Rescue 1122

(PUNJAB)

An Introduction to Fire Investigation and Arson Detection

Eighteenth day of May 2010

Fire Fighting The fire is dealt as one of most difficult rescue situations. Finding the type of combustible material that cause fire is difficult, along with its incurred deficiencies. Others include similar factors like availability of soothing and fire fighting media. But without the differentiation of combustible material, we cannot designate any typical fire fighting technique to fight that particular fire. 1) Fire caused by Electric Short Circuits or power surges: In these types of fire, the prime cause of fire is power variation or appliance malfunctions. It is one of the most common types in Pakistan, due to inadequate wiring systems and improper voltage control. The fire caused by such faults is initiated by sparks, usually blue to orange-yellow in color. Once caused, these fires accelerate and depend upon other combustion supporting materials. Extinguishing such fires is a difficult task until and unless complete surety about the electric unplug is not available. Once sure, fire fighting techniques according to the type of combustible materials can be used. 2) Fire caused by Common Combustible Materials (Wood, Cloth, etc): Fires caused by burning of wood or common combustible materials range in a colour shade from dark orange (dry old wood) to pale yellow (cloth and paper). Burning of wood is characterized by high heat produced, especially when dealing with dry wood. The fire is usually caused by accidental sources of ignition in most cases. In most void cases, external solar heating also cause slow burning of materials. Cooling and splashing with water is the ample source of putting out these types of fire. Water type extinguishers and carbon dioxide extinguishers can be suitably used for dealing with fires at small scale. At large scales, water in large amounts, preferably mixed with equal quantities of lather can be perfectly used to put off fires in short intervals of time. 3) Fire caused by Liquid Fuel: Crude Oil is the prime combustible material. The burning of liquid fuel is characterized by immense heat along with dark orange flames. If the fuel contains heavy hydrocarbons like furnace oil etc, fumes may contain dark clouds of smoke. Sooting by the flames may also occur. Using water to cool down the fire is not a good option; as such cooling will cause expansion/contraction stresses that may damage the container holding such a fuel. Using

water mixed with heavy amount of foam or lather is the good option. The foam will cover the top of the fuel that will cut down its oxidant supply and put down the fire. 4) Fire caused by Solid Fuel: The fuels like biomass and coal simmers with not so much visible flame. Such burning can be put off by cooling or foaming. Some times, blanketing by sand or clay is also a good option. But blanketing is not much used due to its difficult handling and maintenance. Solid fuels are usually marked by large sooty and smoking flames, embarked usually with yellow to slightly orange in colour. Such fuels can be dealt with ease and can be put off by cooling with water or carbon dioxide extinguishers. Solid fuels in our domestic use can be disastrous. Particular examples include wood, coal and biomass. Burning of such fuel is usually smoky, mostly due to presence of water. Such burning can be identified by watering of eyes and poking smell of low amounts of sulfur. 5) Fire caused by Plastics: Fires by plastics are recognized by their characteristic yellowish flame with smoky black fumes produced, especially in the case of heavy plastic burning. Tackling such fires is pretty easy until and unless fires are not widespread on large scale. Adequate cooling with water along with blanketing can be helpful. Sometimes, blanketing is not much successful in areas where access is limited. Hard type plastics are marked due to particular short yellow flame apart with its liquid by-products which are more prone to combustion. Blanketing and fencing by sand is a good solution. Watering to put down fires from heavy plastics cannot be used because the liquid by-products float on water, causing more chance of combustion. Using chemical fire powders for such cases are not used due to its expensive nature and risk of melting. 6) Back-Draft: A backdraft is a situation which can occur when a fire is starved of consequently combustion ceases but the fuel gases and smoke remain temperature. If oxygen is re-introduced to the fire, eg. by opening a door to room, combustion can restart often resulting in an explosive effect as the gases expand. oxygen; at high a closed heat and

Characteristic signs of a backdraft situation include yellow or brown smoke, smoke which exits small holes in puffs (a sort of breathing effect) and is often found around the edges of doors and windows, and windows which appear brown or black when viewed from the exterior. These darker colors are caused by incomplete combustion. If the room contains a lot of soot, it indicates that the room lacks enough oxygen to permit combustion. Firefighters often look to see if there is soot on the inside of windows and in

