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NOTES ON CRIME DETECTION AND INVESTIGATION
CDI-6: FIRE TECHNOLOGY AND ARSON INVESTIGATION
FIRE
- a rapid, self-sustaining oxidation process accompanied by the evolution of heat and light of varying
intensity
- an active chemical reaction that takes place between fuel, heat and oxygen in the form of light and
noticeable heat
- a chemical reaction; the rapid oxidation of a fuel producing heat and light
- an oxidation taking place with a rate rapid enough to produce heat and light
TECHNOLOGY
- the branch of knowledge that deals with industrial arts and sciences
- the application of such knowledge that is used to produce the material necessity of society
ELEMENTS OF FIRE OR TRIANGLE OF FIRE
FUEL
- anything that will burn when heated with sufficient oxygen
OXYGEN
- aids in combustion; comes from the atmosphere we breath; the atmosphere contains: 21% oxygen,
78% nitrogen and 1% impurities
HEAT
- source of ignition
TRIANGLE OF FIRE
For many years, the fire triangle (oxygen, fuel and heat) was taught as the components of fire. While
this simple example is useful, it is NOT technically correct.
TETRAHEDRON OF FIRE
- a geometric representation of what is required for fire to exist, namely, fuel, an oxidizing agent,
heat, and an uninhibited chemical reaction
FIRE TETRAHEDRON
- Oxygen (oxidizing agent)
- Fuel
- Heat
- Self-sustained chemical reaction
Each component of the tetrahedron must be in place for combustion to occur. Remove one of the
four components and combustion will not occur. If ignition has already occurred, the fire is
extinguished when one of the components is removed from the reaction.
OXYGEN (Oxidizing Agent)
- a colorless, odorless gas and one of the compositions of air which is approximately 21% percent by
volume
-
Oxygen sources: Oxygen requirements:
1. 21% of normal oxygen 1. 12% no fire
2. 78% nitrogen 2. 14% flash point
3. 1% other gases 3. 21% fire point
FUEL
- the material or substance being oxidized or burned in the combustion process.
Fuel sources
1. Solid
- molecules are closely packed together
2. Liquid

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- molecules are loosely packed
3. Gas
- molecules are free to move
HEAT
- the energy component of the fire tetrahedron
- when heat comes into contact with a fuel, the energy supports the combustion reaction
- heat energy is measured in units of Joules (J), however it can also be measured in Calories (1
Calorie = 4.184 J) and BTU's (1 BTU = 1055 J)
TEMPERATURE
- a measure of the degree of molecular activity of a material compared to a reference point
- a measure of the degree of molecular activity of a material compared to a reference point
- measured in degrees Farenheit or degrees Celsius
º C º F Response
37 98.6 Normal human oral/body temperature
44 111 Human skin begins to feel pain
48 118 Human skin receives a first degree burn injury
55 131 Human skin receives a second degree burn injury
62 140 A phase where burned human tissue becomes numb
72 162 Human skin is instantly destroyed
100 212 Water boils and produces steam
140 284 Glass transition temperature of polycarbonate
230 446 Melting temperature of polycarbonate
250 482 Charring of natural cotton begins
300 572 Charring of modern protective clothing fabrics begins
600 1112 Temperatures inside a post-flashover room fire
Types of Energy (common sources of heat)
1. Chemical Energy
2. Electrical Energy
3. Nuclear Energy
4. Mechanical Energy
CHEMICAL ENERGY
- the most common source of heat in combustion reactions
When any combustible is in contact with oxygen, oxidation occurs. The reaction of this process
results in the production of heat.
ex. Heat generated from burning match, self heating (spontaneous heating)
ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- can generate temperature high enough to ignite any combustible material near the heated area
Examples:
1. over current or overload
2. arcing
3. sparking
4. static
5. lightning
NUCLEAR ENERGY
- generated when atoms either split apart (fission) or combine (fusion)
Ex.
1. fission heats water to drive steam turbines and produce electricity
2. solar energy is a product of a fusion reaction

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MECHANICAL ENERGY
- an energy created by friction and compression
1) Heat of friction - the movement of two surfaces against each other, thus producing sparks
2) Heat of compression - heat is generated when a gas is compressed in a container or cylinder
SELF-SUSTAINED CHEMICAL REACTION
Combustion is a complex reaction that requires a fuel (in the gaseous or vapor state), an oxidizer,
and heat energy to come together in a very specific way. Once flaming combustion or fire occurs, it
can only continue when enough heat energy is produced to cause the continued development of fuel
vapors or gases. Scientists call this type of reaction a “chain reaction”.
A chain reaction is a series of reactions that occur in sequence with the result of each individual
reaction being added to the rest.
FIRE DEVELOPMENT
When the four components of the fire tetrahedron come together, ignition occurs. For a fire to grow
beyond the first material ignited, heat must be transmitted beyond the first material to additional fuel
packages.
Stages of Fire
- Ignition
- Growth
- Flashover
- Fully-developed
- Decay
IGNITION
- describes the period when the four elements of the fire tetrahedron come together and combustion
begins
GROWTH
- shortly after ignition, a fire plume begins to form above the burning fuel. As the plume develops, it
begins to draw or entrain air from the surrounding space into the column.
FLASHOVER
- the transition between the growth and the fully developed fire stages and is not a specific event
such as ignition. During flashover, conditions in the compartment change very rapidly as the fire
changes from one that is dominated by the burning of the materials first ignited to one that involves
all of the exposed combustible surfaces within the compartment.
FULLY-DEVELOPED
- occurs when all combustible materials in the compartment are involved in the fire
DECAY
- as the fire consumes the available fuel in the compartment, the rate of heat released begins to
decline.
THREE (3) STAGES OF FIRE
1. Incipient phase
2. Free burning phase
3. Smoldering
1. INCIPIENT STAGE
- initial stage of fire
Characteristics
- normal room temperature
- oxygen plentiful
- thermal updraft rise accumulates at higher point

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- temperature at 1000 F
- Producing C02, CO, SO2, water and other gases
2. FREE BURNING PHASE
- a phase of burning in which materials or structures are burning in the presence of adequate oxygen
Characteristics
- fire has involved more fuel
- oxygen supply has depleted
- heat accumulates at upper area
- temperature exceeds 1,330 F
- area is fully involved
3. SMOLDERING PHASE
- final phase of burning wherein flame ceases but dense smoke and heat completely fill the confined
room
MODES OF HEAT TRANSFER
Heat is by-product of combustion that is of significant importance to the firefighter. It is heat that
causes fire to sustain its combustion and, more important, to extend. When heat given off as a
product of combustion is exposed to an unheated substance, certain changes occur that can make
the new substance a contributing factor in extending a fire.
CONDUCTION
- heat transfer within solids or between contacting solids
When a hot object transfers its heat, conduction has taken place. The transfer could be to another
object or to another portion of the same object. As we have discovered and will be constantly
reinforced about, combustion occurs on the molecular level. When an object heats up, the atoms
become agitated and begin to collide with one another. A chain reaction of molecules and atoms,
like wave energy, occurs and causes the agitated molecules to pass the heat energy to areas of
non-heat.
CONVECTION
- heat transfer by the movement of liquids or gasses
Air that is hotter than its surroundings rises. Air that is cooler than its surroundings sinks. Air is made
up of many molecules floating about freely. Even so, it still has weight. Some molecules are made
up of the same element. For example, oxygen in its natural state will combine with another oxygen
atom to form a stable oxygen molecule. In a given volume, air at a given temperature will have the
same density. When heated, as in conduction theory, the molecules become agitated and begin to
collide with one another. In the process, the molecules are demanding more space to accommodate
the vibrations and they push into one another as they seek that space. When that happens, the
density of a given volume is reduced and it weighs less. Because it weighs less, it rises until it
reaches equilibrium-the level at which the weight is the same as the surrounding atmosphere.
RADIATION
- heat transfer by electromagnetic waves
The last form of heat transfer occurs by radiation. As we have already seen, heat energy can be
transmitted directly when molecules collide with one another and cause the waves of heat energy to
travel.
FLAME CONTACT
- heat may be conducted from one body to another by direct flame contact
PROPERTIES OF FIRE
1. Physical properties
2. Chemical Properties

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1. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
a. Specific gravity
- the ratio of the weight of a solid or substance to the weight of an equal volume of water
b. Vapor density
- the weight of volume of pure gas compared to weight of a volume of dry air at the same
temperature and pressure
c. Vapor pressure
- the force exerted by the molecules on the surface of the liquid at the equilibrium
d. Temperature
- the measure of the thermal degree of the agitation of molecules of a given substance; the measure
of the molecular activity within the substance
e. Boiling Point
- the constant temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid is equal to the atmospheric
pressure
f. Ignition temperature
- the minimum temperature to which the substance in the air must be heated in order to initiate or
cause self-contained combustion without addition of heat from outside sources
g. Fire point
- the temperature at which the material will give off ample vapors to keep burning
h. Flash point
- the temperature at which the material is not hot enough to keep burning, but still gives off enough
vapors to cause a flame across the surface
2. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
a. Endothermic reaction
- are changes whereby energy is absorbed or is added before the reaction takes place
b. Exothermic reaction
- reactions or changes that releases or give off energy
c. Oxidation
- a chemical change in which combustible material and an oxidizing material react
d. Combustion or flame
- the manifestation of fire is in its gas-phased combustion; matter that is produced by fire.
Material Ignition Temperature
F C
Gasoline 536 280
Kerosene 410 210
Turpentine 488 253
Paper 842 450
Wood 489 254
Coal 750 400
CLASSIFICATIONS OF FIRE
I. BASED ON CAUSE
a. Natural fire/ providential
b. Accidental fire
c. Intentional Fire/Incendiary
d. Undetermined
A. NATURAL FIRE
- involves fires without direct human intervention
Examples:
- Earthquake
- Typhoon
- Lightning
- Spontaneous combustion arising from the storage of combustible materials in poorly ventilated

