FIRE TECHNOLOGY AND ARSON

INVESTIGATION

JONATHAN MAGA
REGISTERED CRIMINOLOGIST
 CRIMINOLOGY BOARD EXAM
• JURISPRUDENCE 20%
• LEA 20%
• CRIMINALISTICS 20%
• CDI 15%
• CRIM SOCIO 15%
• CORRECTION 10%
100%
 In ___________ Literature- Fire
discovered during a fight of hero with a
dragon. A stone that the hero used as
weapon missed the monster and struck a
rock. Lights show forth and human beings
saw fire for the first time.

PERSIANS
 In Greek Mythology, _______ was
bestowed with godlike powers when he
stole the gods fire to give it to humanity.

PROMETHEUS
Fire has also been a symbol of _____
hence, the lighting of flames of
remembrances and the myths of the
PHOENIX.

PURIFICATION AND OF IMMORTALITY

This ancient group of law enforcers
are the first firefighter.

Vigiles of Rome
 What are the basic concepts of fire
technology?
Fire has been produced by the two principal
methods.

• Friction – Uses to temperature of combustible

material (kindling) to ignition temperature.
• Percussion – Produce a spark to set a kindling
fire.
 IMPORTANT PERSONALITIES AND
THEIR INVENTIONS

He was the English Pharmacist who invented the

first match in 1872.

JOHN WALKER
 A French Chemist who proved in 1777 that
burning is the result of the rapid union of
oxygen with other substances. As substances
burn, heat and light are produced.

ANTOINE LAVOISER
 An American inventor who was able to send an
electric current through a carbon filament (wire)
until the filament become so hot that it gave off
light.

THOMAS ALVA EDISON

IMPORTANT WORDS TO
REMEMBER
 The rapid oxidation of combustible
material accompanied by release of energy
usually in the form of heat and light.

FIRE
 A chemical process in which a substance
combine with oxygen during the process
energy is given off usually in form of heat.

OXIDATION
 A graphical representation of the three
elements of fire namely the oxygen, heat
and fuel.

FIRE TRIANGLE
 A colorless, odorless gas and pone of the
composition of air which is approximately 21%
by volume.

OXYGEN
 A form of energy generated by
transformation of some other form of
energy as in combustion of burning.

HEAT
 FUEL – any substance which reacts chemically
with oxygen and produces flames or burn

FUEL SOURCE
• Solid molecules are closely packet
• Liquid- molecules are loosely packet
• Gas – molecules are free to moved
A solid figure with the four triangular sides
illustrating how the chain reaction
sequences or intersects with heat, fuel and
oxygen to support and sustain combustion.

FIRE TETRAHEDRON
FLASH POINT – The minimum temperature at
which a liquid fuel gives off sufficient vapor to
form an ignitable mixture with a near surface. At
this temperature, the ignited vapor will flash but
will not continue to burn.

FIRE POINT – The temperature at which a liquid

fuel will produce vapors sufficient to support
combustion once ignited.
The minimum temperature to start self
sustained combustion independent of
the heating source.

IGNITION TEMPERATURE.
12. FREE RADICALS – Highly combustible vapors
such as:

• Hydrogen gas (H)

• Carbon Monoxide (CO)
• Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Nitrogen (N)
 It is the thermal decomposition of
combustible matter. It is the chemical
decomposition of the solid fuel through
the action of the heat.

PYROLYSIS
 HEAT SOURCES

– Open flame
– Friction
– Electrical circuit
– All sources of ignition
– Hot surface
– Sparks
 OXYGEN SOURCE / COMPOSITION OF AIR
OXYGEN REQUIREMENT

– 21% normal oxygen

12% no fire
– 79% nitrogen
14% flash point
– 1% other gasses
16-21% fire point
16. TEMPERATURE – the measure of thermal
degree of the agitation of molecules of a given
substances the measure of the molecules
activity within substance.

21 degree Celsius – normal room temperature

37 degree Celsius – normal body temperature
the matter produced by fire. It is composed of
burning incandescent gasses. It is the
manifestation of fire, when fire is in gas phased
combustion.

FLAME
This is a fatal conditions that takes place when
the fire resists extinguishment operation and
becomes stronger and bigger instead.

Biteback
TEMPERATURE SCALES
1. CELSIUS – the freezing point of water is 0
Celsius and boiling point of 100 degree Celsius.
*Boiling pt = 100’C and Freezing pt = 0’C

2. FAHRENHEIT – the freezing point of water is

32 degrees F and a boiling point of 212 degree.
*Boiling pt = 212’ F and Freezing pt = 32’ F
 FIRE TRIANGLE
FUEL

HEAT OXYGEN
PROPERTIES OF FIRE
A. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
1. Specific Gravity – the ratio of the weight of a
solid or liquid substance to the weight of an
equal volume of water.
2. Vapor density – the weight of a volume of
pure gas composed to the volume of water.
3. Vapor Pressure – the force exerted by the
molecules on the surface of the liquid at
equilibrium.
4. Temperature – the measure of thermal
degree of the agitation of molecules of a given
substances the measure of the molecular
activity of the substance.

