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

Fire Investigation Fire accounts to be as a one of the most destructive forms of natural, accident or incidental property devastation that even caused a million of deaths. This occurred because there is a distinction on the origin and cause of fire. When you say there is burning, that might have to indicate a fire that burns outside or a fire that have started inside a house or any residence that involves any living creatures. Fire has various types, which include, forest fire, vehicle fires, and the most common type of it is residential fire. However, the main concentration of this paper is on residential fire. Several motives might have induced the presence of fire that includes negligence and the most indifferent, the malicious motive that yield a criminal case of arson. There are however assigned task force that is capable of knowing the origin of fire. The Fire Investigation Division creates a team of skilled Fire Investigators to aid in the fire operation. In response to an accident caused by a fire, the chain of command ranges from the Incident Commander to the different Fire Investigators has address the need to determine the cause of fire. The Incident Commander is responsible for requiring the presence of a Fire Investigator. Fires that usually needed their presence are: arson fires, suspicious fires, undetermined causes, fatalities, fire injuries, total loss, fires in institutional occupancies, or as deemed necessary by the Incident Commander. The foremost consideration why Fire Investigators created because in cases where the total damages wrecked by fire range from 50-90% and death losses climbed to 30%, there is an established supposition that this fire is not just the ordinary case of culpable negligence, there is something beneath that needed to be surfaced. Investigation. Fire Investigation requires the knowledge and systematized approach on basic Fire science. It involves the discipline of forensic study. However, crime investigation on forensic provides an obvious criterion just by physically examining the crime scene and crime motives. In cases of fire especially suspicious fire, there is that inclination of the Fire Investigator the possible existence of arson. In the process of gathering information on accidental fire, the primary objective is to accumulate data that will help solve the problem and outline the paper in which to be reported through the media. The first thing to do is to interview witnesses, by-passers, neighbors and the fire fighters themselves. They have to ask what have they seen that cause the fire or how is the pattern of the fire. Where did the smoke first emerge and how many are affected. Are there group of people inside the burning area. Such is the flow of the interview. Now if the area was fully secured, the Fire Investigator will opt to take still photographs to all the burned area, and things, which are necessary to obtain must be undergo for laboratory tests. The Fire Investigator must thoroughly observe the area such the wirings, the position of things inside the burned area, and all relevant things that needed to be observe. There are some cases wherein the Fire Investigator needed the help of experts in order to help him uncover for the possible existence of fire, such as improper wirings, negligence while cooking, or other things that are accidentally made. In one of the interview process, if the owner survived in the conflagration, the Investigator will ask if an engineer surveyed the building foundation. Because there is some cases that while trying to extinguish the fire, the building might collapse due to weak foundation of the building. In this case, the fire insurance company sometimes denies giving money because of lack of requirement such as building permits that authorized that the building foundation can potently survive the risks of collapsing in cases of fire. After making his report he must submit the same to the incident commander. In arson case, there is a different treatment on this since there is an inherent intention of the perpetrator to burn the area, or least might be. Arson is categorized as a criminal case; therefore it follows the same principle of beyond reasonable doubt. Thus, what has contained in the investigation, it must have exceeded the natural patterns of fire accident, and more importantly, the evidence supports the arson motive beyond any reasonable doubt. In the usual investigation process, the primary and necessary step is to examine the physical scene of a fire. When you say physical, this pertains the surrounding, the environmental area. If possible, the Investigator shall document the fire scene prior to the operations of fire fighters. If the fire was already extinguished and the whole area was secured, the Fire Investigator can now document the fire area. He shall proceed to the most burned area and to the least burned area. He can also interview any available witness during fire operations. Fire fighters must be interviewed to ask for their opinion on the origin of fire, as well as those spectators that have actually seen the incident. In case of multiple alarm fire, the Incident Commander will call for additional investigator to gather those elements, which are deemed necessary in the process. He shall divide the responsibilities of each to fully utilize the investigation proper. One of the Investigator is tasked to interview witnesses, bystanders and first-in-fire fighters. The essence of gathering facts through interview is to establish the situation prior to