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places
- Explosion from petroleum products, alcohol and other substances
- Sun rays focused on glasses which may serve as a convex lens
B. ACCIDENTAL FIRE
- Carelessly discarded cigarettes
- Careless disposition of readily combustible materials
- Poorly managed or defective heating facilities
- Overheating, spark and electrical defects
- Overload electric circuits/ Octopus connections
- Children playing matches
- Use of candles
C. INCENDIARY FIRE
- is one deliberately set under circumstances in which the person knows that the fire should not be
set
D. UNDETERMINED FIRE CAUSE
- whenever the cause cannot be proven, the proper classification is undetermined
II. BASED ON BURNING FUEL
CLASS A
- ordinary solid materials such as wood, paper, fabrics, etc.
- this will be indicated by deep cited fire, leaves ashes and embers (glowing coals) after burning
CLASS B
- flammable liquids such as gasoline, lube oil, kerosene, paint thinner, etc.
CLASS C
- electrical appliances; causes electric shock
CLASS D
- metal fire such as magnesium (white element burning with dazzling light), sodium (a silver white
metallic element), etc.; creates violent reaction
CLASS E
- flammable gases such as LPG, LNG, etc.; also creates violent reaction
Fire Classes in the United Kingdom and Europe
A – ordinary combustibles
B – flammable or flammable liquids
C – flammable gasses
D – combustible metals
E – (this class is no longer existing in Europe)
F – cooking oils and fats
Fire Classes in Australia and Asia
A – everyday combustibles
B – combustible or combustible liquids
C – combustible gasses
D – combustible metals
E – electrical equipment
F – cooking fats and oils
Fire Classes in the U.S.A. (NFPA)
A – regular combustibles
B – flammable liquids and gasses
C – electrical appliances
D – combustible metals
K – cooking oils and fats

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FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT
EXTINGUISHING AGENT
1. Class A – water (all agents)
2. Class B – foam/carbon dioxide (all agents)
3. Class C – carbon dioxide/powder (never use water, soda acid and foam)
4. Class D – special powder
5. Class E – all agents
METHODS OF EXTINGUISHMENT
1. COOLING – heat absorption.
2. SEPARATION – the removal of the fuel.
3. SMOTHERING – by expelling oxygen
4. Inhibition or the interruption of chemical chain reaction
Strategies Used in Firefighting:
1. Locate the fire
2. Confine the fire
3. Extinguish the fire
4. Exposures
Factors to Consider in Extinguishment:
1. Time
2. Weather (temperature, humidity, wind)
3. Fire ( ex. Extent, location, bldg construction, contents involved)
4. Occupancy
5. Ventilation (used for clearing the bldg of smoke and gases)
Types of Ventilation:
a. Vertical ventilation - must be worked from the top to bottom
b. Cross or horizontal ventilation - used if gases have not reached the higher level through the
opening of windows
c. Mechanical force ventilation - a method whereby a device such as smoke ejector is utilized to
remove faster excessive heat and dense smoke
Factors to determine the location for the opening:
1. Location of intensity of fire
2. Highest point on the roof
3. Direction of wind
4. Existing exposure
5. Extent of fire
6. Obstruction
ADDITIONAL BASIC TACTICS USED IN EXTINGUISHING FIRE
1. RESCUE - any action taken by the firefighters to remove occupants/ persons from building/
hazards to a safety place
2. OVERHAUL - a complete and detailed checked of the structures and materials involved in the fire
to make sure that every spark and ember has been extinguished and to have assurance against re-
ignition
3. SALVAGE - an action taken by the firefighters in preventing excessive damage by fire, water with
the use of salvage cover or by removing materials out from the burning building
Types of ladder
1. Ground ladders (10 to 55 ft. long)
2. Aerial ladders
Purposes of ladders
a. for rescue

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b. to stretch line into a fire building
c. to provide ventilation by giving access to places that are hard to reach
Forms of ground ladders
a. Wall
b. Extension
c. Hook or straight ladder
d. Attic ladder
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 the ladder that touches the ground
5. Halyard - a rope or cable used to raised the fly ladder
6. Pawl or dog - the mechanism located at the end of the fly ladder that locks to the bed ladder
7. Rung - the cross member of the ladder that is used for climbing
8. Top or tip - it is the top part of the 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. (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 lowered
ARSON INVESTIGATIVE GUIDE AND PROCEDURES
ARSON
- the willful and malicious burning of all kinds of buildings and structures including personal
properties
INVESTIGATION
- an art that deals with the identity and location of the offender and provides evidence of his guilt in
criminal proceedings
ELEMENTS OF ARSON
1. Actual burning took place
2. Actual burning is done with malicious intent
3. The actual burning is done by person(s) legally and criminally liable
LAW AND JURISPRUDENCE
The law on arson in the Philippines is covered by Articles 320 to 326 of the Revised Penal Code, as
amended by PD No. 1613, PD No. 1744, and Sec. 50 Rule VIII IRR of RA 6975 which provides that
the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) shall have the power to investigate all causes of fires and, if
necessary, file the proper complaint with the City/Provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction over
arson cases.
LAWS ON ARSON
1. Article 320 – 326 of the Revised Penal Code
- defines arson, its forms and penalties
2. PD 1613 – the law amending the law on arson
- defining the prima facie evidence of arson
3. RA 7659
- An Act to Impose Death Penalty on Certain Heinous Crimes, amending for that purpose the
Revised Penal Code as amended, other special laws, and for other purposes
4. RA 6975 Sec. 54
- provides that the Fire Bureau shall have the power to investigate all causes of fires and if

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necessary file the proper complaint with the City/Provincial Prosecutor who has jurisdiction over the
case
What Constitutes Arson?
1. Burning
2. Willfulness – means intentional and implies that the act was done purposely and intentionally
3. Malice – denotes hatred or ill will or a desire for revenge; deliberate intention of doing unjustified
harm for the satisfaction of doing it
4. Motive – the moving cause which induces the commission of a crime; something that leads or
influences a person to do something
5. Intent – the purpose or design with which the act is done and involves the will; an essential
element of crime, motive is not
Why is arson very hard to investigate?
Arson is one of the most difficult offenses to investigate because the arsonist can be able to set a
fire and escape undetected. The fire can consume the scene and destroy much physical evidence of
the offense. Harder forms of evidence are often buried in debris and grossly altered in appearance.
What Constitutes Burning?
 The mere fact that a building is scorched or discolored by heat is not sufficient nor will bare
intention or even an attempt to burn a house amount to arson, if no part of it is burned.
 Yet, if there is actual ignition of any part of the building, arson is committed, although there be no
flame or the fire immediately goes out of itself.
 To burn means to consume by fire and in the case of arson, if the wood is blackened but no fibers
are wasted, there is no burning, yet the wood need not be in flame or blaze, and the burning of any
part, however, small is sufficient to constitute arson, and if the house is charred in a single place so
as to destroy the fibers of the wood, it is sufficient to constitute arson.
What is Attempted Arson?
 In attempted arson, it is not necessary that there be a fire before the crime is committed. No hard
and fast rule is laid down by the law as to the requirements for attempted arson. The peculiar facts
and circumstances of a particular case should carry more weight in the decision of the case. Thus, a
person intending to burn a wooden structure, collects some rags, soaks them in gasoline and places
them beside the wooden wall of the building. When he is about to light a match to set fire to the rags,
he is discovered by another who chases him away.
 The crime committed is attempted arson, because the offender begins the commission of the
crime directly by overacts (placing the rags soaked in gasoline beside the wooden wall of the
building and lighting a match) but he does not perform all the acts of execution (the setting of the fire
to the rags) due to the timely intervention of another who chases away) the offender.
What is Frustrated Arson?
 In frustrated arson, the fact of having set fire to some rags and jute sacks soaked in kerosene oil
and placed near the partition of the entire soil of an inhabited house, should not be qualified as a
consummated arson, in as much as no part of the house had begun to burn, although fire would
have started in the said partition had it not been extinguished on time. The crime committed was
frustrated arson.
What is Consummated Arson?
 The offender did in fact set fire to the roof of the house and said house was partially burned. The
crime was consummated arson, notwithstanding the fact that the fire afterwards extinguished for
once it has been started, the consummation of the crime of arson does not depend upon the extent
of the damage caused.
 Setting fire to the contents of a building constitutes the consummated crime of setting fire to a
building even if no part of the building was burned.

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Basis of Liability in Arson:
1. Kind and character of the building, whether of public or private ownership.
2. Its location, whether in an uninhabited place or in a populated place.
3. Extent of damage caused; and
4. The fact of its being inhabited or not.
Some of the Arson Evidence that the Investigator should seek at the Fire scene are the following:
1. Unusually rapid spread of the fire.
2. Where it originated?
3. Separate fires – when two or more separate fires break-out within a building, the fire is certainly
suspicious.
4. Unusual odors – the odor of gasoline, alcohol, kerosene and other inflammable liquids are
indicated by their characteristics and oftentimes, arsonists are trapped because of this tell tale signs.
5. Objects that appear to be foreign to the scene such as cans, candles, matches, explosives,
electrical appliances such as irons, heating elements, clocks, radios, flammables, trailers, etc.
6. Charring pattern may indicate fire characteristics. The fact that the fire feeds on combustible while
propagating itself, indicates that the char will generally be deepest from where the fire originates.
When a fire is extinguished quickly, the charring is only slightly below the surface. Fire burning for a
longer period of time will indicate a char that is deep and pronounced. These facts are most
apparent in the charring of wood as a fire burns. The charring from fire on woods looks like the hide
of a black alligator. Fire extinguished quickly on wood will show a large alligatoring pattern that has
not penetrate the wood to any extent. Fire burning for a long period of time on wood will show small
alligatoring pattern but the char will go deep into the wood. The direction of fire can also be taken
into consideration with charring. The exposed side of combustible will have a deeper char than the
unexposed side.
7. Evidence of forcible entry or lack of same may be important depending on the circumstances at
the time of the fire. If the investigator determines there was no forcible entry and finds that the
building was secured prior to discovery of the fire, he can reasonably suspect there is possibility that
the person who sets the fire entered the building with a key. Doors and windows showing signs of
forced entry may point to arson preceded by burglary or arson by someone without a key to the
premises.
Motives of Arson
Motive
 Motive is the moving cause which induces a person to commit a crime.
Is Motive Necessary to be Proven in Criminal Proceedings?
 No. motive is not necessary to be proven in criminal proceedings but once motive is shown, then
intent can easily established.
 In the crime of arson, the distinction between motive and intent is clearly defined. INTENT is a
material element of arson while motive is not. INTENT is the purpose of design with which the act is
done and involves the will while MOTIVE is what induces the criminal.
Motive Can Be Established By:
I. Economic Gain
A. Insurance fraud with the assured directly benefiting:
1. Desire to move
– the premises may no longer be desirable because of the condition of the building, the fact that the
quarters are outgrown or because of the locality.
2. Disposing of Merchandise
– the stocks on hand may have lost value by reason of the seasonal nature of the business,
obsolesce, scarcity of materials necessary to complete the contracts, overstock in the absence of
expected order or a changing market.
3. Property Transaction
– the business itself may no longer be desirable because of impending liquidation, settlement of an

