FIRE PROTECTION AND

ARSON INVESTIGATION
LYEN CAREL T. GARCIA
TOP 1
JUNE CLE 2022
 DEFINITION OF TERMINOLOGIES
FIRE - Fire is the manifestation of rapid chemical reaction occurring between fuel and an
oxidizer- typically the oxygen in the air. Such rapid chemical reaction releases energy in
the form of heat and light.
The active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and light of combustion.
(RA 9514)
PYROLYSIS - “chemical decomposition of matter through the action of heat”. In this
case, the decomposition causes a change from a solid state to vapour state. Of the
vapour mixes sufficiently with air and heated to high temperature, combustion results.
COMBUSTION - is a self – sustaining chemical reaction producing energy or products
that cause more reactions of the same kind. Commonly known as burning
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION - Is the process of catching fire as a result of heat
generated by internal chemical action.
FLAME - Are incandescent gases which accompanies brisk or rapid oxidation of any
combustible material. The burning gas or vapor of a fire that is visible as light of various
colors.
 FIRE TRIANGLE VS FIRE
TETRAHEDRON
FIRE TRIANGLE (GLOWING MODE)
OXYGEN
FUEL
HEAT

FIRE TETRAHEDRON (FLAMING MODE)

OXYGEN
FUEL
HEAT
SELF-SUSTAINED CHEMICAL REACTION
NOTE:
• If the process is confined with pressure it is called explosion
• If combustion propagates at supersonic speed, it produced
a detonation
FIRE ELEMENTS

FUEL
HEAT
OXYGEN
 FUEL (REDUCING AGENT)
Is anything that will burn when heated with sufficient oxygen. It is the
most important part of the triangle, for fuel is what burns. The nature and
properties of the fuel are essential in combating fires. It comes in three form
as solid, liquid or gas.

SOLID
- molecules are closely packed together
LIQUID
- molecules are loosely packed
GAS
- molecules are free to move
 THE SOLID FUELS
Types of Flammable solids
Pyrolyzable solid fuels – include many of the ordinary accepted
combustibles: wood, paper and so on.

Non-pyrolyzable solid fuels – solid fuels that are difficult to ignite.

A common example is charcoal. Chemical decomposition does
not occur because there are no pyrolyzable elements present.
THE FOLLOWING ARE GROUP OF SOLID FUELS
Biomass - it is the name given to such replaceable
organic matters like wood, garbage and animal manure
that can be use to produce energy

Fabrics and Textiles - A fiber is a very fine thin strand

or thread like object

Plastics - Cellulose Nitrate is a chemical powder used

in bombs, they are also called pyroxylin.

Coal - a black, combustible, mineral solid resulting from

the partial decomposition of matter under varying
degrees of temperature.

Peat It is partially decayed plant matter found in

swamps
 THE LIQUID FUELS
Liquid fuels are mainly made from Petroleum, but some
synthetic liquids are also produced. Petroleum is also called crude oil.
They may be refined to produce gasoline, diesel oil, and kerosene.

2 GENERAL GROUPS OF LIQUID FUELS

Flammable liquids – they are liquids having a flash point of 37.8 °C

(100°F) and a vapor pressure not exceeding 40 psia (2068.6 um) at
37.8 °C.

Combustible Liquids – these liquids have flash point at or above

37.8 °C (100°F).
 THE GAS FUELS
Gaseous fuels are those in which molecules are in rapid
movement and random motion. They have no definite shape or
volume, and assume the shape and volume of their container.
There are both natural and manufactured flammable gases. Gas
fuels flow easily through pipes and are used to provide energy for
homes, businesses, and industries. Examples of gas fuels are
acetylene, propane, and butanes.
 Classification of Gases: BASED ON
SOURCE
NATURAL GAS – the gas used to heat buildings, cook food, and
provides energy for industries. It consists chiefly of methane, a
colorless and odorless gas. Natural gas is usually mixed with
compounds of foul-smelling elements like sulfur so gas leaks can
be detected.
Butane and propane, which make up a small proportion of natural
gas, become liquids when placed under large amount of
pressure. When pressure is released, they change back to gas.
Such fuels, often called Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) or
liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), are easily stored and shipped as
liquid.
MANUFACTURED GAS – this gas like synthetic liquid fuels
is used chiefly where certain fuels are abundant and others
are scarce. Coal, petroleum, and biomass can all be
converted to gas through heating and various chemical
procedures.
 Classification of Gases: ACCORDING
TO PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
COMPRESSED GAS – gas in which at all normal temperature inside
its container; exist solely in the gaseous state under pressure.

LIQUEFIED GAS – gas, which, at normal temperature inside its

container, exist partly in the liquid state and partly in gaseous state
and under pressure as long as any liquid remains in the container.

CRYOGENIC GAS – a liquefied gas which exists in its container at

temperature far below normal atmospheric temperature, usually
slightly above its boiling point and correspondingly low to moderate
pressure.
 Classification of Gases:ACCORDING
TO USAGE
FUEL GASES – flammable gases usually used for burning with air to
produce heat, utilize as power, light, comfort, and process. Most commonly
used gases are natural gas and the LPG (butane and propane).

INDUSTRIAL GASES - This group includes a large number of gases used

for industrial processes as those in welding and cutting (oxygen, acetylene);
refrigeration (freon, ammonia, sulfur dioxide); chemical processing
(hydrogen, nitrogen, ammonia, chlorine); water treatment (chlorine, fluorine).

MEDICAL GASES – those used for treatment such as anesthesia

(chloroform, nitrous oxide); respiratory therapy (oxygen).
 OTHER FUELS
CHEMICAL FUELS
Chemical fuels, which are produced in solid and liquid form,
create great amounts of heat and power. They are used chiefly in
rocket engines. Chemical rocket propellants consist of both a fuel
and an oxidizer. A common rocket fuel is the chemical hydrazine.

NUCLEAR FUELS
Nuclear fuels provide energy through the fission or fusion of
their atoms.
Nuclear Fission – split of the nucleus of atoms
Nuclear Fusion – combination of two light nuclei of atom
 HEAT
The energy component of the fire tetrahedron when heat
comes into contact with a fuel, the energy supports the combustion
reaction
- Source of ignition or any device to start a fire. It can be a safety
match, a lighted candle, or of more sophisticated forms such as a
chemical, mechanical or electrical contrivance designed to start a
blaze.

