CDI 6: Fire Technology and Arson Investigation

(Midterm Period)

Module Overview:

This module will cover the history of Firefighting in the Philippines and in the world

Module Outcomes:

 Traced back the history of Firefighting.

 Identified the different equipment’s used in firefighting.

Module 1: History of Fire Fighting

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

1900s – On August 7, 1901, the first fire department was established in manila during the American
occupation.

F. R. Dodge – the first Chief of the department.

Capt. Otis Vander Ford – the last American fire chief

1935 – On October, 1935 the first Filipino Fire Chief in the name of Captain Lorenzo Jacinto was
appointed and began the American Policy to transfer the reign of responsibility to Filipinos.

1940- Fire department were established in neighboring cities and towns each has their own organizational
set-up

1973- Fire Service Recognition Day, pursuant to P.D. 1312 issued by the late Ferdinand E. Marcos
signed on his behalf by executive secretary in commemoration to the unforgettable incident during the
Meralco Rockwell Power Plant in Makati on the 14 th day of December 1973.

1975- Integration of the Local Fire Department in the City/Municipality police forces under national police
organization called Philippine Constabulary –Integrated National Police (PC-INP)

1976- President Ferdinand E Marcos issued Presidential Proclamation No. 115-A or thereafter as the
observance of Fire Prevention month.

1977- Highlighted by the promulgation of P.D. 1185 known as the Fire Code of the Philippines on August
26, 1977 and the complete publication of the arson investigation manual subsequent to the creation of
Anti Arson Task Force (AATF) under C-2, PC-INP

1990- R.A. 6975 was enacted establishing a separate fire protection Bureau designated to be a national
in scope and civilian in character.

1991- August 2, 1991 considered as the inaugural date of BFP official function marked by its preparation
of operation plans and Budget as a distinct agency of the government.
P.D. 1185-otherwise known as the Fire Code of the Philippines-is a law which define what acts and
condition constitute a fire hazard and penalizes such acts or conditions

P.D. 1185- On August 26, 1977, P.D. 1185 was signed into law by the late Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos of
the Philippines

-the implementing rules and regulation of Fire Code of the Philippines was issued on March 20,
1978 and was approved on March 25, 1978.

May 28, 1978- is the publication of P.D. 1185

June 27, 1978 P.D. took effect

R.A 9514 –OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE COMPREHENSIVE FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES OF
2008”

December 19,2008 R.A 9514 was signed into law

January 20 2009 R.A 9514 took effect.

Brief History (World)

The first organized fire department 32 B.C. - Roman Emperor Augustus

Wooden syringe - first firefighting device invented by Romans

First fire brigade (private fire force) - Marcus Licinius Crassus

Fire triangle (fuel, heat, oxygen) - Antoine-Laurent De Lavoisier

Bucket brigade - early American’s system of firefighting

Piston pumper engine- – 1700s, held by hand and powered by crew of 60 who raise and lower the rail in
order to pump water from a well and shoot it through a hose towards target fire. It can shoot a steady
stream of water up to 200 feet away, so the volunteer fire fighters can stay at a safe distance.

Steam engine - It replaced the hand pumps (piston pumper engine) in the mid –1800s. It was powered
by coal and worked like a railroad locomotive. Horse – drawn machine, the steam engine powered the
piston pump and it was able to deliver 800 gallons of water per minute and required two men to operate.
Fire dogs such as Dalmatians were used as fire dogs to guard horses used in drawing steam engines
during firefighting operations.

Soda acid extinguisher (provides an instant source of pressurized water) – A device that enabled a
controlled chemical reaction in order to produce an instant pressurized water to be used for fire
extinguishment. The device held a tank of soda-water (a combination of water and sodium bicarbonate)
with a capsule of hydrochloric acid at the top of the tank, during the fire, the two components were mixed
generating huge amount of carbon dioxide which pushed the water out. The primary use of soda acid
extinguisher was to extinguish small fire and prevent the spread of fire until the stream engine is ready is
in place.
Firefighting became a profession late 1800s - , a corps of highly trained men who were strategically
placed in fire stations.