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estate of which it is a part, the need for cash, prospective failure, the comparatively greater value of
the land, or the comparatively greater value of the insurance benefits.
B. Profit by the Perpetrator other than the assured:
1. Insurance agents wishing business
2. Insurance adjusters desiring to adjust a loss by securing a contract
3. Business competitors
4. Persons seeking jobs as protection personnel
5. Salvagers
6. Contractors wishing to rebuild or wreck
Concealment of Crime:
 the arsonists may set fire to a building in order to 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 evidences.
Punitive Measure:
- An arsonists may use fire as a means of punishing another person for reason of jealousy, hatred or
revenge.
Intimidation or Economic Disabling:
- The fire may be used as a weapon of the saboteurs, the strikers or the racketeers to intimidate or
to disable economically as a step toward forcing submission to certain demands.
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 alarm 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 narcotics sometimes develop a strong urge toward incendiaries.
4. Sexual Deviates – some sex perverts derive sexual stimulation from setting a fire and watching
the flame. Frequently, he is chronic masturbator who stimulates and enhances his sexual
gratification by means of arson.
Public Disturbance
- an offender may resort to arson as a means of a public disturbance because a fire attracts people
and destruction causes confusion that gives rise to attendant problems that divert police attention.
Vandalism
– is a general term denoting intentional burning to destroy properties.
In determining motive, a fire investigator concentrates on three major factors:
1. Points of origin of the fire
2. Modus operandi of the arsonist
3. Identify of persons who might benefits from the fire.
Incendiary Materials
- materials used to start a fire; combustible fuels
1. Arson Chemicals (liquids) – are incendiary materials often used by arsonists as accelerants.
Possess excellent properties. Examples: alcohol, benzene, petroleum ether, gasoline, kerosene,
naptha, turpentine.
2. Gases as acetylene, butane, CO, ethylene, hydrogen, natural gas, propane, these are common
gases resulting in fires from explosion. These when mix with air possess excellent in ignition
properties and when present in an enclosed area can lead to explosion.

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3. Solids as chlorates, perchlorates, chromates, bichromates, nitrates, permanganates – are typical
families of oxidizing agents which give off oxygen on decomposition thus aiding in combustion.
FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
Republic Act No. 9514
- Approved on December 19, 2008
- Repealed PD 1185
- known as the "Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008".
Definition of terms
Abatement - Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard.
Administrator - Any person who acts as agent of the owner and manages the use of a building for
him.
Blasting Agent - Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer used to set off explosives.
Cellulose Nitrate Or Nitro Cellulose - A highly combustible and explosive compound produced by the
reaction of nitric acid with a cellulose material.
Cellulose Nitrate Plastic (Pyroxylin) - Any plastic substance, materials or compound having cellulose
nitrate (nitro cellulose) as base.
Combustible, Flammable or Inflammable - Descriptive of materials that are easily set on fire.
Combustible Fiber - Any readily ignitable and free burning fiber such as cotton, oakum, rags, waste
cloth, waste paper, kapok, hay, straw, Spanish moss, excelsior and other similar materials
commonly used in commerce.
Combustible Liquid - Any liquid having a flash point at or above 37.8_C (100_F).
Corrosive Liquid - Any liquid which causes fire when in contact with organic matter or with certain
chemicals.
Curtain Board - A vertical panel of non-combustible or fire resistive materials attached to and
extending below the bottom chord of the roof trusses, to divide the underside of the roof into
separate compartments so that heat and smoke will be directed upwards to a roof vent.
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.
Damper - A normally open device installed inside an air duct system which automatically closes to
restrict the passage of smoke or fire.
Distillation - The process of first raising the temperature in separate the more volatile from the less
volatile parts and then cooling and condensing the resulting vapor so as to produce a nearly purified
substance.
Duct System - A continuous passageway for the transmission of air.
Dust - A finely powdered substance which, when mixed with air in the proper proportion and ignited
will cause an explosion.
Electrical Arc - An extremely hot luminous bridge formed by passage of an electric current across a
space between two conductors or terminals due to the incandescence of the conducting vapor.
Ember - A hot piece or lump that remains after a material has partially burned, and is still oxidizing
without the manifestation of flames.
Finishes - Materials used as final coating of a surface for ornamental or protective purposes.
Fire - The active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and light of combustion.
Fire Trap - A building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or because it lacks adequate
exits or fire escapes.

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Fire Alarm - Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system to warm the occupants of
the building or fire fighting elements of the presence or danger of fire to enable them to undertake
immediate action to save life and property and to suppress the fire.
Fire Door - A fire resistive door prescribed for openings in fire separation walls or partitions.
Fire Hazard - Any condition or act which increases or may cause an increase in the probability of the
occurrence of fire, or which may obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with fire fighting operations and
the safeguarding of life and property.
Fire Lane - The portion of a roadway or public way that should be kept opened and unobstructed at
all times for the expedient operation of fire fighting units.
Fire Protective And Fire Safety Device - Any device intended for the protection of buildings or
persons to include but not limited to built-in protection system such as sprinklers and other automatic
extinguishing system, detectors for heat, smoke and combustion products and other warning system
components, personal protective equipment such as fire blankets, helmets, fire suits, gloves and
other garments that may be put on or worn by persons to protect themselves during fire.
Fire Safety Constructions - Refers to design and installation of walls, barriers, doors, windows,
vents, means of egress, etc. integral to and incorporated into a building or structure in order to
minimize danger to life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic before the building is evacuated. These
features are also designed to achieve, among others, safe and rapid evacuation of people through
means of egress sealed from smoke or fire, the confinement of fire or smoke in the room or floor of
origin and delay their spread to other parts of the building by means of smoke sealed and fire
resistant doors, walls and floors. It shall also mean to include the treatment of buildings components
or contents with flame retardant chemicals.
Flash Point - The minimum temperature at which any material gives off vapor in sufficient
concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air.
Forcing -A process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing its shape or dimensions.
Fulminate - A kind of stable explosive compound which explodes by percussion.
Hazardous Operation/Process - Any act of manufacturing, fabrication, conversion, etc., that uses or
produces materials which are likely to cause fires or explosions.
Horizontal Exit - Passageway from one building to another or through or around a wall in
approximately the same floor level.
Hose Box - A box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves and other equipment are stored and arranged
for fire fighting.
Hose Reel - A cylindrical device turning on an axis around which a fire hose is wound and
connected.
Hypergolic Fuel - A rocket or liquid propellant which consists of combinations of fuels and oxidizers
which ignite spontaneously on contact with each other.
Industrial Baking And Drying - The industrial process of subjecting materials to heat for the purpose
of removing solvents or moisture from the same, and/or to fuse certain chemical salts to form a
uniform glazing the surface of materials being treated.
Jumper - A piece of metal or an electrical conductor used to bypass a safety device in an electrical
system.
Occupancy - The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used or intended to be used.
Occupant - Any person actually occupying and using a building or portions thereof by virtue of a
lease contract with the owner or administrator or by permission or sufferance of the latter.
Organic Peroxide - A strong oxidizing organic compound which releases oxygen readily. It causes
fire when in contact with combustible materials especially under conditions of high temperature.

14. 14
Overloading - The use of one or more electrical appliances or devices which draw or consume
electrical current beyond the designed capacity of the existing electrical system.
Owner - The person who holds the legal right of possession or title to a building or real property.
Oxidizing Material - A material that readily yields oxygen in quantities sufficient to stimulate or
support combustion.
Pressurized Or Forced Draft Burning Equipment - Type or burner where the fuel is subjected to
pressure prior to discharge into the combustion chamber and/or which includes fans or other
provisions for the introduction of air at above normal atmosphere pressure into the same combustion
chamber.
Public Assembly Building - Any building or structure where fifty (50) or more people congregate,
gather, or assemble for any purpose.
Public Way - Any street, alley or other strip of land unobstructed from the ground to the sky, deeded,
dedicated or otherwise permanently appropriated for public use.
Pyrophoric - Descriptive of any substance that ignites spontaneously when exposed to air.
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.
Self-Closing Doors - Automatic closing doors that are designed to confine smoke and heat and delay
the spread of fire.
Smelting - Melting or fusing of metallic ores or compounds so as to separate impurities from pure
metals.
Sprinkler System - An integrated network of hydraulically designed piping installed in a building,
structure or area with outlets arranged in a systematic pattern which automatically discharges water
when activated by heat or combustion products from a fire.
Standpipe System - A system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire hoses can be attached on
each floor, including a system by which water is made available to the outlets as needed.
Vestibule - A passage hall or antechamber between the outer doors and the interior parts of a house
or building.
Vertical Shaft - An enclosed vertical space of passage that extends from floor to floor, as well as
from the base to the top of the building.
Collection of Liquid Samples for Accelerant Testing
Liquid accelerants may be collected with
a. New syringe
b. Siphoning device
c. Evidence container itself
d. Sterilize cotton balls or gauge pads may also be used to absorbed the liquid
Where liquid accelerants are believed to have become trapped in porous materials such as concrete
floor:
a. Lime
b. Diatomaceous earth
c. flour
Collection of liquid evidence absorbed by solid materials including soils and sand:
a. Scooping
b. Sawing
c. Scraping
d. Core drilling
Collecting of Solid samples for accelerant testing
Solid accelerant may be common household materials and compounds or dangerous chemicals.
When collecting solid accelerants:

