MODULE 1: Combustible Matters and Chemical Properties

- A fire investigator who is retrieving a cause of fire, he must be familiar with the
properties of chemicals that are common in fire scenes.

Matter – it is anything that occupies space and has mass and shape. Matter as to state
can be solid, liquid, gas or plasma.

PROPERTIES OF MATTER RELATED TO HEAT

Physical Properties – covers the characteristics of matter (texture, weight, height,

volume, and density.) Affects the ability of the matter to burn.

• Specific gravity - the ratio of weight of a substance to the weight of an equal

volume of water; the higher the specific gravity the higher temperature is required
to burn a matter.
• Vapor density - the weight of a volume of gas composed to the weight of a
volume of dry air at the same temperature and pressure. The higher the vapor
density the higher energy is required to burn a matter.
• Vapor pressure - the force exerted by the molecules on the surface of liquid at
equilibrium. Pressure is produced when a liquid is heated and molecules of hot
gases collides.
• Specific heat - refers to the heat capacity of substance per mass; it is the
energy(heat) required per weight of substance to increase its temperature by one
unit of temperature. It varies on state of matters. *determines how much energy
can a matter absorb. If a matter has great mass, high ignition temperature, it can
accommodate high heat*
• Temperature- refers to the degree of thermal agitation of matter; several
temperatures if reached by matter will cause reaction of change;
o Melting Point - temperature that if reached by a solid will change its
phase to liquid.
o Boiling Point - temperature that if reached by a liquid it produces a vapor
pressure equal to atmospheric pressure. *liquid to gas phase*
o Ignition Point - it is the temperature that must be reached by a matter in
order to start the fire.
o Fire Point - it is the minimum temperature that must be reached by a
liquid in order to release vapors that supports combustion.
o Flash Point - the temperature at which the liquid will release enough
amounts of vapors for combustion
• Burning rate-– it is the measurement of linear combustion rate of a compound or
substance; it is measured in length over time

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Chemical Properties
• Heat of combustion - refers to the amount of heat released by a matter during
oxidation/burning in which organic fuel is converted to water and carbon dioxide; it
depends on type of atoms that consists the matter.
• Flammability/Combustibility – refers to the ability of a matter to burn; it is also
the property whether a matter easily ignites or not depending on specific heat,
physical properties etc.

CHANGES IN MATTER IN RELATION TO HEAT

Matter undergoes changes when energy is applied; the decrease/ increase of
energy cause changes to state of matter or its components. It can be physical change or
chemical change. When the form is changing it is physical while if the composition is
changing to form new substance it is chemical.

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 Physical change occurs in the following process;
• Fusion (Melting)- solid to liquid
• Freezing-liquid to solid
• Evaporation- liquid to gas
• Condensation- gas to liquid
• Sublimation- solid to gas
• Deposition – gas to solid

Process that causes Chemical Change

• Endothermic Reaction - it is the chemical change that undergoes whereby a
matter absorbs heat
• Exothermic Reaction - it is the chemical reaction that takes place whereby a
matter releases heat
• Oxidation - it is the chemical change or reaction that takes place upon
introduction of oxygen.
• Pyrolysis - it is the chemical decomposition of matter in reaction to heat.

COMBUSTIBLES
Combustible Matter- it is the matter that react to heat and burn.

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 Non- Combustible Building Materials

• Steel – strengthened from iron used for foundation and trusses

• Masonry – pre-fabricated concrete such as bricks and hollow blocks used in
walling and certain floorings.
• Concrete – processed cement used in building foundation, pavements and certain
walling.
• Glass – materials made up of silica and other compound used in windows and
doors.
• Asbestos – it is used in ceiling to repel heat of roof but prohibited due to adverse
effects to occupants; health.
• Gypsum Plaster – it is applied to protect the steel from melting,

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 Combustibles Solids
There are common combustible solids found in the scene these are;
1. Wood
2. Textiles
3. Plastic

Wood- a material came from tree and used for construction of house and some furniture.

There are factors that affect the combustibility of woods, these are
✓ Physical form - wood’s mass, volume, density
and other physical form affects its combustibility.
The greater mass, volume, and density the
greater the energy (heat) is required to burn the
wood.

✓ Moisture content- it refers to water inside the

wood, moist defers the burning because it
absorbs heat; once the wood is dry it shall start
absorbing heat for it to burn.

✓ Heat of Conductivity - it is measured by rate

which heat is absorbed and flow through the
material. Since wood is a poor conductor slow
lateral flow of heat occurs. *Conductivity refers to
the ability of the matter to transfer heat at one point to another*

✓ Rate/period of heating – it covers the temperature of heat source and time of exposure
to such source; is a wood is massive and denser, it requires high heat and prolong
exposure for it to burn.

✓ Rate of combustion – it is the measurement of linear combustion rate of a compound or

substance. It is measured in length over time; pressure, temperature and moisture content
affect it.

✓ Ignition temperature - it is the temperature required to ignite a wood (roughly from 200
degree centigrade and above; some variables affect the ignition temperature like specific
gravity, physical characteristics, air supply etc.

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 Plastics – or polymers are solids composed of various materials like colorants, plasticizers,
petroleum etc. there are many forms of plastics but the following are commonly used;
1. Polyethylene (PETE) – soft drink bottles, mineral water, fruit juice containers, and
cooking oil.
2. High density polyethylene (HD PE) – milk jugs, cleaning agents, laundry
detergents, bleaching agents, shampoo bottles, washing and shower soaps.
3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) -
4. Low density polyethylene (LD PE)
5. Polypropylene (PP)
6. Polystyrene (PS)
7. Others (acrylic, polycarbonate, polyactic fibers, etc.)

