QUEST REVIEW CENTER - Heat

1550 Espana Blvd. Cor. Lacson Ave., Sampaloc, - Self-sustained chemical reaction
Manila
Each component of the tetrahedron
NOTES ON CRIME DETECTION AND must be in place for combustion to occur.
INVESTIGATION Remove one of the four components and
CDI-6: FIRE TECHNOLOGY AND ARSON combustion will not occur. If ignition has
INVESTIGATION already occurred, the fire is extinguished when
one of the components is removed from the
FIRE reaction.
- a rapid, self-sustaining oxidation process
accompanied by the evolution of heat and light OXYGEN (Oxidizing Agent)
of varying intensity - a colorless, odorless gas and one of the
- an active chemical reaction that takes place compositions of air which is approximately
between fuel, heat and oxygen in the form of 21% percent by volume
light and noticeable heat -
- a chemical reaction; the rapid oxidation of a Oxygen sources: Oxygen
fuel producing heat and light requirements:
- an oxidation taking place with a rate rapid 1. 21% of normal oxygen 1. 12% no fire
enough to produce heat and light 2. 78% nitrogen 2. 14% flash point
3. 1% other gases 3. 21% fire
TECHNOLOGY point
- the branch of knowledge that deals with
industrial arts and sciences FUEL
- the application of such knowledge that is used - the material or substance being oxidized or
to produce the material necessity of society burned in the combustion process.

ELEMENTS OF FIRE OR TRIANGLE OF FIRE Fuel sources

1. Solid
FUEL - molecules are closely packed together
- anything that will burn when heated with 2. Liquid
sufficient oxygen - molecules are loosely packed
3. Gas
OXYGEN - molecules are free to move
- aids in combustion; comes from the atmosphere
we breath; the atmosphere contains: 21% HEAT
oxygen, 78% nitrogen and 1% impurities - the energy component of the fire tetrahedron
HEAT - when heat comes into contact with a fuel, the
- source of ignition energy supports the combustion reaction
- heat energy is measured in units of Joules (J),
TRIANGLE OF FIRE however it can also be measured in Calories (1
For many years, the fire triangle (oxygen, fuel Calorie = 4.184 J) and BTU's (1 BTU = 1055 J)
and heat) was taught as the components of fire. While
this simple example is useful, it is NOT technically TEMPERATURE
correct. - a measure of the degree of molecular activity of
a material compared to a reference point
TETRAHEDRON OF FIRE - a measure of the degree of molecular activity of
- a geometric representation of what is required a material compared to a reference point
for fire to exist, namely, fuel, an oxidizing - measured in degrees Farenheit or degrees
agent, heat, and an uninhibited chemical Celsius
reaction  
ºC ºF Response
FIRE TETRAHEDRON 37 98.6 Normal human
oral/body temperature
- Oxygen (oxidizing agent) 44 111 Human skin begins to
- Fuel feel pain
48 118 Human skin receives a
first degree burn injury MECHANICAL ENERGY
55 131 Human skin receives a - an energy created by friction and compression
second degree burn injury
62 140 A phase where burned 1) Heat of friction - the movement of two
human tissue becomes numb surfaces against each other, thus producing
72 162 Human skin is instantly sparks
destroyed 2) Heat of compression - heat is generated when
100 212 Water boils and a gas is compressed in a container or cylinder
produces steam
140 284 Glass transition SELF-SUSTAINED CHEMICAL REACTION
temperature of polycarbonate Combustion is a complex reaction that requires
230 446 Melting temperature of a fuel (in the gaseous or vapor state), an oxidizer, and
polycarbonate heat energy to come together in a very specific way.
250 482 Charring of natural Once flaming combustion or fire occurs, it can only
cotton begins continue when enough heat energy is produced to cause
300 572 Charring of modern the continued development of fuel vapors or gases.
protective clothing fabrics begins Scientists call this type of reaction a “chain reaction”.
600 1112 Temperatures inside a A chain reaction is a series of reactions that
post-flashover room fire occur in sequence with the result of each individual
  reaction being added to the rest.