15. 15
a. The fire investigator must ensure that the solid accelerant is maintained in physical state in which
is found
b. Some incendiary materials remain Corrosive and Reactive
c. Ensure the corrosive nature of these residue does not attack the packaging container
Collection of Gaseous samples
Method of Collection:
a. Use of commercially available mechanical sampling device
b. Utilization evacuated air sampling cans. These cans are specifically designed for taking gaseous
samples
c. Use of clean glass bottled filled with distilled water. Distilled water use as it has had most of the
impurities removed from it. This method simply require the investigator poured the distilled water out
of its bottle in the atmosphere to be sampled. As distilled water leaves the bottle it is replaced by the
gaseous sample
Guide on Interpreting the Damage on Electrical Wire
Collection of Electrical Equipments and Components
Before wires are cut, a photograph should be taken of the wires, and the both ends of the wire
should be tagged and cut so that they can be identified as one of the following:
a. The device or appliance to which it was attached or from which it was severed
b. The circuit breaker or fuse number or location to which the wire was attached or from which it was
severed
c. The wire’s path or the route it took between the device and the circuit protector,
electrical switches, receptacles, thermostats, relays, junction boxes, electrical distribution panels,
and similar equipment and components are often collected as physical evidence.
CDI-5 (ARSON INVESTIGATION)
PART 1
DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. AREA OF ORIGIN – the room or area where the fire began.
2. ARROW PATTERN – a fire pattern displayed on the cross section of a burned wooden structural
member.
3. ARSON – the crime of maliciously and intentionally, or recklessly, starting a fire or causing an
explosion. Precise legal definitions vary among jurisdictions, wherein it is defined by statutes and
judicial decisions.
4. BACKDRAFT – an explosion resulting from the sudden introduction of air (i.e., oxygen) into a
confined space containing oxygen-deficient superheated products of incomplete combustion.
5. CEILING LAYER – a buoyant layer of hot gases and smoke produced by a fire in a compartment.
6. CHAR – carbonaceous material that has been burned and has a blackened appearance.
7. CHAR BLISTERS – convex segments of carbonized material separated by cracks or crevasses
that form on the surface of char, forming on materials such as wood as the result of pyrolysis or
burning.
8. DROP DOWN – the spread of fire by the dropping or falling of burning materials. This is
synonymous with "Fall Down”.
9. FIRE ANALYSIS – the process of determining the origin, cause, development, and responsibility
as well as the failure analysis of a fire or explosion.
10. FIRE CAUSE – the circumstances or agencies that bring a fuel and all ignition source together
with proper air or oxygen.
11. FIRE INVESTIGATION – the process of deterll1illlllg the origin, cause, and development of a fire
or explosion.
12. FIRE SCENE RECONSTRUCTION – the process of recreating the physical scene during fire
scene analysis through the removal of debris and the replacement of contents or structural elements

16. 16
in their pre-fire positions.
13. FLASH FIRE – a fire that spreads rapidly through a diffuse fuel, such as dust, gas, or the vapors
of an ignitable liquid, without the production of damaging pressure.
14. FLASH POINT OF A LIQUID – the lowest temperature of a liquid, as determined by specific
laboratory tests, at which the liquid gives off vapors at a sufficient rate to support a momentary flame
across its surface.
15. FLASHOVER – a transition phase in the development of a contained fire in which surfaces
exposed to thermal radiation reach ignition temperature more or less simultaneously and fire
spreads rapidly throughout the space.
16. FLASH FIRE – a fire that spreads rapidly through a diffuse fuel, such as dust, gas, or the vapors
of an ignitable liquid, without the production of damaging pressure.
17. FLASH POINT OF A LIQUID – the lowest temperature of a liquid, as determined by specific
laboratory tests, at which the liquid gives off vapors at a sufficient rate to support a momentary flame
across its surface.
18. FLASHOVER – a transition phase in the development of a contained fire in which surfaces
exposed to thermal radiation reach ignition temperature more or less simultaneously and fire
spreads rapidly throughout the space.
19. HAZARD – any arrangement of materials and heat sources that presents the potential for harm,
such as personal injury or ignition of combustibles.
20. IGNITION – the process of initiating self-sustained combustion.
21. ISOCHAR - a line on a diagram connecting points of equal char depth.
22. MATERIAL FIRST IGNITED - the fuel that is first set on fire by the heat of ignition. To be
meaningful, both a type of material and a form of material should be identified.
23. HAZARD – any arrangement of materials and heat sources that presents the potential for harm,
such as personal injury or ignition of combustibles.
24. IGNITION – the process of initiating self-sustained combustion.
25. ISOCHAR - a line on a diagram connecting points of equal char depth.
26. MATERIAL FIRST IGNITED - the fuel that is first set on fire by the heat of ignition. To be
meaningful, both a type of material and a form of material should be identified.
27. OCCUPANCY- The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used or intended to be
used.
28. OXIDIZING MATERIAL- A material that readily yields oxygen in quantities sufficient to stimulate
or support combustion.
29. PLUME – the column of hot gases, flames, and smoke rising above a fire. Also called convection
column, thermal updraft, or thermal column.
30. POINT OF ORIGIN – the exact physical location where a heat source and a fuel come in contact
with each other and a fire begins. P
31. POINTER - the difference in height of a series of fire damaged vertical wood members ranging
from high being the farthest away from a source of heating to the shortest being closer.
32. UBLIC WAY- Any street, alley or other strip of land unobstructed from the ground to the sky,
deeded or otherwise permanently appropriated for public use.
33. PUBLIC ASSEMBLY BUILDING- Any building or structure where fifty or more people
congregate, gather or assembled for any purposes.
34. PYROLYSIS – the transformation of a Compound into one or more other substances by heat
alone. Pyrolysis often precedes combustion.
35. PYROPHORIC - Descriptive of any substances that ignited spontaneously when exposed to air
36. SCIENTIFIC METHOD – the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and
formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment and the
formulation and testing of a hypothesis.
37. SEAT OF EXPLOSION - a craterlike indentation created at the point of origin of an explosion.
38. SECONDARY EXPLOSION – any subsequent explosion resulting from an initial explosion.
39. SELF-CLOSING DOORS- Automatic closing doors that are designed to confine smoke and heat
and delay the spread of fire.

17. 17
40. SELF-HEATING – the result of exothermic reactions, occurring spontaneously in some materials
under certain conditions, whereby heat is liberated at a rate sufficient to raise the temperature of the
material.
41. SELF-IGNITION - ignition resulting from self-heating. This is synonymous with spontaneous
ignition.
42. SELF-IGNITION TEMPERATURE – the minimum temperature at which the self-heating
properties of a material lead to ignition.
43. SOOT – black particles of carbon produced ill a flame.
44. SPALLING – chipping or pitting of concrete or masonry surfaces.
45. SPARK – a small, incandescent particle.
46. SPONTANEOUS HEATING – process whereby a material increases in temperature without
drawing heat from its surroundings. The process results from oxidation often aided by bacterial
action where agricultural products are involved.
47. SPONTANEOUS IGNITION – initiation of combustion of a material by an internal chemical or
biological reaction that has produced sufficient heat to ignite the material.
48. TIME LINE – graphical representation of the events in the fire incident displayed in chronological
order.
49. FIRE PATTERNS are the visible or measurable physical effects that remain after a fire. These
include thermal effects on materials, such as charring, oxidation, consumption of combustibles,
smoke and soot deposits, distortion, melting, color changes, changes in the character of materials,
structural collapse, and other effects.
50. VESTIBULE- A passage hall or antechamber between the outer doors and the interior parts of a
house or a building.
51. VERTICAL SHAFT- An enclosed vertical space of passage that extends from floor to floor, as
well as from the base to the top of the building.
CDI-5 PART 2
THEORIES
1. There is no complex crime of arson with homicide.
The late Mr. Chief Justice Ramon C. Aquino cited –
“. . . When fire is used with the intent to kill a particular person who may be in a house and that
objective is attained by burning the house, the crime is murder only. When the Penal Code declares
that killing committed by means of fire is murder, it intends that fire should be purposely adopted as
a means to that end. There can be no murder without a design to take life. In other words, if the main
object of the offender is to kill by means of fire, the offense is murder. But if the main objective is the
burning of the building, the resulting homicide may be absorbed by the crime of arson.”
“. .In the classification of crimes committed by fire, attention must be given to the intention of the
author. When fire is used with intent to kill a person who may be in shelter, and that objective is
secured, the crime is murder. Murder or homicide in a juridical sense would exist if the killing were
the objective of the malefactor and the burning of the building was resorted only as the means of
accomplishing his purpose. The rule is otherwise when arson is itself the end and death is a mere
consequence. The crime in such a case would be arson only, absorbing the homicide.”
2. Murder and arson can be committed chronologically in one occasion.
If death results by reason or on the occasion of arson, the crime is simply arson although the
imposable penalty as provided in Sec. 5 of PD 1613, which expressly repealed Arts. 320 to 326-B of
the Revised Penal Code is reclusion perpetua to death (now it is only reclusion perpetua as provided
by Sec. 2 of RA 9346). If the objective of the offender is to kill and arson is resorted to as the means
to accomplish the crime, the offender can be charged with murder only. But if the objective is to kill -
and in fact the offender has already done so - and arson is resorted to as a means to cover up the
killing, the offender may be convicted of two separate crimes of either homicide or murder, and
arson.
3. Arson can be committed to conceal another crime.
For example, when appellants were seen in the vicinity of the burning house and they were not there
to save lives and property but rather to escape from the locus criminis and avoid being made to

18. 18
answer for the consequences of their wicked act. In other words, they were not there to save the
lives and valuables of the victims but to save their own. The court is convinced that appellants
conspired to inflict fatal blows on the victims which cost their lives and thereafter set their house on
fire to conceal the dastardly deed. Conspiracy, as the court said, may be inferred from the acts of the
accused when such acts point to a joint purpose or design.
4. Circumstantial evidence as basis of conviction in the case of arson.
The court has repeatedly ruled that guilt may be established through circumstantial evidence
provided that:
a. there is more than one circumstance;
b. the facts from which the inferences are derived are proven; and,
c. The combination of all the circumstances is sufficient to produce conviction beyond reasonable
doubt.
5. There is no complex crime of arson with homicide.
The late Mr. Chief Justice Ramon C. Aquino cited -
“. . . When fire is used with the intent to kill a particular person who may be in a house and that
objective is attained by burning the house, the crime is murder only. When the Penal Code declares
that killing committed by means of fire is murder, it intends that fire should be purposely adopted as
a means to that end. There can be no murder without a design to take life. In other words, if the main
object of the offender is to kill by means of fire, the offense is murder. But if the main objective is the
burning of the building, the resulting homicide may be absorbed by the crime of arson.”
6. Murder and arson can be committed chronologically in one occasion.
If death results by reason or on the occasion of arson, the crime is simply arson although the
imposable penalty as provided in Sec. 5 of PD 1613, which expressly repealed Arts. 320 to 326-B of
the Revised Penal Code is reclusion perpetua to death (now it is only reclusion perpetua as provided
by Sec. 2 of RA 9346). If the objective of the offender is to kill and arson is resorted to as the means
to accomplish the crime, the offender can be charged with murder only. But if the objective is to kill -
and in fact the offender has already done so - and arson is resorted to as a means to cover up the
killing, the offender may be convicted of two separate crimes of either homicide or murder, and
arson.
7. Establishing the Role of First Responders
The systematic approach recommended is that of the scientific method, which is used in the physical
sciences.
This method provides for the organizational and analytical process so desirable and necessary in a
successful fire investigation.
A. Observe the Fire and Scene Conditions
While approaching a fire scene, first responders should observe and mentally note the following
conditions and activities and, as soon as conditions permit, initiate permanent documentation of the
information (e.g., written notes, voice recordings, videotapes):
1. The presence, location, and condition of victims and witnesses.
2. Vehicles leaving the scene, bystanders, or unusual activities near the scene.
3. Flame and smoke conditions (e.g., the volume of flames and smoke; the color, height, and
location of the flames; the direction in which the flames and smoke are moving).
4. The type of occupancy and use of the structure (e.g., a residential occupancy being used as a
business).
5. Conditions of the structure (e.g., lights turned on; fire through the roof; walls standing; open,
closed, or broken windows and doors).
6. Conditions surrounding the scene (e.g., blocked driveways, debris, and damage to other
structures).
7. Weather conditions.
8. Unusual characteristics of the scene (e.g., the presence of containers, exterior burning or charring
on the building, the absence of normal contents, unusual odors, fire trailers4).
9. The fire suppression techniques used, including ventilation, forcible entry, and utility shutoff

