Scribd
Upload
10 views6 pages

Classifications of Fire Causes and Behavior

This lesson focuses on the classifications of fire based on causes and types of fuel, including natural, accidental, incendiary, and undetermined fires. It also discusses the behavior of fire, such as backdrafts and flashovers, and outlines the stages of fire. The learning objectives aim to equip students with the ability to enumerate classifications, explain fire behavior, and discuss fire stages.

Uploaded by

June Gasgas
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
10 views6 pages

Classifications of Fire Causes and Behavior

This lesson focuses on the classifications of fire based on causes and types of fuel, including natural, accidental, incendiary, and undetermined fires. It also discusses the behavior of fire, such as backdrafts and flashovers, and outlines the stages of fire. The learning objectives aim to equip students with the ability to enumerate classifications, explain fire behavior, and discuss fire stages.

Uploaded by

June Gasgas
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

COURSE CODE: CDI 206

COURSE TITLE: FIE PROTECTION AND ARSON INVESTIGATION

MODULE 4/LESSON 4

LESSON 4

Different Classifications of Fire

Introduction

Fires are classified in various category such as according to causes and


according to type of fuel burning. This lesson will focus on the discussion of the different
classifications of fires, Its behavior, and stages.

Learning Objectives:

This lesson aims to facilitate students’ learning so that they could be able to:

1. Enumerate the classification of fire based on its causes and type of fuel
burning;
2. Explain the behavior of fire; and
3. Enumerate and discuss the stages of fire

Learning Content:

I. Classification of Fire
A. According to Causes:
1. Natural Fire (Providential fire) – involves fire without direct human
intervention.
E.g. a. fire caused by earthquake, typhoon, lightning;
b. Spontaneous combustion arising from storage of combustible
materials in poorly ventilated places;
c. explosion from petroleum products, alcohol and other substances;
and
d. sun rays focused on glasses which may serve as a convex lens.

2. Accidental Fire cause – caused by human error or negligence e.g.


a. carelessly discarded cigarettes;
b. careless disposition of readily combustible materials;
c. poorly managed or defective heating facilities;
d. Electrical accidents:
Short Circuit – unusual or accidental connections between
two points at different potentials (charge) in an electrical circuit of relatively
low resistance.
Arcing – the production of sustained luminous electrical
discharge between separated electrodes; an electric hazard that results
when electrical current crosses the gap between 2 electrical conductors.
Sparking – production of incandescent particles when two
different potentials (charged conductors) come in contact; occurs during
short circuits or welding operations.

Induced Current – induced line surge – increased electrical


energy flow or power voltage; induced current; sudden increase of
electrical current resulting to the burning of insulating materials, explosion
of the fuse box, or burning of electrical appliances.
Over heating of electrical appliances – the increase or rising
of amperage while electric current is flowing in a transmission line
resulting to the damage or destruction of insulating materials, maybe
gradual or rapid, internal or external.
e. Children playing matches; and
f. use of candles.
connections,

3. Incendiary Fire Cause =When all the accidental and natural


causes have been eliminated, the investigator must begin to look for an
incendiary. If in the burned property, there are arrangements or hint of
accelerant, plants and trailers, then the cause of fire is intentional.
Accelerant – A combustible liquid like highly flammable
chemicals that are used to facilitate or hasten flame propagation such as:
gasoline, paint thinner and lighter fluid.
Plant – are devices which are designed to ignite combustible
material sometime after the initiating action. The arsonist therefore will
have the opportunity to escape from the premises. These are:
Heating appliances- Like flat iron placed in contact with
combustible materials and abandoned until fire starts.
Mechanical devices
Clock mechanism which can be arranged so that a movement
starts the fire.
Altered equipments such as broken pipes on oil burner or
sprinkler systems in which combustible fluid has been placed.
Trailer – It refers to a device utilized by the arsonist in order to
spread the fire within the room or throughout the structure.

4. Undetermined Fire Cause – whenever the cause cannot be


proven the proper classification is undetermined.
Most often when the cause os fire is undetermined, fire investigator
usually look at faulty electrical wiring as the possible cause.

