FIRE PROTECTION

AND
ARSON INVESTIGATION
Hephaestus, in Greek mythology, is a god
of fire and metalwork, the son of the god
Zeus and the goddess Hera. He was
married to Aphrodite, goddess of love.

The artisan among the gods, Hephaestus

made their armor, weapons, and jewelry. His
workshop was believed to lie under Mount
Etna, a volcano in Sicily. He was often
identified with the Roman god of fire, Vulcan.
 CHEMISTRY OF FIRE
• FIRE RESULTS from a rapid chemical reaction
between a fuel and oxygen.

• OXIDATION REACTIONS – reactions that

involve oxygen and other elements.

• COMBUSTION – Oxidation reaction that produces

fire.
 WHAT IS FIRE?
Is heat and light coming rapid combination of
oxygen and other materials;

In order to exist, there must be a combustible

substance, high temperature and enough
oxygen to sustain rapid combustion;

Simply means the active principle of burning

characterized by fuel, heat and oxygen.
Is fire a matter?
• Yes, the flame itself is a mixture of gases –
vaporized fuel, oxygen, carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide, water vapor, and many other things.
So it is a matter.
 NOTE:
• LIGHT produced by the flame is energy, not
matter;
• The heat produced is also energy, not matter.
 FLAME
• Is an exothermic, self – sustaining, oxidizing
chemical reaction producing energy and glowing hot
matter, of which a very small portion is plasma.
 HOW COMBUSTION OCCURS?
Factors need to be present for combustion to
occur:
1. Fuel
2. Oxygen
3. Initiating energy source
4. Chemical chain reaction
 EXOTHERMIC
REACTION
Is a chemical reaction whereby heat and energy
are released as a substance changes to a more
stable chemical form – in the case of fire, usually
generating carbon dioxide and water.
• Visible flame has little mass, and it is comprised
of luminous gases which emit energy (photons) as
part if the oxidation process.

• The color of the flame is dependent upon the

energy level of the photons emitted. Lower energy
levels produce colors toward red end of the light
spectrum while higher energy levels produce
colors toward the blue end of the spectrum.

• The hottest flames are white in appearance.

• The color of a fire may also be affected by
chemical elements in the flame, such as barium
giving green flame color.
 WHAT ARE THE
COMPONENTS OF
FIRE?
 COMPONENTS OF FIRE:
1. FUELS
2. OXYGEN
3. HEAT
 FUELS
IGNITION TEMPERTURE – all fuels have an ignition
temperature, meaning that when raised to that point, they
start to burn;

The temperature of the heat source must be higher that the

fuel ignition temperature;

Usually organic; when burning, carbon combines with

oxygen to form carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide,
releasing the heat process.
 OXYGEN
Approximately 21% oxygen remains constant in the
atmosphere;
Carbon dioxide produced by combustion is used by green
plants and trees for the photosynthesis and the simultaneous
release of oxygen into the atmosphere; maintaining the
earth’s oxygen supply at the 21 percent level;
Fire requires at least16% oxygen content to continue;
Below 16% - fire extinguishes itself.
 OXYGEN
It is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by
the symbol O.
Its name derives from the Greek roots oxys ("acid", literally
"sharp", referring to the sour taste of acids) and gοnos
("producer", literally "begetter").
At standard temperature and pressure, two atoms of the
element bind to form dioxygen, a very pale blue, odorless,
tasteless diatomic gas with the formula O2. This compound is
an important part of the atmosphere, and is necessary to sustain
terrestrial life.
 Oxygen was
independently
discovered by Carl
Wilhelm Scheele, in
Uppsala, in 1773 or
earlier, and Joseph
Priestley in Wiltshire,
in 1774, but Priestley
is often given priority
because his work was
published first.
The name oxygen was
coined in 1777 by
Antoine Lavoisier.
 HEAT SOURCES
• Is the energy possessed by a material or substance
due to molecular activity.

TEMPERATURE – the measurement of the relative

amount of heat energy contained within a given
substance.
(with units in degree on the Celsius – centigrade,
Fahrenheit or Kelvin scales)
 ELEMENTS OF FIRE
TETRAHEDRON
1. REDUCING AGENT
2. HEAT
3. CHEMICAL REACTION
4. OXIDIZING AGENT
 REDUCING AGENT
• The substance or material that is being
oxidized or burned in the combustion process.

• Most common: contains carbon with

hydrogen and oxygen.
 ANATOMY OF FIRE
Combustion is the self-sustaining process of rapid oxidation
of a fuel being reduced by an oxidizing agent.
They may vary from very slow oxidation, as in rusting, to
very fast oxidation, such as detonations and explosions.  
Somewhere between these extremes are the two most
common reactions concerning fire-fighters: smoldering fires and
flaming or free-burning fires.
A condensed phase of combustion is called glowing
combustion.
A gas-phased combustion is known as flame.
If the process is confined with pressure it is called explosion.
If combustion propagates at supersonic speed, it produced a
detonation.
 HEAT
• It is the energy component of the fire
tetrahedron.

• When heat comes in contact with a fuel, it provides the

energy necessary for ignition; causes the continuous
production and ignition of fuel vapors or gases so that the
combustion reaction can continue, and causes the
vaporization of solid and liquid fuels.
 CHEMICAL
REACTION
• SELF – SUSTAINED CHEMICAL REACTION
– is a complex reaction that requires a fuel, an
oxidizer, and heat energy to come together in a very
specific way.

• CHAIN REACTION – is a series of reaction that

occur in sequence with the result of each individual
reaction being added to the rest.
 OXIDIZING AGENT
• Is a material or substance that when the
proper conditions exist will release gases,
including oxygen.

