FIRE PROTECTION AND

ARSON INVESTIGATION
JOSHUA PADILLA GAMOT, RCrim.
AUGUST 2023
FIRE ELEMENTS:

FUEL
HEAT
OXYGEN
 FUEL (REDUCING AGENT)
Is anything that will burn when heated with sufficient
oxygen. It is the most important part of the triangle, for
fuel is what burns. The nature and properties of the fuel are
essential in combating fires. It comes in three form as solid,
liquid or gas.

SOLID - molecules are closely packed together

LIQUID - molecules are loosely packed
GAS - molecules are free to move
 THE SOLID FUELS
Types of Flammable solids
Pyrolyzable solid fuels – include many of the ordinary
accepted combustibles: wood, paper and so on.

Non-pyrolyzable solid fuels – solid fuels that are difficult

to ignite. A common example is charcoal. Chemical
decomposition does not occur because there are no
pyrolyzable elements present.
 THE LIQUID FUELS
Liquid fuels are mainly made from Petroleum, but some
synthetic liquids are also produced. Petroleum is also called crude
oil. They may be refined to produce gasoline, diesel oil, and
kerosene.
2 GENERAL GROUPS OF LIQUID FUELS
Flammable liquids – they are liquids having a flash point of
37.8 °C (100°F)
Combustible Liquids – these liquids have flash point at or
above 37.8 °C (100°F).
 THE GAS FUELS
Gaseous fuels are those in which molecules are in rapid
movement and random motion. They have no definite shape or
volume, and assume the shape and volume of their container.
There are both natural and manufactured flammable gases. Gas
fuels flow easily through pipes and are used to provide energy for
homes, businesses, and industries. Examples of gas fuels are
acetylene, propane, and butanes.
 Classification of Gases: BASED ON SOURCE
NATURAL GAS – the gas used to heat buildings, cook food,
and provides energy for industries. It consists chiefly of
methane, a colorless and odorless gas. Natural gas is usually
mixed with compounds of foul-smelling elements like sulfur so
gas leaks can be detected.

MANUFACTURED GAS – this gas like synthetic liquid fuels

is used chiefly where certain fuels are abundant and others are
scarce. Coal, petroleum, and biomass can all be converted to
gas through heating and various chemical procedures.
 Classification of Gases:ACCORDING TO USAGE
FUEL GASES – flammable gases usually used for burning with air to
produce heat, utilize as power, light, comfort, and process. Most
commonly used gases are natural gas and the LPG (butane and
propane).
INDUSTRIAL GASES - This group includes a large number of
gases used for industrial processes as those in welding and cutting
(oxygen, acetylene); refrigeration (freon, ammonia, sulfur dioxide);
chemical processing (hydrogen, nitrogen, ammonia, chlorine); water
treatment (chlorine, fluorine).
MEDICAL GASES – those used for treatment such as anesthesia
(chloroform, nitrous oxide); respiratory therapy (oxygen).
 OTHER FUELS
CHEMICAL FUELS Chemical fuels, which are produced in
solid and liquid form, create great amounts of heat and power.
They are used chiefly in rocket engines. Chemical rocket
propellants consist of both a fuel and an oxidizer. A common
rocket fuel is the chemical hydrazine.
NUCLEAR FUELS Nuclear fuels provide energy through
the fission or fusion of their atoms.
Nuclear Fission – split of the nucleus of atoms
Nuclear Fusion – combination of two light nuclei of atom
 HEAT
The energy component of the fire tetrahedron when heat
comes into contact with a fuel, the energy supports the
combustion reaction
- Source of ignition or any device to start a fire. It can be a
safety match, a lighted candle, or of more sophisticated forms
such as a chemical, mechanical or electrical contrivance designed
to start a blaze.