5. Boiling point – the constant temperature at

which the vapor pressure of the liquid is equal
to the atmospheric pressure.
6. Ignition temperature or Kindling
temperature – the minimum temperature to
which the substance in the air must be heated in
order to initiate on cause self contained
combustion without the addition of heat from
outside sources.
7. Fire point – the temperature at which the
material will give off enough vapors to keep
burning.
B. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
1. Endothermic Reaction – are changes whereby
energy is absorbed or is added before the
reaction takes place.
• *Absorbed / added energy
2. Exothermic Reaction – reactions or changes
that release or gives off energy (heat) thus they
produce substances with less energy that are
reactants.
* Give off / Release energy
3. Oxidation – a chemical changes in which
combustible material (fuel) and an oxidizing
agent part.

4. Combustion Flame – the manifestation of fire

when the fire in gas-phased combustion. A
matter that is produced by fire.(result of fire)
FLAME
 TYPES OF FLAME
According to color and completeness of
combustion
a reddish orange in color, it deposits
soot because it is a product of
incomplete combustion, it has lower
temperature.

LUMINOUS FLAME
1. Luminous Flame – a reddish orange in color, it
deposits soot because it is a product of
incomplete combustion, it has lower
temperature.
2. Non luminous flame – bluish in color, it does
not deposit soot because it is a product of
complete combustion, it has higher temperature
than luminous flame.
According to burning fuel and air
mixture
Premixed Flame – e.g. flame of
Bunsen burner.
Diffusion Flame – e.g. flame of
oxyacetylene torch (diffused –
dispersed; widely spread)
Based on smoothness
• Laminar Flame – (Smooth Flame)
flame is laminar when a particle
follows a smooth path through a
gaseous flame.
• Turbulent Flame – ( Rough Flame)
those having unsteady, irregular and
eddies.
 CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE

Based on cause

1. Natural fire
2. Accidental fire
3. Intentional fire
These are Fires involving ordinary
combustible materials.

TYPE A OR CLASS A FIRES

Based on burning facts
Class A - (Solid Fire) Fires involving ordinary
combustible materials. (Wood)
Class B - (Liquid and Gas Fire) Fire involving
flammable and gasses. (Gasoline)
Class C - (Electrical Fires) Fires that starts in
live electrical wire, equipment, motors, electrical
appliances and telephone switchboard.
Class D - (Metal Fires) Fires that result from the
combustion of certain metal in finely divided form.
These combustible metals include:
• Magnesium
• Powdered Calcium
• Sodium
• Lithium
• Potassium
• Zinc
• Titanium
• Zirconium
 Fires involving the burning of
spontaneously combustible materials

Class K Fires
WHAT ARE THE METHODS OF
EXTINGUISHMENT?
1. Cooling – to reduce the temperature of a fuel
below its ignition temperature. This is a
direct attack on the heat side of the fire
tetrahedron.
2. Smothering – to separate fuel from oxygen.
This can be considered as attack on the edge
of the fire tetrahedron where fuel and
oxygen meet.
3. Oxygen Dilution – to reduce the amounts of
oxygen below the needed amount to sustain
combustion. This is an attack to the oxygen side
of tetrahedron.
4. Chain Breaking – to disrupt the chemical
process that sustains the fire. This is considered
an attack in the chain reaction side of the fire
tetrahedron.
METHODS OF HEAT TRANSFER
1. Conduction – heat transfer through solid
materials. During a fire heat can be transferred
through steel beams, metal conduct, wire and
ducts and so on which are good conductors of
heat.
2. Convection – heat transfer by air motion.
During a fire heated air expands and moves
away from the fire exerting presence against
doors, dampers in air ducts and the fire
penetrating the opening.
3. Radiation – heat transfer by electromagnetic
waves. During a fire hot surface can radiate heat
igniting combustible considerable distances
away. For combustible example fire leapfrog
wide walls in shopping centers by radiation of
heat energy.
4. Flame contact – when a substance is directly
heated by flame, vapors will be given off or
increased. The vapors are by nature flammable
thus containing the existence of flame.
FIRE BEHAVIOR
1. THERMAL BALANCE – the rising movement
pattern of fire, which is deemed to be normal
behavior when the fire is undisturbed.