Types of Energy (common sources of heat)
1. Chemical Energy FIRE DEVELOPMENT
2. Electrical Energy
3. Nuclear Energy When the four components of the fire
4. Mechanical Energy tetrahedron come together, ignition occurs. For a fire to
grow beyond the first material ignited, heat must be
CHEMICAL ENERGY transmitted beyond the first material to additional fuel
- the most common source of heat in combustion packages.
reactions
Stages of Fire
When any combustible is in contact - Ignition
with oxygen, oxidation occurs. The reaction of - Growth
this process results in the production of heat. - Flashover
ex. Heat generated from burning match, self - Fully-developed
heating (spontaneous heating) - Decay

ELECTRICAL ENERGY IGNITION

- can generate temperature high enough to ignite - describes the period when the four elements of
any combustible material near the heated area the fire tetrahedron come together and
combustion begins

Examples: GROWTH
1. over current or overload - shortly after ignition, a fire plume begins to
2. arcing form above the burning fuel. As the plume
3. sparking develops, it begins to draw or entrain air from
4. static the surrounding space into the column.
5. lightning
FLASHOVER
NUCLEAR ENERGY - the transition between the growth and the fully
- generated when atoms either split apart (fission) developed fire stages and is not a specific event
or combine (fusion) such as ignition. During flashover, conditions in
Ex. the compartment change very rapidly as the fire
1. fission heats water to drive steam turbines changes from one that is dominated by the
and produce electricity burning of the materials first ignited to one that
2. solar energy is a product of a fusion reaction
 involves all of the exposed combustible
surfaces within the compartment.
FULLY-DEVELOPED
- occurs when all combustible materials in the
compartment are involved in the fire
DECAY
- as the fire consumes the available fuel in the
compartment, the rate of heat released begins to
decline.
THREE (3) STAGES OF FIRE
1. Incipient phase
2. Free burning phase
3. Smoldering
1. INCIPIENT STAGE
- initial stage of fire
Characteristics
- normal room temperature
- oxygen plentiful
- thermal updraft rise accumulates at
higher point
- temperature at 1000 F
- Producing C02, CO, SO2, water and
other gases
2. FREE BURNING PHASE
- a phase of burning in which materials
or structures are burning in the presence
of adequate oxygen
Characteristics
- fire has involved more fuel
- oxygen supply has depleted
- heat accumulates at upper area
- temperature exceeds 1,330 F
- area is fully involved
3. SMOLDERING PHASE
- final phase of burning wherein flame
ceases but dense smoke and heat
completely fill the confined room
MODES OF HEAT TRANSFER
Heat is by-product of combustion that is of
significant importance to the firefighter. It is heat that
causes fire to sustain its combustion and, more
important, to extend. When heat given off as a product
of combustion is exposed to an unheated substance,
certain changes occur that can make the new substance
a contributing factor in extending a fire.
CONDUCTION
- heat transfer within solids or between
contacting solids
When a hot object transfers its heat, conduction
has taken place. The transfer could be to another object
or to another portion of the same object. As we have
discovered and will be constantly reinforced about,
combustion occurs on the molecular level. When an
object heats up, the atoms become agitated and begin to
collide with one another. A chain reaction of molecules
and atoms, like wave energy, occurs and causes the
agitated molecules to pass the heat energy to areas of
non-heat.
CONVECTION
- heat transfer by the movement of
liquids or gasses
Air that is hotter than its surroundings rises. Air
that is cooler than its surroundings sinks. Air is made up
of many molecules floating about freely. Even so, it still
has weight. Some molecules are made up of the same
element. For example, oxygen in its natural state will
combine with another oxygen atom to form a stable
oxygen molecule. In a given volume, air at a given
temperature will have the same density. When heated,
as in conduction theory, the molecules become agitated
and begin to collide with one another. In the process,
the molecules are demanding more space to
accommodate the vibrations and they push into one
another as they seek that space. When that happens, the
density of a given volume is reduced and it weighs less.
Because it weighs less, it rises until it reaches
equilibrium-the level at which the weight is the same as
the surrounding atmosphere.
RADIATION
- heat transfer by electromagnetic waves
The last form of heat transfer occurs by
radiation. As we have already seen, heat energy can be
transmitted directly when molecules collide with one
another and cause the waves of heat energy to travel.
