Hose Appliances and Tools Used in Structural Firefighting Operations

Structural firefighters must be completely familiar with firefighting operations involving

hose layout. A complete hose layout consists of one end of the hose connected to a water source
and the other end of the hose is connected to the nozzle.

Two Categories of Devices in Hose Layout:

1. Hose Appliances-any piece of equipment used with a fire hose for delivering water.
Hose appliances have water running through them.

2. Hose Tools- tools used with the hose line.

The Hose Tools

1. Universal Thread Adapter- is a very useful tool on any fire vehicle. It can make a very
quick connection to damaged or unusual size male hose connections. On one of the
adapter is a standard 2 and 1 half inch male connection with national Standard Threads.

2. Hose Jacket- a hollow cylindrical or barrel-shaped device that opens lengthwise through
the center on a set of hinges. It is a rubber lined to make it water tight. When the jacket is
clamped around the leaking portion of a hose or over a leaking hose connection, the water
is confined by the hose jacket. This tool can prevent the disablement of the entire hose
lay out. They come in 2 and 1 half and 3-inch sizes.

3. Hose Clamp- a tool used to stop the flow of water is a fire hose without shutting off the
source of water supply.

Uses of Hose Clamp

 Stop the flow of the water through a hose while a hose lay is being completed.

 Cut-off the flow of water in a charged line.

 Replaced a busted hose without shutting down the water supply.

 Extends hose line while shutting down the water supply from the clamped hose.

 Advances a charge hose line up stairs.

Apply the hose clamp to a section f hose approximately six (6) feet from the coupling.

Types of Hose Clamp

a. screw-down
 b. press-down
c. hydraulic down

General Rules in using a hose clamp

 Apply the hose clamp at least 20 feet from the pumper

 Apply the hose clamp at least 5 to 6 feet from the coupling on the incoming water side
 Stand to one side when applying or releasing the hose clamp as the handle has a tendency
to snap open suddenly.
 Place the hose in the center of the jaws to avoid pinching the hose.
 Close and open the hose clamp slowly to prevent water hammer.

Spanner Wrench and Hydrant Wrenches

a. Spanner wrench is used to tighten leaking connections and to loosen connections that are
too tight to break with hands alone. Can be use as a wedge for prying. It has a slot for
pulling nails, and a flat surface for hammering.

b. Hydrant wrenches are used to open and close fire hydrants and to remove hydrant outlet
caps. Some are designed to tighten or loosen coupling connections. It is usually equipped
with a pentagon opening in its head that fits most standard fire hydrant open nuts.

4. Hose Strap

It is a 36 inch length of cloth strap with a handle on one end and hook on the other. It is
used for moving hose layouts, usually up ladders or staircases.

5. Rope

It is a safely line sued for hoisting tools for various floors of a structure and used for
anchoring to stationary objects, ladders, charged hose lines, and other accessories (consist of 100
foot lengths of three-fourth manila hemp rope with one eye splice in one end.

6. Hose Bridge (Hose Ramp)

A hose tool used to prevent damage to the hose when vehicles cross a street, or where the
traffic cannot be diverted.

7. Chafing Blocks

Tools used to prevent damage to the hose where the hose is subjected to rubbing from
vibrations.

8. Rubber mallet
 A hose tool used to strike the lugs of a coupling to tighten or loosen the coupling without
damaging the lugs. It is used to make a coupling completely airtight.

9. Hose Roller (Hose Hoist)

These are hose tools used to prevent damage to hose lines when it is being dragged over
sharp objects such as roof edges and window sills.

The Hose Appliances

1. Valves- it controls the flow of water in a hose lines, hydrants, and at pumpers.

Types:

 Ball valves- these are valves used in pumper discharges, gated wyes and fire
piping systems.
 Gate valves- used in fire hydrant.
 Butterfly valves- it is used on large pump intakes.
 Clapper valves- it is used in Siamese appliances that allow only one intake hose to
be connected and charged before adding more hose.

LADDER OPERATIONS

Ladders are very important during an emergency situation, particularly during fire, when
every second counts towards the success or failure of an operation. Firefighters must know the
proper procedures for carrying, raising, and climbing ladders so thoroughly that their actions will
be governed by habit.