19. 19
measures.
10. The status of fire alarms, security alarms, and sprinklers.
B. Exercise Scene Safety
Upon arrival at the scene, first responders should:
1. Evaluate the scene for safety hazards (e.g., structural collapse of the building; smoke; electrical,
chemical, or biological hazards; other health risks).
2. Establish safety/hazard zones.
3. Communicate hazards to other personnel arriving at the scene.
4. Use tools and personal protective equipment appropriate to the task during all operations.
C. Preserve the Fire Scene
To preserve evidence, first responders should:
1. Observe and mentally note evidence that may be present at the scene, such as:
☺ Fire patterns (including multiple fire locations).
☺ Burn injuries to victims and fire patterns on clothing.
☺ Trailers, ignitable liquids, or other unusual fuel distribution (e.g., piles of newspapers, furniture
pushed together).
☺ Incendiary/ignition/explosive devices (e.g., lighters, matches, timing devices).
☺ Shoe prints and tire impressions.
☺ Broken windows and doors.
☺ Distribution of broken glass and debris.
☺ Indications of forced entry (tools and tool marks).
☺ Containers.
☺ Discarded clothing.
☺ Trace evidence (e.g., hairs, fibers, fingerprints, blood, other body fluids).
☺ Evidence of crimes in addition to the possible arson (e.g., weapons, bodies, drugs, clandestine
drug laboratory equipment).
☺ Witnesses, bystanders, and victims.
☺ Any other unusual items or the absence of normal contents or structural components.
2. Recognize threats to evidence (i.e., its movement, removal, contamination, or destruction) from
any of the following sources:
❀ Fire suppression activities, such as a straight stream applied at the point of origin or deluge
applications that may wash away or dilute potential evidence.
❀ Overhaul activities that destroy fire patterns.
❀ Salvage activities that involve moving or removing potential physical evidence.
❀ Use of a tool in any manner that causes destruction of evidence.
❀ Movement of knobs, switches, and controls on appliances and utilities.
❀ Weather conditions that affect transient evidence (i.e., wind, precipitation, or temperature
changes).
❀ Personnel walking through the scene.
❀ Witnesses and victims leaving the scene.
❀ Medical intervention and treatment of victims (e.g., by damaging evidence at the scene or
destroying victims’ clothing).
❀ Premature removal or movement of bodies.
❀ Vehicles at the scene (e.g., that introduce fluid to the scene through vehicle leaks or destroy other
evidence, including shoe prints and tire impressions).
❀ Contamination from external sources, such as fuel-powered tools or equipment.
3. Protect Evidence by:
✵ Limiting excessive fire suppression, overhaul, and salvage.

20. 20
✵ Avoiding needless destruction of property.
✵ Leaving bodies undisturbed.
✵ Flagging items of evidence with cones or markers.
✵ Recording observations through written notes or voice recordings.
✵ Covering items or areas containing evidence with objects that will not contaminate the evidence
(e.g., clean boxes or tarpaulins).
✵ Isolating items or areas containing evidence with rope, barrier tape, barricades, or sentries.
✵ Retaining and securing clothing items removed from victims and suspects.
✵ Obtaining information about victims and witnesses (i.e., their names, addresses, and telephone
numbers).
✵ Preserving transient evidence (e.g., trace evidence, shoe prints, tire impressions).
✵ Removing evidence at risk of imminent destruction by the fire or the structural collapse of the
damaged building.
✵ Ensuring that later arriving investigators are fully apprised of the evidence discovered.
D. Establish Security and Control
1. Set up a security perimeter (e.g., using barrier tape, fire line, and sentry).
2. Control access into the scene through the security perimeter.
3. Initiate documentation of the sc
E. Coordinate Activities
To coordinate activities at the scene, first responders should:
1. Establish a command post and implement an incident command system (i.e., a point of contact
and line of communication and authority for public safety
Personnel).
2. Establish staging areas to ensure that emergency and support vehicles have access into the area.
3. Request additional personnel resources, such as firefighters, EMS personnel, law enforcement
officers, investigators, and representatives of utility companies.
4. Inform authorities about the status of the incident, hazards, injuries, witnesses, the location of
evidence, and other pertinent facts.
8. SPALLING is the breakdown in surface tensile strength of concrete, masonry, or brick caused by
exposure to high temperatures and rates of heating resulting in mechanical forces within the
material.
9. CLEAN BURN is a phenomenon that appears on noncombustible surfaces when the soot and
smoke condensate that would normally be found adhering to the surface is burned off.
This produces a clean area adjacent to areas darkened by products of combustion. Clean burn is
produced most commonly by direct flame contact or intense radiated heat.
10. The appearance of the V SHAPED PATTERNS is created by flames, convective or radiated heat
from hot fire gases, and smoke within the fire plume. The V pattern often appears as lines of
demarcation, defining the borders of the fire plume and less heated areas outside the plume.
11. INVERTED CONES are commonly caused by the vertical flame plumes of the burning volatile
fuels not reaching the ceiling.
12. U PATTERNS are similar to the more sharply angled V patterns but display gently curved lines
of demarcation and curved rather than angled lower vertices.
13. TRUNCATED CONE PATTERNS, also called truncated plumes, are three-dimensional fire
patterns displayed on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.
14. Irregularly shaped pattern on floor carpeting resulting from poured ignitable liquid. Burned match
can be seen at lower left.
15. “SADDLE BURNS” are distinctive U- or saddle-shaped patterns that are sometimes found on the
top edges of floor joists. They are caused by fire burning downward through the floor above the

21. 21
effected joist. Saddle burns display deep charring, and the fire patterns are highly localized and
gently curved.
16. In many incendiary fires, when fuels are intentionally distributed or “trailed” from one area to
another, the elongated patterns may be visible. Such fire patterns, known as “TRAILERS,” can be
found along floors to connect separate fire sets, or up stairways to move fires from one floor or level
within a structure to another. Fuels used for trailers may be ignitable liquids, solids, or combinations
of these.
Extinguishers for Class A Fires.-
✔ Multipurpose dry chemical
✔ Foam extinguishers
Loaded stream extinguishers
Extinguishersfor ClassB Fires.-
✔ Multipurpose drychemical
Foam
✔ Carbon dioxide (CO2)
✔ Dry chemicals
Loaded stream extinguishers
✔ Bromotrifluoromethane - Halon 1301
Extinguishersfor ClassC Fires.-
✔ Multipurpose dry chemical
✔ Bromotrifluoromethane - Halon 1301
✔ Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Dry chemicals
Extinguishersfor ClassD Fires.-
Extinguishersor extinguishingagentsfor class
D fires shall be types approved for use on
the specific combustible metal.
An act that would remove or neutralized a fire hazard.
D. Abatement
�What is the main purpose of fire department pumpers?
A. Supplement other methods of fire control
B. Carry portable equipment to the fire ground.
C. Eliminate the need for outside water sources
D. Provide adequate water pressure for effective fire streams ✔
�What NFPA standard containsfire department pumper requirements?
A. NFPA 1021
B. NFPA 1500
C. NFPA 1901 ✔
D. NFPA 1031
�Which statement about initial attack fire apparatusisMOST accurate?
A. They have a large chassis than full-size pumpers.
B. They are the same size as standard full-size pumpers.
C. They have larger agent tank size than full-size pumpers.
D. They may be highly maneuverable and able torespond to incidentswhere access is limited. ✔

22. 22
�When a mobile water supplyapparatusisused as a stationaryreservoir or "nurse tender," the:
A. water tender is parked far away from the fire scene.
B. water tender is off-loads its water supplyinto portable tanks.
C. water tender servesas a back-up supplywater and is used only in emergencies.
D. pumpersconnect to the water tender and use its supplyduringsuppression operations. ✔
�Which specialty apparatusisMOST likely to be equipped with ground sweep nozzle for fire
suppression?
A. Wildland fire apparatus ✔
B. Trailer-mounted fire pumps
C. Aircraft rescue and fire apparatus
D. Aerial apparatusequipped wit fire pumps
�Which specialty apparatusisMOST likely to be used to provide immediate suppression of flammable
liquid fires and suppression of vapors from fuel spills on airport property?
A. Trailer-mounted fire pumps
B. Aircraft rescue and fire fightingapparatus ✔
C. Aerial apparatusequipped with fire pumps
D. Rescue apparatusequipped with fire pumps
�Which specialty fire apparatusis equipped with small fire pumpsand tanks to extinguish small fires
and provide protective hoselinesat incidents?
A. Trailer-mounted fire pumps
B. Aircraft rescue and fire fightingapparatus
C. Aerial apparatusequipped with fire pumps
D. Rescue apparatusequipped with fire pump ✔
�A trailer-mounted fire pump would be MOST likely to be deployed to fires:
A. that require mutual aid.
B. in remote or isolated areas.
C. involving high-rise occupancies.
D. at long-term pumpingoperations. ✔
�Which electric power generation equipment convertsa vehicle's 12- or 24-volt DC current into 110-
or 220- volt AC current in order to supplya small amount of electric power?
A. Inverter ✔
B. Mini-generator
C. Portable generator
D. Vehicle-mounted generator
�Which electric power generation equipment maybe operated in the compartment of an apparatusor
carried to a remote location?
A. Inverter
B. Mini-generator
C. Portable generator ✔
D. Vehicle-mounted generator

23. 23
Fire Technology And Arson Investigation Reviewer
criminologists
12:20 P M
criminology
Fire Technology and Arson Investigation
3 State of matter
Solid
Liquid
Gas
4 General Categories Of Heat Energy
Chemical Heat Energy
Electrical Heat Energy
Mechanical Heat Energy
Nuclear Heat Energy
Backdraft - a phenomenon in which a fire that has consumed all available
oxygen suddenly explodes when more oxygen is made available, typically
because a door or window has been opened.
Boiling Point - The temperature of a substance where the rate of
evaporation exceeds the rate of condensation.
British Thermal Unit - (BTU) The amount of heat needed to raise the
temperature of one pound of water one degree F.
Calorie - The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one
gram of water one degree Centigrade.
Centigrade - (Celcius) On the Centigrade scale, zero is the melting

24. 24
point of ice; 100 degrees is the boiling point of water.
Chemical Heat Energy
Heat of Combustion - The amount of heat generated by the
combustion (oxidation) process.
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.
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.
Classification of Fires
Class A Fire - Fires involving ordinary combustible materials,
such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber and many plastics.
Class B Fires - Fires involving flammable liquids, greases
and gases.
Class C Fires - Fires involving energized electrical equipment.
Class D Fires - Fires involving combustible metals, such as
magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium and potassium.