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 Groups of Plastics (Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Fire Code of the
Philippines)
✓ Group A Plastics - with heat of combustion much higher than ordinary
combustibles and burning rate higher than group B

✓ Group B Plastics - with heat combustion higher than ordinary combustibles and
burning rate higher than group C nut not higher than group A.

✓ Group C Plastics - with heat combustion with similar heat of combustion and
burning rate of ordinary combustibles.

TEXTILES

Textiles and fibers - fibers are strands that once process will make a thread; threads once
weave will make a textile of fabric used for cloths.

Factors affecting textile combustibility

• Chemical composition - fibers will burn depending on the content that comprises
such; pulp, wool, and silk, are common
• Fabric finish - decorative materials adds to the combustibility of fabric; synthetic
fabric that undergoes thermal shrink reduces the exposure to heat while loose
fabric increases exposure.
• Weight - if a fabric is massive, it requires more heat to ignite but if it is light it
requires less heat to ignite.
• Tightness of weave - air passes through spaces in fabric making it susceptible
to burning as supported by air supply; if the weave is right air is restricted and
ignition can be delayed
• Flame retardant treatment – some fabrics have chemicals that repel
combustion. These chemicals may cause the fabric not to burn and some once
heated shrinks the fabric or covers the spaces in the weave to limit the oxygen.

Liquid Combustibles

Liquids that burn may be classified as combustible or flammable; flammable liquids have
a flashpoint of below 37.8 degrees Celsius while combustible have a flashpoint of at or
above 37.8 degrees Celsius. The foregoing are typologies of flammable and combustible
liquids.

Flammable Liquids
Class I-A - liquids with flashpoint below 22.8 degrees Celsius & boiling point below 37.8
degrees centigrade
Class I-B - liquids with flashpoint below 22.8 degrees Celsius & boiling point at or above
37.8 degrees centigrade
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 Class I-C - liquids with flashpoint below 22.8 degrees Celsius & boiling point below 37.8
degrees centigrade

Combustible Liquids
Class II - with flash point at or above 37.8 degrees Celsius & below 60
degree.
Class III A - with flash point above 60 degrees Celsius & below 93 degree
Class III B - above 93 degree Celsius

Combustible Gas

Classification of Gas
1. Class According to Physical Properties
• Compressed Gas - gas that is pressed in the container that may produce pressure
when heated
• Liquefied Gas - gas that is in liquid form when confined in a container such as LPG
• Cryogenic Gas - a gas that produces rapid drop of temperature when released in
container

2. Class According to Usage

• Fuel Gas - gas that is use for burning / cooking / inceneration
• Industrial Gas - gas that is used for manufacturing products
• Medical gas - gas that is used in health care facilities in treating

patients.

PROPERTIES OF CHEMICALS

Properties - these are the characteristics of chemicals as their nature and how those react to
various factors like temperature, environment and to other chemicals or matter.

Types of Chemical Properties

✓ Combustible Chemicals - chemicals that can be consumed by fire and will likely to
burn when heated.

✓ Oxidizing Chemicals - chemicals that can yield oxygen to support combustion, certain
types are classified too as combustibles.

✓ Unstable Chemicals - chemicals that react violently beyond anticipation even though
the effects are established, its reaction takes place inconsistently.

✓ Air and Water Reactive Chemicals - chemicals that undergo chemical change and
reaction when exposed to air or mixed with water.

✓ Corrosive Chemicals - chemicals that corrode metals, it also causes scalding when in
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 contact with skin.
✓ Toxic Chemical - chemical that causes adverse effects to human body, the lethal
property of chemicals vary on human capacity and amount of chemical inhaled or
ingested by the person.

✓ Radioactive - chemicals that emit radiation and has unstable nucleus that can be
bombarded to produce enormous heat. *uranium*

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MODULE 2: Chemistry & Behavior of Fire

Definition
Fire – the product of chemical reaction in which combustible materials burn at sufficient
temperature and sustained by oxidizing chemicals.

Elements of Fire
There are three elements of fire namely;
✓ Fuel- it is the combustible matter that is consumed by fire
✓ Heat- it is the thermal agitation of matter or increase of temperature at kindling point-
ignition temp.
✓ Oxygen- it is the element that sustains the fire
CO-EXISTENT = FIRE TRIANGLE

B. Combustion and Ignition

Oxidation – it is the chemical change or reaction that takes place upon introduction of
oxygen.
Ignition- it is literally means the start of fire; combustible matter will start to burn once it
reaches its certain temperature to produce fire, it Is called ignition temperature. Utilize
oxygen which facilitates chemical change.
Combustion- it is the self-sustaining chemical reaction producing energy or products that
cause more reaction of the same kind.

Other Forms of Combustion

✓ Flashover- it is the sudden and dramatic simultaneous combustion of all solid

materials in a room. Pre-burning Phase = where the entire solids in the room
undergoes burning. 1300 degree centigrade intensity, enough to kill an person
inside.

✓ Roll over- it is the combustion of accumulated combustible gases in a room. Burning

of all gases confined in a room and happens to contact with the source of ignition. Ex.
LPG LEAK. Will create a fire bowl / ball

✓ Backdraft- it is the sudden combustion that occurs upon the immediate introduction
of oxygen to ignition and fuel.

✓ Fire storm- it is an intense fire during which rising air creates vacuum beneath
surroundings air rushes to fill the gap and forms extremely strong winds and
propagates the fire. Intense fire happen in a structure whereby the wind interplace to
increase its magnitude and intensity.

✓ Conflagration- an extremely large fire that consumes a quarter or a half of a city or

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 municipality.