Originally, ladders were made from hard wood, with solid beams. Even in short lengths
these ladders were heavy and hard to handle. As the years passed by, an improved metal ladder
made of lightweight metal alloys were introduced and to date are most commonly used in fire
service.

Ladder Terminology

1. Bed ladder- the lowest section of an extension ladder.

2. Fly ladder- the top section of an extension ladder.
3. Butt- the bottom end of a ladder
4. Heel- the part of a ladder that touches the ground
5. Halyard- a rope or cable used to raise the fly ladder.
6. Pawl or dog- the mechanism located at the end of the fly ladder that locks to the ladder
bed.
7. Rung- the cross member of a ladder that is used for climbing.
8. Top or Tip- it is the top part of a ladder.
 9. Hooks- part of a ladder that is used to hook over a roof peak, sills, or walls where the heel
does not rest on a foundation (found only on roof-type ladders)
10. Stops- made of metal or wood blocks used to prevent the fly of an extension ladder from
extending out further from the ladder.
11. Guides- light metal strips of an extension ladder that guides the fly ladder while it is
being raised or lowere.

Types of Ladders

1. Ground Ladders

2. Aerial Ladders

Ground ladders vary in sizes from 3.1 to 17 meters (10-55 feet) long. It is carried on a
pumper or fire trucks.

Forms of Ladder

1) Wall
2) Extension
3) Hook ladder (roof) or straight ladder
4) Attic ladder

Uses:

a. For rescue
b. To stretch lines into a fire building
c. Provide ventilation by giving access to ports, scuttles, window, roofs, or other places
that are hard to reach.

Straight Ladder

This is a type of ladder that contains only one section. It ranges in length from 12 to 16
feet. The most common size is the 14-foot straight ladder. The roof or hook ladder is a straight
ladder adapted for a special purpose. Hooks are mounted on a movable socket that permits them
to fold inward when not in use.

Extension Ladder

This is consists of a bed and one or more fly ladders. The fly ladder slides through guides
on the upper end of the bed ladder. It contains locks (pawls or dogs0 which hook over the rungs
of the bed ladder. These secure it in a designated position, dependent upon the desired length of
the ladder. The fly ladder is operated over a pulley on the upper end of the bed ladder. The 24,
25, or 36 foot ladders are the types commonly found and carried on the pumpers of fire trucks.
 An extension ladder that has a stay poles is called tormentors. Tormentors support the
beams and give extra stability when raising or lowering the ladder. It ranges from 4.6 to 10
meters in length (15-33 feet)

Extension ladders that are extended to more than 35 feet are called Bangor ladders.

Attic Ladder

It provides means of reaching through an opening into attics, lofts, and other areas that
are somewhat difficult to reach without a special ladder. It can be folded or collapsed for a small
room or closet works. They are usually short because they are required to reach only a short
distance.

Wall Ladder

This type of ladder best used in rescue where a ladder in place is already falls short of the
endangered person. It allows the user to climb up or down, one storey as at time (e.g. scaling or
pompier, and fire escape).

Type of Ladders According to its Beam:

1. Solid beam ground ladder- made of heavy hard wood and/or lightweight metal alloys.
2. Trussed beam ground ladder- a lightweight metal alloy easier to handle and carry.

Aerial Ladders

This type of ladder that is mounted on a turntable, capable of extending up to 30.5 meters
(100 feet0,may have three of four metal fly sections of ladder that can be raised or lowered by
hydraulically controlled cables.

Forms of Aerial Ladders

1. Hydraulic aerial ladders

2. Elevating platform (articulated boom)

Uses:

 Provide a source of heavy streams in combating fire;

 Best used for rescue operations;
 Used an elevator to lift handlines, handtools and short ladders up to its load limits;
 Used as a reconnaissance platform or a place from which to direct operations.