• This is crucial to the sustainment of a flame

or fire.
 WHAT IS IGNITION?

• The start of combustion.

 SOURCES OF IGNITION
• A fire can start when a fuel’s temperature becomes
so hot that it releases sufficient flammable gases for
combustion to occur (the temperature is known as
Fuel’s Piloted Ignition Temperature).

• Sources: Open flame (match or lighter), Sparks

(generated by electricity)
SOLID FUELS = PILOTED IGNITION
LIQUID FUELS = FLASH POINT
TEMPERATURE

FLASH POINT TEMPERATURE – when reached,

an ignition source will cause a flame to flash across
the surface of the liquid.
 SPONTANEOUS IGNITION
TEMPERATURE
• The unpiloted ignition temperature of a fuel,
is the temperature the fuel must reach to
ignite on its own.
 VOLATILES
• The flammable gases released when the heat from
the fire’s ignition source, and later from the fire
itself, decomposes solid and liquid fuels.

• CELLULOSE – the principal combustible

compound in wood, paper and cotton. It contains
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
 CHEMICAL CHAIN
REACTIONS
• There is fire when a combustible material
with an adequate supply of oxygen or
oxidizer is subjected to enough heat and is
able to sustain a chain reaction.

• FIRE TETRAHEDRON
• Fire can be extinguished by removing any one of the elements
of fire tetrahedron.
The final requirement for fire
is a CHEMICAL CHAIN
REACTION
WHAT ARE THE PRODUCTS OF
COMBUSTION?
 THE PRODUCTS OF
COMBUSTION
1. LIGHT AND HEAT
2. GASES
3. SOOT

SMOKE – may be defined either as just the soot

particles given off by fire, or as both the soot and the
gaseous products of combustion.
 SPONTANEOUS
COMBUSTION
• This occurs if the inherent characteristics of the
materials involved cause an exothermic – heat
producing, chemical reaction to proceed without any
exposure to external source of spark or abnormal
heat.
 BEHAVIOR OF FIRE

  The term is used to describe the

magnitude, direction, and intensity of fire
spread.
 TRANSMISSION OF
HEAT
1. Conduction - the transfer of heat within a solid
material from hotter to cooler parts.
2. Convection – mass movement in a fluid, i.e., a liquid or
a gas where fluid at one temperature and density moves
under the influence of gravity through surrounding
fluid at a different temperature and density, mixing
with it and gradually exchanging heat with it is all at
the same temperature.
3. Radiation – the transfer of heat through a gas or
vacuum in a seminal way to light
 PHASES OF FIRE
INCIDENT
1. INCIPIENT
2. EMERGENT SMOLDERING
3. FREE – BURNING
4. OXYGEN – REGULATED SMOLDERING
 INCIPIENT
• This earliest phase of fire may or may not occur
unnoticed.

• The products of combustion in this phase may be so

minuscule as to be detected only by an ionization
detector.

• Some heat energy will be generated, but the

temperature of the room or its surrounding will not
be affected.
 EMERGENT
SMOLDERING
• During this phase, the products of combustion
become increasingly more pronounced. There is no
meaningful change in the oxygen content of the air.

• Water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other gases,

including minute traces of unburned fuel, may
rapidly reach the level of olfactory detection.
 FREE – BURNING
• During this phase of the fire, the rate and intensity of
open burning increases geometrically.

• The intensity of fire doubles.

• Heat rapidly evolving from the original point of the

fire, is converted and collects in the uppermost areas
of the structure or room.
 FLASHOVER
• A stage in the development of a contained fire in
which all exposed surfaces reach ignition
temperature, more or less simultaneously, and fire
spreads rapidly.

• 1. 5 minutes = average time to flashover from open

flame (residential fire tests).
• 8 minutes = actual average time.
 OXYGEN – REGULATED
SMOLDERING
• The fire will continue to smolder and the room is
filled with smoke and gases at a temperature over
1000 degrees Fahrenheit.
 CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES
Class A Fire - Fires involving ordinary
combustible materials, such as wood, cloth,
paper, rubber and many plastics.

Water is used in a cooling or quenching effect

to reduce the temperature of the burning
material below its ignition temperature.

Class B Fires - Fires involving flammable

liquids, greases and gases.
The smothering or blanketing effect of
oxygen exclusion is most effective.  Other
extinguishing methods include removal of
fuel and temperature reduction.    
Class C Fires - Fires involving energized
electrical equipment.
This fire can sometimes be controlled by a
non-conducting extinguishing agent.  The
safest procedures is always to attempt to de-
energize high voltage circuits and treat as a
Class A or B fire depending upon the fuel
involved.

Class D Fires - Fires involving combustible

metals, such as magnesium, titanium,
zirconium, sodium and potassium.

Class K Fires - Class K is a new classification

of fire as of 1998 and involves fires in
combustible cooking fuels such as vegetable
or animal fats.
 CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE BASED
ON CAUSE
 Natural cause
 Accidental cause
 Intentional cause
 SUPPRESSION OF FIRE
• Is intended to reduce causes of fire, and is
partially focused on programs to educate
people from the common causes of fires.

• If suppression is not possible, fighting and

controlling fires are the next options
 FIRE SUPPRESSION
ACTIVITIES
1. Fire Prevention
2. Fire Control
3. Fire Fighting
4. Fire Safety
5. Fire Protection
6. Law Enforcement
 FIRE PREVENTION
• Intended to reduce sources of ignition, and is
partially focused on programs to educate people
from starting fires.