TEMPERATURE - Temperature is the measurement of the degree of

thermal agitation of molecules; the hotness or coldness of something.
Thermometer is the instrument used to measure temperature and
commonly expressed in °C, °F, and °K.
 SPECIFIC HEAT
The heat capacity or the measure of the amount of heat
required raising the temperature of a unit mass of a
substance one-degree.
 LATENT HEAT

SUBLIMATION – solid to gas

MELTING – Solid to liquid
VAPORIZATION – Liquid to vapor/gas
CONDENSATION – steam/vapor/gas to water

The amount of heat to produce a change of phase is called

LATENT HEAT,
LATENT HEAT
The quantity of heat absorbed by a substance when the
substance from a solid to liquid, and from a liquid to gas.
FIVE DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE SCALES ARE IN
USE TODAY, THEY ARE:
Celsius – it has a freezing point of 0°C and a boiling point of 100°C. It is widely used
through out the world, particularly for scientific works.
Fahrenheit – it is used mostly in English-speaking countries for purposes other than
scientific works and based on the mercury thermometer. In this scale, the freezing
point of water is 32°F and the boiling point is 212 °F.
Kelvin or Absolute – it is the most commonly used thermodynamic temperature
scale. Zero is defined as absolute zero of temperature that is, - 273.15 °c, or –459.67
°F.
Rankine – is another temperature scale employing absolute zero as its lowest point
in which each degree of temperature is equivalent to one degree on the Fahrenheit
scale. The freezing point of water under this scale is 492 °R and the boiling point is
672 °R.
International Temperature Scale – In 1933, scientist of 31 nations adopted a new
international temperature scale with additional fixed temperature points, based on the
Kelvin scale and thermodynamic principles. The international scale is based on the
property of electrical resistively, with platinum wire as the standard for temperature
between –190 ° and 660°C.
 TYPES OF ENERGY (COMMON
SOURCES OF HEAT)
CHEMICAL ENERGY
the most common source of heat in combustion reactions when
any combustible is in contact with oxygen, oxidation occurs. The
reaction of this process results in the production of heat.
Example: Heat generated from burning match, self heating
(spontaneous heating)
ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- can generate temperature high enough to ignite any
combustible material near the heated area.

Examples:
• over current or overload
• arcing
• sparking
• static lightning
NUCLEAR ENERGY
generated when atoms either split apart (fission) or combine
(fusion)
Example:
1. fission heats water to drive steam turbines and produce electricity
2. solar energy is a product of a fusion reaction

MECHANICAL ENERGY
an energy created by friction and compression
Heat of friction - the movement of two surfaces against each other,
thus producing sparks
Heat of compression - heat is generated when a gas is compressed
in a container or cylinder
 HEAT TRANSFER
CONDUCTION
It is the transfer of heats by molecular activity with in a material or medium,
usually a solid. Direct contact is the underlying factor in conduction.

CONVECTION
It is the transfer of heat through a circulating medium, usually air or liquid.
Heat transfer by convection is chiefly responsible for the spread of fire in
structures.

RADIATION
Radiated heat moves in wave and rays much like sunlight. Radiated heat
travels the speed, as does visible light: 186,000 miles per second. A means
of heat transfer when energy travels through materials and space as waves.
 OXYGEN (OXIDIZING AGENT)

A colorless, odorless gas and one of the compositions of air which is

approximately 21% percent by volume
AIR COMPOSITION:
21% of normal oxygen
1 % other gases
78% nitrogen

TAKE NOTE:
21% normal oxygen is needed to produce fire in the presence of fuel and
heat. 12% oxygen is insufficient to produce fire, 14-15% oxygen can support
flash point, and 16-21% oxygen can support fire point.
 PROPERTIES OF FIRE
1. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

A. SPECIFIC GRAVITY
- the ratio of the weight of a solid or substance to the weight of an equal
volume of water
B. VAPOR DENSITY
- the weight of volume of pure gas compared to weight of a volume of dry air at
the same temperature and pressure
C. VAPOR PRESSURE
- the force exerted by the molecules on the surface of the liquid at the
equilibrium
D. TEMPERATURE
- the measure of the thermal degree of the agitation of molecules of a given
substance; the measure of the molecular activity within the substance
E. BOILING POINT
- the constant temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid is
equal to the atmospheric pressure
F. IGNITION TEMPERATURE
- the minimum temperature to which the substance in the air must be
heated in order to initiate or cause self-contained combustion without
addition of heat from outside sources
G. FIRE POINT
- the temperature at which the material will give off ample vapors to
keep burning
H. FLASH POINT
- the temperature at which the material is not hot enough to keep
burning, but still gives off enough vapors to cause a flame across the
surface
2. THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

A. ENDOTHERMIC REACTIONS – changes whereby energy (heat) is absorbed

or is added before the reaction takes place.

B. EXOTHERMIC REACTIONS – those that release or give off energy (heat) thus
they produce substances with less energy than the reactants.

C. OXIDATION – a chemical change that is exothermic, a change in which

combustible material (fuel) and an oxidizing agent (air), react. Example of
oxidation is combustion which is the same as actual burning (rapid oxidation)

D. FLAMES – flames are incandescent (very bright/glowing with intense heat)

gases. It is a combustion product and a manifestation of fire when it is in its gas-
phased combustion.
 TYPES OF FLAMES
Based on Color and Completeness of Combustibility of Fuel

LUMINOUS FLAME – is orange-red, deposit soot at the bottom of a

vessel being heated due to incomplete combustion and has a low
temperature.
NON-LUMINOUS FLAME – is blue, there is complete combustion of fuel
and has relatively high temperature.
Based on Fuel and Air Mixture
PREMIXED FLAME – is exemplified by a Bunsen-type laboratory burner
where hydrocarbon (any substance containing primarily carbon and
hydrogen) is thoroughly mixed with air before reaching the flame zone.
DIFFUSION FLAME – is observed when gas (fuel) alone is forced
through a nozzle into the atmosphere which diffuses in the surrounding
atmosphere in order to form a flammable mixture. The candle flame is an
example of diffusion flame governed purely by molecular diffusion, and
the flame of the oxyacetylene torch. (diffused – dispersed, widely spread)
Based on Smoothness

LAMINAR FLAME – when a particle follows a smooth path

through a gaseous flame.
TURBULENT FLAME – are those having unsteady, irregular
flows. As physical size, gas density or velocity is increased, all
laminar gas flows tend to become turbulent.
 FIRE BEHAVIOR, CAUSES AND
CLASSIFICATION
The behavior of fire maybe understood by considering the
principle of thermal balance and thermal imbalance.

THERMAL BALANCE refers to the rising movement or the

pattern of fire, the normal behavior when the pattern is
undisturbed.

THERMAL IMBALANCE, on the other hand is the abnormal

movement of fire due to the interference of foreign matter.
Thermal imbalance often confuses the fire investigator in
determining the exact point where the fire originated.
 DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR OF FIRE
Fire is so fatal when the following conditions occurred:

BACKDRAFT – it is the sudden and rapid (violent) burning of

heated gases in a confined area that occurs in the form of
explosion. This may occur because of improper ventilation. If a
room is not properly ventilated, highly flammable vapors maybe
accumulated such that when a door or window is suddenly
opened, the room violently sucks the oxygen from the outside
and simultaneously, a sudden combustion occur, which may
happen as an explosion (combustion explosion).
Flashover – it is the sudden ignition of accumulated radical
gases produced when there is incomplete combustion of
fuels. It is the sudden burning of free radicals, which is
initiated by a spark or flash produced when temperature rises
until flash point is reached. When accumulated volume of
radical gases suddenly burns, there will be a very intense fire
that is capable of causing flames to jump at a certain
distance in the form of fireball. Fireballs can travel to a
hundred yards with in a few seconds.
Biteback - a fatal condition that takes place when the fire
resists extinguishment operations and become stronger and
bigger instead.