25. 25
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.
Combustion - is the self-sustaining process of rapid oxidation of a
fuel being reduced by an oxidizing agent along with the evolution of
heat and light.
Dry Chemicals and Halons - method of fire extinguishment, interrupt
the flame producing chemical reaction, resulting in rapid extinguishment.
Electrical Heat Energy
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.
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.
Induction Heating - The heating of materials resulting from
an alternating current flow causing a magnetic field influence.
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.

26. 26
Resistance Heating - The heat generated by passing an
electrical force through a conductor such as a wire or
an appliance.
Static Electricity Heating - Heat released as an arc between
oppositely charged surfaces. Static electricity can be
generated by the contact and separation of charged surfaces
or by fluids flowing through pipes.
Endothermic Heat Reaction - A chemical reaction where a substance
absorbs heat energy.
Exothermic Heat Reaction - A chemical reaction where a substance
gives off heat energy.
Fahrenheit - On the Fahrenheit scale, 32 degrees is the melting point
of ice; 212 degrees is the boiling point of water.
Fire point - The temperature at which a liquid fuel will produce
vapors sufficient to support combustion once ignited. The fire point
is usually a few degrees above the flash point.
Fire Triangle - Oxygen, Fuel, Heat
Fire National Training Institute - (FNTI) the Institution for training
on human resource development of all personnel of the Bureau of Fire
Protection (BFP).
Flame - A gas-phased combustion.
Flammable or Explosive Limit - The percentage of a substance in air

27. 27
that will burn once it is ignited. Most substances have an upper
(too rich) and a lower (too lean) flammable limit.
Flashover - an instance of a fire spreading very rapidly across a gap
because of intense heat. Occurs when a room or other area becomes
heated to the point where flames flash over the entire surface or area.
Flash Point - The minimum temperature at which a liquid fuel gives
off sufficient vapors to form an ignitable mixture with the air near
the surface. At this temperature, the ignited vapors will flash, but
will not continue to burn.
Fuel - is the material or substance being oxidized or burned in the
combustion process. Material such as coal, gas, or oil that is burned
to produce heat or power.
Fuel Removal - method of fire extinguishment, 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 or allow the fire to burn until all fuel
is consumed.
Glowing Combustion - A condensed phased combustion.
Heat - the quality of being hot; high temperature. A form of energy
arising from the random motion of the molecules of bodies, which
may be transferred by conduction, convection, or radiation.
Heating - is transfer of energy, from a hotter body to a colder one,
other than by work or transfer of matter.
Heat of Combustion - The amount of heat generated by the combustion
(oxidation) process.

28. 28
Heat Transfer
Conduction - Conduction is the transfer of energy through
matter from particle to particle. Heat may be conducted from
one body to another by direct contact of the two bodies or
by an intervening heat-conducting medium.
Convection - is the transfer of heat by the actual movement
of the warmed matter. Transfer of heat by the movement of
air or liquid.
Radiation - Electromagnetic waves that directly transport
energy through space.
Ignition Temperature - The minimum temperature to which a fuel in air
must be heated in order to start self-sustained combustion independent
of the heating source.
Heat - The form of energy that raises temperature. Heat is measured
by the amount of work it does.
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.
Mechanical Heat Energy
Frictional Heat - The heat generated by the movement between

29. 29
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 Fission and Fusion - The heat generated by either the
splitting or combining of atoms.
Oxidation - The complex chemical reaction of organic material with
oxygen or other oxidizing agents in the formation of more stable
compounds.
Oxidizing Agents - are those materials that yield oxygen or other
oxidizing gases during the course of a chemical reaction.
Oxygen Dilution - is the reduction of the oxygen concentration to
the fire area.
Phases of Fire
Incipient Phase (Growth Stage)
Free-Burning Phase (Fully Developed Stage)
Smoldering Phase (Decay Stage)
Products of Combustion
Fire gases
Flame

30. 30
Heat
Smoke
Pyrolysis (also known as thermalde composition) - is defined as the
chemical decomposition of matter through the action of heat.
RA 6975 - created the BFP.
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) - administers and enforces
the fire code of the Philippines. The Fire Bureau shall
have the power to investigate all causes of fires and, if
necessary, file the proper complaints with the city or
provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction over the case.
Chief of the Fire Bureau - rank is Director.
Deputy Chief for Administration of the Fire Bureau - 2nd
highest officer in the BFP. Rank is Chief Superintendent.
Deputy Chief for Operation of the Fire Bureau - the 3rd
highest officer in the BFP. Rank is Chief Superintendent.
Chief of Directorial Staff of the Fire Bureau - 4th highest
officer in the BFP. Rank is Chief Superintendent.
Directors of the Directorates in the respective national
headquarters office - rank is Senior Superintendent.
Regional Director for Fire Protection - The BFP
shall establish, operate and maintain their respective
regional offices in each of the administrative regions of
the country. Rank is Senior Superintendent.
- He/She shall be respectively assisted by the

31. 31
following officers with the rank of superintendent:
Assistant Regional Director for Administration,
Assistant Regional Director for Operations, and
Regional Chief of Directorial Staff.
Assistant Regional Director for Fire Protection - The
assistant heads of the Department's regional offices - rank
is Senior Superintendent.
District Fire Marshall - the heads of the NCR district offices -
rank is Senior Superintendent.
Provincial Fire Marshall - the heads of the provincial offices -
rank is Superintendent.
District Fire Marshall - heads of the district offices - rank
is Chief Inspector.
Chief of Municipal/City Fire Station - (also called City/
Municipal Fire Marshall) - the heads of the municipal or
city stations - rank is Senior Inspector.
Fire Station - at least one in every provincial capital, city
and municipality.
LGU - (Local Government Unit) - shall provide the site of the
Fire Station.
RA 9263 - this Act shall be known as the "Bureau of Fire Protection
and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Professionalization Act of 2004.
The BFP is headed by a Chief to be assisted by 2 deputy chief, 1
for administration and 1 for operation, all appointed by the

32. 32
President upon recommendation of DILG Secretary from among
qualified officers with at least the rank of Senior Superintendent
in the service.
In no case shall any officer who has retired or is retirable
within six (6) months from his/her compulsory retirement age
be appointed as Chief of the Fire Bureau or Chief of the
Jail Bureau.
The Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau
shall serve a tour of duty not to exceed four (4) years.
The President may extend such tour of duty in times of war
or other national emergency declared by Congress.
RA 9514 - this act shall be known as the fire code of the Philippines
of 2008. An Act establishing a comprehensive fire code of the
Philippines repealing PD 1185 and for other purposes.
Specific Gravity - the density of liquids in relation to water.
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.
Temperature Reduction - method of extinguishing fire, cooling the fuel
with water to a point where it does not produce sufficient vapor to burn.
Vapor Density - the density of a particular gas or vapor relative
to that of hydrogen at the same pressure and temperature.

33. 33
Definition of Terms Under RA 9514
Abatement - Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard.
Administrator - Any person who acts as agent of the owner and ma nages
the use of a building for him.
Blasting Agent - Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and
oxidizer used to set off explosives.
Cellulose Nitrate or Nitro Cellulose - A highly combustible and
explosive compound produced by the reaction of nitric acid with a
cellulose material.
Cellulose Nitrate Plastic (Pyroxylin) - Any plastic substance,
materials or compound having cellulose nitrate (nitro cellulose)
as base.
Combustible, Flammable or Inflammable - Descriptive of materials
that are easily set on fire.
Combustible Fiber - Any readily ignitable and free burning fiber such
as cotton, oakum, rags, waste cloth, waste paper, kapok, hay, straw,
Spanish moss, excelsior and other similar materials commonly
used in commerce.
Combustible Liquid - Any liquid having a flash point at or above 37.8
C (100 F).
Corrosive Liquid - Any liquid which causes fire when in contact with
organic matter or with certain chemicals.