2. THERMAL IMBALANCE - the abnormal

movement of fire due to an interference of
foreign matter, thermal balance often confuses
the fire investigation in determining the exact
point where fire originated.(causes confusion in
fire investigation)
DANGEROUS / FATAL BEHAVIOR OF
FIRE
1. Back Draft – is the sudden and rapid (violent)
burning of heated gasses in a confined area
that occurs in the form of explosion (Smoke
Driven)

2. Flash Over – is the sudden ignition of

accumulated radical gasses produced when
there is incomplete combustion of fuels.
(Heat Driven
 CAUSES OF FIRE

1. NATURAL CAUSES
2. ACCIDENTAL CAUSES
3. INTENTIONAL CAUSES
A. NATURAL CAUSES

1. Spontaneous Heating – automatic chemical

reaction the results to spontaneous combustion
due to auto ignition of organic materials the
gradual rising of heat in confined space until
ignition temperature are reached.
2. Lighting – a form of static electricity a natural
electric current with great magnitude producing
tremendous amperage and voltage.
• Holt Bolt- longer in duration capable only is
igniting combustible materials.
• Cold Bolt- shorter is duration, capable of
splintering a property of literally blowing a
part an entire structure produced electrical
amperage and very high temperature.
3. Radiation of sunlight – when a light lies a
concave mirror, concentrating the light on
combustible materials thereby ignites.
B. ACCIDENTAL CAUSES

Electrical accidents

1. Short circuit –unusual or accidental

connecting between points at different
potentials (charge) an electrical circuit of
relatively low resistance.
2. Arcing – production of sustained luminous
electrical discharge between separated
electrodes an electric hazard that result when
electrical current crosses the gap between two
electrical conductors.
3. Sparkling – production of incandescent
particles when different potential (charged
conductors) come in contact occurs during the
short circuit or welding operations.
4. Induced current – included line surge increase of
electrical energy flow or power voltage induced
current sudden increase of electrical resulting to
the burning of isolating materials exploding of the
fuse box or burning of active electric appliances
5. Overheating of electrical appliances – increase or
rising of amperage while electric current is flowing
in a transmission line resulting to the damage or
destruction of insulating materials may be gradual
or rapid internal or external.
C. INTENTIONAL CAUSES
If the burned property, there are preparations or
traces accelerated and plants and trailer then
the cause of fire are intentional.
1. Accelerant – highly flammable chemical
that are used to facilitate flame
propagation. (Speed up)
2. Plant – the preparation and/ or
gathering of combustible materials needed
to starts a fire. (Starter)
3. Trailer – the preparation of flammable
substances in order to spread fire.
(Spreader)
EXTINGUISHING AGENT
A. WATER- is a liquid between the temperature
of zero degrees centigrade to 100 degrees
centigrade. Excellent cooling agent.

B. FOAM- an aggregation of small bubbles of

lower specific gravity than oil and water which
flows across the surface of a burning substance
and forms a cohesive smothering blanket effect.
C. CARBON MONOXIDE- A normal gas but it may
liquefied or solidified under pressure. At 43
degrees centigrade carbon dioxide exist as a
solid called “dry ice” a non-electrical conductor.
Dilutes the air surrounding the fire until the
oxygen content is low to support combustion.
D. DRY CHEMICAL- chemicals in powder form.
Extinguish fire by cooling shielding of radiant
heat and by breaking the chain reactions.
E. DRY POWDER- Is the only agent that can
extinguish metal fires without causing any
violent reaction. Mostly composed
F. HALOCENATED EXTINGUISHING AGENT
(HALON)- are made up of carbon and one or
more halogen elements like fluorine, chlorine,
bromine, iodine.
• HALON 1211
BROMOCHLORODIFLOUREMETHANE
• HALON 1301- BROMOTRIFLOUREMETHANE
Fire Extinguisher’s Classification
and Ratings:
Different type of fire extinguishers
are designed to extinguish fires
involving different types of fuels.
Steps in using portable fire extinguishers:
• Pull the pin at the top of extinguisher.
• Aim or point the nozzle or outlet toward the
base of the fire.
• Press the handle above the carrying handle to
discharge the agent. To stop the discharge,
release the handle.
• Sweep the nozzle in side to side motion before
the flames to spread the extinguishing agent.
Direct the agent at the base of the flames.
THE INVESTIGATION OF FIRE
This is the descriptive term of the various
methods or safety measure utilized to stop
harmful or destructive fires from starting.

FIRE PREVENTION
 This is the description term referring to the
various method used to stop, extinguish and
control destructive fire for eventual prevention
of loss of life and property.

FIRE PROTECTION /
FIRE CONTROL
 any condition or act that increase or may cause
increases in the probability that tire will occur or
which obstruct, delay hinder interfere with the
fire fighting operations and the state guarding of
life and property

FIRE HAZARD
The law on arson in the Philippines is
covered by Article ____ to _____ of
the Revised Penal Code,

320 TO 326
Fire Code of Philippines August
26,1977

PD# 1185
Laws related with fire prevention and fire
protection in the Philippines setting

PD# 1096 Building Code of the

Philippines
RA# 6975 The DILG Sat of 1990
chapter 4, section 53-59)
RA. 9514- New Fire Code of the
Philippines
This is the intentional or malicious
destruction of property by fire.

