Fire Technology and Investigation

Fire - exothermic reaction involving the oxidation of some substance (fuel) resulting in the release of energy in
form of light and heat.

Fire Quadrangle

1. Fuel
2. Oxygen
3. Heat
4. Ignition energy

Triangles of Fire

1. Fuel
2. Oxygen
3. Heat

- removal of any of these results in the suppression of the

fire.

Some major products of combustion

1. water
2. carbon dioxide
3. carbon monoxide
4. oxides of sulfur

Definition of terms

1. Vapor Density - the density of the vapor relative to the density of air and is calculated by dividing the
molecular weight of the gas by that of air.
2. Flash point - the lowest temperature at which
liquid fuel produces a flammable vapor.

3. Fire point/flame point - the lowest temperature at which

liquid fuel produces a flammable vapor in sufficient quantity
such that if a source of ignition is introduced, the vapor
will ignite and is usually a few degrees above the flash point
 4. Ignition/auto-ignition temperature - the temperature at
which a fuel will ignite on its own with out any additional
source ignition.
5. Thermal inertia - the ease at which a material can be ignited.
6. Heat release rate - is a measure of the amount of energy a
specific type of fuel can contribute to the heat flux in a fire.
7. Heat transfer - the mechanism in which fire can spread from
its origin to other sources of fuel.

Methods of heat transfer

1. Conductive/conduction heat transfer - heat is transferred by direct contact and the rate of transfer is
dependent on factors such as the thermal conductivity of the material and the temperature difference
between the cooler and warmer areas.
2. Convective/convection heat transfer - transfer of heat through physical movement of materials and oc
only in liquids and gases. Hot gases rise and spread heat to nearby ceilings and walls.
3. Radiative/radiation heat transfer - heat is transferred if the form of electromagnetic energy directly f
one object to another. ex. infrared radiation from the sun.

8. Combustion - or burning - is the sequence of

exothermic chemical reaction between fuel and an oxidant
accompanied by the production of heat and conversion of
chemical species.The result of the heat can result in the
form of either glowing or flame.

 Glowing combustion - occurs when solid fuels are not capable of producing sufficient quantities of ga
during pyrolysis to sustain a flame. If access to the oxidant (air) is limited, glowing combustion may re
 Flaming combustion -commonly recognized type of fire and occurs with gaseous fuel sources only. T
color of the flame can give some indication of the composition of the fuel.
 Spontaneous combustion - the ignition of organic matterwith out apparent cause, typically through he
generated internally by rapid oxidation.A process whereby a material self heats.
 Explosive combustion - can occur when vapors, dust of gases, premixed with appropriate amount of a
ignited.

Definition of Terms:

Arson - intentional or malicious destruction of property by fire.

Fire analysis - the process of determining the origin, cause and responsibility as well as the failure analysis of
or explosion.

Fire cause - the circumstances or agencies that bring a fuel and an ignition source together with proper air or
oxygen.
Fire spread - the movement of fire from one place to another.

Flash fire - a fire that spreads with extreme rapidity such as the one that races over dust, over the surface of
flammable liquids or through gases.

Fuel load - the total quantity of combustible contents of the building, spaces or fire area, including interior fin
and trim expressed inheat units or the equivalent weight in wood.

Point of origin - the exact physical location where a heat source and fuel comes in contact with each other and
fire begins.

Rekindle - a return to flaming combustion after incomplete extinguishment of a fire reigning at some time afte
being put out.

Spalling - chipping or pitting of concrete or masonry surfaces.

Definition of terms - (RA no.9514)

Abatement - any act that would remove or neutralize 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
nitric acid with a cellulose material.

Cellulose nitrate plastic (Pyroxylin) - any plastic substance,materials or compound having cellulose nitrate a
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 degrees Celsius or 100 degrees Fahrenh

Corrosive liquid - any liquid which causes fire when in contact withorganic matter or with certain chemicals.

Curtain board - a vertical panel of non-combustible or fire resistive materials attached to and extending below
bottom chord of the roof trusses, to divide the underside of the roof into separate compartments so that heat an
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 th
passage of smoke or fire.

Distillation - the process of first raising the temperature to separate the more volatile from the less volatile pa
and then cooling and condensing the resulting vapor so as to produce as 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
explosion.