Type of Ladder Carries:

1. One-man carry- removes the ladder from the apparatus and pass either arm through the
ladder at the middle of its length. Carry it with the hooks forward and lowered.
 2. Two-man carry- normally extension ladders from 24 to 36 feet in length require at least
two men. To remove the ladder from the fire apparatus, place one man near each end.
Each man then passes one arm through the ladder and grasps the second rung forward.
Both men must be on the same side.
3. Four-man carry- removes the ladder from the apparatus and places it on the ground with
the fly up. Have the four men take their positions, two near each end, on opposite sides of
the ladder. Face the top of the ladder. Reach down and grasp a rung with the hand nearest
it. Raise the ladder on the shoulder.
4. Six-man carry- this procedure is the same as the four-man carry except that an additional
two men are placed in the middle on the opposite sides to carry a heavier ladder.

BUILDING CODE AND BUILDING REQUIREMENTS

Building Code – a standard rules for safety in the construction of buildings. Building codes vary
in their fire-resistance requirements in accordance with the occupancy classification.

Building Code Requirements

1. Intended occupancy and use

2. Life safety
3. Fixed fire protection system
4. Spacing of structures
5. Height requirements
6. Fire retarding features

 Intended Occupancy and Use – a building design is based upon the occupancy of the
individual structure, considering both the combustibility of the contents and the
human factors of occupancy. Buildings wherein large occupants are assembled such
as dormitories, schools, hospitals, where crowds may generate panic hazards, call for
a higher and greater degree of fire safety protection than do warehouses and building
which are less populated. Buildings that contain high combustible materials call for a
greater degree of fire resistance in the structure.

 Life Safety – the provision of adequate exits is the most important feature in
designing a building for life safety. Once fire is notified, occupants can leave the
building in the least possible time through exits free from fire, heat, and smoke.
Although panic in a burning building may be uncontrollable, it can be eased with
measures designed to help prevent panic an example of this is the exit signs. Panic
seldom develops in a burning building as long as occupants are moving towards exits
that have no obstructions in the path of travel. The life safety factor is affected by
many building designs and feature-designs and feature that prevent, reduce, or retard
the spread of the fire such as: fire stops, fire walls, and fire doors.
 Fixed Fire Protection System – fixed fire protection system installed will be in
accordance with sound economical and engineering practices. These systems insure
the maximum life safety or maximum degree of property protection where the size,
type of construction, occupancy, or other conditions create severe monetary fire-loss
potential.

 Spacing of Structures – planning and construction of an adequate separation of

buildings and structures is very important to prevent the spread of fire from an
adjacent building or from area to area. Spacing requirements that restrict types of
occupancies or specified areas have an important bearing upon fire safety.
Consideration will be given to convenience, efficiency, and savings. When buildings
have different occupancies and different types of construction are adjacent, maximum
spacing requirements have to be observed.

 Height Requirements – owing to the life hazard involved, it is a good practice to limit
the height of structures that have an unusually high degree of combustibility. The
height of buildings of masonry or concrete wall and wood construction is generally
limited to a height assumed to be the maximum at which the fire departments can
operate and fight fire effectively, working from the street level. The operational limit
is usually three (3) or four (4) stories. Wood frame construction is generally given
lower height limits. Fire resistive buildings are commonly permitted without any
height limit, on the theory that the structural integrity of the buildings will be
maintained.

 Fire Retarding Features – while a facility is still being designed, everything possible
should be planned and done to make the facility eventually fire safe. Fire retarding
features must be specified in the plans. For the safety of personnel, important
provisions in preventing the spread of fire (both vertically and horizontally in
buildings should be constructed).

a. Fire stops – wood is used as a fire stop, it must be at least 2 inches thick.
Concealed spaces in the building should be filled with noncombustible
material. Fire stops must be inspected during the construction.

b. Fire partitions – fire partitions are installed to separate areas of hazardous

occupancies from areas of ordinary or light hazard occupancies that resist the
passage of fire from one area to another. Fire partitions must be constructed
to have fire-resistance ratings of 1 or 2 hours. the degree of fire resistance
will be governed by the following factors:
 Type of building construction;
  Size of the hazardous area;
 The severity of the fire hazard.

c. fire walls – fire walls are installed for the purpose of preventing the passage
of fire from one building to another, or from one fire area of a building to another
area. Fire wall must be structurally