FLAME CONTACT
- heat may be conducted from one body to
another by direct flame contact
PROPERTIES OF FIRE
1. Physical properties
2. Chemical Properties
1. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
a. Specific gravity
 - the ratio of the weight of a solid or F
substance to the weight of an equal C
volume of water Gasoline 536
b. Vapor density 280
- the weight of volume of pure gas Kerosene 410
compared to weight of a volume of dry 210
air at the same temperature and Turpentine 488
pressure 253
c. Vapor pressure Paper 842
- the force exerted by the molecules on 450
the surface of the liquid at the Wood 489
equilibrium 254
d. Temperature Coal 750
- the measure of the thermal degree of 400
the agitation of molecules of a given
substance; the measure of the molecular CLASSIFICATIONS OF FIRE
activity within the substance
e. Boiling Point I. BASED ON CAUSE
- the constant temperature at which the a. Natural fire/ providential
vapor pressure of the liquid is equal to b. Accidental fire
the atmospheric pressure c. Intentional Fire/Incendiary
f. Ignition temperature d. Undetermined
- the minimum temperature to which the
substance in the air must be heated in A. NATURAL FIRE
order to initiate or cause self-contained - involves fires without direct human
combustion without addition of heat intervention
from outside sources Examples:
g. Fire point - Earthquake
- the temperature at which the material - Typhoon
will give off ample vapors to keep - Lightning
burning - Spontaneous combustion arising from
h. Flash point the storage of combustible materials in
- the temperature at which the material is poorly ventilated places
not hot enough to keep burning, but - Explosion from petroleum products,
still gives off enough vapors to cause a alcohol and other substances
flame across the surface - Sun rays focused on glasses which may
2. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES serve as a convex lens
a. Endothermic reaction
- are changes whereby energy is B. ACCIDENTAL FIRE
absorbed or is added before the reaction - Carelessly discarded cigarettes
takes place - Careless disposition of readily
b. Exothermic reaction combustible materials
- reactions or changes that releases or - Poorly managed or defective heating
give off energy facilities
c. Oxidation - Overheating, spark and electrical
- a chemical change in which defects
combustible material and an oxidizing - Overload electric circuits/ Octopus
material react connections
d. Combustion or flame - Children playing matches
- the manifestation of fire is in its gas- - Use of candles
phased combustion; matter that is
produced by fire. C. INCENDIARY FIRE
- is one deliberately set under
Material Ignition circumstances in which the person
Temperature knows that the fire should not be set
 D. UNDETERMINED FIRE CAUSE EXTINGUISHING AGENT
- whenever the cause cannot be proven, 1. Class A – water (all agents)
the proper classification is 2. Class B – foam/carbon dioxide (all agents)
undetermined 3. Class C – carbon dioxide/powder (never use
water, soda acid and foam)
II. BASED ON BURNING FUEL 4. Class D – special powder
5. Class E – all agents
CLASS A
- ordinary solid materials such as wood, paper, METHODS OF EXTINGUISHMENT
fabrics, etc. 1. COOLING – heat absorption.
- this will be indicated by deep cited fire, leaves 2. SEPARATION – the removal of the fuel.
ashes and embers (glowing coals) after burning 3. SMOTHERING – by expelling oxygen
4. Inhibition or the interruption of chemical
CLASS B chain reaction
- flammable liquids such as gasoline, lube oil,
kerosene, paint thinner, etc. Strategies Used in Firefighting:
1. Locate the fire
CLASS C 2. Confine the fire
- electrical appliances; causes electric shock 3. Extinguish the fire
4. Exposures
CLASS D
- metal fire such as magnesium (white element Factors to Consider in Extinguishment:
burning with dazzling light), sodium (a silver 1. Time
white metallic element), etc.; creates violent 2. Weather (temperature, humidity, wind)
reaction 3. Fire ( ex. Extent, location, bldg construction,
contents involved)
CLASS E 4. Occupancy
- flammable gases such as LPG, LNG, etc.; also 5. Ventilation (used for clearing the bldg of smoke
creates violent reaction and gases)

Fire Classes in the United Kingdom and Europe Types of Ventilation:

A – ordinary combustibles a. Vertical ventilation - must be worked from the
B – flammable or flammable liquids top to bottom
C – flammable gasses b. Cross or horizontal ventilation - used if gases
D – combustible metals have not reached the higher level through the
E – (this class is no longer existing in Europe) opening of windows
F – cooking oils and fats c. Mechanical force ventilation - a method
whereby a device such as smoke ejector is
Fire Classes in Australia and Asia utilized to remove faster excessive heat and