MOLECULAR BASES OF HEAT – how heat is being created and designated

throughout the matter.

THERE SHOULD BE HEAT THAT WILL CAME FROM THE SOURCE AND THE
SOURCE WILL GENERATE AND CREATE THE ENERGY REHEAT, AND FOR
THE MATTER TO ABSORB THAT, THERE SHOULD BE A TRANSMISSION- WILL
SERVE AS BRIDGE TO TRANSFER HEAT FROM SOURCE TO MATTER.
ONCE ABSORBED, THE MOLECULES WILL UNDERGO VIBRATIONS FIRST,
THEN BUMP, CHAIN-REACTION.

MOLECULAR VIBRATIION
• When heat is supplied to one end, the molecules at the hot end to start to
vibrate more vigorously.

•
• In the process, they bump into their neighboring molecules. In doing so, some
energy is transferred to the neighbor.
• The neighbor molecule gains energy and starts to vibrate more vigorously,
the cycle continues.

SUB TYPOLOGIES OF HEAT SOURCE

• STATIC ELECTRICITY – SHORT CIRCUIT TWO CONDUCTORS WITH OPPOSITE FLOW
COLLIDE TO CREATE SPARK.
• ARCING – When electrons flow through a gap composed of a p from a surface bridge from one
conductor to another. “electrical arcing” occurs when an electric current flows through the
air, from one conductive point to another. Electrical arcing is when electrical current jumps a gap
in a circuit or between two electrodes (conductors of electricity).
• LIGHTNING – Natural sparks from the clouds that usually happens during the thunderstorm.
• OVERLOADING – when enormous current is absorbed by appliances and causes the production
of excessive heat that leads to fire.

C. Propagation of Fire
Propagation means the manner on how the fire spreads or transfers, it has 3 means;
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 ✓ Conduction- it is the heat transfer that occurs in solids in which heat transfer from
molecules to molecules. FLOW THROUGH SOLID FROM ONE PART TO ANOTHER.

✓ Convection- it is the heat transfer that occurs in fluids (liquids and gases) in which
heat transfer from molecules to molecules . HAPPENS W LIQUIDS AND GAS ONLY.

✓ Radiation- it is the heat transfer that occurs in vacuum in which heat travels in the form
of heat wave.

D. Phases of Fire
Fire undergoes 3 stages from growth to decay period

✓ Incipient/initial phase- it is the phase in which the fire starts, temperature rises and
small flames are produced.

✓ Free Burning Phase- it is the phase in which all materials are burning, flashover occurs
at this phase and serves as that phase where intensity is at its peak. ENTIRE ROOM
COVERED BY FIRE. LESSEN ITS STRENGHT IF ALL COMBUSTIBLE ARE
CONSUMED.

✓ Smoldering Phase- it is the phase in which all materials are consumed by fire oxygen
and heat are released that yields to reduction of heat until such time it does not burn at
all.

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 E. Intensity and Magnitude
Intensity means the rate of fire’s temperature or how hot the fire is; it is the rate of
burning that varies in different conditions. Magnitude is the size of fire usually indicated
by height of flames and span of damage. These two are proportionate to each other.

F. Ignition Point, Flash Point and Fire Point

Ignition Point- it is the temperature that must be reached by a matter in order to start the
fire.
Flash Point- it is the minimum temperature that must be reached by a liquid in order to
release vapors that supports combustion
Fire Point- the temperature at which the liquid will release enough amounts of vapors for
combustion

G. Chemical Properties of Fire

Endothermic reaction- it is the chemical change that undergoes whereby a matter
absorbs heat
Exothermic Reaction- it is the chemical reaction that takes place whereby a matter
releases heat Increase of energy.
Pyrolysis- it is the chemical decomposition of matter in reaction to heat.
Oxidation- it is the chemical change or reaction that takes place upon introduction of
oxygen.

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 PHASES OF MATTER CHANGES AS LONG AS THE ENERGY LEVEL CHANGES.

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 CHEMICAL CHANGE OR REACTION HAPPENS WHEN 2 ENERGY METHANE AND OXYGEN
WILL PRODUCE or cause a reaction to CARBON DIOXIDE & PRODUCE WATER.

H. Products and Effects of Fire

There are certain products of fire that causes adverse effect to human body, these are

I. Types and Classes of Fire

According to Origin or Cause

✓ Providential/ Natural Fire- it is the fire caused by natural cause or act of God such as humidity,
sunrays, volcanic eruption etc.
✓ Accidental Fire- it is the fire caused by human error, neglect or imprudence.
✓ Intentional Fire- it the fire caused by deliberate act of man or incendiarism

According to Fuel
✓ Class A Fires- fires in which burning fuels are composed of wood based products and papers
✓ Class B Fires- fires in which burning fuels are composed of flammable liquids
✓ Class C fires- fires that are composed of electrical appliances
✓ Class D Fires- fires that are composed of combustible metals
✓ Class K fires- fires that are composed of kitchen products

According to Heat Source

✓ Chemical heat- fire caused by chemical reaction without the aid of ignition device; it is usually
caused by hypergolic reaction. Through exothermic reaction.

CHEMICAL HEAT – produces energy through exothermic reaction or by the matter produce energy
through the following means:

• Heat of combustion – kind of heat that was produced when the object or matter has combusted,
so the energy that come from matter will go to the other nearby objects.
• Heat of solution – this kind of heat is being produced after two or more chemicals or after mixed
with catalysts, will create a reaction and some production of heat and the heat will flow through
other matters.
• Heat of decomposition – it is the separation of the particles of matter, a matter will only
decompose after introducing the energy. That energy will not just disappear or destroy. After
decomposing the matter, the energy will exit from the matter and will be absorbed by another
matter.