Flash Fire – better known as dust explosion. This may

happen when the metal post that is completely covered with
dust is going to be hit by lightning. The dust particles
covering the metal burn simultaneously thus creating a
violent chemical reaction that produces a very bright flash
followed by an explosion.
 THE THREE STAGES OF FIRE

• INCIPIENT PHASE (INITIAL STAGE)

• FREE BURNING PHASE
• SMOLDERING PHASE
 INCIPIENT PHASE (INITIAL STAGE)
initial stage of fire
• normal room temperature
• the temperature at the base of the fire is 400-800/1000 °F
• ceiling temperature is about 200 °F
• the pyrolysis products are mostly water vapor and
carbon dioxide, small quantities of carbon monoxide
and sulfides maybe present.
 FREE BURNING PHASE
a phase of burning in which materials or structures are burning in
the presence of adequate oxygen
• accelerated pyrolysis process take place
• development of convection current: formation of thermal columns
as heat rises
• temperature is 800-1000/1330 °F at the base of fire, 1200-1600
°F at ceiling
• pyrolytic decomposition moves upward on the walls(crawling of
the flame) leaving burnt patterns (fire fingerprints)
• occurrence of flashover.
 SMOLDERING PHASE
final phase of burning wherein flame ceases but dense smoke and
heat completely fill the confined room
• oxygen content drops to 13% or below causing the flame to vanish
and heat to develop in layers,
• products of incomplete combustion increase in volume, particularly
carbon monoxide with an ignition temperature of about 1125 °F,
• ceiling temperature is 1000-1300 °F,
• heat and pressure in the room builds up,
• building/room contains large quantities of superheated fuel under
pressure but little oxygen,
• when sufficient supply of oxygen is introduced, backdraft
occurs
 STAGES OF FIRE
1. IGNITION
describes the period when the four elements of the fire tetrahedron come together and combustion
begins.
2. GROWTH
shortly after ignition, a fire plume begins to form above the burning fuel. As the plume develops, it
begins to draw or entrain air from the surrounding space into the column.
3. FLASHOVER
the transition between the growth and the fully developed fire stages and is not a specific event
such as ignition. During flashover, conditions in the compartment change very rapidly as the fire
changes from one that is dominated by the burning of the materials first ignited to one that involves
all of the exposed combustible surfaces within the compartment.
4. FULLY-DEVELOPED
occurs when all combustible materials in the compartment are involved in the fire
5. DECAY
as the fire consumes the available fuel in the compartment, the rate of heat released begins to
decline.
 CLASSIFICATIONS OF FIRE

Based on Cause
a. Natural fire/ providential
b. Accidental fire
c. Intentional Fire/Incendiary
d. Undetermined
 NATURAL/PROVIDENTIAL CAUSES
Involves fires without direct human intervention

SPONTANEOUS HEATING – the automatic chemical reaction that results to

spontaneous combustion due to auto-ignition of organic materials, the gradual
rising of heat in a confined space until ignition temperature is reached.
Sun rays focused on glasses which may serve as a convex lens

LIGHTNING – a form of static electricity; a natural current with a great

magnitude, producing tremendous amperage and voltage.
A lightning may be in the form of:
Hot Bolt – longer in duration; capable only of igniting combustible materials
Cold Bolt – shorter in duration, capable of splintering a property or literally
blowing apart an entire structure, produces electrical current with tremendous
amperage and very high temperature
 ACCIDENTAL CAUSES
Electrical accidents in the form of:

Short Circuit – unusual or accidental connections between two points at different potentials
(charge) in an electrical circuit of relatively low resistance.
Arcing – the production of sustained luminous electrical discharge between separated electrodes;
an electric hazard that results when electrical current crosses the gap between 2 electrical
conductors.
Sparking – production of incandescent particles when two different potentials (charged
conductors) come in contact; occurs during short circuits or welding operations.
Induced Current – induced line surge – increased electrical energy flow or power voltage;
induced current; sudden increase of electrical current resulting to the burning of insulating
materials, explosion of the fuse box, or burning of electrical appliances.
Over heating of electrical appliances – the increase or rising of amperage while electric current
is flowing in a transmission line resulting to the damage or destruction of insulating materials,
maybe gradual or rapid, internal or external.

Purely accidental causes

Negligence and other forms of human error
INTENTIONAL CAUSES (INCENDIARY)
Is one deliberately set under circumstances in which the
person knows that the fire should not be set.

If in the burned property, there are preparations or traces of

accelerant, plants and trailers, then the cause of fire is intentional.
Accelerant – highly flammable chemicals that are used to facilitate
flame propagation.
Plant – the preparation and or gathering of combustible materials
needed to start a fire.
Trailer – the preparation of flammable substances in order to
spread the fire.
 UNDETERMINED FIRE CAUSE
Whenever the cause cannot be proven, the proper
classification is undetermined
Based on Burning Fuel (the classes of fire)
Class A Fire – Ordinary fires; they are the types of fire resulting from
the burning wood, paper, textiles, rubber and other carbonaceous
materials. In short, this is the type of fire caused by ordinary
combustible materials.
Class B Fire – Liquid fires; they are caused by flammable and or
combustible liquids such as kerosene, gasoline, benzene, oil products,
alcohol and other hydrocarbon deviations.
Class C Fire – Electrical fires; they are fires that starts in live electrical
wires, equipment, motors, electrical appliances and telephone
switchboards.
Class D Fire – Metallic fires; fires that result from the combustion of
certain metals in finely divided forms. These combustible metals
include magnesium, potassium, powdered calcium, zinc, sodium, and
titanium.
 FIRE FIGTHING OPERATIONS AND
EXTINGUISHMENT
FIRE FIGHTING is an activity intended to save lives and
property. It is one of the most important emergency services in a
community.

TAKE NOTE:
FIRE SUPPRESSION – Slowing down the rate of burning
FIRE CONTROL – Keeping the fire from spreading/holding the
fire to one area
FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT – putting the fire completely out.
 THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION
(BFP)
Republic Act # 6975, the DILG Act of 1990 (Chapter 4, Section 53-59)
created the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to be responsible for the
prevention and suppression of all destructive fires and to enforce the laws on
fire.

Fire Protection is the descriptive term referring to the various methods

used by the bureau to stop, extinguish and control destructive fire for eventual
prevention of loss of life and property. It has the following objectives:
• To prevent destructive fire from startings
• To extinguish (stop or put out) on going destructive fire
• To confine a destructive fire at the place where it began
• To prevent loss of life and property when fire starts
 Powers and Functions OF BFP (Sec.
54, RA 6975)
• The Fire Bureau shall be responsible for the prevention and
suppression of all destructive fires on buildings, houses and
other structures, forest, land transportation vehicles and
equipment, ships or vessels docked at piers or wharves or
anchored in major seaports, petroleum industry installations,
plane crashes and other similar incidents, as well as the
enforcement of the Fire Code and other related laws.
• The Fire Bureau shall have the power to investigate all causes
of fires and, if necessary, file the proper complaints with the city
or provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction over the case.
 Organization (Sec. 55)
The Fire Bureau shall be headed by a chief who shall be
assisted by a deputy chief. It shall be composed of provincial
offices, district offices and city or municipal stations.
At the provincial level, there shall be an office of the
provincial fire marshall
In the case of large provinces, district offices may be
established, to be headed by a district fire marshall.
At the city or municipal level, there shall be a fire station,
each headed by a city or municipal fire marshall: Provided, That,
in the case of large cities and municipalities, a district office with
subordinate fire stations headed by a district fire marshall may be
organized as necessary.
 ESTABLISHMENT OF FIRE STATION
(SEC. 56)
There shall be established at least one (1) fire station with
adequate personnel, firefighting facilities and equipment in every
provincial capital, city and municipality subject to the standards,
rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the Department.
The local government unit shall, however, provide the necessary
and or site of the station.
 RANK CLASSIFICATION(SEC. 58)
Director
Chief Superintendent
Senior Superintendent
Superintendent
Chief Inspector
Senior Inspector
Inspector
Senior Fire Officer IV
Senior Fire Officer III
Senior Fire Officer II
Senior Fire Officer I
Fire Officer III
Fire Officer II
Fire Officer I
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9263
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF
THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION (BFP) AND THE
BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY (BJMP),
AMENDING CERTAIN, PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO.
6975, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