• Fire drills
 FIRE CONTROL
• It consists of depriving a fire of fuel – reducing
agent, oxygen – oxidizing agent, heat or the
chemical chain reaction that are necessary to sustain
itself or re-rekindle it.
 FIRE FIGHTING
• It is the act of extinguishing destructive fires. A
firefighter fights these fires to prevent destruction of
life, property and the environment.

• Firefighting is a highly technical profession which

requires years of training and education in order to
become proficient.
 FIRE SAFETY
• Refers to precautions that are taken to prevent or reduce the
likelihood of a fire that may result in death, injury, or
property damage, alert those in a structure to the presence of
fire in the event one occurs, better enable those threatened by
a fire to survive, or to reduce the damage caused by a fire.

• Measures are planned during the construction of a building or

implemented in structures that are already standing, and
those that are taught to occupants of the building.
 FIRE PROTECTION
• Is the study and practice of mitigating and unwanted
effects of fire.

• It involves the study of the behavior, suppression

and investigation of fire and its related emergencies,
as well as the research and development, production,
testing and application of mitigating systems.
 LAW ENFORCEMENT
• Building and fire inspectors on compliance of a
building under construction with the building code.
Once construction is complete, a building must be
maintained in accordance with the current fire code,
which is enforced by the fire prevention officers of a
local fire department.
 WAYS OF
EXTINGUISHING FIRE
1. COOLING(QUENCHING)
2. SMOTHERING(BLANKETING)
3. STARVING(CUTTING – OFF)
4. CHEMICAL FLAME INHIBITION
 COOLING
• The first way of extinguishing a fire;

• This is possible through water’s ability to absorb

massive amounts of heat by converting to steam;

• Without the heat, the fuel no longer has the

conditions required to produce oxygen to sustain the
fire.
 SMOTHERING
• The second way of extinguishing a fire;

• Smothering is a technique where oxygen is removed

from the equation. An example of this is using a fire
blanket in a frying pan blaze to reduce the oxygen
level below 16%. Covering a candle with a glass is
also an example. The fire burns out all the oxygen
inside the glass creating a vacuum.
 STARVING
• Fuel removal;

• This can be accomplished by stopping the flow of

liquid or gaseous fuel or by removing solid fuel in
the path of a fire.
 CHEMICAL FLAME
INHIBITION
• The fourth and final way of extinguishment;
• This can be accomplished through some dry
chemical and halogenated agents.

• These agents interrupt the combustion reaction and

stop flaming.

• Effective on gas and liquid fuels.

 DETERMINING THE
EMPLOYMENT OF
PLANTS
PLANTS or SETS – a device that ignites the
first fuel, or assists the initial flame to build
intensity, as follows:
 TIMING DEVICES
• Arsonists employ timing devices to delay the
start of a fire and allow them to establish an
alibi.

• This means that witnesses can be produced to

attest to their presence in another place at the
time of the blaze.
 MATCHES, CANDLES,
CIGARETTES AND
OTHER
• A simple but effective ignition and timing
device involve the use of matches with a
burning candle wrapped in a readily
flammable.

• Another means of causing ignition in short

time is the use of a matchbook and burning
cigarette.
 PHOSPOROUS
• A chemical element which ignites upon
exposure to air, has been employed to start a
delayed fire.
 TRAILERS
• Trailers or streamers are used to extend the
fire from the plant or set to other parts of the
structure.
• Newspaper, waxed paper, toilet paper, rags
twisted into rope and doused with accelerant,
gunpowder and flammable liquids.
What is the most common
ACCELERANT?
Gasoline
WHAT IS R.A 9514?
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9514

“THE REVISED FIRE CODE OF

THE PHILIPPINES”
TERMS TO PONDER
 ABATEMENT
• Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire
hazard.
 CRYOGENIC 
• Descriptive of any material which by its nature or as
a result of its reaction with other elements produces
a rapid drop in temperature of the immediate
surroundings.
 EMBER 
• A hot piece or lump that remains after a material has
partially burned, and is still oxidizing without the
manifestation of flames.
 FIRE TRAP 
• A building unsafe in case of fire because it
will burn easily or because it lacks adequate
exits or fire escapes.
 FIRE LANE 
• The portion of a roadway or publicway that should
be kept opened and unobstructed at all times for the
expedient operation of fire fighting units.
 FORCING 
• A process where a piece of metal is heated prior to
changing its shape or dimensions.
 REFINING 
• A process where impurities and/or deleterious
materials are removed from a mixture in order to
produce a pure element of compound. It shall also
refer to partial distillation and electrolysis.
 SECTION 8, R. A NO. 9154.
PROHIBITED ACTS:
• Obstructing or blocking the exit ways or across to
buildings clearly marked for fire safety purposes,
such as but not limited to aisles in interior rooms,
any part of stairways, hallways, corridors,
vestibules, balconies or bridges leading to a stairway
or exit of any kind, or tolerating or allowing said
violations;
Constructing gates, entrances and walkways
to buildings components and yards which
obstruct the orderly and easy passage of fire
fighting vehicles and equipment;

Prevention, interference or obstruction of

any operation of the Fire Service, or of duly
organized and authorized fire brigades;
Obstructing designated fire lanes or access to fire
hydrants;

