and ash.
This is a dangerous
phase because any
introduction of new fuel
loads or increase in
oxygen could
reinvigorate the fire. This
is the longest stage of a
fire; in fact, it often takes
weeks to fully extinguish
all embers and
firebrands from a large
fire.
Open or Free Burning
The combination of heat,
oxygen, and fuel
increase the odds of the
fire growing to the next
stage. This is when the
structure becomes the
next available fuel
source, the fire begins to
spread beyond the initial
ignition point. Flames
are visible and gaining
ground.
Flashover/ Fully Develop
As more fuel becomes
consumed, the fire
moves into a fully
developed state. This is
the most dangerous
phase of a fire, and the
hottest. At the peak of
combustion, once all
the material has been
ignited, the fire begins
its downward spiral.
Post Flashover
Rollover
Under normal fire conditions in a closed structure, the
highest levels of heat will be found at ceiling level and the
lowest level of heat will be found at the floor level.
Backdraft
 The fire fighter who are operating on
the act of suppressing the fire at the
structure must take an extra care
when the fire grows in a
compartment large volume of hot
unburned fire gasses can collect un
ventilated spaces. This gases may be
available to actually ignite, the fire
fighter during the suppression of fire
that will allow gasses will possibly
result in an explosive ignition.
Improper ventilation during fire fighting operations may
result in a BACKDRAFT
Classification of Ventilation in
Fire Operation
 Ventilation, it is a systematic removal
and replacement of heated air,
smoke and gases to a cooler air
 It is a method or strategy made by

the firefighting personnel during the

fire extinguishing operation,
 Opening or forcibly removal of some

part of the building in order to give a

passage way in order to penetrate by
the fire fighter personnel.
Advantage of Ventilation
 Rescue Operation, proper ventilation
simplifies and expedites rescue by
removing smoke and gases that will
possibly endanger the life of the trap
occupants and the hot gases and
smoke inside will be replaced by the
cooler air and also it may help for the
fire fighting personnel to improve
visibility of the area.
Fire attack and extinguishment
 The ventilation must be properly

coordinated with fire attack it will

permits the fire fighting personnel to
have an access to extinguish the fire
 Reduction of potential back draft,

once the sufficient heat will confine

in an area the degree of heat of the
combustible material rise to their
ignition point, the combustible
material will not ignite unless
sufficient oxygen is available.
Types of Ventilation
 Vertical ventilation, Generally means
opening on the top or on the roof of
the building for allowing heated gas
and smoke to scape to the
atmosphere.
 Horizontal ventilation, is venting of

heat and smoke through the wall and

opening such as windows and door.
Causes of Fire
 Since the most causes of fire is
always talk how the fire started or
what is the main causes of fire or
what particular things that ignite the
combustible materials, These are the
common causes of fire:
 Natural

 Accidental
 Intentional
Natural Causes of fire
 When we say Natural fire we usually
refers to this to a natural calamities
Such as volcanic eruption, Lightning,
extreme radiation of the solar heat
energy
Accidental
Accidental fires are those in which the
proven cause does not involve any
deliberate human act to ignite or
spread the fire. While in most
instances, this classification is clear,
Intentional Fire
Consciously setting fire on a certain
combustible material.
1. How does fire transfer from
one object to another?

2. Is there a natural way of fire

travel?
Heat Transfer
 The transfer of heat is a major factor in
fires and has an effect on ignition, growth,
spread, decay and extinction. Heat
transfer is also responsible for much of the
physical evidence used by investigators in
attempting to establish the origin of fire
and its cause. Heat transfer is
accompanied by three mechanisms:
conduction, convection and radiation.
All three play a role in the investigation of
fire, and the understanding of each is
necessary.
Heat Transfer

Conduction - it is a form of heat

transfer that takes place within solids
when one portion of an object is
heated. Energy is transferred from
the heated area to the unheated area
at a rate dependent upon the
difference in temperature and the
physical properties of the materials.
Heat Transfer

Convection – is the transfer of

heat energy by the movement of
heated liquids or gases from the
source of the heat to a cooler part of
the environment. Heat is transferred
by convection to a solid when hot
gases pass over a cooler surface.
Heat Transfer

Radiation - is the transfer of heat

energy from hot to cooler surface by
electromagnetic waves without an
intervening medium. Radiant energy
can be transferred only by line of
sight and will be reduced or blocked
by intervening materials.
Heat Transfer
1. What are the basics of
tracing the base or point of
origin?

2. How to tell the location of

the heat source?
Fire Pattern
 Are the physical effects that are visible
or measurable after the fire. This
includes thermal effects on materials
such as charring, oxidation,
consumption of combustibles, smoke
and soot deposits, distortion, melting,
color changes, changes in the character
of materials, structural collapse and
other effects.
Types of Fire Patterns

 Movement Pattern – Produced by the

growth or movement of fire and the
products of combustion away from an
initial heat source.

 Intensity Pattern – Produced by the

response of materials to the effects of
various intensities of heat exposures.
Burn pattern with fire from above and below
Wood wall studs showing decreasing damage as distance
from fire increases

Wood material
Wood Charring (Movement and Intensity)
Spalling on ceiling.
Clean burn on wall surface.