Establishment of fire departments

Installation of fireboxes - – fire boxes were installed in 1850s in order to ensure speedy response of
firefighters. These devices were connected to the firehouse by a telegraph. Once the lever in a firebox is
pulled it will transmit a signal to a telegraph which will punch holes to a paper tape that serves as a code
for the location of fire.

Engine companies, ladder companies - – the engine company was in-charge of the hose and other
devices that were used to extinguish fire while the ladder company was in – charge of the set –up of the
ladders and other instruments used in rescuing people from the fire scene.

Fire preparedness- – Installation of water supplies throughout the city, investing on fire equipment.

Fireproof building– woods were change to concrete materials

Investing on Fire equipment

Motorized fire truck 1912 - truck – it was developed in 1912, it carries hoses, ladders, firefighters and a
tank full of water. It had lessen the amount of response time of the firefighters. The engine could supply a
thousand gallons of water every minute and keeps the water pressurized to hose with hundreds of feet in
length.

Attacking the fire within the building (controlling the source rather than preventing the spread) -
Development of more aggressive approach in firefighting that is attacking the fire within the building
(controlling the source rather than preventing the spread which was what used to be the goal of
firefighting)

Improvements of ladders 1920s-1930s

Safety 1964, SCBA ( self-contained breathing apparatus) - an apparatus similar to a scuba diving tank
that has a fiber glass container delivering fresh air to the firefighters. It enables the firefighters to enter
safely inside a toxic environment of burning building.

Fire retardant clothing - 1967 it enables the firefighters to withstand a staggering temperature of 1,000
degrees Fahrenheit.

Automatic sprinkler system - though it was invented in1874 by Henry S. Parmalee, its application was
mainly for factory use, only in 1950s its installation in houses was realized and became as well a
mandatory requirement in North America in building construction. Fights the fire even before the firefighter
arrives at the scene of fire.

Building Fire safety - building codes that requires the use of sprinklers and other fire safety measures.

Smoke detectors- had significantly reduce the number of destructive fires.

Thermal Imaging Camera – used to locate people in smoke covered burning building thru their body
heat.
Module 2: 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 use to set off explosive

Combustible Fiber- any readily ignitable and free burning fiber such as cotton, oakum, rags, wastes
cloth, waste paper, kapok, hay, straw, Spanish moss, excelsior and other similar materials commonly
used in commerce.

Combustible Flammable or Inflammable- descriptive of materials that are easily set on fire

Corrosive Liquid- any liquid which causes fire when in contact with organic 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
compartment so that heat and smoke will be directed upward to a roof vent.

Cryogenic- descriptive of any material which by its nature or as result of its reaction with other
elements produced 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.

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.

Electric Arc- an extremely hot luminous formed by the passage of an electric current across a space
between two conductors or terminal 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 a final coating of a surface for ornamental or protective purpose.

Fire- The active principles of burning, characterized by the heat and light combustion

Fire Trap- a building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or because it lacks adequate exit or
fire escapes.

Fire Alarm- any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system to warn the occupants of the
building or firefighting elements of the presence or danger of fire to enable them to undertaken
immediate action to save life and property and to suppress the fire.

Fire Door- a fire resistive door prescribed for opening in fire separation walls or partitions.
Fire Hazard- any condition or acts which increase or may cause an increase in the probability of the
occurrence of fire or which may obstruct delay hinder or interfere with firefighting operations and the
safeguard 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 operations of firefighting units.

Fire Protective and Fire Safety device- any device intended for the protection of building 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 be persons to protect themselves during fire.

Fire Safety Construction- refers to designed and installation of wall, barriers, doors windows, and
events 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 or origin and delay their spread
to other parts of the building by means to include the treatment of building components or contents with
flame retardant chemicals.

Flash Point- the minimum temperature at which any materials give off vapors in sufficient
concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air.

Forging- a process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing its shape or dimensions.

Fulminate- a kind of stable explosive compound which explode by percussion.