Overcrowding or admission of persons beyond the

authorized capacity in movie houses, theaters,
coliseums, auditoriums or other public assembly
buildings, except in other assembly areas on the
ground floor with open sides or open doors
sufficient to provide safe exits;
Locking fire exits during period when people are inside the
building;
Prevention or obstruction of the automatic closure of fire
doors or smoke partitions or dampers;
Use of fire protective of fire fighting equipment of the fire
service other than for fire fighting except in other
emergencies where their use are justified;
Giving false or malicious fire alarms;
Smoking in prohibited areas as may be determined by fire
service, or throwing of cigars, cigarettes, burning objects in
places which may start or cause fire;
• Abandoning or leaving a building or structure by the
occupant or owner without appropriate safety measures;
•  Removing, destroying, tampering or obliterating any
authorized mark, seal, sign or tag posted or required by the
fire service for fire safety in any building, structure or
processing equipment; and
•  Use of jumpers or tampering with electrical wiring or
overloading the electrical system beyond its designated
capacity or such other practices that would tend to undermine
the fire safety features of the electrical system.
ARSON INVESTIGATION
 ARSON
• It is defined as the malicious, willful, intentional and
felonious destruction of property by fire.
 CORPUS DELICTI OF
ARSON
The corpus delicti of arson has three elements:

1. That a fire or burning occurred in a premise or property

protected by law;

2. That a fire or burning was intentional; neither accidental nor

attributable to negligence or natural causes, but the result of a
criminal act; and

3. That someone set the fire, caused it to be set, or otherwise

furthered the act.
 MOTIVES OF THE
CRIME OF ARSON
1. Financial Gain
2. Intimidation
3. Change of Policy
4. Emotional Reasons
5. Concealment of Another Crime
6. Pyromania
7. Recognition as a Hero
8. Vandalism
 FINANCIAL GAIN
1. Insurance Fraud – liquidating a large inventory of unsold
or obsolete merchandise – sell it to the insurance company
by means of a set of fire.

2. Elimination of Competition – business competitor is

forced out of business by arson.

3. Moving and Resettlement Allowance – the emotional

impact of a home fire is partially offset by insurance
coverage.
 INTIMIDATION
1. Instill fear regarding the safety of one’s person or
family;
2. Threatened economic loss; or
3. Effect a desired change in the government business
policy.
 EMOTIONAL REASONS
1. Jealousy
2. Spite
3. Revenge
4. Hatred
 CONCEALMENT OF
ANOTHER CRIME
• Sometimes arson serves to conceal a Homicide,
Robbery, Fraud, Forgery and Embezzlement.
 PYROMANIA
• Pyromania is defined as an irresistible impulse or
compulsion to start a fire or something on fire.
• May be considered as motiveless from an
investigative point of view.
 RECOGNITION AS A
HERO
• Some arsonist will set a fire in order to “discover” it
and then “save” the inhabitants or contents.
 VANDALISM
• Sometimes gang members “graduate” to setting fires
for landlords of rent – controlled properties.
 METHODOLOGY IN
INVESTIGATION
• The investigation of fire is an art as well as a science. A
combination of factual information as well as the analysis of
the facts must be accomplished objectively and truthfully.

• The basic methodology of the fire investigation relies on

systematic approach and attention to all relevant details.
 FIRE INVESTIGATOR
• Is a specialist operating in a unique field – a person
with the field experience and technical training
necessary to collect and evaluate factual information
and identify criminal activity in situations where
other perceived only confusion and chaos.
 PD NO. 1613

AMENDING THE LAW

ON ARSON
Section 1. Arson. Any person who burns or sets fire to
the property of another shall be punished by Prision
Mayor.

The same penalty shall be imposed when a person sets

fire to his own property under circumstances which
expose to danger the life or property of another.
Section 2. Destructive Arson. The penalty of
Reclusion Temporal in its maximum period to
Reclusion Perpetua shall be imposed if the property
burned is any of the following:

1. Any ammunition factory and other establishment

where explosives, inflammable or combustible
materials are stored.
2. Any archive, museum, whether public or private, or
any edifice devoted to culture, education or social
services.
3. Any church or place of worship or other building
where people usually assemble.
4. Any train, airplane or any aircraft, vessel or
watercraft, or conveyance for transportation of
persons or property
5. Any building where evidence is kept for use in any
legislative, judicial, administrative or other official
proceedings.
6. Any hospital, hotel, dormitory, lodging house,
housing tenement, shopping center, public or private
market, theater or movie house or any similar place or
building.
7. Any building, whether used as a dwelling or not,
situated in a populated or congested area.
Section 4. Special Aggravating Circumstances in
Arson. The penalty in any case of arson shall be
imposed in its maximum period;

1. If committed with intent to gain;

2. If committed for the benefit of another;
3. If the offender is motivated by spite or hatred
towards the owner or occupant of the property burned;
4. If committed by a syndicate.
Section 6. Prima Facie evidence of Arson. Any of the
following circumstances shall constitute prima facie evidence
of arson:

1. If the fire started simultaneously in more than one part of the

building or establishment.
2. If substantial amount of flammable substances or materials
are stored within the building note necessary in the business of
the offender nor for household use.
3. If gasoline, kerosene, petroleum or other flammable or
combustible substances or materials soaked therewith or
containers thereof, or any mechanical, electrical, chemical, or
electronic contrivance designed to start a fire, or ashes or traces
of any of the foregoing are found in the ruins or premises of
the burned building or property.
4. If the building or property is insured for substantially
more than its actual value at the time of the issuance of the
policy.
5. If during the lifetime of the corresponding fire
insurance policy more than two fires have occurred in the
same or other premises owned or under the control of the
offender and/or insured.
6. If shortly before the fire, a substantial portion of the
effects insured and stored in a building or property had
been withdrawn from the premises except in the ordinary
course of business.
7. If a demand for money or other valuable consideration
was made before the fire in exchange for the desistance of
the offender or for the safety of the person or property of
the victim.
Section 8. Confiscation of Object of Arson. The
building which is the object of arson including the
land on which it is situated shall be confiscated and
escheated to the State, unless the owner thereof can
prove that he has no participation in nor knowledge of
such arson despite the exercise of due diligence on his
part.
 PRESIDENTIAL DECREE
NO. 1744