Arson
Elements of Arson:

1. Actual burning took place.

2. Actual burning is done with malicious intent.
3. The actual burning is done by person(s) legally
and criminally liable.
What constitute arson?

1. Burning to constitute burning, pylori’s must

take place. In other word, their must be burning
or changing e.g. fiber of the wood must be
destroyed, it identify changed.
2. Willfulness- means intentional and it implies
that the act was purposely and intentionally.
3. Malice- it denotes hatred of a deceit for
revenge.
4. Motive- is the moving cause that includes the
commission of the crime.
5. Intent- is the purpose or design w/ w/c the
act is done and involves the will.
CAN A PERSON BE LIABLE FOR ARSON FOR
BURNING HIS OWN PROPERTY

YES
• Art. 325,RPC- burning one’s own
property as a means of committing
arson.
• ART. 326, RPC- setting fire to
property exclusively owned by the
offender.
PD # 1613 – Amending the law of arson
Special aggravating circumstances in Arson
• if committed with intent to gain
• If committed with the benefit of another
• If spite or hatred toward the owner or
occupant of the property motivates the
offender burned.
• Or committed by syndicates
Motive in Arson:
Fires are set by
1. person with motives
those with desire to defraud the insurer
employ or such other person who had
grievance (fire revenge)
those with desire to conceal evidence of the
crime
those who set fire for purposes of intimidation
2. person without motives
those who’re mentally ill
pathological fire setters
pyres (pyromaniac)
psychos
 the uncontrollable impulse of a person to burn
anything without any motivation. They do not
run away from the fire scene, they love watching
fire burning.

Pyromania
Types of Pyromania:
• Abnormal youth- epileptics, imbeciles, and
morons.
• Hero type- a person set a building of fire and
pretends to discover it, turn on the alarm or
make some rescue work to appear as a hero.
• Drug addicts and alcoholic
• Sexual deviates and perverts
Tell tale signs of Arson
• burned building
• separate fires
• color of smoke
• color of flame
• size of fire
• direction of travel
• intensity
• odor
• condition of content
• doors and windows
• other suspicious circumstances
MEANING OF COLOR OF
SMOKE AND FIRE
1. Black smoke with deep and flame- petroleum
products, tar, rubber, plastic, etc.
2. Heavy brown with bright and flame- nitrogen
products
3. White smoke with bright flame- magnesium
products
4. Black smoke with red and blue green flame-
asphalt
5. Purple violet flame- potassium products
6. Greenish- yellow flame- chlorine or
manganese products
7. Bright reddish yellow flame- calcium products
8. White smoke with yellow flame- humid
materials
PRE- FIRE PLANNING
This activity involves developing and defining
systematic course of action that maybe
performed in order to realize the objectives of
the fire protecting involves the process of
establishing the SOP in case of the break out.
 EVALUATION- SIZE- UP

(On – the- spot- planning, or sizing up

the situation)
(Evaluation of the situation)
1. Learn the facts of the situation by answering
the 5 W’s and 1H.
2. Understand the probabilities of
dangerous/total behavior of fire.
3. Know your own situation and capabilities
weakness and strengths: available manpower
and equipment.
4. Determined the specific course of action –
entry or rescue.
EVACUATION
– the activity of transforming people livestock,
and property away from the burning area to
minimize damage or destruction that might
incur in case it propagates to other adjacent
buildings.
ENTRY
this is the process of accessing the burning
structure. Entry may be done in a forcible
manner. Purposes of conducting forcible entry:
• To provide access for the lighter with the
equipment for fire extinguishment.
• To provide rescue
• To provide in a ventilation
RESCUE
this is the operation of removing (extracting)
this saying people and other livestock from
burning building and other involved properties
conveying them to a secure place.
EXPOSURE

cover exposure
 This is the activity of securing other building
near the building structure in order to prevent
the fire from extending to another building.
CONFINEMENT
– this activity of restricting the fire at the place
(room) where it started; the process of
preventing from extending from another section
or from one section to another section of the
involved building.
VENTILATION
this is the operation purposely conducted to
displace toxic gasses. It includes the process of
displacing the heated atmosphere within the
involved building with normal air from outside
atmosphere.
EXTINGUISHMENT
this is the process of putting out the main body
of fire suing the four general methods of fire
extinguishment.
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 extinguishment of sparks or
smoldering (glowing) substances (embers) to
prevent eliminate possibilities of the re-ignition
of rekindling.
FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATION
• This is the final stage of the fire suppression
activities. It is an inquiry conducted to know
or determine the origin and cause of fire.
THANK YOU

I WARN YOU
YOU WILL PASS