Module in CDI 6 Fire Technology & Arson Investigation 2021-2022 | HERMILINDA ORENZE

CAGAYAN STATE UNIVERSITY

College of Criminal Justice Education

Module in

CDI 6

FIRE TECHNOLOY & ARSON INVESTIGATION

Hermilinda P. Orenze, MSCrim

Topic 3: Phases of Burning/ Stages of Fire

Objective/s: Students should be able to fully understand the different stages of fire.

Lesson 1

Phases of Burning:
1. Incipient/Beginning phase – it is the initial stage of fire. The room is in normal
temperature.

2. Free burning phase – the second phase of burning in which materials or structures are
burning in the presence of adequate oxygen.

3. Smoldering phase – the final phase of burning wherein flame ceases but dense smoke
and heat completely fill the confined room.

Classes of Fire:
1. Class A – materials involving vegetable fibers, wood, paper, straw, and grass. Nearly all
trash fire is considered Class A.

2. Class B – materials including petroleum products such as gasoline, fuel oils, lubricating
oils, and greases; animal fats such as butter, lard and tallow; natural gasses and
compressed gasses such as butane, propane hydrogen, and acetylene.

3. Class C – this type of fire involves electrical motors, electrical appliances and apparatus.
Use of water is usually dangerous because of the risk of electrical shock.

4. Class D – these materials involving combustible metals, alloys, or metal compounds,

either in a semi-solid or liquid state. They may further reduce in shavings, grindings,
granules, or dust.

Types of Heat Transmission:

1
 Module in CDI 6 Fire Technology & Arson Investigation 2021-2022 | HERMILINDA ORENZE

1. Conduction – it is the transmission of heat through an object/medium or conductor, such

as pipe, metal, wire, or even wall.

2. Radiation – the transmission through the discharge and spread of heat from a heated or
burning source. This radiation takes place through the air or through space that cause
another flammable object to ignite.

3. Convection – it is the transmission of heat by the moving currents of liquid or gas. When
this gasses or liquids are heated, they start to move within themselves; and their free
motion, circulation starts.

Four Methods of Fire Extinguishment:

1. Cooling – the cooling process uses an extinguishing agent whose primary characteristics
are heat absorption. Water is the best general cooling agent for firefighting purposes.

2. Smothering – excludes the oxygen from the fuel so that the gases or vapors of the fuel
cannot ignite and continue the combustion.

3. Separation – the removal of the fuel in the combustion process so as not to continue the
combustion.

4. Inhibition/ Interruption of Chemical Reaction – the sequence of events in extinguishing

a fire with dry chemicals or vaporizing liquids includes some aspects of the first three
methods.