AMENDING ARTICLE THREE HUNDRED AND

TWENTY OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE
PROVISIONS ON ARSON
Section 1. Article 320 of the Revised Penal Code shall
read as follows:
"Article 320 Destructive Arson. The penalty of
reclusion temporal in its maximum period to death
shall be imposed upon any person who shall burn:

1. One (1) or more buildings or edifices, consequent

to one single act of burning, or as result of
simultaneous burnings, or committed on several or
different occasions;
2. Any building of public or private ownership, devoted to the
use of the public in general, or where people usually gather or
congregated for a definite purpose such as but not limited to
official governmental function or business, private transaction,
commerce, trade, worship, meetings and conferences, or
merely incidental to a definite purpose such as but not limited
to hotels, motels, transient dwellings, public conveyance or
stops or terminals, regardless of whether the offender had
knowledge that there are persons in said building or edifice at
the time it is set on fire, and regardless also of whether the
building is actually inhabited or not.
3. Any train or locomotive, ship or vessel, airship or airplane,
devoted to transportation or convenience, or public use,
entertainment or leisure.

4. Any building, factory, warehouse installation and any

appurtenances thereto, which are devoted to the service of
public utilities.

5. Any building, the burning of which is for the purpose of

concealing or destroying evidence of another violation of law,
or for the purpose of concealing bankruptcy or defrauding
creditors or to collect from insurance.
The end…
 FLASHY
• Fires which spread rapidly, but with a low intensity.
Fires burning through grass, which lacks the
biomass of chaparral, are often described in this
way.
 VARIABLES THAT INFLUENCE
BEHAVIOR OF FIRE
1. FUELS – the name given to the suit of variables used to describe
the vegetation the fire is spreading through.
2. SLOPE – Assuming all conditions are equal, the rate of spread of
a fire increases as slope increases.
 COMPONENTS OF A
FIRE
1. FUELS – all fuels have an ignition temperature,
meaning that when raised to that point, they
start to burn. The temperature of the heat
source must be higher that the fuel’s ignition
temperature.

Most fuels are organic

When burning, carbon combines with oxygen to form carbon
monoxide, releasing heat in the process.
 2. OXYGEN
21 percent level in the atmosphere;
Fire requires at least 16 percent content to
continue;
Between 16 and 21 percent = promote heavy
smoke production;
Below 16 percent, fire extinguishes itself.
OXYGEN
 OXIDIZING AGENTS
Oxidizing agents are those materials that yield
oxygen or other oxidizing gases during the course
of a chemical reaction.
Oxidizers are not themselves combustibles,
but they support combustion when combined
with a fuel.
Most fires involve a
fuel that is chemically
combined with the
oxygen normally found
in atmospheric air.  
Atmospheric air
contains approximately
21 percent oxygen, 79
percent nitrogen and 1
percent of other gases.
 OXIDATION
Reaction of chemical compound with oxygen.

A chemical reaction that takes place when a

substance comes into contact with oxygen
or another oxidizing substance.
 COMMON OXIDIZERS
 Oxygen Nitrates            
Bromates          Nitric Acid
 Bromine            Nitrites Perchlorates 
Chlorates           Peroxides         
Chlorine Permanganates
Flourine            
Iodine               
 3. HEAT SOURCES
Heat – is the energy possessed by a material or
substance due to molecular activity.

Temperature – is the measurement of the relative

amount of heat energy contained within a given
substance.
- Celsius – centigrade, Fahrenheit or Kelvin
scales.
 FIRE
TETRAHEDRON
 ELEMENTS OF FIRE
TETRAHEDRON
1. Reducing Agent – it is the substance or material that is being
oxidized or burned in the combustion process.
2. Heat – it is the energy component of the fire tetrahedron. When
comes into contact with a fuel, it provides the energy necessary
for ignition.
3. Chemical Reaction – the self – sustained chemical reaction is a
complex reaction that requires a fuel, an oxidizer, and the heat
energy to come together in a very specific way.
4. Oxidizing agent – is a material or substance that when the
proper conditions exist will release gasses, including oxygen.
Crucial to the sustainment of the flame of fire,
 CHAIN REACTION
Is a series of reactions that occur in a sequence
with the results of each individual reaction being
added to the rest.
This happens in the science of fire, but is self –
sustaining in that it continues without
interruption.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FIRE
TETRAHEDRON
 The combustion process is better represented by
the fire tetrahedron;
 It is useful in illustrating the combustion process
because it has a room for chain reaction;
 WHAT IS IGNITION?
It is the start of Combustion.
FUEL
 FUEL
Fuel is the material or substance being oxidized or
burned in the combustion process.
In  scientific terms, the fuel in a combustion reaction is
known as the “reducing agent”.
Most common fuels contain carbon along with
combinations of hydrogen and oxygen. These fuels can be
further broken down into hydrocarbon-based fuels (such
as gasoline, fuel oil, and plastics) and cellulose-based
materials (such as wood and paper).
FUEL MAY BE FOUND IN ANY OF
THREE (3) STATES OF MATTER:

Solid

Liquid

Gas
 PYROLYSIS
• This is defined as the chemical decomposition of
a substance through the action of heat.
 SOLID FUELS
Solid fuels have definite shape and size.  One primary
consideration with solid fuels is the surface area of the
material in relation to its mass. 
  The larger the surface area for a given mass, the more
rapid the heating of the material and increase in the speed
of pyrolysis.  
The physical position of a solid fuel is also of great
concern to firefighting personnel.  If the solid fuel is in a
vertical position, fire spread will be more rapid than if it is
in a horizontal position. This is due to increased heat
transfer through convection and direct flame contact in
addition to conduction and radiation.
 LIQUID FUELS
Liquid fuels have physical properties that increase the
difficulty of extinguishment and hazard to personnel.
Liquids will assume the shape of their container. 
When a spill occurs, the liquid will assume the shape of
the ground (flat) and will flow and accumulate in low areas.
The density of liquids in relation to water is known
as specific gravity.  
Water is given a value of one.  
Liquids with a specific gravity less than one are
lighter than water, while those with a specific gravity
greater than one are heavier than water.  
It is interesting to note that most flammable liquids
have a specific gravity of less than one, therefore they
would float on top of water.
 GAS FUELS
Gases tend to assume the shape of their container
but have no specific volume. 
If the vapor density of a gas is such that it is less
dense than air (air is given a value of one), it will rise
and tend to dissipate.  
If a gas or vapor is heavier than air, it will tend to
hug the ground and travel as directed by terrain and
wind.
HEAT
 HEAT
Heat is a form of energy that may be described as
a condition of matter in motion caused by the
movement of molecules.  
All matter contains some heat regardless of how
low the temperature is because molecules are
constantly moving all the time.  When a body of
matter is heated, the speed of the molecules increases,
thus the temperature increases.  
Anything that sets the molecules of a material in
motion produces heat in that material.  
 THERE ARE FOUR (4) GENERAL CATEGORIES
OF HEAT ENERGY AND THEY INCLUDE:

Chemical Heat Energy

Electrical Heat Energy
Mechanical Heat Energy
Nuclear Heat Energy
 CHEMICAL HEAT ENERGY
 Heat of Combustion -
The amount of heat generated by the combustion
(oxidation) process.
Spontaneous Heating -
The heating of an organic substance without the
addition of external heat.  
Spontaneous heating occurs most frequently where
sufficient air is not present to dissipate the heat
produced.  The speed of a heating reaction doubles
with each 180 F (80 C) temperature increase.
Heat of Decomposition -
The release of heat from decomposing
compounds.  These compounds may be unstable and
release their heat very quickly or they may detonate.

Heat of Solution -
The heat released by the mixture of matter in a
liquid.  Some acids, when dissolved, give off sufficient
heat to pose exposure problems to nearby
combustibles.
    ELECTRICAL HEAT ENERGY
Resistance Heating - The heat generated by passing an
electrical force through a conductor such as a wire or
an appliance.
 
Dielectric Heating - The heating that results from the
action of either pulsating direct current, or alternating
current at high frequency on a non-conductive
material.
 
Induction Heating - The heating of materials resulting
from an alternating current flow causing a magnetic
field influence.
• Dielectric Heating is a process of electric heating by
which the temperature of a dielectric (non-conducting)
material is raised by the application of an alternating
electric field (high voltage ac signal). The increase in
temperature results in heating the substance which is in
contact with the external field.
Leakage Current Heating - The heat resulting from
imperfect or improperly insulated electrical
materials.  This is particularly evident where the
insulation is required to handle high voltage or loads
near maximum capacity.
Heat from Arcing - Heat released either as a high-
temperature arc or as molten material from the
conductor.
Heat Generated by Lightning - The heat generated by
the discharged of thousands of volts from either earth
to cloud, cloud to cloud or from cloud to ground.
 
Leakage Current Heating - The heat resulting from
imperfect or improperly insulated electrical
materials.  This is particularly evident where the
insulation is required to handle high voltage or loads
near maximum capacity.
Heat from Arcing - Heat released either as a high-
temperature arc or as molten material from the
conductor.
Heat Generated by Lightning - The heat generated by
the discharged of thousands of volts from either earth
to cloud, cloud to cloud or from cloud to ground.
 
ARCING
   MECHANICAL HEAT ENERGY

Frictional Heat - The heat generated by the movement

between two objects in contact with each other.
Friction Sparks - The heat generated in the form of
sparks from solid objects striking each other.  Most
often at least one of the objects is metal.
Heat of Compression - The heat generated by the
forced reduction of a gaseous volume.  Diesel engines
ignite fuel vapor without a spark plug by the use of
this principle. 
 NUCLEAR HEAT ENERGY

Nuclear Fission and Fusion -

The heat generated by either the splitting
or combining of atoms.
PHASES OF FIRE
    INCIPIENT PHASE (GROWTH
    STAGE)
In the first phase, the oxygen content in the air has
not been significantly reduced and the fire is
producing water vapor, carbon dioxide, perhaps a
small quantity of sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and
other gases.  
Some heat is being generated, and the amount will
increase with the progress of the fire.  
The fire may be producing a flame temperature
well above 1,000 F (537 C), yet the temperature in the
room at this stage may be only slightly increased.
 FREE-BURNING PHASE (FULLY
       DEVELOPED STAGE)
The second phase of burning encompasses all of the free-
burning activities of the fire.  During this phase, oxygen-rich
air is drawn into the flame as convection (the rise of heated
gases) carries the heat to the upper most regions of the
confined area.  
The heated gases spread out laterally from the top
downward, forcing the cooler air to seek lower levels, and
eventually igniting all the combustible material in the upper
levels of the room.  This heated air is one of the reasons that
firefighters are taught to keep low and use protective breathing
equipment.  One breath of this super-heated air can sear the
lungs.  
 At this point, the temperature in the upper regions
can exceed 1,3000F (7000C).  As the fire progresses
through the latter stages of this phase, it continues to
The fire is then reduced to the smoldering phase
and needs only a supply of oxygen to burn rapidly or
explode. 
 FLASHOVER
It occurs when a room or other area becomes
heated to the point where flames flash over the entire
surface or area.  Originally, it was believed that
flashover was caused by combustible gases released
during the early stages of fire.  
It was thought that these gases collected at the
ceiling level and mixed with air until they reached
their flammable range, then suddenly ignited causing
flashover. It is now believed that while this may
occur, it precedes flashover.  
 SMOLDERING PHASE (DECAY
STAGE)
In the third phase, flame may cease to exist if the
area of confinement is sufficiently airtight.  In this
instance, burning is reduced to glowing embers.  
The room becomes completely filled with dense
smoke and gases to the extent that it is forced from
all cracks under pressure.  
The fire will continue to smolder, and the room
will completely fill with dense smoke and gases of
combustion at a temperature of well over 1,0000F
(5370C). 
 