Classification of Occupancy

1. Mercantile – occupancies includes stores, markets and other rooms, building or structures
for the display or sale of merchandise.
2. Institutional – used for purposes such as treatment or care of person suffering from
physical or mental illness such as hospital, nursing homes, home for aged and etc.
3. Storage – this includes warehouses, terminals, hangars, parking garages.
4. Public assembly – places of assembly include but are not limited to all buildings for
gathering 50 or more persons, worship places, entertainment, theaters, gym, restaurants.
5. Business office – used for the transaction of business.
6. Educational – use for the gathering of group of 6 or more person for purposes of
instruction, schools, colleges, nursery.
7. Industrial – occupancies includes factories, making products of all kinds and properties
devoted to operations such as processing, assembling, packaging, this include power
plants, sawmills, gas plant, and etc.
8. Residential – a residential is one in which, sleeping, and or sleeping accommodation are
provided for residential purposes except those classified under institutional occupancies.
Residential are hotels, motels, pension house, inns, apartments, dormitories, lodging or
room houses.
9. Mixed occupancies – in case of two or more classes of occupancy occur in the same
building or structure so intermingled that separate safeguards are impracticable.
10. Miscellaneous – this class of occupancy includes building or structure, which cannot be
properly classified in any of the preceding occupancy groups.

FIRE INVESTIGATION

One of the most difficult problems to solve is to determine the cause of fire, since the
flames generally consume any evidence of what occurred. This is the reason that the cause of
most fires cannot be determined without a long and careful investigation.

Firefighters often make snap judgments at the scene as to the cause of a fire, without an
adequate evidence or sufficient investigation on which to base their decision. Apparently, there is
hesitation on the part of the firefighters to admit that they do not really know the real cause of the
fire, since few fires (approximately 4% of those reported) are listed as ‘cause known”. Instead,
the fire is attributed to various causes without apparent regard to actual evidence or to lack of it.

Some of the favorite causes listed by firefighters, when they are not certain of the actual
cause, are faulty wiring, children playing with matches, spontaneous combustion, sparks from
stove, burning rubbish, and careless disposal of smoking materials.

The very general and indefinite nature of these causes indicates that, in most cases, they
are based on assumptions, rather than on evidence.

No matter how small, fire must be investigated. Fire investigations provide authorities
with information needed to guide fire prevention educational programs, help fire inspectors in
spotting and eliminating new or previously overlooked hazards, and develop meaningful
information for training fire protection personnel.

Cause Defined

That which made the fire starts.

Reason Defined

That which led to the cause of a fire (a motive leading to the action)

Four General Classes of Fire Causes

1. Natural Fire – fire caused naturally without human intervention or aid; such as lightning,
spontaneous ignition, mechanical malfunction of equipment, volcanic eruption.
2. Accidental Fire – fire causes where human action is involved directly or indirectly. i.e,
careless disposal of smoking materials, workers using welding-cutting equipment.
3. Arson – fire cause as a result of the wilfull and criminal action of some persons, i.e.,
incendiary fire.
4. Unknown Fire – fires which are not classified as to cause.

Three General Classification of Fire

1. Innocent fire – e.g natural and accidental causes.

2. Incendiary fire – e.g. arson cases
3. Unknown fire – e.g. fire of unknown causes.

Fire Investigation Kit

 Special clothing such as: coverall, gloves, boots used to protect uniform;
 Flashlight and electric lantern;
 Measuring tape and small ruler for making measurements;
 Labels (gummed and stringed) used to identify items;
  New or sterile glass jars with rubber airtight seals used for the collection of samples;
 Envelopes, boxes, plastic bags, metal cans used for the collection (assorted sizes) used for
collection of samples.

Basic Steps in a Fire Scene Examination

 Search systematically – make a plan, have in mind what you will look for, the way you
will look, and what you will do with each item found and collected. Be thorough,
complete, and orderly.
 Observe – use your eyes, ears, nose, and camera if possible to note the conditions.
Observe the fire and the spectators.
 Take photograph – the camera records more details than the naked eye. Established visual
reference through numerous photographs. Photograph each area several times during the
various phases of investigation. Infrared photography may prove extremely valuable
since it is sensitive to differences in heat.
 Work by the process of elimination – establish a checklist and check off each item. Settle
one item before attempting another if possible. Avoid backtracking.
 Check and verify – do not assume or take for granted. Don’t jump to conclusions.
 Take note – write down all the details.
 Draw diagrams – amplify notes with diagrams depicting locations of incidents described.