This Act shall be known as the "Bureau of Fire Protection and

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Professionalization Act
of 2004."
ORGANIZATION AND KEY POSITIONS OF
THE BFP AND THE BJMP (SEC.3, RA 9263)
The BFP and the BJMP shall be respectively headed by a Chief
who shall be assisted by two (2) deputy chiefs, one (1) for
administration and one (1) for operations, all of whom shall be
appointed by the President upon recommendation of the Secretary of
the DILG from among the qualified officers with at least the rank of
senior superintendent in the service: Provided, that in no case shall any
officer who has retired or is retirable within six (6) months from his/her
compulsory retirement age be appointed as Chief of the Fire Bureau or
Chief of the Jail Bureau, as the case may be, Provided, further, that the
Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau shall serve a tour
of duty not to exceed four (4) years: Provided, however, that in times of
war or other national emergency declared by Congress, the President
may extend such tour of duty.
 APPOINTMENT OF UNIFORMED PERSONNEL
TO THE BFP AND THE BJMP (SEC. 5, RA 9263)
The appointment of the BFP and the BJMP shall be effected in the following manners:

a) Fire/Jail Officer I to Senior Fire/Jail Officer IV. – Appointed by the respective Regional
Director for Fire Protection and Regional Director for Jail Management and Penology for the
regional office uniformed personnel or by the respective Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of
the Jail Bureau for the national headquarters office uniformed personnel, and attested by the
Civil Service Commission (CSC);
b) Fire/Jail Inspector to Fire/Jail Superintendent. – Appointed by the respective Chief of
the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau, as recommended by their immediate superiors,
and attested by the CSC;
c) Fire/Jail Senior Superintendent. – Appointed by the Secretary of the DILG upon
recommendation of the respective Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau, with
the proper attestation of the CSC; and
d) Fire/ Jail Chief Superintendent. To Fire/Jail Director.- Appointed by the President upon
recommendation of the Secretary of the DILG, with the proper endorsement by the Chairman
of the CSC.
 BFP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
NO. IID 2008-01
Based on the degree of amount and value of the total damages incurred in a
certain fire incident.
A. Municipal Fire Marshal -Level I- Through its Municipal Investigation and
Intelligence Unit shall have the full responsibility and power to investigate fire
incidents with a total amount of damage not exceeding to twenty million pesos.
B. City Fire Marshal -Level II-Through its City Investigation and Intelligence
Branch shall have the full responsibility and power to investigate fire incidents with
a total amount of damage not exceeding to thirty million pesos.
C. District Fire Marshal Level -III-Through its District Investigation and
Intelligence Branch shall have the full responsibility and power to investigate fire
incidents with a total damages amounting to above Thirty Million Pesos, but not
exceeding to forty million pesos. DIIB can assume the conduct of investigation
on fire incidents with damages amounting to more than 20 million pesos in
Municipal levels only within their respective jurisdictions.
D. Provincial Fire Marshal -Level III- Through its Provincial
Investigation and Intelligence Branch shall have the full responsibility
and power to investigate fire incidents with a total damages amounting
to above thirty million pesos but not exceeding to forty million
pesos. PIIB can assume the conduct of investigation on fire incidents
with damages amounting to more than 20 million pesos in Municipal
levels only within their respective jurisdictions.
E. Regional Director for Fire Protection -Level IV – through its RIIB
shall have the full responsibility and power to investigate fire incidents
with a total damages amounting to above forty million pesos, but
not exceeding to sixty million pesos.
F. Chief, Bureau of Fire Protection – National level – Through its IID
shall have the full responsibility and power to investigate fire incidents
with a total damages amounting to above sixty million pesos
Section 7 – in such event that death results from a fire incident,
the concerned FAI shall immediately sought the assistance of the
PNP-SOCO, or any other legal/ recognized group for lifting and
autopsy of the cadaver found at the fire/crime scene
 FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS
Fire fighting operations refers to fire suppression activities. In general the following
procedures should be observed:
• PRE-FIRE PLANNING
• EVALUATION – SIZE – UP
• EVACUATION
• ENTRY
• RESCUE
• EXPOSURE
• CONFINEMENT
• VENTILATION
• SALVAGE
• EXTINGUISHMENT
• OVERHAUL
• FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATION
 PRE-FIRE PLANNING
This activity involves developing and defining systematic
course of actions that maybe performed in order to realize the
objectives of fire protection: involves the process of establishing
the SOP in case fire breaks out.
 EVALUATION – SIZE – UP
(on-the-spot planning or sizing-up the situation) - this is the process knowing the
emergency situation. It involves mental evaluation by the operation officer-in-charge
to determine the appropriate course of action that provides the highest probability of
success.

Evaluation of the situation:

a. Learn the facts of the situation – by answering the 5 Ws – 1H

b. Understand the probabilities of fatal behavior of fire
c. Know your own situation or capabilities – weaknesses and
strengths: available manpower and equipment
d. Determine the specific course of action – entry or rescue
 EVACUATION
This the activity of transferring people, livestock, and
property away from the burning area to minimize damage or
destruction that the fire might incur in case it propagates to other
adjacent buildings.
 ENTRY
This is the process of accessing the burning structure.
Entry maybe done in a forcible manner. Purposes of
conducting forcible entry:

• To provide access for fire fighters with equipment for fire

extinguishments
• To provide rescue
• To aid in ventilation
 RESCUE
This is the operation of removing (extricating), thus saving,
people and other livestock from the burning building and other
involved properties, conveying them to a secure place
 EXPOSURE
Also called cover exposure, this is the activity of securing
other buildings near the burning structure in order to prevent the
fire from the extending to another building.
 CONFINEMENT
This is the activity of restricting the fire at the place (room)
where it started : the process of preventing fire from extending
from another section or form one section to another section of the
involved building.
 VENTILATION
This the operation purposely conducted to displace toxic
gases. It includes the process of displacing the heated
atmosphere within the involved building with normal air from
outside atmosphere.
Types of Ventilation:
1. Vertical ventilation - must be worked from the top to
bottom
2. Cross or horizontal ventilation - used if gases have not
reached the higher level through the opening of windows
3. Mechanical force ventilation - a method whereby a
device such as smoke ejector is utilized to remove faster
excessive heat and dense smoke
 SALVAGE
The activity of protecting the properties from preventable
damage other than the fire. The steps are a) remove the material
outside the burning area, and b) protecting or cover the materials
by using tarpaulins (cotton canvass treated with water proofing).
 EXTINGUISHMENT
This is the process of putting out the main body of fire
by using the 4 general methods of fire extinguishments.
 4 General Methods of Fire
Extinguishment

