Fire Technology and Arson properties of the fuel are essential in

Investigation combating fires.

Fire – is a fundamental chemical 3 forms of fuel

reaction based on oxidation; all forms
 Solid – materials with definite
of fire are subtypes of combustion.
volume and shape. : Bulky,
Derived from the Greek word “Pyra”
Finely Divided, Dust.
which means glowing ember is the
 Liquid – those which have
active principle of burning
definite volume but no shape
characterized by heat light and
taking the shape of its
combustion.
container.
Common Questions:  Gas – those which have no
definite volume and shape.
 Why fires should be
investigated? Solid Fuels
Answer: To determine the
 Melting Point – the
cause of the fire; and to prevent
temperature at which a solid
similar occurrences.
turns into liquid.
 What constitutes arson?
 Flammable Solid – a solid
Answer: Burning, Malice,
(other than an explosive) that is
Motive, Intent and the three
likely to ignite due to friction.
elements of fire of commonly
Examples: match, rocks,
known as fire triangle: FUEL +
Charcoal, Fossil fuel etc.
OXYGEN + HEAT SOURCE =
COMBUSTION. Liquid Fuels

Elements of Fire  Evaporation – occurs when

individual molecules of the
 Fuel
liquid escape as gas into the
 Oxygen
surrounding atmosphere.
 Heat
 Boiling Point – the
Fuel temperature at which a liquid
turns into gas by producing
The most important part of the triangle,
continuous vapor bubbles.
for fuel is what burns. The nature and
 Flash Point – temperature at Classification of Gases According
which a liquid gives off enough to Physical Properties:
vapor (gas) to form an ignitable
1. Compressed Gas – one which at
mixture (that is, a mixture within
all normal atmospheric temperature
the explosive range). For
inside its container, exist solely in
gasoline, this is -50˚F; for
gaseous state under pressure.
kerosene 100 ˚F.
 Fire Point – temperature at 2. Liquefied Gas – one which at

which a liquid produces vapors normal atmospheric temperature

that will sustain combustion. inside its container, exist partly in the

This is several degrees higher liquid state and partly in the gaseous

than the flash point. For state.

example, the fire point of 3. Cryogenic Gases – a liquefied gas

gasoline is 495 ˚F; for kerosene, which exist in its container at
110 ˚F. temperature far below normal

Classification of Liquid Fuels: atmospheric temperature (Methane,

Freon and Nitrogen).
 Flammable Liquid – The
National Fire Protection Oxygen

Association (NFPA) defines it It is tasteless, odorless colorless gas

as one whose flash point is which is generally found within the
below 140 ˚F or 37.8 ˚C. earth’s atmosphere approximately
 Combustible Liquid – a liquid which is composed of 97% natural
with a flash point higher than gas. Of the natural gases, found on
140 ˚F or 37.8 ˚C. this planet 21% of which is oxygen.

Gas Fuel Oxygen Sources

 Diffusion is the uniform  21% of normal oxygen

distribution, seemingly in  78% of nitrogen
contradiction to the laws of  1% of other gases
gravity, of molecules of one
Oxygen Requirements
substance through those of
another.  12% no fire
 14% flash point
 21% fire point hydrocarbons such as wood, the
reaction extracts oxygen from carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen
Heat oxide and sulfur oxide.

a form of energy generated by the Combustion

transmission of some other form of
 Is a complex reaction that
energy, as in combustion or burning;
requires a fuel (in the gaseous
the quality of being hot; high
or vapor state), an oxidizer and
temperature. Ignition heat is a device
heat energy to come together in
or means to start a fire. It can be a
a very specific way.
safety match, a lighted candle, or of
 Is the sequence of exothermic
more sophisticated forms such as
chemical reaction between fuel
chemical, mechanical or electrical
and an oxidant accompanied by
contrivance designed to start a blaze.
the production of heat and
Fire Tetrahedron Theory conversion of chemical species.
Each element of the tetrahedron must The result of the heat can result
be in place for combustion to occur. If in the form of either glowing or
ignition has already started, the fire is flame.
extinguished, if one of the elements is Glowing Combustion – occurs when
removed from the reaction. solid fuels are not capable of
producing sufficient quantities of gas
during pyrolysis to sustain a flame. If
access to the oxidant (air) is limited,
glowing combustion may result.