Attempted, Frustrated and Consummated Arson:

1. Attempted Arson – if a person intended to burn a wooden house, collected rags soaked in
gasoline and placed it beside the wall, but when he was about to light it, he was seen by
another who ran after him.
2. Frustrated Arson – if the person who was able to light the rags but the fire was put out
before any part of the building was burned.
3. Consummated Arson – but if before the fire was put out, part of the building was burned.

Basis of Criminal Liability in Arson:

1. Kind and character of the building burned;

2. Its location;
3. Extent or value of the damage;
4. Whether or not the offender knew that the building was occupied or not.

In arson it is not necessary that there be flame or that the structure be consumed or
materially damaged. Ignition satisfies the requirement in burning.
 Malicious intent of the offender must be proven in arson, otherwise, no crime exist. The law
presumes that a fire is accidental in origin, hence the criminal design must be shown. Fire caused
by accident or negligence does not constitute arson. The intent can be inferred from the facts of
the case, like application for fire insurance, threat, quarrels, etc.

Method of Proof

Because the physical evidence which normally provides assistance in the investigation is
often destroyed in the crime of arson, the gathering of proofs of its commission is often difficult.
The establishment of the Corpus Delicti and identity of the perpetrator are required in the crime
of arson:

1. Corpus Delicti:
The mere confession of a person with respect to burning is not a sufficient proof of guilt
unless the Corpus Delicti has been established. In the proof of Corpus Delicti, the
following two facts must be established:

1) Burning – it must be shown that there was a fire. The burning of the property and
its location can be established by the direct testimony of the complainant, fire
department personnel, or other witnesses. Physical evidence in the form of
burned parts of the building may also be offered as proof.
2) Criminal design – it must be shown that the fire was willfully set by a person
criminally responsible. This fact can be established by the discovery of
incendiary devise, unexplained presence of accelerants such as gasoline,
kerosene, or by eyewitnesses. It must be shown that the fire is not accidental or
by natural cause.

2. Other Evidence:
After corpus delicti has been established, any evidence direct or circumstantial may be
introduced to show that the act was committed by the accused and that it was done with
criminal intent.

1) Evidence associating the suspect with the scene.

Clue material such as tools, matches, and articles of clothing’s may be found at
the scene of the crime and sometimes traced to the suspect, or the suspect may
have carried on his person or clothing’s traces which link him to the scene of the
crime.
2) Evidence showing intent
Removal of valuable articles, substitution of inferior articles, ill-feeling,
unfriendly relations between the accused and the occupants of the burned
building, absence of effort to extinguish the fire or to turn the fire alarm may
prove intent.
Motives of Arson

Motive is not necessary to be proven in a criminal proceeding, but once motive is shown, then
intent can easily be established. Motive therefore can be established by:

1. Economic Gain

1) Insurance Fraud with the Assured Directly Benefiting:

a. Desire to Move – the premises may no longer desirable because of the

condition of the building, the fact that the quarters are outgrown or
because of the locality.
b. Disposing of Merchandise – the stocks on hand may have lost value by
reason of the seasonal nature of the business, obsolescence, scarcity of
materials necessary to complete contracts, overstock in the absence of
expected order, or a changing market.
c. Property Transaction - the business itself may no longer be desirable
because impending liquidation, settlement of an estate of which it is part,
the need for cash, prospective failure, comparatively greater value of the
land, or the comparatively greater value of the insurance benefits.

2) Profit by the Perpetrator other than the Assured.

a. Insurance agents wishing business

b. Insurance adjusters desiring to adjust a loss by securing a contract
c. Business competitors
d. Persons seeking jobs as protection personnel
e. Salvagers
f. Constructors wishing to rebuild or wreck.

2. Concealment of Crime:

The arsonist may set fire to a building in order t conceal a projected or past crime. He
may wish to divert attention in order to loot the burning premises or steal in other places. The
burning may be for the purpose of destroying evidence.

3. Punitive Measure:

An arsonist may use fire as a means of punishing another person for reason of jealousy,
hatred, or revenge.