• Extinguishment by Temperature Reduction

• Extinguishment by Fuel Removal
• Extinguishment by Oxygen Dilution
• Extinguishment by Chemical Inhibition
 EXTINGUISHMENT BY TEMPERATURE
REDUCTION
• Cooling the temperature of the fire environment: usually
done by using water.
• Lower down the temperature to cool the fuel to a point
where it does not produce sufficient vapors that burn.
 EXTINGUISHMENT BY FUEL REMOVAL
• Elimination of the fuel supply/ source which maybe done by:
• stopping the flow of liquid fuel
• preventing the production of flammable gas
• removing the solid fuel at the fire path
• allowing the fire to burn until the fuel is consumed
EXTINGUISHMENT BY OXYGEN DILUTION
• reduction of oxygen concentration at the burning area
• by introducing inert gases
• by separating oxygen from the fuel
 EXTINGUISHMENT BY CHEMICAL
INHIBITION
Some extinguishments agents, like dry chemical and halon,
interrupt the production of flame resulting to rapid extinguishment
of the fire. This method is effective only on burning gas and liquid
fuels as they cannot burn in smoldering mode of combustion.
 OVERHAUL
This is the complete and detailed check of the structure
and all materials therein to eliminate conditions that may
cause re-flash; involves complete extinguishments of sparks
or smouldering (glowing) substances (embers) to prevent
possibilities of re-ignition or rekindling.
 FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATION
This is the final stage of fire suppression activities. It is
an inquiry conducted to know or determine the origin and
cause of fire.
 WHAT ARE THE METHODS OF FIRE
PREVENTION?
Individuals, groups, and communities use three main methods to prevent fires:

Laws and Regulations - Many countries have codes and standards that
require certain types of fire retardant materials and electric wiring to be used in
buildings.
Inspection of buildings and other property - Fire brigades and other public
agencies inspect public buildings for fire hazards and recommend corrective
action. In some communities, homeowners may agree to have their homes
inspected for fire hazards.
Public education about fire safety and prevention - Education is a vital part
of fire prevention programmes because people cause to prevent--almost all
fires. Fire brigades, community groups, and schools teach children and adults
about fire hazards and work to reduce fires throughout the community.
 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
A Fire Extinguisher is a mechanical device, usually made
of metal, containing chemicals, fluids, or gasses for stopping
fires, the means for application of its contents for the purpose of
putting out fire (particularly small fire ) before it propagates, and
is capable of being readily moved from place to place.

It is also a portable device used to put out fires of limited size.

 WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS?

 water
• ( CLASS A)

 CO2
• (CLASS b, C)

 dry chemicals
• (CLASS A, B, C)
• Dry powder
(CLASS D)

• AFFF(Aqueous
Film Forming
Foam)
(CLASS B)

• HALONS
(halogenated Carbon)
(CLASS B, C)
WHAT ARE THE MARKINGS REQUIRED
ON FIRE EXTINGUISHERS?
Under (Rule 37, Sec. 106 of PD 1185), all fire extinguishers
manufactured or sold in the Philippines must be labelled or marked to
show at least the following:

• Date of original filling

• Chemical Contents
• Type of extinguisher
• Operating Instruction and Safe Procedure in usage
• Name and address of the manufacturer
• Name and address of the dealer
 WHAT ARE THE GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURES IN
FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT?
The general operating procedures in using a fire extinguisher may be modified
by the acronym PASS.
P - Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher that keeps the handle from being
pressed. Press the plastic or thin wire inspection band.
A– Aim the nozzle or outlet towards the fire. Some hose assemblies are dipped
to the extinguisher body. Released it and then point at the base of the fire.
S – Squeeze the handle above carrying handle to discharge the extinguishing
agent inside. The handle can be released to stop the discharge at any time.
S – Sweep the nozzle sideways at the base of the flame to disperse the
extinguishing agent.

After the fire is out, probe for remaining smouldering hot spots or possible re-
flash of flammable liquids. Make sure the fire is out before leaving the burned area.
 LADDER
Types of ladder
1. Ground ladders - (10 to 55 ft. long)
2. Aerial ladders

Purposes of ladders
a. for rescue
b. to stretch line into a fire building
c. to provide ventilation by giving access to places that are hard
to reach
 VARIOUS KINDS OF GROUND LADDER

A. Straight or Hook Ladder

• It contains only one section
• It ranges from 12 – 16 feet, common
size 14 feet.
B. Extension Ladder
• It consists of a bed and one or
more fly ladders.
• Extension ladder that has a
stay pole is called tormentors.
• It ranges up to 35 feet,
extension ladder over 35 feet
are called Bangor Ladder.
C. Attic Ladder
• It provides means of reaching an
opening for those places which are
difficult to reach without special
ladder.
• It can be folded or collapsed for a
small room or closet works.
D. Wall Ladder
• It is best used in rescue where a
ladder in place is already falls short of
endangered person.
• It allows the user to climb up or down,
one storey at a time.
E. Aerial Ladder – it is mounted on
a turntable, capable of extending up
to 100 feet, it may have 3 or 4 metal
fly sections of ladder that can be
raised or lowered by hydraulically
controlled cables.
 LADDER TERMINOLOGY
1. Bed ladder - the lowest section of an extension ladder
2. Fly ladder - the top section of an extension ladder
3. Butt - the bottom end of a ladder
4. Heel - the part of the ladder that touches the ground
5. Halyard - a rope or cable used to raised the fly ladder
6. Pawl or dog - the mechanism located at the end of the fly ladder that
locks to the bed ladder
7. Rung - the cross member of the ladder that is used for climbing
8. Top or tip - it is the top part of the ladder
9. Hooks - part of a ladder that is used to hook over a roof peak, sills,
or walls where the heel does not rest
on a foundation. (roof type ladders)
10. Stops - made of metal or wood blocks used to prevent the fly of an
extension ladder from extending out
further from the ladder
11. Guides - light metal strips of an extension ladder that guides the fly
ladder while it is being raised or
lowered
 FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM
The primary purpose of fire detection system is to
discover a fire when it is in its earliest phase and to respond
by activating an alarm.
CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE DETECTOR
SMOKE DETECTOR
Designed to react and activate the alarm when little amount of
products of combustion go into their sensors. Smoke detectors
are attached to the ceiling or wall in several areas of the home.
 TYPES OF SMOKE DETECTOR
A. Ionization Detector
• It uses a radioactive source to transform the air inside it into a
conductor of electrical current.
• Any visible or invisible products of combustion entering this
chamber interrupt the current flow, which, in return activates the
alarm.
B. Photoelectric smoke detector
• It consists of a projected light beam to cover large areas, or a
reflected light beam or spot type detector to cover small areas.
 HEAT DETECTOR
A. Rate-of-rise-detector
• It is calibrated so that a rapid increase in room temperature will
cause the detector to react and activate the alarm.
• It is normally calibrated to allow temperature within a certain
range but automatically activates when the permitted maximum
temperature is surpassed.