Hazardous Operation/ Process- any act of manufacturing, fabrication, conversion, etc., that uses or
produce materials which are likely to cause fire or explosions.

Horizontal Exit- passageway from one building to another or through or ground a wall in
approximately the same floor level.

Hose Box- a box or cabinet where fire equipment are stored arranged for firefighting.

Hose Reel- a cylindrical device turning on an axis around which a fire hose is wound and connected.

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

Overloading- the use of one or more electrical appliances o device which draw or consume electrical
current beyond the designed capacity of the existing electrical system.

Owner- the person who holds the legal rights of possession or title of the building or real property.
Oxidizing Materials- a material that readily yields oxygen in quantities sufficient to stimulates or
support combustion.

Pressurized or Force Draft Burning Equipment- a type of 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 atmospheric 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 or compound. It shall also refer to partial distillation and electrolysis.

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 water outlets as needed.

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 areas or compound so as to separate impurities from pure
metals.

Sprinkler system- An integrated network of hydraulically designed piping system 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.

Tank Truck – Any single self-propelled motor vehicle equipped with a cargo tank mounted thereon and
used for the transportation of flammable and combustible liquids.

Tank Vehicle – Any vehicle carrying or towing a cargo tank used for transporting flammable fluids or
hazardous chemicals.

Ventilation – The process of supplying or removing air by natural or mechanical means to or from any
space. Such air may or may not have been conditioned.

Vertical Shaft- an enclosed vertical space of passage that extends from the floor, as well as from the
base to the top of the building.

Vestibule – A passage hall or antechamber between the outer doors and the interior parts of a house or
building.
 DISCRIMINATION

Have you feel unloved every day, isolated, and discriminated? Experiencing that no one accepts you in a
group of society where you belong. DISCRIMINATION, it exists anywhere, anytime to anyone. No one is
exempted no one is safe; gender, race, religion, ethnicity, social status and culture, these are some of
the many aspects where people have differences. Do we consider the fact that all of us are born equal?
How about those have been discriminated? These all I can say “STOP THE STEREOTYPING, STOP THE
HATE, STOP THE INEQUALITY AND DISCRIMINATION”.

As we live on the society of today, everyone is expected to have own judgement towards their fellow
but doesn’t mean that we have the rights to discriminate them. Our differences is not a competition, we
are not required to fight and hurt one another. Maybe not today not tomorrow nor on future you will
experience being discriminated but we should be aware of making fine judgements on someone based
on the story we know, we should inculcate in our minds that each and every one of us has a unique
quality that standouts from the others. RESPECT DIFFERENCES and ACCEPT THE IMPERFECTIONS of
every individual. Don’t let criticism and judgment arouse in our society especially on the victim being
discriminated.

Let our differences embark a change, make a society that respect the character we have. Spread love,
share love, give love to everyone. In the end, we will bridge the gap of those differences because of love.
 WORLD LITERATURE (LIT 2)

1. What is Literature?

 The word ‘Literature’ is a modified form of a Latin word (literra, litteratura

or litteratus)  that means: ‘writing formed with letters’. Let us look at what
is literature according to definitions by different celebrated literary
personalities.
 Literature generally can be any written work, but it is especially an artistic
or intellectual work of writing. It is one of the fine arts, like painting, dance,
music, etc. which provides aesthetic pleasure to the readers. It differs from
other written works by only its one additional trait: that is aesthetic beauty.
If a written work lacks aesthetic beauty and serves only utilitarian purpose,
it is not literature. The entire genre like poetry, drama, or prose is blend of
intellectual works and has aesthetic beauty of that work. When there is no
any aesthetic beauty in any written work that is not pure literature.

 A body of written works. The name has traditionally been applied to those
imaginative works of poetry and prose distinguished by the intentions of
their authors and the perceived aesthetic excellence of their execution.

