FIRE TECHNOLOGY AND ARSON INVESTIGATION

FIRE
- Is a rapid, self-sustaining oxidation process accompanied by the evolution of heat and light of
varying intensity.
- is an active chemical reaction that takes place between fuel, heat and oxygen in the form of light
and noticeable heat.
- Is a chemical reaction. It is the rapid oxidation of a fuel producing heat and light.
- It is an oxidation taking place with a rate rapid enough to produce heat and light.

Technology - is the branch of knowledge that deals with industrial arts and sciences. It is the application
of such knowledge that is used to produce the material necessity of society.
ELEMENTS OF FIRE
Fuel – is anything that will burn when heated with
sufficient oxygen.
Oxygen –aids in combustion; comes from the atmosphere we breathe; the atmosphere contains: 21%
oxygen, 78% nitrogen and 1% impurities.
Heat – source of ignition

TETRAHEDRON OF FIRE
- a geometric representation of what is required for fire to exist, namely, fuel, an oxidizing agent,
heat, and an uninhibited chemical reaction.
For combustion to occur, four components are necessary:
 Oxygen (oxidizing agent)
 Fuel
 Heat
 Self-sustained chemical reaction
Each component of the tetrahedron must be in place for combustion to occur. Remove one of the
four components and combustion will not occur. If ignition has already occurred, the fire is extinguished
when one of the components is removed from the reaction.

OXYGEN (Oxidizing Agent)

A colorless, odorless gas and one of the compositions of air which is approximately 21% percent by
volume.

Oxygen sources: Oxygen Requirements

1. 21% of normal oxygen 1. 12% no fire
2. 78% nitrogen 2. 14% flash point
3. 1% other gases 3. 21% fire point

FUEL- is the material or substance being oxidized or burned in the combustion process.

WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF FUEL?

1. Solid- molecules are closely packed together
Ex: wood
2. Liquid- molecules are loosely packed
Ex: gasoline
3. Gas- molecules are free to move
Ex: Natural and manufactured gas

HEAT- is the energy component of the fire tetrahedron. When heat comes into contact with a fuel, the
energy supports the combustion reaction.
Types of Energy (common sources of heat)
1. Chemical Energy
2. Electrical Energy
3. Nuclear Energy
4. Mechanical Energy

1. Chemical Energy
- it is the most common source of heat in combustion reactions. When any combustibles is in
contact with oxygen oxidation occurs. The reaction of this process results in the production of heat.
ex. Heat generated from burning match, self heating (spontaneous heating)
2. Electrical Energy- electrical energy can generate temperature high enough to ignite any
combustible materials near the heated area.
Ex.
1. over current or overload
2. Sparking
3. static
4. Lightning

3. Nuclear Energy - Nuclear heat energy is generated when atoms either split apart (fission) or
combine (fusion)
Ex. a. fission heats water to drive steam turbines and produce electricity
b. solar energy is a product of a fusion reaction

4. Mechanical Energy- an energy created by friction and

compression
a. Heat of friction- is the movement of two surfaces against each other, thus produced sparks.
b. Heat of compression- heat is generated when a gas is compressed in a container or cylinder.

SELF-SUSTAINED CHEMICAL REACTION

Combustion is a complex reaction that requires a fuel (in the gaseous or vapor state), an oxidizer, and a
heat energy to come together in a very specific way. Once flaming combustion or fire occurs, it can only
continue when enough heat energy is produced to cause the continued development of fuel vapors or
gases. Scientists call this type of reaction a “chain reaction”. A chain reaction is a series of reactions that
occur in sequence with the result of each individual reaction being added to the rest.

Fire Development
When the four components of the fire tetrahedron come together, ignition occurs. For a fire to grow
beyond the first material ignited, heat must be transmitted beyond the first material to additional fuel
packages.
IGNITION
Ignition describes the period when the four elements of the fire tetrahedron come together and
combustion begins
GROWTH
Shortly after ignition, a fire plume begins to form above the burning fuel. As the plume develops, it begins
to draw or entrain air from the surrounding space into the column.
FLASHOVER
Flashover is the transition between the growth and the fully developed fire stages and is not a specific
event such as ignition. Flashover occurs when a room or other area is heated enough that flames sweep
over the entire surface.
FULLY DEVELOPED
The fully developed fire stage 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.