the incident and not the subsequent changes that occurred in the gradual fire bursts. Another investigator is tasked to determine the structure and fire patterns and established evidences from what he saw. The other one is tasked to document the scene through still photographs and videos to note of the fire patterns and fire changes. He will also secure for any possible evidences after the fire had extinguished. One of the challenging aspects of fire investigation is the presence of multi-disciplinary base of fire investigations. Fires have multiple origins; it involves those that can perceive by the eye and those that cannot. Thus, a Fire Investigator usually not only adheres on the knowledge of basic fire science. He needed at least to have the knowledge on wirings and electricity, human psychological behavior, building construction and all fields that encompass the investigation of fire occurrence. Upon accepting his limit, he can request the assistance of ‘experts in their fields’ to help him analyze and piece the matter by presenting the collated documents and his possible conclusion to the expert. The expert now can present to him the intervening cause, for instance, electric wirings, on the occurrence of fire. If diagrams were shown, this can be a reference for investigation to further his conclusion. After preparing his final conclusion and there is the elements of arson, he himself can testify in the criminal investigation. Signs, Symptoms and Causes of Building Collapse. There are some signs that can help the Fire Investigator anticipate that a building may collapse. Taking notice of the age and condition of the building would allow the Fire Investigator a quick assessment as to the probability of a collapse. After taking the age of the building into consideration, the Fire Investigator should check for deterioration of the mortar joints and masonry and for any cracks as well. Other possible indicators of collapse would be sagging floors and bulges and bowing of walls. Fire Investigators should also take care when investigating abandoned buildings. A large volume of fire or a very long firefighting operation might also cause enough damage to the building to possibly make it collapse. The Fire Investigator should also be prepared for a collapse if the same building has been damaged by previous fires as well. Arson Fires. The collaborative effort of Fire Investigator and other experts will lead them to justified conclusion. Yet, there are times that the Investigator can jump to an arson conclusion. In arson case, several behavioral patterns of fire can be theorized as a derivative of arson. Nonetheless, theoretical judgment cannot be called a sound scientific proof that can provide a concrete conclusion. Since a fire investigator upholds the scientific approach in solving any suspicious fire, the conclusion with no established form is not advisable. In fire where there is an inclusion of arson, usually the evidence was concealed by fire or was destroyed into it. However, there are some possible indicators that might have proved that there was a deliberate setting of fire. In the post fighting operation or subsequently after the fire was extinguished, this was the time that evidence are least likely to survive. The smoke provides a common signs of a suspicious fire. Variations in smoke color are a ground being in consideration. Amateur arsonist usually spilled gasoline or kerosene on the floor to stimulate a larger fire notwithstanding that these accelerants can leave evidence. The smell of a burning gasoline can also provide a hint. Such cases, the arsonist can leave a huge amount of evidences. If the arsonists use accelerants, the floor and even the walls were being examined for liquid patterns and charring. If there was any seepage on the base floor, it is necessary for it to undergo the lab test. There are also instances that the soil was being examined. After the fire was extinguished, the burned remains were examined carefully. If the arsonist is careless he may leave the container of the gasoline inside the burned area. This was common because once the fire has started; the arsonist must move hastily to escape form the spread of fire. The most complex device that is being used to perpetrate arson is the incendiary device. Communicable devices such as cell phones; computers and thermostats are used to trigger a set of ignition of fire. If there was a large amount of equipments that was destroyed and the building was almost wrecked by fire, usually these devices can no longer be located. Since the chain of evidence can no longer be patch after the fire had extinguished. The Investigator usually finds the aid of other experts. Experts in electric wiring and electronics engineer can however uncover the mystery in this case. One important thing to know is that when explosion had occurred before the fire, it must be automatically known by the Investigator that the culprit uses incendiary devices. Because when communicable devices were used, it usually accompanied with explosion. The wirings may have caused a spark, thereby increasing the electric charges that have created a large explosion. However, there are some cases when gasoline or kerosene was used as accelerants and in their target area, there are formidable amount of gasoline or there are gasoline tanks. The ignition will cause a huge explosion. But then the Investigator can have supple of evidences since gasoline can leave a multiple charring inside the area of fire scene. When the Investigator was through with the physical examination of the area, he