2. What are the divisions of literature?

 Prose is a division of literature which covers a literary work that is spoken

or written within the common flow of language in sentences and in
paragraphs which gives information, relate events, express ideas, or
present opinions.
 Poetry is a division of literature works which covers a literary
work expressed in verse, measure, rhythm, sound, and imaginative
language and creates an emotional response to an experience, feeling or
fact. 

3. What are the qualities of a good literary masterpiece?

 ARTISTRY- This appeals to our sense of beauty. A person is said to be

artistic if he/she knows how to appreciate something beautiful.
  INTELLECTUAL VALUE- A literary work to stimulate thoughts. It makes our
mental life rich by making us realize the different fundamental truths
about life and human nature.
 SUGGESTIVENESS- This associated with the emotional aspect of literature.
This is the quality moves us deeply and stirs our imagination to work above
and beyond the level of ordinary life and experience.
 SPIRITUAL VALUE- Literature puts our spirits high by bringing out the
understanding of moral values which lead us

 A literary
masterpiece is
one that can
withstand a
4. What are the elements of the poetry?

 THEME- The theme is a recurring idea or a pervading thought in a work of literature.

Poetry themes include some common ideas such as love, nature, beauty, and as
complex as death, spirituality, and immortality. An understanding of the theme helps
readers to identify the core message of the poem or the poet’s purpose for writing the
poem.
 TONE and MOOD- Diction is another significant aspect of poetry. It refers to the
language, sound, and form used in a particular piece of poetry. The tone or attitude of a
poem’s speaker and the mood of the entire text is part of poetic diction. To understand
the speaker’s attitude or tone to the subject, readers have to look for the poet’s choice
 of words, figurative language, and sound devices. The mood is related to the impression
of the text upon readers.
 STRUCTURE AND FORM- Poetry comes in a variety of forms and in each form follows a
specific structure. For example, the sonnet form containing a set structure is different
from odes. A free verse poem does not have the metrical regularity, which can be found
in a blank verse poem.
 RHYME AND RHYME SCHEME- Rhyme is the repetitive pattern of sounds found in
poetry. They are used to reinforce a pattern or rhyme scheme. In specific poetry forms
such as ballads, sonnets, and couplets, the rhyme scheme is an important element.
 METER- Is the definitive pattern found in the verse.
 RHYTHM and SOUND- Sound and rhythm are other important elements of poetry. The
sound of a poetic text means how a line or what sounds some specific words evoke in
readers’ minds. Rhythm is a set pattern that is formed by these sounds. In poetry,
rhythm refers to the metrical rhythm that involves the arrangement of syllables into
repeating patterns called feet.
 SUBJECT- The subject or content of poetry differs across a variety of forms. A subject is
what the poem is about. For instance, the subjects of sonnets include love and
admiration for one’s beloved, heartache and separation. Whereas divine sonnets
include the subjects of devotions to God, enlightenment, and salvation. Elegies are
written in memory of someone who is no more. Therefore, the subject of these poems is
a dead person.
 SYNTAX- The syntax is the ordering of words into meaningful patterns. Poetry has a
distinct syntax compared to prose, fiction, and other forms of literature. Poets
manipulate the conventional syntax to emphasize specific words. The purpose of
adopting a specific syntax and diction is to achieve certain artistic effects such as tone,
mood, etc.
 Figurative Language and Poetic Devices- Poetry uses figurative language and
different poetic devices to suggest different interpretations of words or to evoke other
ideas that are not literally connected with the words. The sound devices such
as alliteration, assonance, consonance, and onomatopoeia are used to create musical
effects. Elements of poetic diction such as irony, symbolism, and juxtaposition leave a
poem open to several interpretations. In the same way, poetic devices such
as metaphor and simile are used to build a relationship between different images
previously not perceived.

5. What are some examples of figure of speech, give the meaning and
example?

1. Antithesis

Antithesis is a literary technique that places opposite things or ideas next to

one another in order to draw out their contrast.
  Example: No pain, no gain. If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. Like father, like
son.

2. Alliteration

Alliteration is the repeating of consonant sounds right next to each other,

which creates a memorable or melodic effect.