II. Behavior of Fire

1. Back draft – sudden and rapid (violent) burning of heated gases in a


confined area that occurs in the form of explosion.
Characteristics of Back draft:
a. Fire gases are under pressure
b.

Existence of black smoke that is becoming dense gray yellow


c. Confinement of excessive heat
d. There is little flame or no visible flame
e. Smoke leaves the building in puffs or by intervals
f. Windows are smoke stained
g. Muffled sounds are heard inside the building
h. Violent rushing of air inside when opening is made
2. Flashover – the sudden ignition of
accumulated radical gases produced when
there is incomplete combustion of fuels.
3. Fireballs - very intense fire that is
capable of causing flames to jump at a
certain distance in the form of fireball.
4. Flash Fire - better known as dust
explosion. This may happen when the
metal post that is completely covered with
dust is going to be hit by lighting.
III. Stages of Fire

Common questions

Powered by AI

Accelerants play a crucial role in incendiary fires by being combustible liquids used to facilitate or hasten flame propagation. Common examples include gasoline, paint thinner, and lighter fluid. These substances help rapidly spread fire, making it more destructive and harder to control .

Investigators differentiate incendiary fires from accidental ones by eliminating all accidental and natural causes first. Indicators of incendiary fires include the presence of accelerants, arranged incendiary devices like plants and trailers, and signs of intentional tampering with heating appliances or mechanical devices. Accidental fires would lack these intentional elements and be linked to human error or negligence .

The stages of fire include ignition, growth, fully developed, and decay. During ignition, a fire starts with a spark or heat source. The growth stage involves flame spread and increased fuel combustion. The fully developed stage represents maximum energy release and fire spread, while decay occurs as fuel is exhausted and combustion slows .

Human negligence, such as careless smoking or improper handling of electrical appliances, is a significant contributor to accidental fires. Education strategies to mitigate these risks include public awareness campaigns on fire safety, mandatory training sessions for safe appliance use, and the promotion of regular safety audits in homes and workplaces .

Determining the fire cause when multiple scenarios exist poses challenges due to overlapping evidence, such as damaged appliances in an electric fire or the presence of accelerants. Investigators face difficulties in ruling out possibilities without compromising evidence integrity. Accurate cause determination thus relies on meticulous evidence collection, witness interviews, and sometimes forensic analysis to clarify ambiguous or conflicting indicators .

Undetermined fire causes complicate arson investigations as they prevent a conclusive determination of intent or negligence. This often leads investigators to consider faulty electrical wiring as a potential cause but leaves room for uncertainty. This lack of clarity can affect legal outcomes and insurance claims, thereby emphasizing the need for thorough investigative procedures .

Flashover is the sudden ignition of accumulated radical gases due to incomplete combustion of fuels, typically occurring when the environment reaches a critical temperature. In contrast, a flash fire, also known as a dust explosion, occurs when a dust-laden environment, such as a metal post covered in dust, is ignited by a spark like lightning. Flashover is related to gas accumulation, while flash fire involves airborne particulate matter .

Fires are classified based on their causes into four types: natural, accidental, incendiary, and undetermined. Natural fires occur without human intervention and include scenarios like lightning or sun rays focused through glass. Accidental fires result from human errors such as carelessly discarded cigarettes or electrical shorts. Incendiary fires are intentionally set, often using accelerants like gasoline to hasten the spread. Undetermined fires are those where the cause cannot be confirmed, often investigated as potential results of faulty electrical wiring .

A back draft describes a sudden, violent burning of heated gases in a confined area. Its characteristics include pressurized fire gases, dense gray-yellow smoke, excessive heat confinement, little or no visible flame, and puffs of smoke leaving the building. Windows may be smoke-stained, muffled sounds might be heard, and a violent air rush occurs when an opening is made .

Induced current can lead to accidental fires by causing increased electrical energy flow, which may burn insulating materials, explode fuse boxes, or set fire to electrical appliances. Preventative measures include using surge protectors, regular electrical inspections, and ensuring proper insulation on wiring to prevent sudden current increases .

You might also like