B. Fixed-temperature detector
• It is preset to activate at a given temperature.
• This detection unit may come from the manufacturer with a
fixed temperature rating but be equipped with a calibration screw,
allowing an installer or contractor to reset the unit to avoid false
alarms
 SPRINKLE SYSTEM
A sprinkler system consists of a network of pipes installed
throughout a building. The pipes carry water to nozzles in the
ceiling. The heat from a fire causes the nozzles directly above
the fire to open and spray water.
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
In the Philippines, the Bureau of fire Protection is the main
government agency responsible for the prevention and
suppression of all destructive fires on buildings, houses and other
structures, forest, land transportation vehicles and equipments,
ships or vessels docked at piers or major seaports, petroleum
industry installation, plane crashes and other similar incidents, as
well as the enforcement of the Fire Code and other related laws.
It has the major power to investigate all causes of fires and
necessary, file the proper complaints with the proper authority
that has jurisdiction over the case (R.A. no. 6975, sec. 54
 WHY FIRES SHOULD BE
INVESTIGATED?
The very reason why fires should be investigated is to
determine the cause of the fire in order to prevent similar
occurrences. The determination of the origin and cause of fire is
arrived at only after a thorough investigation. Since basic
investigation is prelude to the discovery of the true cause of the
fire, an understanding of the chemistry of fire and its attendant
behavior should be a concern for successful investigation.
 WHO ARE QUALIFIED TO
INVESTIGATE FIRES?
• A fire investigator should have the following traits:
• Possession of knowledge of investigational techniques.
• He should have an insight of human behavior.
• He should have a first hand knowledge of the chemistry of
fire and its behavior
• He should be resourceful.
 IS FIRE INVESTIGATION COMPLEX
AND UNIQUE?
• Fire investigation is complex and unique because of the
following reasons:
• Fire destroys evidence
• If it is Arson, it is planned, motivated and committed is
discreet.
• Rarely can there be an eyewitness in Arson.
 WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF THE
FIREMEN IN FIRE INVESTIGATION?
• Firemen are usually at the crime scene ahead of the fire
investigators. Hence, they are valuable sources of information.
They are the so-called “Eyes and Ears” of the police before,
during and after the fire has been placed under control. The
information taken from them may be categorize as:
• Information attainable or developed prior to the arrival at the
scene
• Information available to the firemen at the scene
• Information available during overhaul and thereafter.
 LEGAL ASPECT OF FIRE
INVESTIGATION
• Arson is the intentional or malicious destruction of property by
fire.

• It is the concern of fire investigation to prove malicious intent of

the offender. Intent must be proved, otherwise, no crime exist.
The law presumes that a fire is accidental, hence criminal
designs must be shown. Fire cause by accident or criminal
design must be shown. Fire cause by accident or negligence
does not constitute arson.

It comes from the Greek word “ARSIO” meaning to burn.

 LAWS ON ARSON
ARTICLE 320-326, ACT 3815 (RPC)
RA 5467 - AN ACT TO AMEND ARTICLES THREE HUNDRED
TWENTY-ONE AND THREE HUNDRED TWEN­TY-SIX OF ACT
NUMBERED THIRTY-EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN, (RE:
OTHER FORMS OF ARSON.)
PD 1613 - AMENDING THE LAW ON ARSON
PD 1744 - MENDING ARTICLE THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY
OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE PROVISIONS ON ARSON
RA 7659 - AN ACT TO IMPOSE THE DEATH PENALTY ON
CERTAIN HEINOUS CRIMES, AMENDING FOR THAT PURPOSE
THE REVISED PENAL LAWS, AS AMENDED, OTHER SPECIAL
PENAL LAWS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
 ELEMENTS OF ARSON
• Actual burning took place
• Actual burning is done with malicious intent
•The actual burning is done by person(s) legally and
criminally liable
 WHAT CONSTITUTES ARSON?
1. Burning - to constitute burning, pyrolysis must take place. In
other words, there must be burning or changing, i.e. the fiber of the
wood must be destroyed, its identity changed.
2. Willfulness – means intentional and implies that the act was
done purposely and intentionally
3. Malice – denotes hatred or ill will or a desire for revenge;
deliberate intention of doing unjustified harm for the satisfaction of
doing it
4. Motive – the moving cause which induces the commission of a
crime; something that leads or influences a person to do something
5. Intent – the purpose or design with which the act is done and
involves the will; an essential element of crime, smotive is not
 METHODS OF PROOF IN ARSON
Physical evidences in arson are often destroyed. To prove
arson was committed, Corpus Delicti must be shown and identify of
the arsonist must be established. Corpus Delicti (body of the crime) is
the fact of that crime was committed. The following must show it:
• Burning – that there was fire that may be shown by direct testimony
of complaint, firemen responding to the crime, other eyewitnesses.
Burned parts of the building may also indicate location.
• Criminal Design – must show that it was wilfully and intentionally
done. The presence of incendiary devices, flammables such as
gasoline and kerosene may indicate that the fire is not accidental.
• Evidence of Intent – When valuables were removed from the
building before the fire, ill-feeling between the accused and the
occupants of the building burned, absence of effort to put off fire
and such other indications.
 STAGES IN THE COMMISSION OF
ARSON
A. Attempted Arson
• A person intending to burn a wooden structure, collects some
rags, soaks them in gasoline and places them beside the wooden
wall of the building. When he is about to light a match to set fire to
the rags, he is discovered by another who trailed him away.
• The crime committed is attempted arson, because the offender
begins the commission of the crime directly by overacts (placing
the rags soaked in gasoline beside the wooden wall of the building
and lighting a match) but he does not perform all the acts of
execution (the setting of the fire to the rags) due to the timely
intervention of another who chases away) the offender.
B. Frustrated Arson
• The fact of having set fire to some rags and soaked in
kerosene oil and placed near the partition of the entire soil of
an inhabited house, should not be qualified as a
consummated arson, in as much as no part of the house had
begun to burn, although fire would have started in the said
partition had it not been extinguished on time. The crime
committed was frustrated arson.
• The tools used alone are on fire, or a furniture or thing not
attached to the building is on fire (U.S. v. Valdez, G.R. No. L-
14128, December 10, 1918)
C. Consummated Arson
• If before the fire was put out, part of the building was
burned.
• Setting fire to the contents of a building constitutes the
consummated crime of setting fire to a building even if no
part of the building was burned.
 PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1613
Section 1. Arson. Any person who burns or sets fire to the
property of another shall be punished by Prision Mayor.