34. 34
Curtain Board - A vertical panel of non-combustible or fire resistive
materials attached to and extending below the bottom chord of the roof
trusses, to divide the underside of the roof into separate compartments
so that heat and smoke will be directed upwards to a roof vent.
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.
Damper - A normally open device installed inside an air duct system
which automatically closes to restrict the passage of smoke or fire.
Distillation - The process of first raising the temperature in separate
the more volatile from the less volatile parts and then cooling and
condensing the resulting vapor so as to produce a nearly purified
substance.
Duct System - A continuous passageway for the transmission of air.
Dust - A finely powdered substance which, when mixed with air in the
proper proportion and ignited will cause an explosion.
Electrical Arc - An extremely hot luminous bridge formed by passage
of an electric current across a space between two conductors or
terminals due to the incandescence of the conducting vapor.
Ember - A hot piece or lump that remains after a material has
partially burned, and is still oxidizing without the manifestation of flames.
Finishes - Materials used as final coating of a surface for ornamental
or protective purposes.
Fire - The active principle of burning, characterized by the heat

35. 35
and light of combustion.
Fire Trap - A building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn
easily or because it lacks adequate exits or fire escapes.
Fire Alarm - Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or
system to warm the occupants of the building or fire fighting
elements of the presence or danger of fire to enable them to
undertake immediate action to save life and property and to suppress
the fire.
Fire Door - A fire resistive door prescribed for openings in fire
separation walls or partitions.
Fire Hazard - Any condition or act which increases or may cause an
increase in the probability of the occurrence of fire, or which
may obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with fire fighting operations
and the safeguarding of life and property.
Fire Lane - The portion of a roadway or public way that should be kept
opened and unobstructed at all times for the expedient operation of
fire fighting units.
Fire Protective and Fire Safety Device - Any device intended for the
protection of buildings or persons to include but not limited to
built-in protection system such as sprinklers and other automatic
extinguishing system, detectors for heat, smoke and combustion
products and other warning system components, personal protective
equipment such as fire blankets, helmets, fire suits, gloves and other
garments that may be put on or worn by persons to protect themselves
during fire.
Fire Safety Constructions - Refers to design and installation of walls,

36. 36
barriers, doors, windows, vents, means of egress, etc. integral to and
incorporated into a building or structure in order to minimize danger
to life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic before the building is
evacuated. These features are also designed to achieve, among others,
safe and rapid evacuation of people through means of egress sealed
from smoke or fire, the confinement of fire or smoke in the room or
floor of origin and de lay their spread to other parts of the building
by means of smoke sealed and fire resistant doors, walls and floors.
It shall also me an to include the treatment of buildings components
or contents with flame retardant chemicals.
Flash Point - The minimum temperature at which any material gives off
vapor in sufficient concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air.
Forcing - A process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing
its shape or dimensions.
Fulminate - A kind of stable explosive compound which explodes by
percussion.
Hazardous Operation/Process - Any act of manufacturing, fabrication,
conversion, etc., that uses or produces materials which are likely
to cause fires or explosion.
Horizontal Exit - Passageway from one building to another or through
or around a wall in approximately the same floor level.
Hose Box - A box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves and other equipment
are stored and arranged for fire fighting.
Hose Reel - A cylindrical device turning on an axis around which a
fire hose is wound and connected.

37. 37
Hypergolic Fuel - A rocket or liquid propellant which consist of
combinations of fuels and oxidizers which ignite spontaneously on
contact with each other.
Industrial Baking and Drying - The industrial process of subjecting
materials to heat for the purpose of removing solvents or moisture
from the same, and/or to fuse certain chemical salts to form a
uniform glazing the surface of materials being treated.
Jumper - A piece of metal or an electrical conductor used to bypass a
safety device in an electrical system.
Occupancy - The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is
used or intended to be used.
Occupant - Any person actually occupying and using a building or
portions thereof by virtue of a lease contract with the owner or
administrator or by permission or sufferance of the latter.
Organic Peroxide - A strong oxidizing organic compound which
releases oxygen readily. It causes fire when in contact with
combustible materials especially under conditions of high temperature.
Overloading - The use of one or more electrical appliances or devices
which draw or consume electrical current beyond the designed capacity
of the existing electrical system.
Owner - The person who holds the legal right of possession or title
to a building or real property.
Oxidizing Material - A material that readily yields oxygen in
quantities sufficient to stimulate or support combustion.

38. 38
Pressurized Or Forced Draft Burning Equipment - Type or burner where
the fuel is subjected to pressure prior to discharge into the
combustion chamber and/or which includes fans or other provisions for
the introduction of air at above normal atmosphere pressure into the
same combustion chamber.
Public Assembly Building - Any building or structure where fifty (50)
or more people congregate, gather, or assemble for any purpose.
Public Way - Any street, alley or other strip of land unobstructed
from the ground to the sky, deeded, dedicated or otherwise permanently
appropriated for public use.
Pyrophoric - Descriptive of any substance that ignites spontaneously
when exposed to air.
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.
Self-Closing Doors - Automatic closing doors that are designed to
confine smoke and heat and delay the spread of fire.
Smelting - Melting or fusing of metallic ores or compounds so as to
separate impurities from pure metals.
Sprinkler System - An integrated network of hydraulically designed
piping installed in a building, structure or area with outlets
arranged in a systematic pattern which automatically discharges water
when activated by heat or combustion products from a fire.
Standpipe System - A system of vertical pipes in a building to which
fire hoses can be attached on each floor, including a system by which

39. 39
water is made available to the outlets as needed.
Vestibule - A passage hall or antechamber between the outer doors
and the interior parts of a house or building.
Vertical Shaft - An enclosed vertical space of passage that extends
from floor to floor, as well as from the base to the top of the
building.
1. What are the four elements of fire tetrahedron?1
a. Oxygen, fuel, heat and self-sustained chemical chain reaction
b. Air, fuel, heat and self-sustained chemical chain reaction
c. Air, fuel, gas and self-sustained chemical chain reaction
d. Oxygen, wood, heat and self-sustained chemical chain reaction
e. Oxygen, fuel, gas and self-sustained chemical chain reaction
2. It is the transfer of heat by the movement of heated fluids or gases, usually in upward
direction?2
a. Radiation
b. Convection
c. Conduction
d. Friction
e. Fire
3. Which of the following phrases about the classification of fire is true?
a. The primary mechanism of extinguishment when dealing with Class B fires is cooling
to reduce the temperature of fuel to slow or stop the release of pyrolysis products.
b. Household appliances, computers, transformers, electric motors and overhead
transmission lines are typical sources of Class C fires3
c. No single agent effectively controls fire in all combustible liquids
d. Either b or c
e. None of the above
4. In the Fire Service, what is Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)?4
a. SOP is a set of standard methods or rules in which an organization or fire
department operates to carry out a routine function.
1 Essentials of FireFightingand Operation, 5th Edition p. 87
2 Essentials of firefightingand operations , 5th Edition p.95
3 Essentials of firefightingand operations,5th Edition p.110
4 Essentials of firefightingand operations,5th Edition p.33

40. 40
b. SOP is a guide to decision-making within an organization
c. SOP means “obedience to the unenforceable”. In other words, it means doing the
right thing simply because it’s right – not because someone has the power to force
you to do it.
d. SOP refers to both organization’s responsibility to provide the direction needed to
satisfy its identified goals and objectives and individual’s responsibility to follow the
direction given.
e. SOP defines the boundaries within which the administration expects department
personnel to act in specified situations.
5. It is the systematic removal of heated air, smoke, and fire gases from a burning building
and replacing them with cooler air.5
a. Overhauling
b. Rescue and Extrication
c. Fire Fighting
d. Salvaging
e. Ventilation
6. Which of the following phrases is a sign of a potential backdraft?
a. Pressurized smoke coming from small cracks
b. Smoke puffing at intervals from the building (appearance of breathing)
c. Smoke-stained windows
d. Confinement and excessive heat
e. All of the above
7. RA 9514 is an act establishing a comprehensive fire code of the Philippines repealing
Presidential Decree No. 1185 . The said act is also known as_______________.6
a. Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008
b. Amended Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008
c. Comprehensive Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008
d. Repealed Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008
e. None of the above
8. It refers to the portion of a roadway or public way that should be kept open and
unobstructed at all times for the expedient conduct of fire fighting operations.7
a. Fire Escape
b. Fire Lane
c. Fire Exit
d. Fire Protective Assembly
e. Fire Road
5 Essentials of FireFightingand Operation, 5th Edition p. 541
6 RA 9514,An act establishinga comprehensivefirecode of the Philippines repealingPresidential DecreeNo. 1185
7 IRR OF RA 9514,Rule 3, Definition of Terms

41. 41
9. Which of the phrases about Assembly Occupancies is most appropriate?8
a. Assembly Occupancies include stores, markets, and other rooms buildings, or
structures for the display and/or sale of merchandise.
b. Assembly Occupancies include, but not limited to, all buildings or portions of
buildings used for gathering together of fifty (50) or more persons for such purposes
as deliberation, worship, entertainment, eating, drinking, amusement, awaiting
transportation, or similar uses.
c. Assembly Occupancies include all buildings or structures utilized primarily for
sheltering of goods, merchandise, products, vehicles, or animals.
d. Assembly Occupancies refer to two or more classes of occupancies occurring/
located/situated/ existing in the same building and/or structures so intermingled that
separate safeguards are impracticable.
e. Assembly Occupancies include buildings or structure which cannot be properly
classified in any of the preceding occupancy groups.
10. Which type of occupancy a Gasoline Station belongs?
a. Assembly Occupancy
b. Storage Occupancy
c. Industrial Occupancy
d. Miscellaneous Occupancy
e. Mercantile Occupancy
11. Fire extinguisher recommended for the protection of delicate electronic equipment.
a. Water based type
b. Halogenated agent type
c. Multi-purpose dry chemical type
d. Wet chemical type
e. None of the above
12. How many days should the BFP act on an application for fire safety evaluation
clearance?9
a. Minimum of 3 Working days
b. Minimum of 4 Working days
c. Minimum of 5 Working days
d. Minimum of 10 working days
e. Minimum of 15 working days
13. It refers to an act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard.
a. Fire Safety Inspection10
b. Abatement
8 IRR OF RA 9514,Rule 3, Division 3.Classification of Occupancy
9 BFP citizens Charter, Service Standard
10 Republic of Act No. 9514,Section 3. Definition of Terms

42. 42
c. Issuance of Notice to Comply
d. Stoppage or Closure
e. None of the above
14. Which among the following is a mandate of Bureau of Fire Protection?
a. Fire Prevention
b. Fire Suppression
c. Fire and Arson Investigation
d. Emergency and Medical Rescue Services
e. All of the above
15. Which among the following is considered prohibited acts under the fire code of the
Philippines of 2008?11
a. Conduct of fire safety inspection
b. Smoking in a designated smoking area
c. Giving false or malicious fire alarms
d. Use of fire protective or firefighting equipment of the fire service other than for
fighting except in other emergencies where their use are justified
e. Both C & D
16. Which among the following is a classification of occupancy under the Fire Code of the
Philippines?12
a. Assembly
b. Hotel
c. School
d. Department Store
e. Pension House
17. It refers to alarm initiating device designed to actuate when visible or invisible products
of combustion are present in the room or space where the unit is installed?13
a. Fire Alarm
b. Smoke Alarm
c. Smoke Detector
d. Sprinkler
e. Flame Detector
18. Which of the following statement is true about the effect of sprinkler systems on Life
Safety?14
a. Preventing fire spread upwards in multistory buildings
11 RA 9514 Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008.Section 8. Prohibited Act
12 RA 9514 Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008.Division 3.Classification of Occupancy
13 Essentials of FireFightingand Operations.Chapter 16. Fire Detection, Alarm and Suppression System p. 831
14 Essentials of FireFightingand Operations.Chapter 16. Fire Detection, Alarm and Suppression System p. 843

