MODULE IN FIRE

TECHNOLOGY AND
ARSON
INVESTIGATION

Compiled by: SHENAI F. JUANCE, MSCJ-Crim

 Note to the Readers

This material is designed to guide you as you dive into learning Fire Technology and
Arson Investigation. The knowledge of the nature of fire is a safeguard for everyone, while as a
criminology student one in many of your option is a career in Fire Fighting and Fire
Investigation. This modules will guide you as you harness your understanding about Fire
Technology and Arson Investigation to arm you as future professionals.

As a vital component of the curriculum, this material is exclusive for fourth year students
who are enrolled in CDI 6 (Fire Technology and Arson Investigation) in Central Philippines State
University taking up Bachelor of Science in Criminology.

The lessons in this module are picked to provide a more comprehensive conception of
Fire Technology and Arson Investigation, intended to widen the grasp of the course to the
benefit of the students. This module provides an extensive discussion on Nature of fire, Fire
suppression, control and extinguishment, and extinguishing agents, Arson and arson
investigation, and Agencies Involve in Fire Fighting Profession.
May this ignite your interest and keep your dedication to be Professional Criminologist
on fire.

Shenai F. Juance, MSCJ-Crim

Instructor
 Acknowledgment

In the completion of this material, several people had been instrumental towards its
eventual realization. Hence, the author is delighted to note their invaluable contribution.

To the Dean of the College of Criminal Justice Education, Sir Corold A. Romano who
had shared a keen eye in examining the content of the module.

To the author’s colleagues in the College of Criminal Justice Education who had been
helpful in sharing their opinion and assistance in the making of this module.

To the students of the College of Criminal Justice Education-Hinigaran Campus whose

unwavering will to learn despite the pandemic had inspired the author.

To the CPSU-IMPDC personnel who had been a strong guide from the orientation in the
making of this module to the process of evaluation.

To the family of the author who had always been her source of strength.

And to the Almighty Father, for the unfailing gift of wisdom, good health and enthusiasm
to the author. May His glory be praised forever.
MODULE FIRE TECHNOLOGY AND ARSON
1 INVESTIGATION

“The serial arsonist is the most difficult to apprehend because the evidence is burned up.”

Learning Outcomes:

This module aims to:

1. State the basic principles of fire technology.

2. Determine the significance of studying technology of fire and arson investigation.
3. Describe the methods of fire investigation.
4. Explain the legal provisions relative to the investigation of acts involving incendiarism;
and.
5. Discuss the legal aspects of arson.

Introduction

This modules aims to provide criminal justice education students with basic fire
technological concepts and the fundamental principles of investigating acts of incendiarism
which makes criminology graduates and professionals equipped to be employed as personnel
of the Bureau of Fire Protection. As students it is important for you to understand the theories
presented and engage in activities provided in this module not only for your probable future
profession but also this course offers important insights on how we can protect our homes and
community against fire accidents and how we effectively respond in such situation.

Hence, this module will introduce you to an in-depth discussion of the following lessons
which is divided in to four chapters:

Nature of fire

 Behavior and technology of fire

 Combustion, properties of fire, phases of burning/three stages of fire
 Factors that influenced the spread of fire
 Classification of fire
Fire suppression, control and extinguishment, and extinguishing agents

 History of fire fighting

  Factor affecting fire protection and control
 The fire extinguishment theory
Arson and arson investigation
 The law on arson
 Fire investigation
Agencies
 Bureau of fire protection
 Fire national training institute
 CHAPTER I

NATURE OF FIRE

LESSON 1

BEHAVIOUR AND TECHNOLOGY OF FIRE

WHAT IS FIRE?

Fire is the manifestation of rapid chemical reaction occurring between fuel and an
oxidizer- typically the oxygen in the air. Such rapid chemical reaction releases energy in the
form of heat and light.
Fire is heat and light resulting from the rapid combination of oxygen, or in some cases
gaseous chlorine, with other materials. The light is in the form of a flame, which is composed of
glowing particles of the burning material and certain gaseous products that are luminous at the
temperature of the burning material.

