FIRE PROTECTION AND ARSON INVESTIGATION

FIRE Temperature - a measure of the thermal degree of the

- a rapid self-sustaining oxidation process agitation of molecule of a given substance; the measure of
accompanied by the evolution of heat and light of varying the molecular activity within the substance.
intensity. Boiling Point - the constant temperature at which the
- an active chemical reaction that takes place between vapor pressure of the liquid is equal to the atmosphere
fuel, heat, and oxygen in the form of light noticeable heat. pressure.
- a chemical reaction; the rapid oxidation of a fuel Polar Vortex - refers to the counterclockwise circulation of
producing heat and light. air – both the high-altitude polar vortex and the lower-
- an oxidation taking place with a rate rapid enough altitude tropospheric polar vortex.
to produce heat and light. Ignition Temperature - the minimum temperature to
which the substance in the air must be heated in order to
TRIANGLE OF FIRE initiate or cause self-contained combustion without
For many years, the fire triangle (oxygen, fuel and addition of heat from outside source.
heat) was taught as the components of fire. While this Fire Point - the temperature at which the material will
simple example is useful, it is not technically correct. give of ample vapors to keep burning.
Flash Point - the temperature at which the material is not
TETRAHEDRON OF FIRE not enough to keep burning, but still gives off enough
A geometric representation of what is required for vapor to cause a flame to surface.
fire to exist, namely: fuel, an oxidizing agent, heat, and an
uninhibited chemical reaction. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

Fuel Endothermic Reaction - are changes whereby energy is

Is any material that can undergo combustion to absorbed or is added before the reaction takes place.
release energy in the form of heat and light. Common Exothermic Reaction - reactions or changes that releases
examples of fuel include wood, paper, gasoline, and or give of energy.
natural gas. Without fuel, there is nothing to burn, and the Oxidation - a chemical change in which combustible
fire cannot be sustained. material an an oxidizing material react.
Combustion or Flame - the manifestation of fire in its gas-
Heat phased combustion; matter that is produce by fire.
Is the energy necessary to raise the temperature of the
fuel to its ignition point. Once the fuel reaches this critical
temperature, it can undergo combustion. Heat can be
provided through various sources such as an open flame, A flame is the visible, gaseous part of a fire. It is
a spark, or another heat-producing mechanism. composed of hot gases and tiny particles that emit light as
a result of combustion.
Oxygen
Is essential for the combustion process, as it supports MODES OF HEAT TRANSFER (CCR)
the chemical reaction between the fuel and heat. It is a
critical oxidizing agent that combines with the fuel to Conduction - is the transfer of heat through direct contact
produce fire. In the tetrahedron of fire, oxygen is between particles within a substance. In this process, the
represented by one of the vertices. kinetic energy of one particle is transferred to adjacent
particles through collisions.
Chemical Chain Reaction Convection - is the transfer of heat through the movement
The chemical chain reaction involves the interaction of a fluid (liquid or gas). As the fluid is heated, it becomes
of the fuel, heat, and oxygen in a self-sustaining process. less dense and rises, carrying heat with it. Cooler, denser
Once the fire starts, it releases more heat, which further fluid then moves to replace it, creating a continuous cycle.
raises the temperature of the surrounding fuel, leading to Radiation - is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic
a continuous chain reaction that sustains the fire. waves, and it does not require a medium for transmission.
Heat is emitted as electromagnetic waves, which can
PROPERTIES OF FIRE travel through a vacuum.
 Physical properties
 Chemical properties CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE (NAIU)

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES  Natural fire/ Providential fire