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 ✓ Electrical heat- fire caused by electricity that includes overloading, overheating and short
circuit. Comes from electricity or current.
✓ Mechanical heat- fire caused by physical process that produces heat such as explosion of
compressed gas overheating of machinery and the like.
• Frictional Heat – when two objects of each other that cause the electrons in each
other’s surfaces to collide and produce energy or heat.
• Overheating Machinery – the juicing parts when it operates, when encounter
frictions that may cause the generation of heat. Quite seldom that it will cause fire.
• Heat of compression - is the gas is pressurized, it will cause the generation of heat,
and may cause the fire or explosion depending upon the capacity of the container.

✓ Nuclear heat- fire caused by bombardment of subatomic particles of radioactive materials

such as plutonium or uranium.
- Happens when the nucleus is being bombarded by the energy that creates enormous
heat
• Nuclear fission - separation of protons, neutrons, and electrons to create heat.
• Nuclear fusion - combination of two nuclei of different atoms that when
bombarded, will create more enormous energy. This principle is used in the
construction of nuclear bomb.

According to Mode of Combustion

✓ Flameless Type – it is the type of fire that is not producing incandescent gas. Rewdlight on
the meber but not produce a hot gas. Does not have a confined.
✓ Flaming Type – it is the type of fire that produces incandescent gas called flames.

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UNINHIBITED CHAIN OF CHEMICAL REACTION – CONTINUOUS MIXTURE OF
FUEL HEAT AND OXYGEN.

According to Phase of Combustion

✓ Condensed Phase (Glowing combustion/Flameless Type)- it is the combustion that does
not produce incandescent gas due to less intensity of heat
✓ Gas Phase(Flame) – it is the combustion that produces incandescent gas
✓ Explosion- a combustion in which the process is confined to produce appreciable pressure
✓ Detonation-it is the combustion that occurs if the pressure reach a supersonic speed
producing shockwave

J. Flames

Flames are incandescent gases of fire; it is the product of pyrolysis and ignites upon reaching
ignition point. The color of flame varies in its gas component and temperature.

Typology of Flame
Based on color and completeness
• Luminous flame- an orange to red colored flame that deposit soot at the bottom of
vessel; it has a lower temperature and happens in incomplete combustion
• Non luminous flame- a blue colored one that never produces soot due to complete
combustion with high temperature

Based on Fuel and Air Mixture

• Premixed flame- the type of flame in which hydrocarbon is mixed with air before
reaching the flame zone
• Diffusion flame- the type of flame present when fuel is mixed with air at the flame
zone

Based on Smoothness

• Laminar flame – type of flame in which gas follows a smooth path; it occurs when the
fire is in thermal balance (state when the pattern of movement of fire is normal with no
interference to chain of chemical reaction)

• Turbulent flame- type of flame that has an unsteady swirl; it happens if there is
thermal imbalance (interference to the chain of chemical reaction happens)

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Reaction of Matter to Fire
During destructive fires, matters undergo dramatic physical and chemical changes and
practically described as follows
• Combustion and pyrolysis of materials leaving the ashes and produces fire gases &
smoke.
• Melting of non-combustible materials like steel and glass resulting to degradation of
physical strength
• Collapse of structure as a result of physical and chemical change of matters in the
burning structure.
• Generation of heat and eventually transmit such heat to another matter or structure
that may eventually burn.

Importance to the Practice of Fire Protection

By understanding the matters and behavior of fire it allows future firefighters to;
• Determine measures to prevent and control destructive fire
• Determine the kind of suppressing agent to extinguish the fire
For future investigators it helps to;
• Determine the heat source
• Determine the fuel used/consumed by fire
• Determine the cause by reconstruction the fire scene sceneario

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MODULE 3: COMBUSTION PRODUCTS

Products and Effects of Fire

There are certain products of fire that causes adverse effect to human body, these are
smoke, fire gases, flames and heat.

- NEED TO RESCUE WILL CAUSE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE

- ENSURE SAFETY FIRST

TABLE OF FIRE PRODUCTS AND EFFECTS

PRODUCTS EFFECTS

Smoke- tiny solid particles produced ✓ Panic

by fire ✓ Low visibility
✓ Acute respiratory irritation
- NAPAKAGAAN – DINADALA
NG HANGIN GALING SA INIT
– WILL CAUSE LOW
VISIBILITY – ACUTE
RESPIRATORY IRRITATION
- INHALATION OF TOXIC GAS

Fire Gases- gases that are produced ✓ Intoxication

by fire through pyrolysis
Flames- incandescent gases of fire
✓ Loss of consciousness
✓ Comatose
✓ RESPIRATORY PARALYSIS
✓ Death due to asphyxia
- AMOUNT OF TOXIC GAS INHALED
- TOXICITY
- AMOUNT OF EXPOSURE
- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
PERSON
✓ Burns- wounds caused by heat
Types of burns
➢ First Degree- blistering and red
discoloration of skin
➢ Second degree burn- exposure of
dermis without deep scarring
➢ Third degree- charring of skin and
deep scarring

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 Heat- thermal agitation of matter in ✓ Perspiration
which temperature rise at kindling ✓ Dehydration
point. ✓ Heat shock
✓ Heat stroke
✓ Comatose
✓ Hyperthermia - an abnormally high
body temperature caused by a failure
of the heat-regulating mechanisms of
the body to deal with the heat coming
from the environment.

Discussion
Effects of fire gases
Gases from fire are harmful to humans, common is the carbon monoxide. Once inhaled will
cause the production of carboxyhemoglobin; a chemical that prevents oxygen to be absorbed by
human cells. Exposure of 1.3% carbon monoxide in atmosphere is fatal to humans.