4. Intimidation or Economic Disabling:

 The fire may be used as a weapon of the saboteur, the strikers, o racketeer to intimidate
or disabled economically as a step toward forcing submission to certain demands.

5. Pyromania:

Pyromania is the uncontrollable impulse of a person to burn anything without

motivation. Pyromaniacs usually do not run away from the scene of the crime, usually alone, and
feel satisfied watching the flame.

Types of Pyromaniacs

1. Abnormal Youth – epileptics, imbeciles and morons may set fire without knowing the
seriousness of the act.
2. The “Hero” Type – a person may set fire on a building, subsequently pretends to discover
it, and turn in the alarms so that he will appear a “hero” to the public. A person may burn
a building and endeavor to achieve spectacular rescue in order to attract the attention of
spectators.
3. Alcoholics and Drug Addicts – persons who subject themselves to intense artificial
stimulants such as alcohol or narcotics sometimes develop a strong urge toward
incendiarism.
4. Sexual Deviates – some sex perverts derive sexual stimulants from setting a fire and
watching the flame. Frequently he is a chronic masturbator who stimulates and enhances
sexual gratification by means of arson.

Causes of Fire:

1. Carelessly discarded cigarettes;

2. Careless disposition of readily combustible materials;
3. Poorly managed or defective heating facilities;
4. Spontaneous combustion arising from the storage of article in poorly ventilated place;
5. Sun rays focused on glasses which may serve as convex lens;
6. Explosion from petroleum products, alcohol and other substances;
7. Lightning;
8. Electrical defects;
9. Ark or spark; and
10. Overheating.

Investigation During the Fire

A. Observation During the Fire:

1. Smoke and Vapor – the characteristics of the smoke, steam of other vapor
which emanate from the fire may indicate the nature of the burning
substances.

a. Steam and Smoke – indicate humid substances come in contact with

combustible substances. The water present in humid substances
evaporates before the substance begins to burn.
b. White Smoke - may indicate the presence of phosphorus.
c. Grayish Smoke – may be caused by flying ash or soot of loosely
packed substances such as straw and hay.
d. Black Smoke – may be produced by incomplete combustion or
preponderance in the burning material of a product with petroleum
base such as rubber, tar, coal, turpentine, or petroleum.
e. Reddish-brown or yellow smoke – may indicate the presence of
nitrates or substances with a nitrocellulose base. It may be observed in
burning nitric acid, nitrated plastics, film, or smokeless gun powder.

2. Color of the Flame – the flame color may indicate the intensity of the fire and
also the nature of the combustible substance. The temperature of the flame
varies from 500 to 1,500 degrees Celsius and the color ranges from red,
yellow and finally a binding white. Alcohol has blue flame and red flame
indicating the presence of petroleum products.

3. Size of Fire – the size of the fire can be appreciated at the time of arrival and
subsequently thereafter. Unusual extension indicates use of accelerants.
Knowledge of type of construction, the ventilation facilities and the normal
contents of the building will enable a professional observer t form an opinion
as to whether the fire has travelled abnormally fast.

4. Direction of Travel – the flame tends to rise until meeting an obstacle wherein
it projects horizontally to seek other vertical outlet. The extent and rate of
travel in the horizontal direction will depend primarily on the direction of the
wind and on ventilation, such as the availability of doors and windows. The
spread of the fire in an unusual condition indicates the presence of accelerant.

5. Location of Flame – investigator must take note the location and number of
points of origin. Unrelated fire in different places is indicative of arson.

6. Odors – many accelerants have characteristic smell. The smell of highly

inflammable substance in an area where it is not normally used should arouse
 suspicion. Turpentine, alcohol, kerosene and gasoline are among the
accelerants which emit characteristic odors.

B. Examination During the Fire

After observation, the investigator can make important examinations of the

building and the scene.

1. Exterior Openings – the investigator should take note the condition of windows,
doors, or other openings. Locked outside doors and obstructed entrances may
indicate an intent to impede the fireman in the efforts to extinguish the fire. Open
windows and interior passageway doors may suggest an arrangement for
ventilating the fire and promoting its rapid progress, covered windows indicates
an effort on the part of the arsonist to conceal his preparation and work.
2. Preliminary Examination of the Scene – this must be made on the surroundings
and attention must be focused on two types of evidence, namely:

a) Equipment that may have been used by the arsonist such a container,
match, and tools;
b) Traces which may lead to the perpetrators identity, such as shoe or type
impressions, etc.

