FIRE PROTECTION AND

ARSON INVESTIGATION
BY:
Ms. Catherine G. Acedo, RCrim
Magnitude of Fire
The amount of fire means the size of a fire, and it is
governed by the surface area of fuel exposed to the air. The
magnitude of fire is not always determined by the amount of
fuel involved but more often by the amount of fuel exposed
to the air.
Flashpoint and Ignition Temperature
There are various methods and terms used for measuring
the flammability and combustibility of a substance. Two of
these terms are flash point and ignition temperature.
Although they share similarities. They are very
different terms.
Flash Point
The flash point is the lowest temperature at which
substance vaporises into a gas which can be ignited with the
introduction of an external source of fire.

Ignition Temperature
Unlike with flash points, the ignition temperature does not
need an ignition source. In other words, the ignition
temperature is the lowest temperature at which a volatile
material will be vaporised into a gas which ignites without
the help of any external flame or ignition source. As a result,
the ignition temperature is of course higher than the flash
point.
Definition of Oxidation
If you are a fan of oxygen-based cleaners, or grateful for
the sterilizing powers of hydrogen peroxide then you have
oxidation to thank. On the other hand, if you’ve ever had to
deal with a rusty car or toss out browned fruit, then you have
oxidation to blame. Oxidation may be a spontaneous process
or it may be started artificially. Sometimes helpful, and
sometimes it is very destructive.
At its most basic level, oxidation is the loss of electrons. It
happens when an atom or compound loses one or more
electrons. Some elements lose electrons more easily than
others. These elements are said to be easily oxidized.
Generally speaking, metals including sodium, magnesium
and iron are easily oxidized.
Fire Suppression, Control and Extinguishment, and
Extinguishing Agents

The proper selection of an agent or method of control or

extinguishment is the most important factor in determining
the degree of a success of a firefighting operations.

Fire Suppression – means slowing down the rate of burning

whereas, control means keeping the fire from spreading or
holding the fire to one. Extinguishment is putting the fire
completely out.
 The Methods of Extinguishing Fires

Cooling the Burning Material

Cooling the burning material is the most common

method used to extinguish fire. Water widely available and
the best cooling agent to use specially in fires involving solid
materials. By evaporating in contact with fire, water also
blankets the fire; cutting off the oxygen supply. However,
you should never apply water to fires involving hot cooking
oil or fat; water can cause the fire to spread.
Excluding Oxygen from the Fire

Smothering agents are substances used to extinguish a

fire by cutting off the oxygen supply. Foam, which is the
content of some fire extinguishers, can help to cool down and
isolate the fuel surface from the air, eliminating combustion
and being able to resist wind and draught disruption.
However, never use foam on energized electrical
equipment, because it is an electrical conductor. Other
smothering agents include carbon dioxide, which is found in
some fire extinguishers and is ideally used in electric
equipment and sand, which is effective only on small burning
areas.
Removing Fuel from the Fire

Another method of extinguishing a fire is to remove the

fuel supply by switching off the electrical power, isolating the
flow of flammable liquids or removing the solid fuel, such as
wood or textiles. In woodland fires, a firebreak cut around
the fire helps to isolated further fuel. In the case of gas fire,
closing the main valve and cutting off the gas supply is the
best way of extinguishing the fire.
Using a Flame Inhibitor

Flame inhibitors are substances that chemically react

with the burning material, thus extinguishing the flames. Dry-
chemical fire extinguishers work in this way, and can contain
monoammonium phosphate, sodium and potassium
bicarbonate and potassium chloride. Vaporizing liquids, such
as Halon, also have a flame inhibiting action. However, most
of these substances have been phased out due to high levels
of toxicity.
Fire Extinguishing Methods

Cooling: removal of HEAT (by water generally for Class A)

Starvation: removal of FUEL (by cutting fuel supply)

Smothering: removal of OXYGEN (by using CO2 or DCP – Dry

Chemical Powder)

Chain Breaking Mechanism: break the chain (DCP or

Blanketing)
CLASS SOURCE METHOD SUITABLE
EXTINGUISHER
A PAPER COOLING • WATER TYPE
WOOD BLANKETING (STORED
PRESSOR TYPE)
• WATER BUCKET
• SEND BUCKET
B PETROL STARVATION • DRY CHEMICAL
KEROSENE SMOOTHERING POWDER
DIESEL BREAK CHAIN • SAND BUCKET
REACTION • BCF
• CO2
C BUTANE SMOOTHERING • BCF
PROPANE STARVATION • CO2
LPG
D SODIUM SMOOTHERING • SPECIAL TYPE
PHOSPHERUS DCP
E MOTOR SMOOTHERING • CO2
TRANSFORMER STARVATION • DCP
K KITCHEN OIL BLANKETING • 1% AFFF FIRE
EXTINGUISHER
 Extinguishing Agent