Effects of flames
Flames causes burn and the severity varies on the intensity and magnitude of fire and the
period of exposure to flame. As to severity it can be describe from 1st degree to 3rd degree.

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 Effects of heat
Heat that is beyond human threshold will be fatal. Temperature beyond 37.8 degrees
centigrade is dangerous to human; at 43 degrees centigrade brain stops to function that will lead
to eventual death.

Life Exposure- the state in which a person is exposed to harm brought by fire and its products.

Measures to prevent exposures

• evacuation from burning building
• use of personal protective equipment by fire fighter
• rescue of trapped occupants
• use of ventilation to avoid stacking of smoke

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MODULE 4: FIRE SAFETY

Fire safety is the totality of all methods undertakings, process or systems that ensure persons and
properties against the effects of destructive fires.

-all the means or methods employed through a systematic process for the purpose of saving and
preventing people and properties to be destroyed due to effects of fire.

3 E’s of Fire Safety

✓ Education- process of teaching fire safety to citizens (instilling knowledge)

✓ Engineering- the application of engineering principles in fire safety such as development of fire codes
✓ Enforcement- process by which compliance with the codes is ensured. (INSPECTION TO ENSURE
COMPLY IN FIRE CODE)

Education for Fire Safety

Community Fire Safety Education- it is the measure performed to educate the community in fire safety
using the following steps;

1. Conduct community analysis- evaluate and study the community within AOR and
determine problems in fire safety and needs.
2. Develop community partnership- fire department should have formal partnership in
localities with stakeholders (citizens, institutions, etc)
3. Create intervention strategy- after the problems are identified, create strategies to respond
to problems. Support from local government is essential for this like funding, infra structures,
etc.
4. Implement the strategy- after creating a strategy, implement such to effect intended outcomes
in fire safety.
5. Evaluate the result- assess the effectiveness of the strategy; lapses should be corrected
and continuing improvement of strategy must be made.

Other measures in for Fire Safety Education

• Fire prevention through civic organization

• Fire safety clinics and seminars
• Community events
• Safety education in the school
• Publicity program
• Media education
• Fire prevention month observance

Engineering for Fire Safety

Development of fire codes

Fire codes are laws that provides specific provision on fire safety in community, provides rules of structural
requirements for fire safety. The Philippines 1st Fire Code was the PD 1185 and was repealed by the RA
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9514 The Comprehensive fire Code of the Philippines of 2008.
The City of Manila has a City Ordinance on fire safety. The RA 9514 provides for comprehensive fire
safety measures forall stakeholders.

Performance based design

It is the engineering approach to design element of a building based on performance goals and
objective, engineering analysis, scientific measurement and quality assessment using accepted
engineering tools, methodologies and performance criteria.

Enforcement

The following are measures to enforce fire safety policies;

• Review of building plans by fire safety engineer

• Control of sales and use of product
• Structural control as means of enforcing codes
• Control of ignition source
• Control of occupancy
• Condemnation of unsafe structure
• Conduct of inspection of fire department

Fire Protection Organizations

There are organizations created for promoting fire safety.

The National Fire Protection Association

The NFPA is a non profit educational and technical organization devoted entirely to prevent loss of life
and property by fire and other hazards. It was founded on 1896 at Quincy, Massachusetts; its activities
are publishing technical codes, practices, manuals, model fire codes etc.

Other fire safety organizations

• International Association of Fire Chiefs
• International Association of Arson Investigator
• International Association of Fire Fighters
• Society of Fire Protection Engineers
• International Fire Service Training Association

Fire Prevention- AVOID FIRE TRIANGLE – OXYGEN, HEAT, FUEL

Fire prevention pertains to means employed to avoid the possibility of fire to occur

Measures in Fire Prevention in Houses and Institutions

✓ Seclusion of heat source from combustibles

✓ Use of non-combustible building materials & content
✓ Use of fire alarms and extinguishers
✓ Proper storage and disposal of waste
✓ Maintenance of electrical system
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 ✓ Conducting fire drill
✓ Occupants’ awareness
✓ Fire safety education for occupants
✓ Compliance to fire code

Fire Suppression

Fire suppression pertains to the undertakings or means employed to pacify the fire.
Methods of Suppression
✓ Cooling- it is the method employed to reduce the heat below the ignition temperature.
PAGPAPALAMIG NG BURNING MATTER - TARGET ANG HEAT – BELOW IGNITION POINT

✓ Smothering- it is the method employed to separate or prevent the oxygen to interact and support
the fire.
SEPARATION OF OXYGEN FROM BURNING MATTER

✓ Separation of Fuel- it is the means employed by separating combustible materials from fire.
CUT-OFF THE FUEL – REDUCED BY TURNING OF THE BULB- CUT-OFF SUPPLY

✓ Inhibition of chemical reaction- it is the means employed to prevent the combustion process by
simultaneously preventing the elements of fire to combine
INHIBITION OF CHEMICAL REACTION USING CARBON DIOXIDE-REDUCES TEMP/FORMS
A FOAM THAT SECLUDE THE AIR

Extinguishing Agents
Extinguishing agents are chemicals used to suppress the fire, certain kinds are the
following;
✓ Water
✓ Carbon Dioxide
✓ Dry Chemical
✓ Dry Powder
✓ AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam)
✓ Halons

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 Fire Control

Means of Fire Control

• Control of external spread

• Control of internal spread
• Choice of construction materials
• Proper use of firefighting equipment
• Providing access to fire brigade
• Installation of fire alarms
• Rescue Facilities
• Adequate means of escape
• Adoption of fire safe design
• Availing Fire Insurance
• Occupants’ cooperation
• Maintenance of exceptional hazards
• Proper heating and ventilation
• Proper storage of goods
• Proper waste storage and disposal
• Proper electrical installation