TEMPERATURE - Temperature is the measurement of the

degree of thermal agitation of molecules; the hotness or coldness
of something. Thermometer is the instrument used to measure
temperature and commonly expressed in °C, °F, and °K
 TYPES OF ENERGY (COMMON SOURCES OF
HEAT)

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.
Example: 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:
• over current or overload
• arcing
• sparking
• static lightning
NUCLEAR ENERGY
-generated when atoms either split apart (fission) or combine
(fusion)
Example:
1. fission heats water to drive steam turbines and produce electricity
2. solar energy is a product of a fusion reaction

MECHANICAL ENERGY an energy created by friction and

compression
Heat of friction - the movement of two surfaces against each other,
thus producing sparks
Heat of compression - heat is generated when a gas is compressed in
a container or cylinder
 HEAT TRANSFER
CONDUCTION It is the transfer of heats by molecular activity with
in a material or medium, usually a solid. Direct contact is the
underlying factor in conduction.

CONVECTION It is the transfer of heat through a circulating

medium, usually air or liquid. Heat transfer by convection is chiefly
responsible for the spread of fire in structures.

RADIATION Radiated heat moves in wave and rays much like

sunlight. Radiated heat travels the speed, as does visible light:
186,000 miles per second. A means of heat transfer when energy
travels through materials and space as waves.
 OXYGEN (OXIDIZING AGENT)

A colorless, odorless gas and one of the compositions of

air which is approximately 21% percent by volume

AIR COMPOSITION: 21% of normal oxygen 1 % other

gases 78% nitrogen
 PROPERTIES OF FIRE
1. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
A. 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
B. BOILING POINT - the constant temperature at which the vapor pressure
of the liquid is equal to the atmospheric pressure
C. 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
D. FIRE POINT - the temperature at which the material will give off ample
vapors to keep burning
E. 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
surfac
2. THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
A.ENDOTHERMIC REACTIONS – changes whereby energy
(heat) is absorbed or is added before the reaction takes place.
B. EXOTHERMIC REACTIONS – those that release or give off
energy (heat) thus they produce substances with less energy than the
reactants.
C. OXIDATION – a chemical change that is exothermic, a change in
which combustible material (fuel) and an oxidizing agent (air), react.
Example of oxidation is combustion which is the same as actual
burning (rapid oxidation)
D. FLAMES – flames are incandescent (very bright/glowing with
intense heat) gases. It is a combustion product and a manifestation of
fire when it is in its gas-phased combustion.
 TYPES OF FLAMES
Based on Color and Completeness of Combustibility of Fuel
LUMINOUS FLAME – is
orange-red, deposit soot at the
bottom of a vessel being heated due
to incomplete combustion and has
a low temperature.

NON-LUMINOUS FLAME –
is blue, there is complete
combustion of fuel and has
relatively high temperature.
 Based on Fuel and Air Mixture
PREMIXED FLAME – is exemplified by a Bunsen-type laboratory burner
where hydrocarbon (any substance containing primarily carbon and
hydrogen) is thoroughly mixed with air before reaching the flame zone.

DIFFUSION FLAME – is observed when gas (fuel) alone is forced through a

nozzle into the atmosphere which diffuses in the surrounding atmosphere in
order to form a flammable mixture. The candle flame is an example of
diffusion flame governed purely by molecular diffusion, and the flame of the
oxyacetylene torch. (diffused – dispersed, widely spread)
 Based on Smoothness
LAMINAR FLAME – when a
particle follows a smooth path
through a gaseous flame.

TURBULENT FLAME – are

those having unsteady, irregular
flows. As physical size, gas
density or velocity is increased,
all laminar gas flows tend to
become turbulent.
FIRE BEHAVIOR, CAUSES AND CLASSIFICATION
The behavior of fire maybe understood by considering the
principle of thermal balance and thermal imbalance.
THERMAL BALANCE refers to the rising movement or the
pattern of fire, the normal behavior when the pattern is undisturbed.

THERMAL IMBALANCE, on the other hand is the abnormal

movement of fire due to the interference of foreign matter. Thermal
imbalance often confuses the fire investigator in determining the
exact point where the fire originated.
 DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR OF FIRE
Fire is so fatal when the following conditions occurred:
BACKDRAFT – it is the sudden and
rapid (violent) burning of heated gases in
a confined area that occurs in the form of
explosion. This may occur because of
improper ventilation. If a room is not
properly ventilated, highly flammable
vapors maybe accumulated such that when
a door or window is suddenly opened, the
room violently sucks the oxygen from the
outside and simultaneously, a sudden
combustion occur, which may happen as
an explosion (combustion explosion).
Flashover
– it is the sudden ignition of accumulated radical gases
produced when there is incomplete combustion of fuels. It is the
sudden burning of free radicals, which is initiated by a spark or
flash produced when temperature rises until flash point is
reached. When accumulated volume of radical gases suddenly
burns, there will be a very intense fire that is capable of causing
flames to jump at a certain distance in the form of fireball.
Fireballs can travel to a hundred yards with in a few seconds.
Biteback - a fatal condition that takes place
when the fire resists extinguishment
operations and become stronger and bigger
instead.