3. Photography – progressive stage of the burning must be photographed from various

angles. Photograph of the spectators may be necessary for the possibility of
pyromaniacs.

4. Observation of the Spectators – pyromaniac arsonist usually remains at the fire

scene to watch the fire. Exceptional satisfaction or excitement may indicate a
pyromaniac in the crowd. If the fire takes place during normal sleeping hours, the
arsonist may be sometimes distinguishable by being one of the few clothed
persons among the spectators.

Investigation of the Scene After the Fire

If the fire has been promptly reported and extinguished, the discovery of incriminating
evidence may be simple, but if the area has been reduced to ashes recovery of traces of evidence
will be difficult matter. Whatever is the condition of the scene, a patient or perseverance,
methodical study of the area may reveal the criminal design and the method of operation of the
arsonist.

In this connection, the following are the procedures that may guide any arson investigator
in its investigation after the fire:
 1. Safeguard the Scene – the investigator must prevent unnecessary disturbance of the
debris and the intrusions of unauthorized persons. This can be done with closed
cooperation of the fire department.
2. Order of Searching – the area surrounding the burned property should be thoroughly
examined for traces and clue. Doors and windows should be examined for the presence of
break, tool impressions, broken window panes, forced locks. The investigator may go to
the interior for clues of accelerants from the remains.
3. Locating the Point of Origin – the region in which the fire originated may be determined
by the information obtained from witnesses and by the examination of the debris. In
searching the origin, it is necessary to follow the path of the burning to round the edge of
the side away from the source of the flames.
4. Examining the Point of Origin – the remains at the point of origin should be studied
carefully for the purpose of determining the cause of the fire. A search should be made
for traces of combustible materials. Substances such as peculiarly colored materials
should be collected for laboratory examination. Peculiar odor should be noted.
5. Traces of Accelerants – attention should be focused for the presence of traces of the
accelerants like kerosene, gasoline, or turpentine. A study of the manner in which wood
are charred sometimes reveals indication as to an accelerant. If a wood is soaked with a
petroleum product, such as gasoline or kerosene, prior to burning, it will acquire a
distinctive appearance in charring.
6. Altered Protective devices – to insure destruction, the arsonist sometimes tampers the
alarm device. The water flow may be examined for signs of tampering. Abnormal
conditions of the fire doors, transoms and windows should be observed.

The physical evidence and its collection – any piece of evidence that appears to have
unusual significance should be photographed and located on a sketch before it is removed. The
following kinds of physical evidence should be collected in the fire scene:

a) Containers – bottles, cans, barrels, pails or boxes to hold the combustible liquid may be
recovered from the fire scene. The original container should be collected and
preserved.
b) Ashes and debris – the ashes and debris which may possibly contain clothing which
normally not completely burned unless soak with accelerant may be significant in the
examination.
c) Fingerprints and impression – a search for fingerprints should be given special
attention especially on suspicious container of accelerant. The object containing th
print should be preserved, packed and transported to the laboratory. Tool marks, shoe
or tire impressions should be photographed processed by recommended methods and
sent to the laboratory for further study.
d) Incendiary Devices – suspicious articles like wires, fuses, straw or candles which may
form part of the incendiary device should be collected.
 7. Tools – tools might have been brought there and abandoned by the arsonist in his
preparation. If tool marks are present on door jambs and window as a result of forcible
entry, the blades comparison of size and for paint particles.
8. Documents – arsonist may expose the incriminating documents to flame. In the
examination of such documents, the absence of certain papers, such as insurance policy,
which are normally kept in the area, should be investigated.

Interior Arrangement

The condition and contents of various areas in the building should be noted. An occupant
planning a fire will be tempted to remove certain items such as articles of value of sentimental
significance. Jewelry, insurance policy, or anything of value may be removed. Books of account
may be tented on the table to facilitate combustion.