The same penalty shall be imposed when a person sets fire

to his own property under circumstances which expose to danger
the life or property of another.
Section 2. Destructive Arson. The penalty of Reclusion Temporal in its maximum
period to Reclusion Perpetua shall be imposed if the property burned is any of the
following:
1. Any ammunition factory and other establishment where explosives, inflammable
or combustible materials are stored.
2. Any archive, museum, whether public or private, or any edifice devoted to
culture, education or social services.
3. Any church or place of worship or other building where people usually assemble.
4. Any train, airplane or any aircraft, vessel or watercraft, or conveyance for
transportation of persons or property
4. Any building where evidence is kept for use in any legislative, judicial,
administrative or other official proceedings.
5. Any hospital, hotel, dormitory, lodging house, housing tenement, shopping
center, public or private market, theater or movie house or any similar place or
building.
6. Any building, whether used as a dwelling or not, situated in a populated or
congested area.
Section 3. Other Cases of Arson. The penalty of Reclusion
Temporal to Reclusion Perpetua shall be imposed if the property
burned is any of the following:
1. Any building used as offices of the government or any of its
agencies;
2. Any inhabited house or dwelling;
3. Any industrial establishment, shipyard, oil well or mine shaft,
platform or tunnel;
4. Any plantation, farm, pastureland, growing crop, grain field,
orchard, bamboo grove or forest;
4. Any rice mill, sugar mill, cane mill or mill central; and
5. Any railway or bus station, airport, wharf or warehouse.
Section 4. Special Aggravating Circumstances in Arson. The
penalty in any case of arson shall be imposed in its maximum
period;
1. If committed with intent to gain;
2. If committed for the benefit of another;
3. If the offender is motivated by spite or hatred towards the owner
or occupant of the property burned;
4. If committed by a syndicate.

The offense is committed by a syndicate if its is planned or

carried out by a group of three (3) or more persons.
Section 5. Where Death Results from Arson. If by reason of or
on the occasion of the arson death results, the penalty of
Reclusion Perpetua to death shall be imposed.
Section 6. Prima Facie evidence of Arson. Any of the following circumstances
shall constitute prima facie evidence of arson:
1. If the fire started simultaneously in more than one part of the building or
establishment.
2. If substantial amount of flammable substances or materials are stored within
the building note necessary in the business of the offender nor for household us.
3. If gasoline, kerosene, petroleum or other flammable or combustible substances
or materials soaked therewith or containers thereof, or any mechanical, electrical,
chemical, or electronic contrivance designed to start a fire, or ashes or traces of
any of the foregoing are found in the ruins or premises of the burned building or
property.
4. If the building or property is insured for substantially more than its actual value
at the time of the issuance of the policy.
5. If during the lifetime of the corresponding fire insurance policy
more than two fires have occurred in the same or other premises
owned or under the control of the offender and/or insured.
6. If shortly before the fire, a substantial portion of the effects
insured and stored in a building or property had been withdrawn
from the premises except in the ordinary course of business.
7. If a demand for money or other valuable consideration was
made before the fire in exchange for the desistance of the
offender or for the safety of the person or property of the victim.
Section 7. Conspiracy to commit Arson. Conspiracy to commit
arson shall be punished by Prision Mayor in its minimum period.

Section 8. Confiscation of Object of Arson. The building which is

the object of arson including the land on which it is situated shall
be confiscated and escheated to the State, unless the owner
thereof can prove that he has no participation in nor knowledge
of such arson despite the exercise of due diligence on his part.
 BASIS OF LIABILITY IN ARSON:
1. Kind and character of the building, whether of public or private
ownership.
2. Its location, whether in an uninhabited place or in a populated
place.
3. Extent of damage caused; and
4. The fact of its being inhabited or not
 BASIC LINES OF INQUIRY IN ARSON
INVESTIGATION
POINT OF ORIGIN OF FIRE
Initially, the important point to be established is the point of origin of fire. Finding
the point where the fire originated is naturally very important to establishing the cause
of the fire
• Firemen, occupant’s passersby and others who arrived at the fire scene during the
early stages of the fire may provide information relating to the location of the fire in its
early stages.
• The obvious presence of “trailers” multiple separate fires, incendiary devices and
other suspicious articles may immediately reveal the origin and cause of the fire,
especially in those instances when an attempted arson has failed because the fire was
rapidly extinguished or it “burned out” because the arsonist failed to properly ventilate
it.
• Another technique related to tracing the normal path of the fire to its origin, involves
tracing the path of the burning to its sources by observing the intensity of the
destruction and charring of the uprights.
• Origin of the fire can also be traced through the so-called FIRE PATTERNS.
 KINDS OF FIRE PATTERNS
Lines or Areas of Demarcation - These are borders
defining the differences in certain heat and smoke effects of
the fire upon various materials. They appear between the
affected area and adjacent unaffected or less affected areas.
Surface Effect - The nature and material of the surface that
contains the fire pattern will have a bearing on the shape and
nature of the pattern itself.
 FIRE LANGUAGE

Alligatoring – large scales indicate rapid, intense heat.