 Example: busy as a bee; out of order; home sweet home;

3. Apostrophe

Apostrophe as a figure of speech is when a character addresses someone or

something that isn’t present or cannot respond. The character might speak to someone

deceased, an inanimate object, or a concept.

Example: “Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!” I shrieked, upstarting—

“Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”
Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”

4. Circumlocution

Circumlocution is the use of a purposely wordy description. You can think of it as

talking in circles.

 Example: “Our Father who art in Heaven.” He-who-must-not-be-named

5. Epigram

An epigram is a clever and memorable statement. You will find epigrams

in speeches, poetry, and at the front of a book.

 Example: "It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness." - Eleanor Roosevelt
"Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put and end to mankind." - John
F. Kennedy
6. Euphemism

A euphemism is a way to say something in an understated manner, often to avoid

difficult topics—like money, death, or sex.

Example: She’s not a liar- she’s just creative with the truth. / passed away instead of
dying.

7. Hyperbole

Hyperbole is a deliberate exaggeration that adds emphasis, urgency, or excitement

to a statement.

Example: My parents are going to kill me when they find out. / That was the easiest
quiz in the world.

8. Irony

Irony is a situation that subverts a reader’s expectations.

Example: Your dog eats his certificate of dog-training obedience. / The fire hydrant is on

fire.

9. Litotes

Litotes use a double negative to create a positive.

Example: All in all, she wasn’t a bad dancer. (i.e., she was a good dancer.) / The apple
doesn’t fall far from the tree. (i.e., it’s similar.)

10. Methaphor
 A metaphor is the direct comparison of dissimilar things to create more vivid

imagery or understanding.

Example: There is a weight on my shoulder. /Time is money. / No man is an

island.

11. Metonymy

Metonymy is a literary device in which a word or object stands in for a closely

related word or object. Metonymy gives a writer more variability with descriptions.

Example: "Boots on the ground" is a phrase which generally refers to deployed

members of the military, and uses "boots" as a metonym for soldiers.

12. Onomatopoeia 

Onomatopoeia is a word that sounds like what it means.

Example: The cash register popped open with a heartwarming ca-ching.

The bird’s chirp filled the empty night air.

13. Oxymoron

An oxymoron is a phrase that uses two contradictory words to create a new meaning.

Example: close distance / consistently inconsistent / bitter sweet

14. Paradox

A paradox is a statement that appears to contradict itself but contains some truth,

theme, or humor.

Example: Save money by spending it. /If I know one thing, it's that I know
nothing. / This is the beginning of the end.

15. Personification
 Personification is assigning human attributes to nonhuman things.

Example: The river swallowed the earth as the water continued to rise higher and higher.

The ocean waves lashed out at the boat, and the storm continued to brew.

16. Pleonasm

Pleonasm is the use of more words than necessary to convey meaning. A writer might

use pleonasm for humor or emphasis, or they might not realize they’re using extra

words at all.

Example: “All this I saw with my own eyes, and it was the most fearsome sight I ever
witnessed…” Eaters of the Dead (By Michael Crichton)

The term “my own” is pleonastic, since the word “my” would have been enough to show possession.
However, “own” is added to emphasize and clarify the meaning of the phrase.

17. Pun

A pun is a form of wordplay that purposely substitutes words that sound similar but have

different meanings.

Example: A pessimist's blood type is always B-negative.

She had a photographic memory but never developed it.

18. Simile

A simile compares two dissimilar things using “like” or “as.” The goal of simile is to

give the reader a more vivid understanding of something.

Example: The world is like a stage. / As shiny as a gold

19. Synecdoche

Synecdoche is when a smaller unit is used to signify a larger unit or vice versa.

Example: "What's the head count?" The person asking this question is interested not

just in the number of heads, but rather in the number of people to whom the heads
belong.

20. Understatement

Understatement is the intentional downplaying of a situation. This can create a

humorous or deadpan effect in writing.

Example: “It
rained a bit more than usual.” – Describing an area being flooded
by heavy rainfall.

“It was O.K.” – Said by the student who got the highest score on the
test