A – everyday combustibles dense smoke
B – combustible or combustible liquids
C – combustible gasses Factors to determine the location for the opening:
D – combustible metals 1. Location of intensity of fire
E – electrical equipment 2. Highest point on the roof
F – cooking fats and oils 3. Direction of wind
4. Existing exposure
Fire Classes in the U.S.A. (NFPA) 5. Extent of fire
A – regular combustibles 6. Obstruction
B – flammable liquids and gasses
C – electrical appliances ADDITIONAL BASIC TACTICS USED IN
D – combustible metals EXTINGUISHING FIRE
K – cooking oils and fats 1. RESCUE - any action taken by the firefighters
to remove occupants/ persons from building/
hazards to a safety place
FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT 2. OVERHAUL - a complete and detailed
checked of the structures and materials
 involved in the fire to make sure that every
spark and ember has been extinguished and to
have assurance against re-ignition
3. SALVAGE - an action taken by the firefighters
in preventing excessive damage by fire, water
with the use of salvage cover or by removing
materials out from the burning building
Types of ladder
1. Ground ladders (10 to 55 ft. long)
2. Aerial ladders
Purposes of ladders
a. for rescue
b. to stretch line into a fire building
c. to provide ventilation by giving access to places that
are hard to reach
Forms of ground ladders
a. Wall
b. Extension
c. Hook or straight ladder
d. Attic ladder
LADDER TERMINOLOGY
1. Bed ladder - the lowest section of an extension
ladder
2. Fly ladder - the top section of an extension
ladder
3. Butt - the bottom end of a ladder
4. Heel - the part of the ladder that touches the
ground
5. Halyard - a rope or cable used to raised the fly
ladder
6. Pawl or dog - the mechanism located at the end
of the fly ladder that locks to the bed ladder
7. Rung - the cross member of the ladder that is
used for climbing
8. Top or tip - it is the top part of the ladder
9. Hooks - part of a ladder that is used to hook
over a roof peak, sills, or walls where the heel
does not rest on a foundation. (roof type
ladders)
10. Stops - made of metal or wood blocks used to
prevent the fly of an extension ladder from
extending out further from the ladder
11. Guides - light metal strips of an extension
ladder that guides the fly ladder while it is
being raised or lowered
ARSON INVESTIGATIVE GUIDE AND
PROCEDURES
ARSON
- the willful and malicious burning of all kinds of
buildings and structures including personal
properties
INVESTIGATION
- an art that deals with the identity and location
of the offender and provides evidence of his
guilt in criminal proceedings
ELEMENTS OF ARSON
1. Actual burning took place
2. Actual burning is done with malicious intent
3. The actual burning is done by person(s) legally
and criminally liable
LAW AND JURISPRUDENCE
The law on arson in the Philippines is covered
by Articles 320 to 326 of the Revised Penal Code, as
amended by PD No. 1613, PD No. 1744, and Sec. 50
Rule VIII IRR of RA 6975 which provides that the
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) shall have the power to
investigate all causes of fires and, if necessary, file the
proper complaint with the City/Provincial prosecutor
who has jurisdiction over arson cases.
LAWS ON ARSON
1. Article 320 – 326 of the Revised Penal Code
- defines arson, its forms and penalties
2. PD 1613 – the law amending the law on arson
- defining the prima facie evidence of
arson
3. RA 7659
- An Act to Impose Death Penalty on
Certain Heinous Crimes, amending for that
purpose the Revised Penal Code as amended,
other special laws, and for other purposes
4. RA 6975 Sec. 54
- provides that the Fire Bureau shall have
the power to investigate all causes of fires and
if necessary file the proper complaint with the
City/Provincial Prosecutor who has jurisdiction
over the case
What Constitutes Arson?
1. Burning
2. Willfulness – means intentional and implies
that the act was done purposely and
intentionally
3. Malice – denotes hatred or ill will or a desire
for revenge; deliberate intention of doing
unjustified harm for the satisfaction of doing it
4. Motive – the moving cause which induces the
commission of a crime; something that leads or
influences a person to do something
 5. Intent – the purpose or design with which the
act is done and involves the will; an essential
element of crime, motive is not
Why is arson very hard to investigate?
Arson is one of the most difficult offenses to
investigate because the arsonist can be able to set a fire
and escape undetected. The fire can consume the scene
and destroy much physical evidence of the offense.
Harder forms of evidence are often buried in debris and
grossly altered in appearance.
What Constitutes Burning?