Witnesses

A valuable information may be obtained by arson investigator thru the process of careful
questioning the various persons associated with the discovery and control of the fire, the
occupants of the building, including its watchman, if any. Evidence tending to establish intent
and motive as well as the location and identification of the perpetrator.

1. Persons First Arriving at the Fire – every effort should be made to locate and question the
person who first saw the fire. Identity of the persons who turned in the alarm should be
made, and he can determine the exact point where the fire began and the number of
places it started. The opinion as regards the probable origin of the fire, color of the
smoke, the general appearance of the conflagration may be determined by the person who
first arrived at the fire.
2. Fireman – the fireman should be asked questions concerning the nature of the fire, color
of the flames and smoke, and the receptible odor. He can also give the investigator
information as to condition of the doors and windows.
3. Watchman – the watchman of the building can give detailed information concerning the
condition of the building before the fire. Inquiries from the watchman must be made
regarding the recent behavior of occupants and the movement of stock and pieces of
furniture. Information regarding the last person to leave the building, his suspicion and
theory concerning the last person to leave the building, his suspicion and theory
concerning the origin of the fire may be asked from him.
4. Occupants – occupants and employees in the building must be interviewed separately.
They should be encouraged to state their theories and suspicion of the fire.
5. The owner must be questioned with regard to prior arrest, apprehensions, convictions,
previous fires, financial standing, business, domestic conditions, hobbies or amusements.

PHOTOGRAPHING THE FIRE SCENE

 The use of photographs to document much of the evidence and to support the
observations, opinions and conclusions the investigators wish to make as to the cause of the fire
will support the investigator’s findings.

Photographs also provide evidence which would counteract arguments of alternative

causes of the fire which might be suggested at a later date. Photographs are also useful for
jogging the investigator’s memory at the time of writing the report or before appearing in court.
Also in extremely dark fire scene the photographs could provide detail which may not be
available using torch light.

Photographs provide a pictorial representation which is easily understood and evaluated.

In making a report, the investigator should provide at least one or two photographs wherever
possible to support each observation he/she wishes to present. The photographs should be
numbered and captioned and referred to as “photograph 1, 2, etc.”

A plan should also be made showing the view angles of each photograph or alternatively
the photographs should be presented in a sequence which will provide some type of continuity
toallow the reader to determine the view angle of each one.

Photographing the Exterior

Where to photograph and what to photograph

1. From all sides or at least to opposite corners of the building to show the overall degree of
fire damage and the locations of the various entrances and windows;
2. The location of the building to neighboring buildings or firefighting access areas;
3. Any object which may be material to the circumstances of the fire;
4. Type of tracks, footprints and the location of explosion debris are photographed in close
details, as well as from a distance

Photographing the Interior

1. All rooms and areas inside the building affected by the fire, the photographs should be
sequentially presented in a report from the areas of least damage to the areas of greatest
damage, or to the area of fire origin, if this is not the area of greatest damage.
2. The peripheral areas where the fire had not originated.
3. The area of fire origin should be photographed before excavation will commence and
again photograph should be taken during excavation, if they process has yielded points of
interest;
4. At areas where an accelerant is suspected, the areas of localized damage to the floor as
well as the overhead damage should be photograph;
 5. The burn patterns at doorways should be photograph to show the spread of the fire
between rooms. The burn patterns on the walls in hallways normally show the room from
which the fire originated and the direction of spread of the fire;
6. Appliances suspected of causing the fire should be photographed from a distance and in
close up in the location where they were found. The remains should be taken outside to
allow closer inspection and be photographed in sunlight or later at the laboratory.

Points of Entry and Security of Building

Fire brigade personnel will usually give an account of the security of a building as they
found it. In many cases their accounts will need to be verified at each point of entry by an
inspection of the burn patterns and soot deposits to surface around the point of entry, and an
examination for tool marks.

Where to Photograph and what to Photograph

1. The doors should be first photograph in the position in which they were found. If the door
was found closed then both sides of the door should be photograph.
2. The burn patterns and soot deposits around the door and the door frame should be
photograph as they normally ascertain the position of the door at the time of the fire.
3. Any parts of the door or lock which may have been dislodged as a result of some type of
forced entry should be photograph at the location where they were found and later
reconstructed at their original position.