WATER EXTINGUISHING
Water Extinguishing are for Class A fires only – they
should not be used on Class B or C fires. The discharge
stream could spread the flammable liquid in a Class B fire or
it could create a shock hazard on a Class C fire.
CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHER (CO2)
Carbon dioxide can be used on Class B and C fires.
They are usually ineffective on Class A fires.
DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER
Today’s most widely used type of fire extinguisher is
thee multipurpose dry chemical that is effective on Class A, B
and C fires. This agent also works by creating a barrier
between the oxygen element and the fuel element on Class
A fires.
Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B and C fires
only. It is important to use the correct
extinguisher for the type of fuel! Using the
incorrect agent can allow the fire to re-ignite after
apparently being extinguished successfully.
WET CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER
Wet chemical of Class K extinguisher were developed
for modern, high efficiency deep fat fryers in commercial
cooking operations. Some may also be used on Class A fires in
commercial kitchens.
CLEAN AGENT EXTINGUISHER
Clean agent extinguishers are primarily for Class B and
C fires. Some larger clean agent extinguishers can be used on
Class A, B and C fires.
DRY POWDER EXTINGUISHER
Dry powder extinguishers are for Class D or
combustible metal fires, only. They are ineffective on all
other classes of fires.
WATER MIST EXTINGUISHER
Water mist extinguisher are primarily for Class A fires,
although they are safe for use on Class C fires as well.
FOAM EXTINGUISHER
A fire extinguisher used on Class A and B fires. They
are most suited to extinguishing liquid fires such as petrol or
diesel and more versatile because they can also be used on
solids such as wood and paper. Foam extinguishers have a
cream label.
 Water Extinguishers Fires

Cooling – the outstanding heat absorbing qualities of water

make it an excellent cooling agent. In the cooling process,
water is applied in large enough amounts to reduce the
temperature of the surface of the burning material to below
its flashpoint. The amount of water required depends on the
burning material (temperature) and the manner in which
water is applied (straight or fog stream).
Understanding Fire Extinguisher

There are four classes of fire extinguisher – A, B, C

and D – and each class can put out a different type of fire.
 Class A Extinguisher will put out fires in ordinary
combustibles such as wood and paper
 Class B Extinguisher are for use on flammable liquids
kile grease, gasoline and oil
 Class C Extinguisher are suitable for use only
on electrically energized fires.
 Class D Extinguisher are designed for use on flammable
metals
 Multipurpose extinguishers can be used on different
types of fires and will be labelled with more than one
class, like A-B, B-C, or A-B-C.

Fire Extinguisher Class and Suitability

Each type of fire extinguisher is suitable for different

types of burning media and will have a fire rating based on
the volume of fire that they are capable of extinguishing.
Below is an overview of each type of fire
extinguisher including its rating and suitable uses.
Parts of Pressurized Water Extinguisher:
 Portable (first aid) fire extinguisher are designed to be
used on fires as soon as possible after they start and before
the fire gets too far along. These extinguisher may be able
to extinguish the fire or hold it in check until larger fire
fighting equipment arrives.

Extinguishers are designed primarily for use by people

other than fire fighters. The skill and knowledge in their
operation may mean the difference between using one small
fire extinguisher or big operation involving many fire trucks
and dozens of people to extinguish a fire.
Parts of Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher
Steps in using Portable Fire Extinguishers:
1. Pull the pin at the top of extinguisher. When in place, the
pin keeps the handle from being pressed, breaking the
plastic or wire inspection band.
2. Point the nozzle or outlet toward the base of the fire. If
the hose is clipped to the extinguisher body, unclip it first.
3. Press the handle above the carrying handle to discharge
the agent. To stop the discharge, release the handle.
4. Sweep the nozzle in side to side motion before the flames
to spread the extinguish agent. Direct the agent at the
base of the flames. After the fire is out, probe for
smoldering hot spot or liquids that could ignite. Make sure
the fire is out. Back away from the fire area to protect
yourself from possible danger or flashback.
Extinguisher Tips

Ensure everyone in the home/office knows the location of all

extinguisher and how to use them.
Only ever operate an extinguisher if safe to do so. If in
doubt, get out.
Remove the safety pin by pulling it sharply (this also breaks
the plastic seal). Test to ensure that the extinguisher is
operable immediately after removing from mounting bracket.
Always try to work in pairs for safety. Carry or drag
extinguisher to the scene of the fire.