 Accidental fire
Specific Gravity - a ratio of the weight of a solid or  Intentional fire
substance to the weight of an equal volume of water.  Undetermined fire
Vapor Density - the weight of volume of pure gas
compared to to weight of a volume of dry air at the same NATURAL FIRE - involves fires without direct human
temperature and pressure. intervention
Vapor Pressure - the force exerted by the molecules on the Examples: Earthquake, Typhoon, Lightning
surface of the liquid at the equilibrium.
 - Spontaneous combustion arising from the storage of Class B - foam/carbon dioxide (all agents)
combustible materials in poorly ventilated places Class C - carbon dioxide/powder (never use water, soda
- Explosion from petroleum products, alcohol and acid and foam)
other substances Class D - special powder
- Sun rays focused on glasses which may serve as a Class E- all agents
convex lens.
ACCIDENTAL FIRE METHODS OF EXTINGUISHMENT
- Carelessly discarded cigarettes
- Careless disposition of readily combustible Cooling - heat absorption.
materials Separation - the removal of the fuel.
- Poorly managed or defective heating facilities Smothering - by expelling oxygen
- Overheating, spark and electrical defects Inhibition or the interruption of chemical chain reaction.
- Overload electric circuits/ Octopus connections
- Children playing matches STAGES OF FIRE
- Use of candles
INCENDIARY FIRE Ignition Stage
- is one deliberately set under circumstances in which  point wherein the fire starts
the person knows that the fire should not be set.  there is plenty of oxygen, little heat and smoke
UNDETERMINED FIRE CAUSE  fire is still and generally confined to the fuel that
- Whenever the cause cannot be proven, the proper initially ignited.
classification is undetermined.
Growth Stage
CLASSIFICATION BASED ON BURNING FUEL  temperature and smoke level increases
 oxygen level decreased and the fuel is already
CLASS A - ordinary solid materials such as wood, paper, dried out.
fabrics, etc.  hot gasses rise to the ceiling and spreads
CLASS B - flammable liquids such as gasoline, lube oil, outward the walls
kerosene, paint thinner, etc.  can be continuous if there is enough fuel and
CLASS C - electrical appliances; causes electric shock oxygen.
CLASS D - metal fire such as magnesium (white element  the smoke layer is getting thicker and fire is
burning with dazzling light), sodium (a silver white starting to spread to nearby furniture.
metallic element), etc.; creates violent reaction
CLASS E - flammable gases such as LPG, LNG, etc.; also Flash Over Stage
creates violent reaction.  transition between growth and fully developed
stage
Fire Classes in the United Kingdom and Europe  presence of huge smoke which indicates the
rapid change situation
A - ordinary combustibles  may involve exposed combustibles
B - flammable or flammable liquids  increasing level of smoke with decreased
C - flammable gasses visibility
D - combustible metals  gasses are generated by heat.
E - (this class is no longer existing in Europe)
F - cooking oils and fats Fully Developed Stage
 all combustibles materials present are
Fire Classes in Australia and Asia continuously burning
 maximum amount of heat is released
A - everyday combustibles  the volume of fire is dependent on the number
B - combustible or combustible liquids and size of ventilation openings
C - combustible gasses  unburned gasses begin flowing to adjacent
D - combustible metals spaces and ignite once it enters a space where air
E - electrical equipment more abundant.
F - cooking fats and oils
Decay Stage
Fire Classes in the U.S.A.  intensity of fire decreasing due to lack of
available fuel.
A - regular combustibles  Most of fuel consumed
B - flammable liquids and gasses  Effort concentrated on cooling of the remaining
C - electrical appliances fuel.
D - combustible metals
K - cooking oils and fats 3 STAGES OF FIRE

EXTINGUISHING AGENT  Incipient phase - The incipient phase is the

initial stage of a fire when the fire is small, just
Class A - water (all agents) starting, and has not yet reached a size or
 intensity that requires significant intervention.
During this phase, a fire may be easily controlled
or extinguished with minimal effort, such as
using a fire extinguisher. It is crucial to detect
and respond to fires in their incipient phase to
prevent them from growing and becoming more
difficult to manage.
 Free burning phase - The free burning stage,
also known as the fully developed stage, is the
phase of a fire where the flames have reached
their maximum size and intensity. During this
stage, the fire has consumed the available fuel,
and it is burning freely and vigorously. The heat
release rate is at its peak, and the fire is
characterized by large flames, high
temperatures, and rapid spread
 Smoldering - Smoldering is a slow, low-
temperature, and flameless form of combustion
that occurs without the presence of an open
flame. In the context of a fire stage, smoldering
typically refers to a phase where materials are
burning at a lower intensity and without the
rapid flame spread characteristic of the free-
burning stage.