Flash Fire – better known as dust

explosion. This may happen when the metal
post that is completely covered with dust is
going to be hit by lightning. The dust
particles covering the metal burn
simultaneously thus creating a violent
chemical reaction that produces a very bright
flash followed by an explosion.
 THE THREE STAGES OF FIRE
• INCIPIENT PHASE (INITIAL STAGE)
• FREE BURNING PHASE
• SMOLDERING PHASE
INCIPIENT PHASE (INITIAL STAGE)
initial stage of fire
• normal room temperature
• the temperature at the base of the fire is 400-800/1000
°F
• ceiling temperature is about 200 °F
• the pyrolysis products are mostly water vapor and
carbon dioxide, small quantities of carbon monoxide and
sulfides maybe present.
FREE BURNING PHASE
a phase of burning in which materials or structures are burning in
the presence of adequate oxygen
• accelerated pyrolysis process take place
• oxygen supplyis depleted
• temperature is 800-1000/1330 °F at the base of fire, 1200-1600
°F at ceiling
• pyrolytic decomposition moves upward on the walls(crawling of
the flame) leaving burnt patterns (fire fingerprints)
• occurrence of flashover.
SMOLDERING PHASE
final phase of burning wherein flame ceases but dense smoke and
heat completely fill the confined room
• oxygen content drops to 13% or below causing the flame to
vanish and heat to develop in layers,
• ceiling temperature is 1000-1300 °F,
• heat and pressure in the room builds up,
• building/room contains large quantities of superheated fuel
under pressure but little oxygen,
• when sufficient supply of oxygen is introduced, backdraft occurs
 STAGES OF FIRE
1. IGNITION describes the period when the four elements of the fire tetrahedron
come together and combustion begins.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. FULLY-DEVELOPED occurs when all combustible materials in the
compartment are involved in the fire
5. DECAY as the fire consumes the available fuel in the compartment, the rate of
heat released begins to decline.
 CLASSIFICATIONS OF FIRE
Based on Cause
a.Natural fire/ providential
b. Accidental fire
c. Intentional Fire/Incendiary
d. Undetermined
 NATURAL/PROVIDENTIAL CAUSES
Involves fires without direct human intervention
SPONTANEOUS HEATING
– the automatic chemical reaction that results to spontaneous
combustion due to auto-ignition of organic materials, the gradual
rising of heat in a confined space until ignition temperature is
reached. Sun rays focused on glasses which may serve as a
convex lens

LIGHTNING – a form of static electricity; a natural current

with a great magnitude, producing tremendous amperage and
voltage
 ACCIDENTAL CAUSES
Electrical accidents in the form of:
Short Circuit – unusual or accidental
connections between two points at
different potentials (charge) in an
electrical circuit of relatively low
resistance.
Arcing – the production of sustained
luminous electrical discharge between
separated electrodes; an electric hazard
that results when electrical current
crosses the gap between 2 electrical
conductors.
Sparking – production of incandescent
particles when two different potentials
(charged conductors) come in contact;
occurs during short circuits or welding
operations.

