Fire Investigation - Signs and Symptoms of Building Collapse - Coursework Example

Table of contents 1.0 Introduction 2 2.0 Signs and symptoms of building collapse 2 3.0 Hazards 4 4.0 Information gathering 4 5.0 Approach 6 6.0 Arson 8 7.0 Preventing arson 9 8.0 Recommendation 10 9.0 Conclusion 10 1.0 Introduction Fire investigation is known to be a hard task even to people who have many years of experience in the profession. This usually calls for the investigator to analyze the entire process. This is in order to ascertain whether the case was arson or whether it was an accidental occurrence. (Alexander, 2004) One aspect that makes it hard for fire investigators to determine whether the case was arson or not, is due to the fact that fires usually destroy evidence. Without evidence it becomes very hard to prove that the case was an arson attack. This paper therefore looks into various aspects of fire investigation. This includes the hazards faced by fire investigator, arson prevention measures and aspects on the scene that would indicate that it was arson. 2.0 Signs and symptoms of building collapse There are usually signs and symptoms that show collapse of building both during and post fire fighting operations. It is usually very essential for fire fighters to look out for signs and symptoms that show that there is a likelihood of the building collapsing. One of these signs is when there are stones that are falling apart from the building. This shows that there is the danger of the building disintegrating. This is quite common when the building has got very heavy structural decorations. Old buildings will easily have falling stones. Another sign is when there are cracks on the walls of the affected building. This also includes other parts of the building like doors and windows and particularly on the upper arches. That is why fire fighters should be keen on checking the building whether the walls appear to be bending or whether there are any signs of swelling within the building. It is very easy to check out on bending signs by comparing the wall to the entire structure of the building. If there are signs of misalignment, then this can be a sign that the building can collapse. This includes signs that the floor edges are lowered and also illustrate gaps when comparing the walls to the floors. These signs are more common on the floors that are affected by the fire. (Kirk, 2006) The other sign of collapsing building includes bent pillars within the building. This is especially on the pillars that support various floors within the building. When these pillars are bent, it means that they cannot carry the weight of the floors above therefore showing a high possibility of collapse. When the metals that support the pillars contract and expand, it means that the building can also easily collapse. This easily happens when the metals are exposed to high temperatures. The burn patterns within the building may indicate that the building may collapse. 3.0 Hazards When fire investigators are on duty, they come across different hazards that can harm their lives. First of all there is always the risk of being affected by fire. This is for instance when there are live electrical wires within the building. There is also the risk of falling debris. That is why fire investigators always have to be well clothed to protect themselves. It is also advisable that precautions be taken such that areas within the building that have a likelihood of falling debris are avoided. There are also risks of inhaling harmful gases within the building. This includes harmful gases like carbon monoxide which can be very dangerous. Sometimes there are flying pieces of material in the air that can harm the fire investigator. Fire investigators are usually at risk of being cut by sharp objects on the floor of the building. All this requires the fire investigator to carry out proper plans concerning necessary protection. (Brannigan, 2005) 4.0 Information gathering In order to know more about a fire occurrence, information has to be gathered from the right sources. Such information is best accrued from the fire fighter and the witnesses at the scene. Fire fighters usually have ample information concerning the fire. Furthermore they are well trained in the issues of fire fighting. They usually have the right information concerning the nature of the fire. This means whether it was a small fire or a big one that had the potential of destroying a lot of property. They also have information on whether protective and preventive measures like fire extinguishers, sprinklers and fire detectors were working when they arrived on the scene. (Kirk, 2006) An interview carried out with a fire fighter shows that they have first hand information concerning the case. This includes information on the possible cause of the fire. For instance if the fire was caused by an electric appliance, the fire fighters would know. Other issues concern the property that was destroyed in the fire. This information is very essential as it would then be compared with the information given by the owner of the building. Fire fighters can also have information concerning availability of suspicious persons at different fire scenes. This can help in knowing whether the fire was an arson based. They also have information concerning the number of people that were injured and the type of injuries that took place. This is considering the fact that the injuries cause by a bomb blast fire would be different when compared to those caused by kitchen fire. Fire fighters also have information on how fast the fire was spreading throughout the whole building or whether it was slow moving. Fire fighters should also give information on the time that they were informed about the fire. This is whether they were informed very late or early enough when the fire was starting. They also have information on whether telephone lines within the building were in operation during the incident or not. Carrying out interview with the witnesses is quite imperative as they would always have information that would have by-passed the fire fighters. Witnesses in most cases have information on how the fire started depending on the time that they arrived on the scene. The best people to interview as witnesses are those who stay around the scene since they normally have a chance to watch what happens from afar. (Kirk, 2006) This involves information on how people within the affected building behaved when they came to know that there was a fire. Witnesses could also have very essential information on any suspect person who was around the building just before the fire occurred. This can help a great deal in ascertaining arson. The information from witnesses includes the property that was salvaged from the building and the number of