Calcinations – refer to the changes
that occur during a fire in either
plaster or gypsum wall surfaces. It
includes the elimination of water
from gypsum to charring the paper
surface off the wall board.
Clean Burn – refers to a fire pattern on surfaces where soot has
been burned away.
Crazing – refers to the cracking
of glass into smaller segments of
subdivisions in an irregular
pattern.
Charring – It is an exposure of
elevated temperatures in which a
material undergoes chemical
decomposition that drives off
gases, water vapor, and various
pyrolysis products as smoke. Char
shrinks as it forms, and develops
cracks and blisters.
Spalling – Is the breakdown
in tensile strength of concrete
or brick, usually accompanied
by a color change. Sometimes
it causes chipping.
Depth of char – its value is
obtained by measuring the distance
from the surface of the original
dimensional wood and comparing
this with remaining unburned matter.
It indicates the length of the time
that a wooden structural member
was exposed to flame. (estimate the
duration of a fire.
Fusion – Is the change in
formation of metals, glass or
plastic due to being exposed to
high temperatures, sometimes it is
called melting.
 TELLTALE IN ARSON
Burned Building – the type of the building may indicate a set fire under
some circumstances. A fire of considerable size at the time the first
apparatus arrive at the scene if it is a modern concrete or semi-concrete
building.
Separate Fires – when two or more separate fires break out within a
building the fire is certainly suspicious.
Color of smoke – some fires burn with little or no smoke but they are
exception. The observation of the smoke must be made at the start of the
fire since once the fire has assumed a major proportion; the value of the
smoke is lost, because the smoke will not indicate the material used by
the arsonist.
Smoke marks – an experience investigator will determine the volume of
smoked involved at a fire and the character as residue deposited on walls
or elsewhere. Smoke marks have often been of assistance in determining
the possibility of a fire
Size of Fire – this is important when correlated with the type of alarm, the
time received and the time of arrival of the first fire apparatus. Fires make
what might be termed a normal progress. Such progress can be
estimated after an examination of the material burned the building and the
normal ventilation offered to the fire. The time element and the degree of
headway much by the flames become important factors to determine
possible incendiarism.
Odor – the odor of gasoline, alcohol, kerosene and other inflammable
liquids which are often used as accelerant is characteristic and oftentimes
arsonists are trapped because of this tell-tale sign. Most of fire setters are
inclined to use substance which will make the blaze certain and at the
same time burn up any evidence of their crime.
Condition of Content – persons tending to set their house on fire
frequently remove objects of value either materially or essentially. Store
and other business establishments oftentimes remove a major portion of
their content or replace valuable merchandise without of style article.
 MEANING OF COLOR OF SMOKE AND
FIRE:
When white smoke appears before the water from the fire hose comes
in contact with the fire, it indicates humid material burning. E.g. –
burning hay, vegetable materials.
Biting smoke, irritating the nose and throat and causing coughing
indicates presence of chlorine.
White smoke with yellow flame – indicates burning of humid materials.
Example: burning hay, vegetable matter.
Black Smoke accompanied by large flame - indicates use of
petroleum products or rubber and plastics
Reddish brown smoke – presence of nitrocellulose sulfur, sulfuric acid,
nitric acid, hydrochloric acid.
▪ Red flame – presence of petroleum.
▪ Blue flame – presence of alcohol, aldehyde or ketone.
▪ Biting smoke - irritating to nose and caused coughing
indicate presence of chlorine.
▪ Garlic odor smoke – presence of phosphorous.
▪ Heavy brown smoke with bright red flame – Nitrogen
products.
▪ White smoke with bright white flame – Magnesium
▪ Black smoke with red and blue flame – Asphalt
▪ Purple or lavender flame – Potassium
▪ Greenish – yellow flame - Chlorine or manganese
▪ Bright reddish yellow flame - Calcium
 MOTIVES IN ARSON
MOTIVE
Motive is the moving cause which induces a person to
commit a crime.
 IS MOTIVE NECESSARY TO BE
PROVEN IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS?
▪ motive is not necessary to be proven in criminal
proceedings but once motive is shown, then intent can easily
established.
▪ In the crime of arson, the distinction between motive and
intent is clearly defined. INTENT is a material element of
arson while motive is not. INTENT is the purpose of design
with which the act is done and involves the will while
MOTIVE is what induces the criminal.
 MOTIVE CAN BE ESTABLISHED BY:
• Economic Gain
• Concealment of Crime
• Punitive Measure
• Intimidation or Economic Disabling
• Pyromania
• Public Disturbance
• Vandalism
 ECONOMIC GAIN
A. Insurance fraud with the assured directly benefiting:
1. Desire to move
– the premises may no longer be desirable because of the condition of the
building, the fact that the quarters are outgrown or because of the locality.
2. Disposing of Merchandise
– the stocks on hand may have lost value by reason of the seasonal nature
of the business, obsolesce, scarcity of materials necessary to complete the
contracts, overstock in the absence of expected order or a changing
market.
3. Property Transaction
– the business itself may no longer be desirable because of impending
liquidation, settlement of an estate of which it is a part, the need for cash,
prospective failure, the comparatively greater value of the land, or the
comparatively greater value of the insurance benefits.
B. Profit by the Perpetrator other than the assured:
Concealment of Crime:
The arsonists may set fire to a building in order to
conceal a projected or past crime. He may wish to divert
attention in order to loot the burning premises or steal in other
places. The burning may be for the purpose of destroying
evidences.
Punitive Measure:
An arsonists may use fire as a means of punishing
another person for reason of jealousy, hatred or revenge.
Intimidation or Economic Disabling:
The fire may be used as a weapon of the saboteurs, the
strikers or the racketeers to intimidate or to disable
economically as a step toward forcing submission to certain
demands.
PYROMANIA

Is the uncontrollable impulse of a person to burn anything

without motivation. Pyromaniacs usually do not run away from
the scene of the crime, usually alone and feel satisfied
watching the flame
Types of Pyromaniacs:
1. Abnormal Youth – Epileptics, imbeciles and morons may set fire
without knowing the seriousness of the act.
2. The Hero Type – a person may set fire on a building,
subsequently pretends to discover it and turn in the alarm so that
he will appear a hero to the public. A person may burn a building
and endeavor to achieve spectacular rescue in order to attract the
attention of spectators.
3. Alcoholics and Drug Addicts – persons who subject
themselves to intense artificial stimulants such as narcotics
sometimes develop a strong urge toward incendiaries.
4. Sexual Deviates – some sex perverts derive sexual stimulation
from setting a fire and watching the flame.
Frequently, he is chronic masturbator who stimulates and enhances
his sexual gratification by means of arson.
Public Disturbance
An offender may resort to arson as a means of a public
disturbance because a fire attracts people and
destruction causes confusion that gives rise to attendant
problems that divert police attention

Vandalism
Is a general term denoting intentional burning to destroy
properties.
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9514
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE FIRE CODE OF
THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO.
1185 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

This Act shall be known as the “Fire Code of the Philippines of

2008”.
Definition of Terms. ‑ As used in this Fire Code, the
following words and phrases shall mean and be construed
as indicated:

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
used to set off explosives.
Cellulose Nitrate or Nitro Cellulose ‑ A highly combustible and explosive
compound produced by the reaction of nitric acid with a cellulose material.
Cellulose Nitrate Plastic (Pyroxylin) ‑ Any plastic substance, materials
or compound having cellulose nitrate (nitro cellulose) as 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°C (100 °F).
Corrosive Liquid ‑ Any liquid which causes fire when in contact with
organic matter 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 compartments
so that heat and 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 air duct system
which automatically closes to restrict the passage of smoke or
fire.
Distillation ‑ The process of first raising the temperature in
separate the more volatile from the less volatile parts and then
cooling and condensing the resulting vapor so as to produce a
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 an explosion.
Electrical Arc ‑ An extremely hot luminous bridge formed by
passage of an electric current across a space between 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 fire escapes.
Fire Alarm ‑ Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or
system to warn the occupants of the building or fire fighting
elements of the presence or danger of fire to enable them to
undertake immediate action to save life and property and to
suppress the fire.
Fire Door ‑ A fire resistive 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 occurrence of fire, or which
may obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with fire fighting
operations and the safeguarding 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
operation of fire fighting units.
Fire Protective and Fire Safety Device ‑ Any device intended for the protection
of buildings 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 by persons to protect
themselves during fire.
Fire Safety Constructions ‑ Refers to design and installation of walls, barriers,
doors, windows, vents, 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 on construction which are sealed from smoke or fire, the confinement of
fire or smoke in the room or floor of origin and delay their spread to other parts
of the building by means of smoke sealed and fire resistant doors, walls and
floors. It shall also mean to include the treatment of buildings components or
contents with flame retardant chemicals.
Flash Point ‑ The minimum temperature at which any material gives off vapor in
sufficient concentration to form 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., that uses or produces materials
which are likely to cause fires or explosions.
Horizontal Exit ‑ Passageway from one building to another or
through or around a wall in approximately the same floor level.
Hose Box ‑ A box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves and other
equipment are stored and arranged for fire fighting.
Hose Reel ‑ A cylindrical device turning on an axis around which
a fire hose is wound and connected.
Hypergolic Fuel ‑ A rocket or liquid propellant which consist of
combinations of fuels and oxidizers which ignite spontaneously on
contact with each other.
Industrial Baking and Drying ‑ The industrial process of subjecting
materials to heat for the purpose of removing solvents or moisture
from the same, and/or to fuse certain chemical salts to form a
uniform glazing on the surface of 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 contract with the owner or
administrator or by permission or sufferance of the latter.
Organic Peroxide ‑ A strong oxidizing organic compound which releases
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 current 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 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.
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 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 area 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 outlets as needed.
Vestibule ‑ A passage hall or antechamber between the outer
doors and the interior parts of a house or building.
Vertical Shaft ‑ An enclosed vertical space of passage that
extends from floor to floor, as well as from the base to the top of the
building.
 -END-
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