 The mere fact that a building is scorched or
discolored by heat is not sufficient nor will bare
intention or even an attempt to burn a house
amount to arson, if no part of it is burned.
 Yet, if there is actual ignition of any part of the
building, arson is committed, although there be
no flame or the fire immediately goes out of
itself.
 To burn means to consume by fire and in the
case of arson, if the wood is blackened but no
fibers are wasted, there is no burning, yet the
wood need not be in flame or blaze, and the
burning of any part, however, small is sufficient
to constitute arson, and if the house is charred
in a single place so as to destroy the fibers of
the wood, it is sufficient to constitute arson.
What is Attempted Arson?
 In attempted arson, it is not necessary that there
be a fire before the crime is committed. No hard
and fast rule is laid down by the law as to the
requirements for attempted arson. The peculiar
facts and circumstances of a particular case
should carry more weight in the decision of the
case. Thus, a person intending to burn a
wooden structure, collects some rags, soaks
them in gasoline and places them beside the
wooden wall of the building. When he is about
to light a match to set fire to the rags, he is
discovered by another who chases him away.
 The crime committed is attempted arson,
because the offender begins the commission of
the crime directly by overacts (placing the rags
soaked in gasoline beside the wooden wall of
the building and lighting a match) but he does
not perform all the acts of execution (the setting
of the fire to the rags) due to the timely
intervention of another who chases away) the
offender.
What is Frustrated Arson?
 In frustrated arson, the fact of having set fire to
some rags and jute sacks soaked in kerosene oil
and placed near the partition of the entire soil of
an inhabited house, should not be qualified as a
consummated arson, in as much as no part of
the house had begun to burn, although fire
would have started in the said partition had it
not been extinguished on time. The crime
committed was frustrated arson.
What is Consummated Arson?
 The offender did in fact set fire to the roof of
the house and said house was partially burned.
The crime was consummated arson,
notwithstanding the fact that the fire afterwards
extinguished for once it has been started, the
consummation of the crime of arson does not
depend upon the extent of the damage caused.
 Setting fire to the contents of a building
constitutes the consummated crime of setting
fire to a building even if no part of the building
was burned.
Basis of Liability in Arson:
1. Kind and character of the building, whether of
public or private ownership.
2. Its location, whether in an uninhabited place or
in a populated place.
3. Extent of damage caused; and
4. The fact of its being inhabited or not.
Some of the Arson Evidence that the Investigator
should seek at the Fire scene are the following:
1. Unusually rapid spread of the fire.
2. Where it originated?
3. Separate fires – when two or more separate
fires break-out within a building, the fire is
certainly suspicious.
4. Unusual odors – the odor of gasoline, alcohol,
kerosene and other inflammable liquids are
indicated by their characteristics and
oftentimes, arsonists are trapped because of this
tell tale signs.
5. Objects that appear to be foreign to the scene
such as cans, candles, matches, explosives,
electrical appliances such as irons, heating
elements, clocks, radios, flammables, trailers,
etc.
6. Charring pattern may indicate fire characteristics.
The fact that the fire feeds on combustible
while propagating itself, indicates that the char
will generally be deepest from where the fire
originates. When a fire is extinguished quickly,
the charring is only slightly below the surface.
 Fire burning for a longer period of time will
indicate a char that is deep and pronounced.
These facts are most apparent in the charring of
wood as a fire burns. The charring from fire on
woods looks like the hide of a black alligator.
Fire extinguished quickly on wood will show a
large alligatoring pattern that has not penetrate
the wood to any extent. Fire burning for a long
period of time on wood will show small
alligatoring pattern but the char will go deep
into the wood. The direction of fire can also be
taken into consideration with charring. The
exposed side of combustible will have a deeper
char than the unexposed side.
7. Evidence of forcible entry or lack of same may
be important depending on the circumstances at
the time of the fire. If the investigator
determines there was no forcible entry and finds
that the building was secured prior to discovery
of the fire, he can reasonably suspect there is
possibility that the person who sets the fire
entered the building with a key. Doors and
windows showing signs of forced entry may
point to arson preceded by burglary or arson by
someone without a key to the premises.
Motives of Arson
Motive
 Motive is the moving cause which induces a
person to commit a crime.
Is Motive Necessary to be Proven in Criminal
Proceedings?
 No. motive is not necessary to be proven in
criminal proceedings but once motive is shown,
then intent can easily established.