cracks around in the room. The window might have cracked because of the heat. The windows of the structure may also have a slight vibration due to the pressure differentials. The surrounding environment (e.g. the hallway outside the suspected backdraft room) will be extremely hot. If firefighters discover a room pulling air into itself, for example through a crack, they should evacuate immediately, because this is a strong indication that a backdraft is imminent. Due to pressure differentials, these puffs of smoke are sometimes "sucked" back into the enclosed space from which they emanate, which is where the term "backdraft" originates. Backdrafts are very dangerous situations, often surprising firefighters, regardless of their level of experience. The most common tactic used by firefighters in defusing a potential backdraft is to ventilate from the highest point, allowing the heat and smoke to escape without igniting explosively. Fire investigation and detection of arson Fire investigation includes two areas:a) Fire cause determination. b) Investigation of criminal actions which may have contributed to a fire. Fire causes determination through investigation is of major importance to fire prevention programmes. If it is determined that fire is caused by arson or other unlawful burning of property, a full criminal investigation should conducted. Initial observations. Observing the fire scene. a) b) c) d) e) f) g) The extend of fire. Direction of fire travel. Abnormally rapid spread of fire. Colour and odor of smoke and flame. Doors and windows open. Signs of forced entry. Multiplicity of fires.

Logical approach. The process of investigation will start when the officers arrives at the fire scene. Logical approach towards fire investigation covers the following:a) Interviewing the witnesses. b) Site investigation.

Flame

A candle's flame A flame is a mixture of reacting gases and solids emitting visible and infrared light, the frequency spectrum of which depends on the chemical composition of the burning material and intermediate reaction products. In many cases, such as the burning of organic matter, for example wood, or the incomplete combustion of gas, incandescent solid particles called soot produce the familiar red-orange glow of 'fire'. This light has a continuous spectrum. Complete combustion of gas has a dim blue color due to the emission of single-wavelength radiation from various electron transitions in the excited molecules formed in the flame. Usually oxygen is involved, but hydrogen burning in chlorine also produces a flame, producing hydrogen chloride (HCl). Other possible combinations producing flames, amongst many more are fluorine and hydrogen, and hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. The glow of a flame is complex. Black-body radiation is emitted from soot, gas, and fuel particles, though the soot particles are too small to behave like perfect blackbodies. There is also photon emission by de-excited atoms and molecules in the gases. Much of the radiation is emitted in the visible and infrared bands. The color depends on temperature for the black-body radiation, and on chemical makeup for the emission spectra. The dominant color in a flame changes with temperature. The photo of the forest fire is an excellent example of this variation. Near the ground, where most burning is occurring, the fire is white, the hottest color possible for organic material in general, or yellow. Above the yellow region, the color changes to orange, which is cooler, then red, which is cooler still. Above the red region, combustion no longer occurs, and the uncombusted carbon particles are visible as black smoke.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States has recently found that gravity plays a role. Modifying the gravity causes different flame types. The common distribution of a flame under normal gravity conditions depends on convection, as soot tends to rise to the top of a general flame, as in a candle in normal gravity conditions, making it yellow. In microgravity or zero gravity, such as an environment in outer space, convection no longer occurs, and the flame becomes spherical, with a tendency to become more blue and more efficient (although it will go out if not moved steadily, as the CO2 from combustion does not disperse in microgravity, and tends to smother the flame). There are several possible explanations for this difference, of which the most likely is that the temperature is evenly distributed enough that soot is not formed and complete combustion occurs. Experiments by NASA reveal that diffusion flames in microgravity allow more soot to be completely oxidized after they are produced than diffusion flames on Earth, because of a series of mechanisms that behave differently in microgravity when compared to normal gravity conditions. These discoveries have potential applications in applied science and industry, especially concerning fuel efficiency. In combustion engines, various steps are taken to eliminate a flame. The method depends mainly on whether the fuel is oil, wood, or a high-energy fuel such as jet fuel. Typical temperatures of fires and flames

Oxyhydrogen flame: 2000 C or above (3645 F) Bunsen burner flame: 1300 to 1600 C (2372 to 2912 F) Blowtorch flame: 1,300 C (2372 F) Candle flame: 1000 C (1832 F) Smoldering cigarette: o Temperature without drawing: side of the lit portion; 400 C (750 F); middle of the lit portion: 585 C (1110 F) o Temperature during drawing: middle of the lit portion: 700 C (1290 F) o Always hotter in the middle.