people that were injured. This helps a lot when it comes to carry out fire investigation in order to compensate the affected parties. All this information is then analyzed to come up with the final report concerning the case. 5.0 Approach An approach that is systematic has to be used when carrying out fire investigations. In the first stage, the fire investigator is notified that she or he needs to carry out some investigations on a certain incident. The next stage involves the investigator assembling the required equipment and tools that are useful in the venture. At this stage the fire investigator also has to inform the personnel that he or she has to work with. This is quite essential as it helps them to prepare in terms of required protection and also other equipment that they may need when carrying out the investigations. Next the fire investigators have to collect data from the scene and also examine it by themselves. It is however highly recommended that scene examination does not in itself destroy any evidence available. In case alteration of the scene cannot be avoided, then fire investigators have to take photographs of the scene before the alteration is carried out. Usually the photographs have to be documented as they would be used as evidence. During scene examination, any possible indicators of things that would have enhanced the spread of the fire have to be checked. This includes inflammable liquids or equipment that can easily ignite. After the information is collected the following needs to be carried out; (Lentini, 2006) Ensure that they collect the evidence that is physically based The evidence has to be documented The information is then tested Evaluation of the information is the carried out It is usually very essential that a scientific based method is embraced in the overall analysis. This is because the method is known to produce very reliable results. (NFPA, 2004) Preservation and recording of evidence are also tasks that have to be carried out by a fire investigator. As indicated above, photographs of the scene have to be taken and documented before any alterations are carried out. This plays a great role in preserving any relevant evidence. There are also sometimes when it is obligatory that fire investigators remove items that could be used as evidence from the scene. This is usually a requirement when the items are at risk of being damaged in case they are left at the scene. 6.0 Arson This is a criminal act where one sets another’s property or building on fire willingly and not by mistake. Arson can also occur when a person burns his or her own property with the hope of being compensated afterwards. Research shows that people have different reasons for carrying out arson. It is recorded that in all the fires that occur in offices and home in United Kingdom, a third of them are arson based. The highest percentage of occurrence was recorded in the construction industry. An aspect that has also become very clear is that larger fires have a high likelihood of being maliciously started. There are various aspects of a post fire scene that would indicate that the fire was of a suspicious origin. One of the factors is when the same person is noted at different fire scenes. The other sign that would indicate the fire was from a suspicious origin is when there is evidence that someone forced his way into the house or building before the fire occurred. This could be a broken window in one of the rooms that was probably not caused by the fire. When the occurrence of fire is repeated and no cause can be tagged on it, then it could have a suspicious origin. (White, 2000) Other aspects include evidence that fire prevention or protective measures were tampered with. These include fire extinguishing systems, detectors and sprinklers. When the fire seems to have targeted a specific item or a building then it could be arson. When the fire seems to accrue some financial advantages especially to the owner it could have suspicious origin. Other factors include; (White, 2000) a) If fire spread rapidly b) When the fire was too severe for the thought cause c) Claims did not match with the value of stock d) When the owner depicts behaviour that is obstructive to investigations e) When witnesses’ information does not rhyme with technical conclusions 7.0 Preventing arson Management in organizations can take diverse actions in order to prevent arson attacks. This includes incorporating alarm systems that only employees know how to handle. The building’s windows have to be easily visible from the parking area etc. The compound should not easily allow camouflage of arsonists. The management can also put in place frequent patrols of the compound and building. The entire building can be lighted throughout the night and when there is no one inside. Employees within organizations have to be trained on how to be on the look out for strangers within the building and how they can report to the relevant authorities in case of suspicion. Neighbours can also be on the look out on the building when building is not occupied. (Robertson, 1989) 8.0 Recommendation It is highly recommended that managers put in place arson preventive measures. This includes frequent patrols and training employees on how to look out for suspicious strangers. These among other aspects named above will help prevent arson. 9.0 Conclusion Fire investigators should always look out for signs of building collapse and take necessary precautions. Information concerning fire case can be accrued from witnesses and fire fighters. During scene examination, any evidence should not be tampered or altered. The evidence has to be clearly recorded and preserved for future reference. Sometimes fire occurrences have malicious origin. This can be ascertained whether there are aspects that clearly indicate that it is arson. This includes tampered preventive measures like fire distinguishing systems. It is essential that management carry out arson preventive measures. This includes ensuring that the building has lights throughout the night and frequent patrols are carried out too. These actions are known to scare away arsonists. Reference: Alexander, C. (2004): The Professional Risk Managers' Handbook; London; Harvard Press Brannigan, L. (2005): Building Construction for the Fire Service; London; Free Press Kirk, J. (2006): Fire Investigation; sixth edition; London; Oxford Press Lentini, J. (2006): Scientific Protocols for Fire Investigation; London; University Press NFPA 921(2004): Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations; 2004; National Fire Protection Association Robertson, J. (1989): Introduction to Fire Prevention; 3rd Ed. New York; Macmillan Publishing Co White, J. (2000): Arson Forensic Mental Health Care; Edinburgh; Churchill Livingston Read More