 The intense heat will have vaporized the lighter
fuel fractions such as hydrogen and methane from the
combustible material in the room. 
These fuel gases will be added to those produced
by the fire and will further increase the hazard to the
firefighter and create the possibility of a backdraft.
 BACKDRAFT
In the smoldering phase of a fire, burning is
incomplete because not enough oxygen is available to
sustain the fire.  
However, the heat from the free-burning phase
remains, and the unburned carbon particles and other
flammable products of combustion are just waiting to
burst into rapid, almost instantaneous combustion
when more oxygen is supplied.  
 BACKDRAFT
 
Proper ventilation releases smoke and the hot
unburned gases from the upper areas of the room or
structure.  
Improper ventilation at this time supplies the
dangerous missing link -- oxygen.  As soon as the
needed oxygen rises in, the stalled combustion
resumes, and it can be devastating in its speed, truly
qualifying as an explosion.
 THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS MAY INDICATE A
BACKDRAFT OR SMOKE EXPLOSION CONDITION:

1. Smoke under pressure

2. Black smoke becoming dense gray yellow
3. Confinement and excessive heat
4. Little or no visible flame
5. Smoke leaves the building in puffs or at intervals
6. Smoke-stained windows
7. Muffled sounds
8. Sudden rapid movement of air inward when opening is made
HEAT TRANSFER
 Heat can travel throughout a burning building by
one or more of three methods, commonly referred to
as conduction, convection and radiation.  

Law of Heat Flow -  

It specifies that heat tends to flow from a hot
substance to a cold substance.  The colder of two
bodies in contact will absorb heat until both objects
are the same temperature.
 CONDUCTION
Heat may be conducted from one body to another
by direct contact of the two bodies or by an
intervening heat-conducting medium.  
Liquids and gases are poor conductors of heat
because of the movement of their molecules.  
Air is a relatively poor conductor.  
 CONVECTION
Convection is the transfer of heat by the
movement of air or liquid.  
When water is heated in a glass container, the
movement within the vessel can be observed
through the glass.  If some sawdust is added to the
water, the movement is more apparent. 
 
  RADIATION
The warmth of the sun is felt soon after it rises.  When the
sun sets, the earth begins to cool with similar rapidity.  We
carry an umbrella to shade our bodies from the heat of the
sun.  A spray of water between a firefighter and a fire will
lessen the heat reaching the firefighter.  
Although air is a poor conductor, it is obvious that heat can
travel where matter does not exist.  This method of heat
transmission is known as radiation of heat waves.  
 Heat and light waves are similar in nature, but they differ in
length per cycle.  Heat waves are longer than light waves and
they are sometimes called infrared rays.  Radiated heat will
travel through space until it reaches an opaque object.  
As the object is exposed to heat radiation, it will in return
radiate heat from its surface.  
Radiated heat is one of the major sources of fire spread,
and its importance demands immediate attention at points
where radiation exposure is severe
PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION
Fire gases

Flame

Heat

Smoke
Heat - is a form of energy that is measured in degrees of
temperature to signify its intensity.  
In this sense, heat is the product of combustion that is
responsible for the spread of fire.  

Flame - is the visible, luminous body of a burning gas.  

When a burning gas is mixed with the proper amounts of
oxygen, the flame becomes hotter and less luminous.  This loss
of luminosity is because of a more complete combustion of the
carbon.  
For these reasons, flame is considered to be a product of
combustion.  Heat, smoke and gas, however, can develop in
certain types of smoldering fires without evidence of flame.
Smoke - encountered at most fires consists of a mixture of oxygen,
nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide gases, finely divided
carbon particles (soot), and a miscellaneous assortment of products
that have been released from the material involved.
FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT
THEORY
EXTINGUISHMENT OF TEMPERATURE
REDUCTION (COOLING)
One of the most common methods of
extinguishment is by cooling with water.  
The process of extinguishment by cooling is
dependent on cooling the fuel to a point where it does
not produce sufficient vapor to burn. 
  If we look at fuel types and vapor production, we
find that solid fuels and liquid fuels with high flash
points can be extinguished by cooling.  
 Flash point - of a volatile material is the
lowest temperature at which it can vaporize to
form an ignitable mixture in air. Measuring a
flash point requires an ignition source.
At the flash point, the vapor may cease to
burn when the source of ignition is removed.
Firepoint - the temperature at which the
vapor continues to burn after being ignited.
EXTINGUISHMENT BY FUEL REMOVAL
(SEPARATION)
In some cases, a fire is effectively extinguished by
removing the fuel source.  
This may be accomplished by stopping the flow of
liquid or gaseous fuel or by removing solid fuel in the
path of the fire.  
Another method of fuel removal is to allow the fire
to burn until all fuel is consumed.
 EXTINGUISHMENT BY OXYGEN
DILUTION (SMOTHERING)
The method of extinguishment by oxygen dilution
is the reduction of the oxygen concentration to the fire
area.  
This can be accomplished by introducing an inert
gas into the fire or by separating the oxygen from the
fuel.  
 EXTINGUISHMENT BY CHEMICAL
FLAME (INHIBITION)