Electrical arc - an extremely hot luminous bridge formed by passage of an electric current across a space betw
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 fir
escapes.

Fire Alarm - any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system to warn the occupants of the buildin
the fighting element of the presence or danger of fire to enable them to undertake immediate action to save life
property and to suppress the fire.

Fire door - a fire restrictive 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 occurren
of fire or which may obstruct,delay,hinder or interfere with firefighting operations and the safeguarding of life
property.

Fire Lane - the portion of a roadway or public way that should be kept opened and unobstructed at all times fo
expedient operations of firefighting units.

Fire Protective and Fire Safety Device - any device intended for the protection of buildings or persons to inc
but not limited to built in protection system such as sprinklers and other automatic extinguishing system,detect
for heat,smoke and combustion products and other warning system components,personal protective equipment
such as fire blankets,helmets,fire suits,globes and other garments that may be put on or worn by persons to pro
themselves during fire.

Fire Safety Constructions - refers to design and installations of walls,barriers,doors,windows,vents,means o

egress etc. integral to and incorporated into a building or structure in order to minimize danger to life,from
smoke,fire,fumes or panic before the building is evacuated.

Flash Point - the minimum temperature at which any material gives off vapor in sufficient concentration to fo
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., or produces materials
which are likely to cause fires or explosions.

Horizontal exit - passage way from one building to another or through or around a wall in approximately the s
floor level.

Hose Box - a box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves and other equipment are stored and arranged for firefight

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

Hypergolic fuel - a rocket or liquid propellant which consist of combinations of fuels and oxidizers which ign
simultaneously on contact with each other.

Industrial Baking and Drying - the industrial process of subjecting materials to heat for the purpose of remov
solvents or moisture from the same and,or to fuse certain chemical salts to form a uniform glazing the surface
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 contrac
with the owner or administrator or by permission or sufferance of the latter.

Organic Peroxide - a strong oxidizing organic compound which release 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 curren
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 pri
discharge into the combustion chamber and /or which includes fans or other provisions for the introduction of
above normal atmosphere pressure into the same combustion chamber.

Public Assembly Building - any building or structure where 50 0r more people congregate, gather or assembl
any purpose.

Public Way - any street, alley or other strip of land unobstructed from the ground to the sky, dedicated for pub
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 prod
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
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
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 outlet as needed.

Vestibule - a passage hall or ante chamber between the outer doors and the interior parts of a house or building

Vertical Shaft - a enclosed vertical space of passage that extends from floor to floor as well as from the base t
top of the building.
RA no.9514 - Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 (Dec. 19, 2008).

PD. 1185 - known as the fire code of the Philippines, was enacted into law 1977, repealed by RA no. 9514.

RA no. 9263 - Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Professionalization Ac
2004.

BFP Powers/Functions

1. Preventions and suppression of all destructive

fires on
a. buildings
b. houses
c. other structure
d. forest
e. land transportation vehicles
f. ships/vessels
 g. petroleum industry installations
h. plane crashes and similar incidents
2. Enforcement of the Fire Code of the Philippines
3. Investigate all causes of fire
4. File proper complaints with the prosecutors office

 note: Vessel/Ship must be docked at piers or wharves or anchored in major seaport.

BFP Organization

 Headed by a Chief who shall be assisted by a Deputy Chief. It shall composed of a Provincial, District
City and Municipal stations.
 In large provinces, district offices may be established to be headed by a district fire marshall.
 In large cities and municipalities, district offices may be established with subordinate fire stations head
by a district fire marshall.
 There shall be at least one fire station in every provincial, capital, city and municipality.
 The local government unit shall provide the site of the fire station.

BFP Key Positions

 The Chief of the Fire Bureau - rank is Director.

 The Deputy Chief of the Fire Bureau - rank is Chief Superintendent.
 Assistant Regional Director for Fire Protection - rank is Senior Superintendent.
 District Fire Marshall of NCR District Offices - rank is Senior Superintendent.
 Provincial Fire Marshall - rank is Superintendent.
 District Fire Marshall of Province - rank is Chief Inspector.
 Chief of City/Municipal Fire Station - rank is Senior Inspector.