Flaming Combustion – commonly

recognized type of fire and occurs with
gaseous fuel sources only. The color
of the flame can give some indication
of the composition of the fuel.
Chemical Reactions
Spontaneous Combustion – the
Have their own way of extracting
ignition of organic matter without
oxygen they require. With fire involving
apparent cause, typically through heat
generated internally by rapid oxidation. mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon
A process whereby a material self- dioxide, carbon monoxide soot and
heats. carbon and miscellaneous products
released from the burning material.
Explosive Combustion – can occur
when vapors, dust of gases, premixed Flame
with appropriate amount of air are
Are incandescent gases which
ignited.
accompanies rapid oxidation of any
Products of Combustion: combustible. The luminous body of a
burning gas which gets hotter and less
Fire Gases – are those that remain
luminous when mixed with oxygen.
when other products of combustion
cool to normal temperature. Type of Flame According to Color
and Completeness of Combustion/
Some of the fire gases found in smoke
Combustibility of Fuel:
are:
Luminous Flame/Fuel – reddish-
 Carbon Monoxide
orange in color, deposits soot and is
 Carbon Dioxide
the product of incomplete combustion,
 Sulfur Dioxide
it has lower temperature.
 Water Vapor
 Hydrogen Cyanide Non-luminous Flame/Fuel – bluish in
 Carbon Particles color, it does not deposit soot and is a
product of complete combustion; it has
Flame – the luminous body of a
a higher temperature than the
burning gas which gets hotter and less
luminous flame.
luminous when mixed with oxygen.
Based on Smoothness:
Heat – a form of energy measured in
degree of temperature, it is the product Laminar Flame – (smooth flame)
of combustion that spreads the fire. It flame is laminar when a particle
causes burns and other injuries such follows a smooth path through a
as dehydration, heat exhaustion and gaseous flame.
respiratory tract injuries.
Turbulent Flame – (rough flame)
Smoke – the visible product of those having unsteady & irregular.
incomplete combustion, usually a
- Higher vapor pressure –
increased rate of condensation.
Based on Fuel and Air Mixture:

Premixed Flame – are those

observed when hydrocarbon is mixed
with air before reaching the flame
zone.

Diffusion Flame – are manifested

when fuel alone is forced through a
nozzle into the atmosphere which
spread in the surrounding atmosphere
Fire point – refers to the lowest
forming a flammable mixture.
temperature of a liquid an open
Physical Properties of matter container at which vapors are
developed fast enough to support
Specific gravity – refers to the ratio of
uninterrupted combustion.
the weight of the liquid or the solid
substance to the weight of an equal Flash point – refers to the heat at
volume of water. which a flammable liquid form a vapor-
air mixture that ignites.
Vapor density – is the weight of the
volume of pure gas opposed to the Kindling Temperature – is also
weight of a volume of dry air with the referred to as ignition temperature
same temperature and pressure. refers to the minimum temperature to
which the substance in the air must be
Temperature – refers to the measure
heated in order to start a self-
of the degree of thermal agitation or
contained combustion without adding
disturbance of molecules.
heat from other sources.
Vapor pressure – is the force exerted
Boiling point – is the constant heat at
by the molecules on the surface of the
which vapor pressure of the liquid is
liquid at equilibrium.
equal to the atmospheric pressure.
- Responsible for both
Flame Colors and Temperature (F)
evaporation and condensation
Ranges
- Evaporation: liquid to gas
- Condensation: gas to liquid 900 – 1000
Dark Red 1000 – 1100 white
Dark Cherry 1100 – 1200 Oil Brownish Yellow to
Medium Cherry 1200 – 1300 to black red
Light Cherry 1300 – 1400 Brown to Yellow to
Bright Red 1400 – 1600 black white
1600 – 1700 Turpentine Black Blue
Orange 1700 – 1800 Acetone Brown Yellow
Lemon 1800 – 1900 Cooking Black Yellow
Light Yellow 1900 – 2100 oil
White 2150 – 2250 Kerosene Green Yellow
Bright White 2500 – and over Chlorine Black Yellow,
smoky
Tar Gray Yellow to
Fuel Color of Color of
orange
Smoke Flame
Grass Brown Yellow to
Plastic black Yellow,
Brush orange
smoky
Rubber black Yellow,
smoky – 3 Kinds of Fire:
yellow to
Providential – caused by acts of God.
red
This kind of fire can never be
Wood Gray to Yellow to
prevented as usually hard to control. It
brown red
comes in the form of lightning bolts,
Paper Gray to Yellow to
erupting volcanoes or as a result of
brown red
tremors.
Cloth Gray to Yellow to
brown white Accidental – it is caused mostly by

Gasoline Black Yellow to human error and negligence. Such as

white smoking in bed, defective LPG

Naptha Black to Yellow to containers. Faulty electrical wiring,

brown white leaving plugged electrical appliances.

Benzene White to Yellow to Intentional – this is known as

gray white incidiarism or classified as Arson. This
Lubrication Black Yellow to kind of fire is set on purpose either to
collect insurance, cover-up another spots may develop during the
crime or personal/business rivalry. extinguishment of the fire upsetting the
thermal balance; such holes produced
Phase of Burning/ Stages of Fire:
may mislead the investigator to believe
Incipient Stage (Beginning Phase) – that the fire originated at that location.
initial stage of fire and is characterized
by: Normal room temperature, oxygen
plentiful, thermal updraft rise
accumulates at higher point, flame
temperature of 1000 degrees F, and
producing pyrolysis [products like
CO2, CO, water vapor and other
gases.

Free-Burning Phase (Steady State

Burning Phase) – the second phase
of burning in which materials or
structures are burning in the presence
of adequate oxygen.

Smoldering Phase – the final phase

of burning wherein flame ceases but
dense smoke and heat completely fill
the confined room.

Fire Behavior:

Thermal Balance – refers to the

natural condition created by the fire or
the normal movement of fire, smoke
and fire gases within a structure or
building.

Thermal Imbalance – refers to that

turbulent circulation of steam and
smoke which replaces the normal flow
of the products of combustion. Hot