43. 43
b. Fires are too small to activate the sprinkler system
c. Smoke generation reaches occupants before the sprinkler system activates
d. Facilitating evacuation by increasing air pressure in stairwells to exclude smoke
e. All of the above
19. It refers to a condition that increases the likelihood of a fire starting or would increase
the extent or severity of a fire if one did start.15
a. Fire trap
b. Fire hazard
c. Fire emergency
d. Back draft
e. Combustion
20. Which of the following statement about Nuclear Heat Energy is true?16
a. Heat that is created by fission
b. Poorly maintained electrical appliances, exposed wiring, and lighting are sources of
electrical heat sources
c. Moving parts on machines, such as belts and bearings, are a source of mechanical
heating
d. Materials may come in contact with each other and react, or they may decompose
and generate heat.
e. All of the above
21. Who is responsible for the maintenance of fire extinguisher and fire protection equipment
installed in a building?17
a. Fire Safety Inspector
b. Dealer of Fire Extinguisher
c. Fire Safety Practitioner
d. Owner/Administrator of the building
e. Fire Marshal
22. Which of the following statement is true about eminent danger?18
a. A secondary exit is not present
b. Insufficient exit width
c. Absence of fire-resistive enclosure for main and secondary exits
d. Absence of standpipe system
e. Absence of automatic fire suppression system
23. Which of the following refers to the fee charged for the conduct of fire safety inspection
equivalent to ten percentum (10%) of all fees charged by the building official, or by the
15 Essentials of FireFightingand Operations,5th Edition, Chapter 20. FirePrevention and Public Education p.963
16 Essentials of FireFightingand Operations,5th Edition, Chapter 20. FirePrevention and Public Education p 963
17 Fire Safety Enforcement Manual 2011 Edition,Take a Quiz, p. 125
18 IRR of RA 9514.Section 13.0.0.0. Public Nuisance

44. 44
local government or by other government agencies concerned in the granting of
pertinent permits or licenses?19
a. Fire Code Construction Tax
b. Fire Code Realty Tax
c. Fire Code Premium Tax
d. Fire Safety Inspection Fee
e. Fire Safety Inspection Certificate
24. What is the standard form issued by the BFP local offices/fire stations to be filled-up by
the applicant which indicates the basic information of building, facilities or structures
and/or establishment?20
a. Inspection Order
b. After Inspection Report
c. Fire Safety Checklist
d. Application Form
e. Notice to Comply
25. A letter issued by the BFP local offices/ fire stations to the owner/administrator of
buildings, facilities or structure and/or establishment indicating the defects, deficiencies,
violations of the buildings/establishments and the period to comply pursuant to the
provisions of the fire code of the Philippines of 2008.21
a. Notice to Correct Violation
b. Notice to Comply
c. Fire Safety Checklist
d. After Inspection Report
e. Abatement Order
26. It refers to fire-rated wall with specified degree or fire resistance, built of fire-resistive
materials and usually extending from the foundation up to and through the roof a
building, that is designed to limit the spread of a fire within a structure or between
adjacent structures.22
a. Fire Wall
b. Fire Door
c. Veneer Wall
d. Cantilever Walls
e. None of the above
27. Which of the following statement is true about class A fire?23
19 IRR of RA 9514.Section 12.0.0.2. FireCode Revenues
20 Fire Safety Enforcement Manual 2011 Edition,MC 2009-018,p 54
21 Fire Safety Enforcement Manual 2011 Edition,MC 2009-018,p 55
22 Essentials of FireFightingand Operations,5th Edition, Chapter 4. BuildingConstruction p.143
23 Essentials of FireFightingand Operations,5th Edition, Chapter 3. FireBavior.P.112

45. 45
a. It involves flammable and combustible liquids and gases
b. It involves energized electrical equipment
c. It involves ordinary combustible materials such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, grass
and many plastics
d. It involves combustible metals such as aluminum, magnesium, potassium, sodium,
titanium and zirconium
e. It involves oils and greases normally found in commercial kitchens and food
preparation facilities using deep fryers.
28. Refers to a portable fire fighting device designed to combat incipient fires?24
a. Fire Extinguisher
b. Fire Truck
c. SCBA
d. Personnel protective equipment
e. Fire coat
29. What is AFFF extinguisher stands for?
a. Aqueous Film Forming Foam
b. Aqueous Firm Forming Foam
c. Aqueous Film Firming Foam
d. Aqueous Firm Filming Foam
e. Aqueous Firm Flaming Foam
30. How much is the Fire Code Construction Tax to be paid by Mr Ma Goo Lhang who’s
building to be erected cost 5 Billion pesos as indicated in its Bill of Materials?25
a. 5 Million pesos
b. 500,000 pesos
c. 50,000 pesos
d. 5,000 pesos
e. 500 pesos
24 Essentials of FireFightingand Operations,5th Edition, Chapter 6. PortableFire Extinguisher.P.233
25 Fire Safety Enforcement Manual 2011 Edition.Take a Quiz, p 126

46. 46
FIRE TECHNOLOGY AND ARSON INVESTIGATION
Introduction:
The developmentof methodsandtoolsforusingandcontrollingfire wascritical inhuman
evolutionandisbelievedtohave allowedearlyhumanstospreadnorthwardfrom the warmclimate of
eitheroriginintothe more severe environmentof Europe andAsia.The evidence of earlyfireuse is
oftenambiguousbecause of the difficultyindeterminingwhetherthe archeological evidence isthe
resultof accidental fire oritsdeliberate use.Suchevidence include findsof occupationsiteswithfiredor
bakedsoils,bonesorstonesthathave beenchangedthroughthe applicationof heat,andareas
containingthicklayersof ashand charcoal that mighthave hearthstructures.
The earliestfinds,inKenyaandEthiopia,date fromabout1.5 millionyearsago.Lessequivocal evidence
existsfordeliberate fireuse inthe Paleolithicperiod,beginningabout500,000 yearsago. Neolithicsites
have yieldedobjectsthatmayhave beenusedin fire,makingdrillforproducingfriction,heatinwood
and flintsforstrikingsparksfromironpyrites.
In legendandreligion,fire iscommonthing.Forexample,inPersianliteraturefire wasdiscoveredduring
a fightof a herowitha dragon.A stone that the herousedas a weaponmissedthe monsterandstrucka
rock. Lightshone forthand humanbeingssaw fire forthe firsttime.InGreekmythology,Prometheus
was bestowedwithgodlikepowerswhenhe stole the god’sfire togive ittohumanity.Fire hasalso
playedacentral role in religion.Ithasbeenusedasa godand recognizedasa symbol of home and
familyinmanycultures.Fire hasalsobeenasymbol of purificationandof immortalityandrenewal,
hence the lightingof flamesof remembrance.The Temple of VestainRome wasanoutstandingexample
of the importance of fire tothe Romans.Vestawasoriginallythe goddessof the fire andhershrine was
ineveryhome.
We can onlyguessthatpre-historicpeople mayhave gainedknowledgeof fire from observingthingsin
nature.So the originof fire before the dawnof civilizationmaybe tracedtoan eruptingvolcano,ora

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forestfire,startedbylighting.Noone reallyknowswhereonthe earthsurface or at what stage of early
historymanlearnedhow tostart a fire andhow to make use of it.Yet, today,manhas had fire as:
• source of warmthand light
• protectionagainstenemies
• cause chemical changestofoodstuffstosuitman’sbodystructure
• providesprocessesformodifyingchemicalsintomedicines
• providesheattoconvertwood,metals,andbonesintodomestictoolsorinstrumentsfor
aggression
While the applicationof fire hasservedman’sneedsitscarelessandwantonuse exactanenormousand
dreadful toll fromsocietyinlifeandproperty.Hence,man’sunderstandingof fire wouldenablehimto
developthe technologyof preventionandcontrol toa considerable advance state (Abis).
WHAT IS FIRE?
Fire isthe manifestationof rapidchemical reactionoccurringbetweenfuel andanoxidizer-
typicallythe oxygeninthe air.Suchrapidchemical reactionreleasesenergyinthe formof heatand
light.
Fire isheat andlightresultingfromthe rapidcombinationof oxygen,orinsome casesgaseouschlorine,
withothermaterials.The lightisin the formof a flame,whichiscomposedof glowingparticlesof the
burningmaterial andcertaingaseousproductsthatare luminousatthe temperature of the burning
material.
THE START OFFIRE
All mattersexistof one of the three states – solid,liquidandgas(vapor).The atomsor
moleculesof asolidare packedcloselytogether,andthatof a liquidispackedloosely,the moleculesof
a vapor are notpackedtogetherat all,theyare free to move about.Inorderfor a substance to oxidize,
itsmoleculesmustbe prettywell surroundedbyoxygenmolecules.The moleculesof solidsorliquidsare
too tightlypackedtobe surrounded.Thus,onlyvaporscanburn.
However,whenasolidora liquidisheated,itsmoleculesmove aboutrapidly.If enoughheatis applied,
some moleculesbreakawayfromthe surface toforma vapor justabove the substance.Thisvapor
can now mixedwithoxygen.If there isenoughheattoraise the vaporto itsignitiontemperature

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(temperature neededtoburn),andif there isenough oxygenpresent,the vaporwill oxidize rapidly –it
will startto burn.
The start of burningisthe start of a ChainReaction(the burningprocess).Vaporfromheated
fuel rises,mixeswithairandburns.It producesenoughheattorelease more vaporandto draw in air to
burn thatvapor. Asmore vapor burns,flame productionincreases.More heatisproduced,more vapor
released,more airdrawnintothe flamesandmore vaporburns,the chain reactionkeepsincreasing –
the size of the fire increasesuntilfuel isconsumed.
CHEMISTRY OFFIRE
Obviously,threethingsare requiredforcombustionorfire:FUEL(Combustiblematerialsto
vaporize andburn),OXYGEN (Oxygeninairisthe common oxidizingagent,tocombine withfuel vapor,
air contains28% O, 78 N, 1% inertgas),andHEAT (toraise the temperature of the fuel vaportoits
ignitiontemperature).The combinationsof these threeelementsformthe so-calledFire Triangle.
The Fire Triangle
Oxygen Heat
Fuel
Figure 1