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 MODULE 5: THE FIRE SERVICE

Vigiles – Vigiles were organized by Augustus Ceasar to fight fire in ROME AD 64

Indian soldiers are using pumps to surpass fire
Bucket – This is a primary tool in firefighting used by Vigiles and was required to have one
each home
Bucket Brigade – People will form a line from water source to fire scene; buckets filled with
water shall be passed until it reach the one who will throw the water to the fire

Fire insurance – Fire insurance company were established… One of those were founded by
Benjamin Franklin with private firefighters that suppress fire to homes covered by fire
insurance on 1752.
Public fire departments
- On 1679, Boston established the first city funded fire department.
- Cincinnati established the first state fire department on 1853

Fire Volunteers
- Mutual Fire Societies are formed by cause oriented person that helps firefighters to fight
fire
- On 1736, B. Franklin organized the Union Volunteer Fire Company in Philadelphia

The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that the firefighter who wears this
cross is willing to lay down his/her life for you, just as Crusaders sacrificed their lives for their
fellow man so may years ago.

DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGIES IN FIREFIGHTING

1. Bucket
2. Squirter
3. Hollow log
4. Safety net
5. Public alerting devices
- Cracker, 1800’s – Hand held noisemaker
- Muffin Bell, 1800’s – Hand held noisemaker
- Trumpet – Outlawed in 1865 after which they were used in parades or given as gift

17th Century technology

1. Pump handlers
2. Horse carriage
3. Hand pumper in water source

19th century
1. Steam engine

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 2. Soda extinguisher
3. Public address system
4. Ladders
5. Diesel powered engines
- Hose Truck
- Ladder Truck

PHILIPPINE SETTING
Bacood Fire Station – Youngest Fire Station
The manila fire department
- On August 7, 1901 the United States - Philippine Commission organized the Manila
Fire Department, merely as part of the Department of Streets, Park, Fire and Sanitation,
later it was separated from the former department.
- The first Filipino Fire Chief of Manila Fire Department has succeeded the line of
Americans on October 19, 1935 in the person of Deputy Chief Jacinto Lorenzo

INTEGRATION ERA 1974-75

- City/Municipal Police Forces, Jails and Fire Departments were integrated by PD's 421,
482,531, 585, & 641
- Metropolitan Police Forces was created by PD 421
- Presidential Decree (PD) 765 was enacted on August 8, 1975 constituting the
Integrated National Police (INP). It integrated all city and municipal police, fire
departments, and jails into the INP. These integrated forces were placed under the
operational control of the Philippine Constabulary as its nucleus.

THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION

- Republic Act 6975 otherwise known as the DILG Act of 1990 was enacted on
December 13, 1990, the law has created the now Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and
its present organization under the Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG) and separated from the Police (PNP), and the Jail (BJMP).
- On June 24, 2004, the congress has enacted the R.A. 9263 otherwise known as the
BFP Professionalization Act of 2004 which has professionalized and upgraded the
qualification standards of appointment in the BFP and BJMP to make it in par with the
Philippine National Police in accordance to RA 8551.
- On December, 2008 RA 9514 or the Comprehensive Fire Code of the Philippines was
enacted.
- On May 8, 2009, R.A. 9592 an "Act extending the 5 years reglementary period for
complying the minimum education qualification and appropriation eligibility in the
appointment of the BFP and BJMP was enacted.
- On May 26, 2021, RA 11549 entitled PNP,BFP,BJMP and BuCor Height Equity Act was
enacted On September 10, 2021 RA 11589 entitled Bureau of Fire Protection
Modernization Act was enacted

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 Salient Feature of BFP Modernization Program
- Fire Protection Service
- Force Restructuring and Organizational Development
- Capability, Material, and Technology Development
- Specialized Services Program • Human Resource Development
- BFP Modernization Fund

COMMISIONED OFFICER NON-COMMISIONED OFFICER

- Director - SFO4
- Chief Supt. - SFO3
- Sr. Supt. - SFO2
- Supt. - SFO1
- Chief Inspector - FO3
- Sr. Inspector - FO2
- Inspector - FO1

KEY POSITIONS
Municipal Fire Marshall Senior Inspector
City Fire Marshall Chief or Senior Inspector
Direct Fire Marshall
Provincial Fire Marshall
Asst. RD for Operations Superintendent
Asst. RD for Admin
Regional Chief of Directorial Staff
District Fire Marshall for NCR
Regional Director Senior Superintedent
Director of Directorate of NHQ
Dep. Chief for Admin
Dep. Chief for Operation Chief Superintendent
Chief of Directorial Staff
Chief of BFP Director

Qualifications of a Member
- A citizen of the Republic of the Philippines
- A person of good moral character
- Must have passed the psychiatric/psychological, drug and physical test for the purpose

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 of determining his/her physical and mental health
- Must possess a baccalaureate degree from recognized institution of learning
- Must possess the appropriate civil service eligibility
- Must not have been dishonorably discharged of dismissal for cause from previous
employment
- Must not have been convicted by final judgement of an offense or crime involving moral
turpitude; .
- Must be at least one meter and fifty-seven centimeters (1.57 m.) in height for males and
one meter and fifty-two centimeters (1.52 m.) for females: Provided, That a waiver for
height and age requirements shall be automatically granted to applicants belonging to
the cultural communities/indigenous peoples; and
- Must weight not more or less than five kilograms (5 kgs.) from the standard weight
corresponding to his/her height, age and sex
- new applicants must be less than twenty one (21) nor more than thirty (30 years of
age:

* As amended by RA 11549

RANK MANNER OF APPOINTMENT

NCO - Appointed by RD/ Chief of BFP
- Attested by CSC
Inspector – Superintendent - Appointed by Chief of BFP
- Recommended by Immediate
supervisor
- Attested by CSC
Senior Supt. - Appointed by Sec. of DILG
- Recommended by Chief of BFP
- Attestation by CSC
Chief Supt. Director - Appointed by President
- Recommended by Sec. of DILG
- Endorsement from Chairman of CSC

Regular promotion - tenure, eligibility, performance evaluation, schooling, masters degree

(optional)
Special promotion - acts of valor, demonstrated acts of gallantry
Promotion by bilge of position - recommended by substation commander

Fire Brigades & Fire Volunteer Association

- To augment the BFP, fire volunteers and fire brigades are sanctioned by law to be
established, organized and operated pursuant to the IRR of the RA 9514

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 Fire Volunteer Organization (FVO)
- An organized group of private firefighters recognized by the BFP who have voluntarily
formed themselves to perform fire-related activities
- Fire Volunteer - a person who voluntarily enters into firefighting service through a Fire
Volunteer Organization (FVO) and undergoes the same discipline as that of BFP
firefighters (IRR of RA 9514)

Fire Brigade
- A collective term that is used to refer to a group of firefighters, primarily performing fire
suppression activities in areas such as, but not limited to, community/barangay,
company, and other government and nongovernment establishments.
Typology of Fire brigade .
- Community/Barangay Fire Brigade. A group of firefighters performing fire suppression
activities within a specified jurisdiction .
- Government Fire Brigade- A group of firefighters rendering firefighting activities in the
premises of a public office
- Company Fire brigade-group of firefighters formed by companies and performing
firefighting activities in the premises of its office
- Bases on the ORA 9514

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A FIRE BRIGADE CHIEF

- shall be responsible for the development of fire prevention programs and plans of
action for the company or organization to address possible fire situation in the plant or
community, subject to the approval of the company or establishment head or fire
prevention officer:
- shall initiate the procurement of necessary firefighting equipment and supplies for use
of the brigades
- shall conduct periodic evaluation of all equipment available for firefighting and be
responsible for setting in motion necessary procedures for replacing missing equipment
or correction of inoperative equipment
- shall also bring to the immediate attention of the company or establishment head, or his
fire prevention officer, any situation that would likely reduce the effectiveness of
firefighting operations

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 - shall ensure that the brigades are suitably staffed, conduct periodic review of the fire
brigade roster and prepare recommendations on the need for additional members to be
selected, appointed and made available to beef up the team
- shall prepare training programs for the members of the fire brigade and supervise its
implementation; and
- In his/her absence, the Deputy Fire Brigade Chief shall assume and perform the duties
and responsibilities of the Fire Brigade Chief
TRAINING DESIGN
- training design shall be developed by the BFP for fire brigades, fire safety practitioners
and fire volunteer organizations. Members shall be required to complete the specified
program of instruction

SCOPE OF TRAINING .
- All members of the fire brigade shall undergo training on fire suppression, rescue,
emergency medical services and related emergency response.
- They shall be instructed on the handling of available fire rescue apparatus, equipment,
devices and tools. The training program shall be adapted to suit the purpose of the
particular brigade.
- It shall include fire suppression strategies, tactics, techniques and the use of portable
fire extinguishers and other equipment, devices and tools.

ASSISTANCE IN TRAINING PROGRAMS

- The BFP shall assist in setting up a training program for the fire brigade and fire
volunteer organization.
- Members of the fire brigade and fire volunteer organization shall be afforded
opportunities to improve their knowledge on fire prevention and suppression through
attendance in seminars and special training classes

COMMAND AT FIRE SCENE .

- During firefighting operations, the fire brigades and fire volunteer organizations shall be
under the direct operational control of the fire ground commanders of the BFP

Salient Features for Uniformed Personnel

Professionalization and Qualifications Upgrading Program
- SEC. 8. Professionalization and Qualifications Upgrading Program. - The DILG shall
design and establish a professionalization and qualifications upgrading program for the
uniformed personnel of the BFP and the BJMP in coordination with the CSC and the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through an off-campus education program or
other similar programs within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.
- RA 9263

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 TRAINING PROGRAMS OFFERED BY NJMPTI

Programs
- Fire Basic Recruit Course
- Public Safety Junior Leadership Course
- Fire Officers Candidate Course
- Fire Protection Supervisory Course
- Fire Officers Basic Course
- Fire Officers Advance Course
- Fire Arson Investigation and Inspection Course

Masters Degrees offered by PPSC

- Master in Public Safety Administration
- Master in Crisis and Disaster Risk Management

Attrition System
- Paragraph C (4) Section 9 (Attrition System for the Uniformed Personnel of the BFP
and BJMP) of RA 9263 states among others that attrition by other means shall be
effected against personnel who “fails to complete the required career courses and/or
appropriate civil service eligibility for higher rank

Types of Attrition
- Attrition by Demotion in Position or Rank
- Attrition by Non Promotion
- Attrition by other means • Separation or Retirement
Rationalized Promotion
a) Rationalized Promotion System. The system of promotion shall be based on merits and
on the availability of vacant ranks in the BFP and the BJMP staffing pattern. Such
system shall be gender-fair so as to ensure that women personnel of the Fire Bureau
and the Jail Bureau shall enjoy equal opportunity for promotion as of men