Key Positions - Qualifications

1. Municipal Fire Marshal - should have the rank of
Senior Inspector.
a. Must have finished at least 2nd year Bachelor of
Laws or earned at least 12 units in a masters
degree program in public administration,
management, engineering, public safety,
criminology or other related discipline.
b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training of career courses for such position as
may be established by the fire bureau.
2. City Fire Marshal - should have the rank of Chief
Inspector.
 a. Must have finished at least 2nd year Bachelor of
Laws or earned at least 24 units in a masters
degree program in public administration,
management, engineering, public safety,
criminology or other related disciplines.
b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training or career courses for such position as
may be established by the fire bureau.
3. District Fire Marshal/Provincial Fire Marshal/
Assistant Regional Director for Administration/
Assistant Regional Director for Operations/
Chief of Directorial Staff - should have the rank of
Superintendent.
a. Must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a
holder of a Masters degree in public
administration, management, engineering,
public safety, criminology, or other related
disciplines.
b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training or career courses for such position as
may be established by the fire bureau.
4. District Fire marshal for the NCR/Regional
Director for Fire Protection/Director of the
Directorate of the National Headquarters Office -
should have at least the rank of Senior
Superintendent.
a. Must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a
holder of masters degree in public administration,
management, engineering, public safety,
criminology, or other related disciplines.
b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training or career course for such position as may
be established by the fire bureau.
5. Deputy Chief for Administration and
Deputy Chief for Operation of the Fire Bureau -
should have the rank of Chief superintendent.
a. Must be a member of the Philippine Bar or must
be a holder of a masters degree in public
administration, management, engineering,
public safety, criminology or other related
disciplines.
b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training or career courses as may be established
by the fire bureau.
6. Chief of the Fire Bureau - should have the rank
of Director.
 a. Must be a member of the Philippine Bar or a
masters degree in public administration,
management, engineering, public safety,
criminology or other related discipline.
b. Must satisfactory passed the necessary
the training or career courses for such position
as may be established by the fire bureau.

Fire Technology and Investigation Reviewer 1

1. Combustion or burning in which substances combine chemically with
oxygen from the air and typically give out bright light,heat and
smoke.
A. Flame
B. Heat
C. Fire
D. Smoke
Ans. C
2. A hot glowing body of ignited gas that is generated by something
on fire.
A. Flame
B. Heat
C. Fire
D. Smoke
Ans. A
3. An extensive fire that destroys a great deal of land or property.
A. Conflagration
B. Burning
C. Fire
D. Combustion
Ans. A
4. Means on fire or very hot or bright.
A. Flame
B. Burning
C. Fire
D. Combustion
Ans. B
5. The rapid chemical combination of a substance with oxygen
involving the production of heat and light.
A. Flame
B. Burning
C. Fire
D. Combustion
Ans.D
6. The quality of being hot or high temperature at which fuel will
 continue to burn for atleast 5 seconds after ignition by an open
flame.
A. Flame
B. Heat
C. Fire
D. Smoke
Ans. B
7. The natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible.
A. Flame
B. Heat
C. Light
D. Smoke
Ans. C
8. Is one of the 4 fundamental states of matter, the other being
solid,liquid and gas.
A. Flame
B. Plasma
C. Light
D. Smoke
Ans. B
9. The lowest temperature a which the vapor of a combustible liquid
can be ignited in air.
A. Flash point
B. Ignition temperature
C. Fire point
D. Boiling point
Ans. A
10. Is the temperature at which fuel will continue to burn for at least
five seconds after ignition by an open flame.
A. Flash point
B. Ignition temperature
C. Fire point
D. Boiling point
Ans. C

Remember the following:

1. Fire - Combustion or burning in which substances combine

chemically with oxygen from the air and typically give out bright
light,heat and smoke.

2. Flame - A hot glowing body of ignited gas that is generated by

something on fire.

3. Conflagration - An extensive fire that destroys a great deal of

land or property.
4. Burning - Means on fire or very hot or bright.

5. Combustion - The rapid chemical combination of a substance with

oxygen involving the production of heat and light.

6. Heat - The quality of being hot or high temperature at which fuel

will continue to burn for at least 5 seconds after ignition by an
open flame.

7. Light - The natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things
visible.

8. Plasma - Is one of the 4 fundamental states of matter, the other

being solid,liquid and gas.

9. Flash point - The lowest temperature a which the vapor of a

combustible liquid can be ignited in air.

10.Fire point - Is the temperature at which fuel will continue to burn

for at least five seconds after ignition by an open flame.