THEORIES OF COMBUSTION

1. Fire Triangle Theory

- Three elements necessary to create/produce fire in equal proportion.
2. Fire Tetrahedron Theory
- The fourth element of fire is known as the “Chemical Chain Reaction” which is added
to the three elements in the Fire Triangle Theory.
3. Life Cycle of Fire Theory
- This refers to the stages/steps wherein fire is created.

The concept of fire is symbolized by the Triangle Combustion and represented, FUEL,
HEAT and OXYGEN, and removing any one of the three elements will put the fire out.
Using the same theory there are three ways to extinguish fire.
1. Cooling - Reduce the temperature.

2. Smothering – Cutting-off the oxygen supply.

3. Starvation - Remove the fuel.

FIRE TRIANGLE THEORY

 This theory provides that in order to produce fire three elements are necessary, fuel,
oxygen and heat hence the symbol of triangle is utilized so that each side represent one
element.

ELEMENTS OF FIRE UNDER THE FIRE TRIANGLE THEORY

1. FUEL
- Any substance/combustibles which reacts chemically with oxygen and produces
flames. For a fire to start there must be something to burn. A fuel may come in three
physical states such as; gases, liquid and solid.
2. OXYGEN
- A colorless and odourless gas and one of the composition of air that supports fire
which is approximately 21% by volume. For a fire to start a source of oxygen must be
present, approximately 16% is required. Some fuels contain enough oxygen within
their make-up to support burning.
3. HEAT
- A form of energy measured in degree of temperature, the product of combustion that
caused the spread of fire. For a fire to start there must be a source of ignition which
is usually a heat or a spark. Heat sources include: open flame, hot surfaces, sparks
and arc, friction-chemical action, electrical energy and compression of gases.

FIRE TETRAHEDRON THEORY

This is theory provides another explanation of the requirement for combustion, it uses a
four-sided figure called tetrahedron. This is a new theory which had emerged as a result of
close scrutiny of the preceding theories.
In fire tetrahedron the combustion reaction can be characterized by four components;
the fuel, the oxidizing agent, heath and uninhibited chemical chain reaction. These four
components have been classically symbolized by a four-sided solid geometric form called
tetrahedron. Fires can be prevented or suppressed by removing one or more of the sides of the
tetrahedron.
The fourth element of the tetrahedron explanation is known as chemical reactivity, or
chemical reaction. Both theories are used to explain what causes fire. This theory emphasizes
that each element of tetrahedron must be in place for combustion to occur.
If ignition has already started, the fire is extinguished, if one of the elements is removed
from the reaction. When fuel is heated, it gives off vapour which if mixed with the correct amount
of air, can then be ignited by a heat source.
An example is a pan filled with liquid fuel giving off vapours before it can ignite. The
vapour area is closes to the fuel. As the temperature of liquid fuel rises, the molecules separate,
or breakdown into elements of hydrogen atoms, carbon atoms, and lighter hydrocarbon
molecules, causing these particles to react with oxygen is introduced and begins to mix with
these particles, and the reaction starts…. this is the reaction area.

ELEMENTS OF FIRE UNDER THE FIRE TETRAHEDRON THEORY

1. Oxygen (Oxidizing Agent) – material/substance that yield oxygen or oxidizing gases

during the process of a chemical reaction. Oxidizers are not themselves combustible but
they support combustion when combined with fuel. For purposes of discussion, the
oxygen in the air in the surrounding area is considered the primary oxidizing agent.
2. Fuel (Reducing agent) – material or substance being burned in the combustion
process. The fuel in a combustion reaction is known as the reducing agent. Most
common fuels contain carbon along with combination of hydrogen and oxygen.
3. Heat (Temperature) – the energy component of the fire tetrahedron. When heat comes
in contact with a fuel, the energy supports the combustion process. A form of energy
generated by the transmission of some other form of energy as in combustion or
burning.
4. Self-Sustained Chemical Reaction – (the fourth element) – a series of events that
occur in sequence with the result of each individual reaction being added to the rest.
Once flaming starts, it can only continue when enough heat or energy is produced to causes the
continued chain reaction.

REFERENCES

Soriano, O.G. (2011). Fire Technology and Arson Investigation: With Related Laws
and Fire Code. Great Books Pub.

____________________________end of Module 1_________________________