Temperatures of flames by appearance The temperature of flames with carbon particles emitting light can be assessed by their color:

Red Just visible: 525 C (977 F) Dull: 700 C (1290 F) Cherry, dull: 800 C (1470 F) Cherry, full: 900 C (1650 F) Cherry, clear: 1000 C (1830 F) Orange o Deep: 1100 C (2010 F) o Clear: 1200 C (2190 F)
o o o o o

White
o o o

Whitish: 1300 C (2370 F) Bright: 1400 C (2550 F) Dazzling: 1500 C (2730 F)

Flame color depends on several factors, mainly oxygen supply, generated heat, carbon particles and the burning material with the movement of electrons in the metal ions. Thus all flame colors are not the same and different flames have different colors, like the flame color of a candle is different from the flame colors of a burning wood or a gas burner. Each flame is multicolored, being mostly blue at the bottom, then orange or yellow and finally black at the top. The blue color signifies the hottest temperature zone of any flame. Since fire needs oxygen to burn, and as the bottom of the flame does not get much oxygen, it is the hottest spot in the flame and is blue in color. The flame gradually cools and changes color as it moves away from its source, because it is exposed to more oxygen. The temperature change causes the color of the flame to turn from blue at the hottest lower portion, to the typical bright yellowish-orange or bright orange color at the upper part. The shade of orange at the upper portion of the flame (where the flame is the coolest) depends upon the material being burned. The product of the burnt carbon, when it has cooled, is black soot, and comprises the top part of the flame. Now, if we get into a little bit of physics, we will understand the scientific reasoning behind the color of a flame. When a material is heated, the electrons gain energy and jump to a higher level. However, they jump back to their initial level to maintain the stability. For this, each of these electrons releases the excess energy. Each jump involves a specific amount of energy being released as light energy, and each corresponds to a particular color. As a result of all these jumps, a spectrum of colored lines is formed. The color you see is the combination of all these individual colors. The exact sizes of the possible jumps in terms of energy vary from one metal ion to another. This means each ion will have a different pattern of spectral lines, and thus a different flame color.

How to color fire

Do you know the colorful pages of newspaper and magazines can give colored flame on burning? What is the reason behind the color paper burning with color? Colored papers are colored due to presence of color pigments in them. These color pigments consists of inorganic elements for example iron, chromium or manganese. When you fire a colored paper, valence electrons (electrons found in the outer most shell) of the elements are excited as the result of it, they jump up to the next higher energy level. As these excited electrons fall back from higher energy level to the lower energy level, they emit photons of light. These photons will have different colors depending on the energy they

have due to their discrete energy levels. Each element has its own sets of steps; therefore each will have its own color or sets of colors. Here is the table, which shows some metals with their flame color.

metal barium calcium copper lead potassium sodium

flame color light green brick red blue/green blue/white lilac bright orange

Have you noticed that in the table we have listed only metals? Actually it is easier to get colors from metal because of presence of free electrons. Metals have loosely bound electrons. Which are also responsible for passage of electricity and also the thermal conductivity? Few non-metals like sulphur, chlorine also produce color. Neon is an inert gas .It also gives color. The brilliant emission from low-pressure neon gas when it is excited by an electric discharge has made it very popular for illuminated signs. The term "neon sign" is commonly used for all such luminous gas signs, but the neon produces only the bright orange characteristic color. The other colors come from different gases such as helium, argon, mercury and combinations with each other and with neon. Smoke and flame colors for certain fuels Smoke Color Grey to brown Black White to gray Black to brown Black Black Flame Color Red to yellow Red to white Yellow to white Yellow to white Dark red to orange yellow Blue white to white Fuel Wood/paper/cloth Gasoline Benzine Turpentine kerosene Naphtha

Overall lighter the color of the flame, the higher the temperature.

Flame color and temperature (F) ranges Flame Color Temperature Light red 900-1000 Dark red 1000-1100 Dark cherry 1100-1200 Medium cherry 1200-1300 Light cherry 1300-1400 Bright red 1400-1500

Flame Color Salmon Orange Lemon Light lemon White Bright white

Temperature 1600-1700 1700-1800 1800-1900 1900-2100 2150-2250 2500 and over

FIRE TYPES AND EXTINGUISHERS

Class A B C D E Category Extinguisher Carbonaceous, wood, paper, linen etc Water type extinguisher Liquid, oil, petrol, solvents etc Foam type extinguisher Flammable gases Fire brigade assistance Flammable metals Fire brigade assistance or dry powder extinguisher (different dry powder extinguishers are available for different metals) Electrical Carbon dioxide or dry chemical extinguisher

Fire Safety, Part 1: About Fires and Fire Types

A general note on fire safety:
If your clothing catches on fire, it is a natural response to panic and run to the nearest shower or fire blanket. Don't do it! Running will just fan the flames and increase the potential for serious injury. The correct response is to Stop, Drop, and Roll On the ground to extinguish the flames. Cover your face with your hands to protect your face and lungs. If one of your colleagues catches fire, panics, and starts to run, tackle him or her and smother the flames. The information given here is intended as an introduction to fires and fire extinguishers. It is not a comprehensive reference. Be aware that fires are dangerous, and many aspects of fire safety are not discussed here. For more in-depth information and hands-on training, contact your local Fire Marshal's office.