 In the crime of arson, the distinction between
motive and intent is clearly defined. INTENT is
a material element of arson while motive is not.
INTENT is the purpose of design with which
the act is done and involves the will while
MOTIVE is what induces the criminal.
Motive Can Be Established By:
I. Economic Gain
A. Insurance fraud with the assured directly
benefiting:
1. Desire to move
– the premises may no longer be
desirable because of the condition of
the building, the fact that the quarters
are outgrown or because of the locality.
2. Disposing of Merchandise
– the stocks on hand may have lost value
by reason of the seasonal nature of the
business, obsolesce, scarcity of
materials necessary to complete the
contracts, overstock in the absence of
expected order or a changing market.
3. Property Transaction
– the business itself may no longer be
desirable because of impending
liquidation, settlement of an estate of
which it is a part, the need for cash,
prospective failure, the comparatively
greater value of the land, or the
comparatively greater value of the
insurance benefits.
B. Profit by the Perpetrator other than the
assured:
1. Insurance agents wishing business
2. Insurance adjusters desiring to adjust a
loss by securing a contract
3. Business competitors
4. Persons seeking jobs as protection
personnel
5. Salvagers
6. Contractors wishing to rebuild or wreck
Concealment of Crime:
 the arsonists may set fire to a building
in order to conceal a projected or past
crime. He may wish to divert attention
in order to loot the burning premises or
steal in other places. The burning may
be for the purpose of destroying
evidences.
Punitive Measure:
- An arsonists may use fire as a means of
punishing another person for reason of jealousy,
hatred or revenge.
Intimidation or Economic Disabling:
- The fire may be used as a weapon of the
saboteurs, the strikers or the racketeers to
intimidate or to disable economically as a step
toward forcing submission to certain demands.
Pyromania
– is the uncontrollable impulse of a person to
burn anything without motivation. Pyromaniacs
usually do not run away from the scene of the
crime, usually alone and feel satisfied watching
the flame
Types of Pyromaniacs:
1. Abnormal Youth – Epileptics, imbeciles and
morons may set fire without knowing the
seriousness of the act.
2. The Hero Type – a person may set fire on a
building, subsequently pretends to discover it
 and turn in the alarm so that he will appear a
hero to the public. A person may burn a
building and endeavor to achieve spectacular
rescue in order to attract the attention of
spectators.
3. Alcoholics and Drug Addicts – persons who
subject themselves to intense artificial
stimulants such as narcotics sometimes develop
a strong urge toward incendiaries.
4. Sexual Deviates – some sex perverts derive
sexual stimulation from setting a fire and
watching the flame. Frequently, he is chronic
masturbator who stimulates and enhances his
sexual gratification by means of arson.
Public Disturbance
- an offender may resort to arson as a means of a
public disturbance because a fire attracts people
and destruction causes confusion that gives rise
to attendant problems that divert police
attention.
Vandalism
– is a general term denoting intentional burning to
destroy properties.
In determining motive, a fire investigator
concentrates on three major factors:
1. Points of origin of the fire
2. Modus operandi of the arsonist
3. Identify of persons who might benefits from the
fire.
Incendiary Materials
- materials used to start a fire; combustible fuels
1. Arson Chemicals (liquids) – are incendiary
materials often used by arsonists as accelerants.
Possess excellent properties. Examples:
alcohol, benzene, petroleum ether, gasoline,
kerosene, naptha, turpentine.
2. Gases as acetylene, butane, CO, ethylene,
hydrogen, natural gas, propane, these are
common gases resulting in fires from explosion.
These when mix with air possess excellent in
ignition properties and when present in an
enclosed area can lead to explosion.
3. Solids as chlorates, perchlorates, chromates,
bichromates, nitrates, permanganates – are
typical families of oxidizing agents which give
off oxygen on decomposition thus aiding in
combustion.
FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
Republic Act No. 9514
- Approved on December 19, 2008
- Repealed PD 1185
- known as the "Revised Fire Code of the
Philippines of 2008".
Definition of terms
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 for him.
Blasting Agent - Any material or mixture consisting of a
fuel and oxidizer used to set off explosives.
Cellulose Nitrate Or Nitro Cellulose - A highly
combustible and explosive compound produced by the
reaction of nitric acid with a cellulose material.
Cellulose Nitrate Plastic (Pyroxylin) - Any plastic
substance, materials or compound having cellulose
nitrate (nitro cellulose) 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, oakum, rags, waste cloth,
waste paper, kapok, hay, straw, Spanish moss, excelsior
and other similar materials commonly used in
commerce.