Performance Evaluation System

SEC. 11. Performance Evaluation System.
- There shall be established a performance evaluation system which shall be
administered in accordance with the rules, regulations and standards, and a code
conduct for the uniformed personnel of the BFP and the BJMP to be promulgated by
the Fire Bureau and the Jail Bureau through the DILG. Such performance evaluation
system shall be administered in such a way as to foster the improvement of individual
efficiency and behavioral discipline as well as the promotion of organizational
effectiveness and commitment to service.
- RA9263

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 Other Compensation to All
- PERA
- Clothing/Uniform Allowance
- Mid Year
- Year End
- Laundry Allowance
- Quarters Allowances
- Productivity Enhancement Incentives
- Hazardous Duty pay
- Hazard duty pay
- Training subsistence pay .
- PAG IBIG Contribution
- PhilHealth Contribution
- Retirement Gratuity
- Terminal Leave
- Allowances from LGU (if available)

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 MODULE 6: FIRE FIGHTING

Subject: Fire Protection & Investigation

Title: Firefighting
Prepared by: Voltaire L. Perales

Firefighting- refers to the totality of measures using resources to fight destructive fires.

Command in the Fire scene

Incident Command
During fire incident, command in fire scene is essential to rally the emergency personnel in
responding the fire incident. Incident command is designed to place a command structure to
be followed by all emergency personnel. It is headed by ground commander or incident
commander, all firefighting units, rescue units, medical units and even police units will follow
command of the incident commander.

Duties of Engine Company

➢ Locating the fire- company should determine where the location of destructive fire is;
it can be determined from incoming calls, bystanders and even actual observation.
➢ Confinement- company should limit the fire from growing and spreading; it can be
made by means of fire control measures like exploiting the firewalls to deny the
spread, watering of adjacent structures among others.
➢ Extinguishment- refers to the actual pacification of destructive fire; the resource
needed, time, manpower is determined by the extent of destructive fire and other
factors in the scene of fire incident.
➢ Securing and delivering water supply to incident scene- company should secure
and deliver water supply to the fire scene; this can be made by identifying water
sources like hydrants and natural water sources, use of hose or engine relay if the
source of water is too distant.
➢ Utilizing water supply for control and extinguishment- water shall be used to
suppress fire; to ensure the efficient use of water fire scene conditions should be
identified especially the size of the structure; size of hose and engine specification is
considered too.

Staging

Refers to the placement of firetrucks and other emergency vehicle surrounding the area of fire
scene. This is important to ground commander for organizing various companies in the conduct
of operation. There are 2 types of staging namely:

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 Primary staging- it allows units to respond to a prearranged side of the fire building and be
prepared when the incident commander made an order.

Secondary staging- it allows space for units to place in specific locations to proceed and wait
for orders from incident commander.

Command Sequence

There are 5 level of command sequence in the scene, namely;

Level 1 Incident Priorities

Level 2 Size up
Level 3 Strategy
Level 4 Tactics

Level 5 Tasks

Level 1 Incident Priorities

Life Safety- it covers the 1st and foremost priority, protection of life is primordial aspect of
safety; rescue and first aid are common measure for life safety; evacuation of occupants and
restriction of access in scene of incident are also made to prevent loss of lives.

Incident Stabilization- refers to the situation in which fire is controlled preferably confined,
occupants are safe and medical attention was made, also the firefighter are safe and distant
from risks.

Property Conservation- refers to the preservation of properties from effects brought by

exposures; salvaging and use of water guides are employed.

Level 2 Size up

Refers to the mental process of determining all factors in the incident against the resources
available.

Sources of Information
Observation in the Scene
Occupants and by standers
Firefighters who arrived first
Information from other sources

Factors in size up
Water
Area
Life hazard
Location, extent
Apparatus

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 Construction/collapse
Exposures
Weather
Auxiliary appliances
Special matters
Height Occupancy
Time

Level 3 Strategies

Rescue- refers to the measure to keep occupants from destructive effects of fire and exposure;
ladder operation, use of choppers, first aid etc are utilized for such

Exposures- refers to the condition of occupants that can experience harm due to effects of
destructive fire. Measures should be made to minimize or avoid exposure.

Confinement- refers to the keeping the fire to specific area and avoiding its growth and spread

Extinguishment – refers to actual pacifying of fire using extinguishing agents

Overhaul- refers to the checking of structure destroyed by fire to ensure that it will not ignite
again;

Ventilation – refers to the measures performed to expel smoke and toxic gases from structure.

Salvage – refers to the measures performed by preserving properties from fire, smoke and
even water

Level 4; Tactics
Refers to the manner of implementing the strategy necessary for a situation.

Example: Ground commander directed the company to ventilate (strategy) the 4th floor east
side; then, the company will make a cross ventilation (tactic)

Tasks
Refers to assigning the things to do to the right person to perform the tactics in right time.

Example: considering the recent example, the company will make a cross ventilation
immediately to pull the fire from moving to west part where occupants are escaping.

4 basic modes of fire attack

Offensive- this mode of attack is made if there are still civilians in the building needed to be
evacuated or rescued. In such, hose teams will enter the structure while other units will take
care of rescue efforts.

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 Defensive- this mode is made when there are no civilians inside or in any cases the fire is
intense and internal operation is not possible. In such, firefighters will suppress the fire outside.

Offensive/defensive- one of the two transition mode in which strategy will change from
offensive to defensive; for example, after evacuating the civilians during the offensive mode,
building may collapse and all firefighters will leave the building and shift to defensive mode.

Defensive/offensive- the second type of transition mode in which strategy will change from
offensive to defensive; for example, the company arrived and performs the defensive mode but
the commander received reports that civilians are trapped at the back of the structure; in such
case, commander will deploy rescue teams and hose team if feasible.

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