   Some extinguishing agents, such as dry chemicals and

halons, interrupt the flame producing chemical reaction,
resulting in rapid extinguishment.  
This method of extinguishment is effective only on gas
and liquid fuels as they cannot burn in the smoldering mode
of combustion. If extinguishment of smoldering materials is
desired, the addition of cooling capability is required.
 CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES
Class A Fire - Fires involving ordinary
combustible materials, such as wood, cloth,
paper, rubber and many plastics.

Water is used in a cooling or quenching effect

to reduce the temperature of the burning
material below its ignition temperature.

Class B Fires - Fires involving flammable

liquids, greases and gases.
The smothering or blanketing effect of
oxygen exclusion is most effective.  Other
extinguishing methods include removal of
fuel and temperature reduction.    
Class C Fires - Fires involving energized
electrical equipment.
This fire can sometimes be controlled by a
non-conducting extinguishing agent.  The
safest procedures is always to attempt to de-
energize high voltage circuits and treat as a
Class A or B fire depending upon the fuel
involved.

Class D Fires - Fires involving combustible

metals, such as magnesium, titanium,
zirconium, sodium and potassium.

Class K Fires - Class K is a new classification

of fire as of 1998 and involves fires in
combustible cooking fuels such as vegetable
or animal fats.
 CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE BASED
ON CAUSE
 Natural cause
 Accidental cause
 Intentional cause
 NATURAL CAUSES
 Spontaneous heating
- an automatic chemical reaction that results to spontaneous
combustion.
 Lightning
- usually strikes objects that are better conductor than air and can
cause fire directly or indirectly.
 Radiation of sunlight
- when the sunlight hits a concave lens then concentrating the
light to combustible material can cause ignition.
 ACCIDENTAL CAUSE
 Short circuit
 Arcing
 Sparking
 Induced current
 Overheating of electrical appliances
 Negligence and other forms of human error
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
It the major procedure to determine
the cause of any destructives fire that
occurs that might be involve accidental
or intentional.
The Bureau of Fire Protection
(BFP) is the primary agency authorized
to conduct such investigation.
WHO ARE QUALIFIED TO CONDUCT
FIRE INVESTIGATION?
A fire Investigator that should posses the
following:
Knowledge on the investigative techniques of fire
incident.
Insight on human behavior
First hand knowledge on the chemistry of fire and
its behavior
Resourceful
 WHY FIRE SHOULD BE
INVESTIGATED?
To determine the cause of fire
To prevent similar occurrences
To determine the origin fire
To estimate the possible amount and extent of damage
To establish prima facie evidences in case of Arson
 ARSON AS DEFINED:
Is the intentional or malicious destruction of
property by fire;

It is the concern of the investigation to prove

the malicious intent of the offender; and

The intent must shown, otherwise no exist.

 DESTRUCTIVE ARSON
Under Article 320 of the RPC, as amended a penalty of
reclusion perpetua shall be imposed upon a person
who shall burn:
One or more buildings or edifices, consequent to one
single act of burning or as a result of simultaneous
burnings, or committed in several or different
occasions.
Any building of public or private ownership, devoted
to the public in general where people usually gather
for a definite purpose.
Any train or locomotive, ship or vessel, airplane
devoted for public use, entertainment or leisure.

Any building, factory, warehouse installation and any

appurtenances thereto, which are devoted to the
service of public utilities.

Any building the burning of which is the purpose of

concealing or destroying evidence of another violation
of law or for the purpose of concealing bankruptcy or
defrauding creditors or to collect from insurances.
A penalty of reclusion perpetua to death shall also be
imposed to any person who shall burn:

Any arsenal, shipyard, storehouse or military power

of firework factory, ordnance, storehouse, archives, or
general museum of the government.

In an inhabited place, any storehouse or factory of

inflammable or explosive materials.
 WHAT ARE THE BASES OF
CRIMINAL LIABILITY?

Kind and character of the building burned

Location of the building
Extent or value of the damage
Whether inhabited or not
 PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF ARSON
If the fire started simultaneously in more one part of
the building.
If substantial amounts of flammable substance or
materials are stored within the building not necessary
in the business of the offender.
If gasoline, kerosene, petroleum or other flammable
or combustible substances soaked thereof or any
mechanical, electrical, chemical or electronic
contrivance designed to start fire.
If the building is insured for substantially more than
its actual value at the time of the issuance of the
policy.
If during the lifetime of the corresponding fire
insurance policy more than 2 fires have occurred in
the same or other premise owned or under the control
of the insured.
If shortly before the fire, a substantial portion of the
effects insured and stored in the building had been
withdrawn from the premise.
If a demand for money or other valuable
consideration was made before the fire in exchange for
the desistance of the offender or the safety of the
person or property of the victim.
 WHAT CONSTITUTES ARSON?

Burning
Willfulness
Malice
Motive
Intent
 THE BASIC LINES OF INQUIRY FOR
ARSON INVESTIGATION
Point of origin
Motive of the Arsonist
Prime suspects
The tell tale sign of arson
 LAWS ON ARSON

• ARTICLE 320 (RPC)

• PD 1613
• PD 1744
• RA 9514
PD NO. 1613
GOOD DAY!