Combustible Liquid - Any liquid having a flash point at
or above 37.8_C (100_F).
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 in separate the more volatile from the less
volatile parts and then cooling and condensing the
resulting vapor so as to produce a 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 - The active principle of burning, characterized by
the heat and light of combustion.
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 fire fighting 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 Door - A fire resistive 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 fire fighting 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 operation of fire fighting units.
Fire Protective And Fire Safety Device - Any device
intended for the protection of buildings or persons to
include but not limited to built-in protection system
such as sprinklers and other automatic extinguishing
system, detectors for heat, smoke and combustion
products and other warning system components,
personal protective equipment such as fire blankets,
helmets, fire suits, gloves and other garments that may
be put on or worn by persons to protect themselves
during fire.
Fire Safety Constructions - Refers to design and
installation 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 fire, smoke, fumes or panic before the building is
evacuated. These features are also designed to achieve,
among others, safe and rapid evacuation of people
through means of egress sealed from smoke or fire, the
confinement of fire or smoke in the room or floor of
origin and delay their spread to other parts of the
building by means of smoke sealed and fire resistant
doors, walls and floors. It shall also mean to include the
treatment of buildings components or contents with
flame retardant chemicals.
Flash Point - The minimum temperature at which any
material gives off vapor in sufficient concentration to
form an ignitable mixture with air.
Forcing -A process where a piece of metal is heated
prior to changing its shape or dimensions.
Fulminate - A kind of stable explosive compound
which explodes by percussion.
Hazardous Operation/Process - Any act of
manufacturing, fabrication, conversion, etc., that uses or
produces materials which are likely to cause fires or
explosions.
Horizontal Exit - Passageway 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 fire
fighting.
Hose Reel - A cylindrical device turning on an axis
around which a fire hose is wound and connected.
Hypergolic Fuel - A rocket or liquid propellant which
consists of combinations of fuels and oxidizers which
ignite spontaneously on contact with each other.
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 bypass 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 releases oxygen readily. It causes fire
when 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.
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 at above normal atmosphere pressure
into the same combustion chamber.
Public Assembly Building - Any building or structure
where fifty (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, deeded,
dedicated or otherwise permanently appropriated 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.
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.
Vestibule - A passage hall or antechamber between the
outer doors and the interior parts of a house or building.
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.
Collection of Liquid Samples for Accelerant Testing
Liquid accelerants may be collected with
a. New syringe
b. Siphoning device
c. Evidence container itself
d. Sterilize cotton balls or gauge pads may also be
used to absorbed the liquid
Where liquid accelerants are believed to have become
trapped in porous materials such as concrete floor:
a. Lime
b. Diatomaceous earth
c. flour
Collection of liquid evidence absorbed by solid
materials including soils and sand:
a. Scooping
b. Sawing
c. Scraping
d. Core drilling
Collecting of Solid samples for accelerant testing
Solid accelerant may be common household materials
and compounds or dangerous chemicals. When
collecting solid accelerants:
a. The fire investigator must ensure that the solid
accelerant is maintained in physical state in
which is found
b. Some incendiary materials remain Corrosive
and Reactive
c. Ensure the corrosive nature of these residue
does not attack the packaging container
Collection of Gaseous samples
Method of Collection:
a. Use of commercially available mechanical
sampling device
b. Utilization evacuated air sampling cans. These
cans are specifically designed for taking
gaseous samples
c. Use of clean glass bottled filled with distilled
water. Distilled water use as it has had most of
the impurities removed from it. This method
simply require the investigator poured the
distilled water out of its bottle in the
atmosphere to be sampled. As distilled water
leaves the bottle it is replaced by the gaseous
sample

Guide on Interpreting the Damage on Electrical Wire

Collection of Electrical Equipments and Components

Before wires are cut, a photograph should be taken of
the wires, and the both ends of the wire should be
tagged and cut so that they can be identified as one of
the following:
a. The device or appliance to which it was
attached or from which it was severed
b. The circuit breaker or fuse number or location
to which the wire was attached or from which it
was severed
c. The wire’s path or the route it took between the
device and the circuit protector,
electrical switches, receptacles, thermostats,
relays, junction boxes, electrical distribution
panels, and similar equipment and components
are often collected as physical evidence.