Combustion
Combustion is a chemical reaction in which a fuel is rapidly oxidized. Three things are required to sustain a fire: Oxygen (more properly, an oxidizing agent) Fuel (a reducing agent)

Heat

Therefore, to kill a fire, you must deny the fire one or more of these three things. You may: Exclude oxygen from the fire. Remove the fuel on which the fire is feeding. Lower the temperature.

Types of Fires

There are four classes of fires, categorized according to the kind of material that is burning. For the first three classes of fires, there are two sets of color-coded icons in common use. One or both kinds of icons appear on most fire extinguishers to indicate the kinds of fire against which the unit is intended to be used. There is only one icon used to indicate the fourth (class D) kind of fire. Class D fires involve uncommon materials and occur in fairly specialized situations. Note that any given fire can fall into more than one class; a fire that involves both burning paper and kitchen grease would be a Class AB fire. Class A fires are those fueled by materials that, when they burn, leave a residue in the form of ash, such as paper, wood, cloth, rubber, and certain plastics. Class B fires involve flammable liquids and gasses, such as gasoline, paint thinner, kitchen grease, propane, and acetylene. Class C Fires that involve energized electrical wiring or equipment (motors, computers, panel boxes) are Class C fires. Note that if the electricity to the equipment is cut, a Class C fire becomes one of the other three types of fires. Class D fires involve exotic metals, such as magnesium, sodium, titanium, and certain organ metallic compounds such as alkyl lithium and Grignard reagents.

Fire Safety, Part 2: Putting Out Fires

Types of Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are categorized according to the substances that they contain and by class of fire. Extinguishers are rated for use against only certain kinds of fires, and will carry an ABCD marking to indicate the classes of fire against which they may properly be used. For example, an extinguisher rated for class B and C fires is called (and marked) a type BC extinguisher. A fire extinguisher should never be used on a class of fire for which it is not rated -- see notes following the table. Type Mechanism Effective Range Discharge Duration Classes of Fire A B C D Water reduces temperature 30-40 ft 60 sec 1 2 1 CO2 displaces oxygen 3-8 ft 8-30 sec 1 Dry chemical binds oxygen 5-20 ft 10-40 sec 3 Halon binds oxygen 4-10 ft 8-24 sec Met-L-X smothers See Note 4 NA

Extinguisher rated for this type of fire Extinguisher not rated for this type of fire Discharge Classes of Fire Type Mechanism Effective Range Duration A B C D ------------ --------------- --------- --------------water reduces 30-40 ft 60 sec Y N N N temperature CO2 displaces oxygen 3-8 ft 5-20 ft 4-10 ft 8-30 sec N Y Y N

dry binds oxygen chemical halon binds oxygen

10-40 sec Y Y Y N 8-24 sec N Y Y N

Met-L-X smothers see note 4 NA N N N Y ----------------------------------------------------------------------Y => extinguisher rated for this type of fire N => extinguisher not rated for this type of fire Notes: Fire extinguishers should never be used on classes of fires for which they are not rated. In some cases (eg. water used on a Class D fire), the extinguisher can actually make the fire worse! Never use water on a class C fire -- shock hazard. Some dry-chemical extinguishers are rated BC, others are rated ABC. Those rated BC contain sodium or potassium bicarbonate; those rated ABC contain ammonium phosphate. Extinguishing agents for class D fires are usually applied with a scoop or shovel.

Fire Extinguisher Operation

The information given here describes how a fire extinguisher should be used to fight a fire. However, do not believe, because you have read this, that you know how to use a fire extinguisher! If you really want to learn how to use a fire extinguisher properly (and you should), you should seek out a hands-on training class in which you will have the opportunity to put out some real fires using portable extinguishers. Such classes are offered free of charge through the Fire Marshal's office in many cities in the US, including the city of Eugene. To remember how to use a fire extinguisher, think of putting out the fire as a test you must PASS. P A S S Pull the locking pin. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. Squeeze the trigger all the way closed. Sweep the extinguisher discharge side to side over the area of the fire.

When should you fight a fire?

In the event of a fire, your personal safety is your most important concern. You are not required to fight a fire. If all of the following conditions are met, then you may choose to use a fire extinguisher against the fire. If any of the conditions is not met, or you have even the slightest doubt about your personal safety, do not fight the fire. Attempt to use a fire extinguisher if and only if... The fire alarm has been pulled and fire department has been called. The on-campus emergency number at the University of Oregon is 6-6666. The off-campus emergency number in the Eugene-Springfield area is 911. The fire is small and contained. You know your escape route and can fight the fire with your back to the exit. You know what kind of extinguisher is required. The correct extinguisher is immediately at hand. You have been trained in how to use the extinguisher. Fire Safety, Part 1: About Fires and Fire Types