can proceed to the different motives of the arsonist. One of the several motives of arsonist is an attempt of concealing a history of heinous crime. If there are bodies found in the fire scene, these were carefully transferred and examined for a possible murder. The condition too of the o the burned area was examined. A possible force entry as the windows and the doors was forcibly broken, or any strange appearance of the area might seem to indicate a robbery and fire was intentionally set to hid whatever evidences that can be found therein. The amount of property destroyed is also measured to examine the probable cause that the motive of the arsonist is to destroy the whole area. The debris was also measured as against the natural quantity of debris collected in the fire accident. The type of merchandise destroyed was also considered. Other motive of arsonist is to collect insurance money from insurance company. The investigator must look into all possible angles to prove his case. And as mush as possible, he must check the background of the owner of the property. Hidden debt also indicates a motive, and retribution is another one. Thus if physical evidence cannot trace the motives, the Investigator must have to interview the owner. Risks and Hazards. The job of a fire Investigator is not as the same nature as the risks fire fighters might be acquired, but that in substance and form, they have the most difficult operation. In the study of Donahue, a Forensic Fire Specialist, the Fire Division neglected several hazards. Some of these are physical hazards includes: damaged structural members/falling debris; ignition sources; broken glass, nails, or torn metal; holes in floors; hanging light fixtures; exposed (energized) electrical wiring (underground, overhead, and residential services); damaged electrical appliances or equipment (e.g., transformers, service panels, electric ranges, and refrigerators); damaged natural gas/propane lines; high noise levels; environmental factors (e.g., weather conditions such as extreme cold and lightning storms); loose flooring or steps, slippery surfaces, and protruding objects; unsecured objects that can fall from elevated surfaces (e.g., building contents, equipment, chimneys, and brick walls); confined spaces; “booby-traps” or secondary incendiary or explosive devices; and standing water (including missing manhole covers caused by flooding conditions) (Donahue, 2008). The National Fire Protection Association is responsible for the drafting of the safety of Fire Investigators. Since it is being reechoed true the channel of Fire Division, the Division may not care about the Fire Investigators who immersed in the same problem that will benefit the Fire Division in the end. Thus, it is necessary for the NFPA to enforce the law that protects the Investigators who account for the major help in solving the fire incident. Fire Tips, Protection and Prevention. The main component of Fire Protection is the production, development and application of mitigating systems. In all structures, they usually have to comply in the Building and Fire Code that are enforced by the Authority Having Jurisdiction, not only by enforcing the property though, after the construction was finished but also maintenance of the fire systems present in the structure. Now there are several components of structural fire protection, these are Passive fire Protection and Active Fire Protection. Passive fire protection includes the use of fire resistance rated wall, firewalls, fire exits, occupancy separators. Active fire protection refers to the devices that mitigate the spread of fire such as fire sprinkler. Fire alarms, fire extinguisher, smoke alarm devices. In determining the necessary equipments that shall be installed in a residential area or in business establishment, it is both important to consider the two. Because in passive fire protection it provides the alternative means to save lives and properties. The active fire protection was use to notify (in case of fire alarms) and mitigate (fire extinguisher and fire sprinkler) the spread of fire. In different establishments, usually they apply the two, because here the usual victims are the crowd. Management must ensure that aside from the presence of these devices, it must actually functioning. When the weather condition shall stimulate an ignition, the management must from time to time checked on these devices. It is important that when the occasion indicate of a fire, everything must be prepared, not only the properties itself but also those individuals who might have the possibility to become a victim. Thus, a brief discussion about fire related topic and arson cases must be presented to the assembly for fire prevention method. It must be noted that the assembly must know where are the different escape routes or fire exits. The establishment must have at least four fire exits. But the number of fire exits must depend on the structure and vastness of the place. Different fire devices must be in a place that can be easily seen. It is better if these devices can be shown how it functions and how to use it. RESOURCES: West Virginia Fire Commission. (2008). Fire Investigation Division. Available from http://www.firemarshal.wv.gov/investigation/Pages/default.aspx. Last Accessed (July 21, 2008) Donahue, Michael L. (2008). A STRUCTURED SYSTEM FOR FIRE INVESTIGATOR SAFETY. Available from http://www.mddciaai.org/donahue_article.htm. Last Accessed (July 29, 2008) Dehaan, John D. & Kirk, Paul L.(1997). Kirk’s Fire Investigation 4th Edition. Preentice Hall. Read More