3 STAGES OF FIRE
1. Incipient phase
2. Free burning phase
3. Smoldering
1. Incipient phase- 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 vapor
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- final phase of burning wherein flame ceases but dense smoke and heat completely fill the
confined room.
Characteristics:
- Flames may die and leave only glowing embers or super heated fuel under pressure with little oxygen.
- Intense heat will vaporize lighter fuel components, such as hydrogen and methane, increasing the
hazard. - Temperature throughout the building is very high and normal breathing is not possible.
- Oxygen deficiency may cause backdraft.

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.
Conduction- is heat transfer within solids or between contacting solids.
Convection- is heat transfer by the movement of liquids or gasses.
Radiation- is heat transfer by electromagnetic waves.
FLAME CONTACT- Heat can be transferred 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 substance to the weight of an equal volume of
water.
b. Vapor density- the weight of volume of pure gas compared to weight of a volume of dry air at the
same temperature and pressure.
c. Vapor pressure- the force exerted by the molecules on the surface of the liquid at the equilibrium.
 d. Temperature- the measure of the thermal degree of the agitation of molecules of a given substance;
the measure of the molecular activity within the substance.
e. Boiling Point- the constant temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid is equal to the
atmospheric pressure.
f. Ignition temperature- the minimum temperature to which the substance in the air must be heated in
order to initiate or cause self-contained combustion without addition of heat from outside sources.

g. Fire point- the temperature at which the material will give off ample vapors to keep burning.
h. Flash point- the temperature at which the material is not hot enough to keep burning, but still gives
off enough vapors to cause a flame across the surface.
2. Chemical Properties
a. Endothermic reaction- are changes whereby energy is absorbed or is added before the reaction
takes place.
b. Exothermic reaction- reactions or changes that releases or give off energy
c. Oxidation- a chemical change in which combustible material and an oxidizing material react
d. Combustion or flame- the manifestation of fire is in its gas-phased combustion. A matter that is
produced by fire.
CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE
I. Based on Cause
II. Based on Burning Fuel

I. Base on Cause
a. Natural fire / providential
b. Accidental fire
c. Intentional Fire / Incendiary
d. Undetermined

II. Classification of fire base on burning fuel

1. Class A
– ordinary solid materials such as wood, paper, fabrics, etc. this will indicated deep cited fire,
leaves ashes and embers (glowing coals) after burning.
2. Class B
– flammable liquids such as gasoline, lube oil, kerosene, paint thinner, etc.
3. Class C
– electrical appliances. It causes electric shock.
4. Class D
– metal fire such as magnesium (white element burning with dazzling light), sodium (a silver white
metallic element), etc. This creates violent reaction.
5. Class E
– flammable gases such as LPG, LNG, etc. This will also creates violent reaction.

Extinguishing Agents
1. Class A – water (all agents)
2. Class B – foam/carbon dioxide (all agents)
3. Class C – carbon dioxide/powder (never use water, soda acid and foam)
4. Class D – special powder
5. Class E – all agents
Extinguishment of Fire using Fire Extinguisher

Methods of Extinguishment
1. Cooling – heat absorption.
2. Separation – the removal of the fuel.
3. Smothering – by expelling oxygen
 4. Inhibition or the interruption of chemical chain reaction
Strategies Used in firefighting
1. Locate the fire
2. Confine the fire
3. Extinguish the fire
4. Exposures
Factors to be considered in extinguishment
1. Time
2. Weather (temperature, humidity, wind)
3. The fire ( ex. Extent, location, bldg construction, contents involved)
4. Occupancy
5. Ventilation (used for clearing the bldg of smoke and gases)