Over heating of electrical appliances –

the increase or rising of amperage while
electric current is flowing in a
transmission line resulting to the damage
or destruction of insulating materials,
maybe gradual or rapid, internal or
external.
• Purely accidental causes
• Negligence and other forms of human error
 INTENTIONAL CAUSES (INCENDIARY)
Is one deliberately set under circumstances in which the
person knows that the fire should not be set. If in the burned
property, there are preparations or traces of accelerant, plants and
trailers, then the cause of fire is intentional.
 UNDETERMINED FIRE CAUSE
Whenever the cause cannot be proven, the proper
classification is undetermined
 Based on Burning Fuel (the classes of fire)
Class A Fire – Ordinary fires; they are the types of fire resulting from
the burning wood, paper, textiles, rubber and other carbonaceous
materials. In short, this is the type of fire caused by ordinary combustible
materials.
Class B Fire – Liquid fires; they are caused by flammable and or
combustible liquids such as kerosene, gasoline, benzene, oil products,
alcohol and other hydrocarbon deviations.
Class C Fire – Electrical fires; they are fires that starts in live electrical
wires, equipment, motors, electrical appliances and telephone
switchboards.
Class D Fire – Metallic fires; fires that result from the combustion of
certain metals in finely divided forms. These combustible metals include
magnesium, potassium, powdered calcium, zinc, sodium, and titanium.
 FIRE FIGTHING OPERATIONS AND
EXTINGUISHMENT

FIRE FIGHTING is an activity intended to save

lives and property. It is one of the most important
emergency services in a community.
FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS
Fire fighting operations refers to fire suppression activities. In general the
following procedures should be observed:
• PRE-FIRE PLANNING
• EVALUATION – SIZE – UP
• EVACUATION
• ENTRY
• RESCUE
• EXPOSURE
• CONFINEMENT
• VENTILATION
• SALVAGE
• EXTINGUISHMENT
• OVERHAUL
• FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATION
 PRE-FIRE PLANNING

This activity involves developing and defining systematic

course of actions that maybe performed in order to realize the
objectives of fire protection: involves the process of establishing
the SOP in case fire breaks out.
 EVALUATION – SIZE – UP
(on-the-spot planning or sizing-up the situation)

- this is the process knowing the emergency situation. It

involves mental evaluation by the operation officer-in-
charge to determine the appropriate course of action that
provides the highest probability of success.
 EVACUATION
This the activity of transferring people, livestock,
and property away from the burning area to minimize
damage or destruction that the fire might incur in case it
propagates to other adjacent buildings.
 ENTRY
This is the process of accessing the burning structure.
Entry maybe done in a forcible manner.
Purposes of conducting forcible entry:
• To provide access for fire fighters with equipment for fire
extinguishments
• To provide rescue
• To aid in ventilation
 RESCUE
This is the operation of removing (extricating), thus saving,
people and other livestock from the burning building and other
involved properties, conveying them to a secure place
EXPOSURE
Also called cover exposure, this is the activity of securing
other buildings near the burning structure in order to prevent the
fire from the extending to another building.
CONFINEMENT
This is the activity of restricting the fire at the place (room)
where it started : the process of preventing fire from extending
from another section or form one section to another section of the
involved building.
 VENTILATION
This the operation purposely conducted to displace toxic
gases. It includes the process of displacing the heated atmosphere
within the involved building with normal air from outside
atmosphere.
Types of Ventilation:
1.Vertical ventilation - must be worked from the top to bottom
2. Cross or horizontal ventilation - used if gases have not
reached the higher level through the opening of windows
3. Mechanical force ventilation - a method whereby a device
such as smoke ejector is utilized to remove faster excessive heat
and dense smoke
 SALVAGE
The activity of protecting the properties from
preventable damage other than the fire. The steps are a)
remove the material outside the burning area, and b)
protecting or cover the materials by using tarpaulins (cotton
canvass treated with water proofing).
 EXTINGUISHMENT
This is the process of putting out the main body of fire by using the
4 general methods of fire extinguishments.

• Extinguishment by Temperature Reduction

• Extinguishment by Fuel Removal
• Extinguishment by Oxygen Dilution
• Extinguishment by Chemical Inhibition
 OVERHAUL
This is the complete and detailed check of the structure and
all materials therein to eliminate conditions that may cause re-
flash; involves complete extinguishments of sparks or smouldering
(glowing) substances (embers) to prevent possibilities of re-
ignition or rekindling.
 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

A Fire Extinguisher is a mechanical device, usually made of

metal, containing chemicals, fluids, or gasses for stopping fires, the
means for application of its contents for the purpose of putting out
fire (particularly small fire ) before it propagates, and is capable of
being readily moved from place to place.
It is also a portable device used to put out fires of limited size.
 WHAT ARE THE GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURES IN FIRE
EXTINGUISHMENT?
The general operating procedures in using a fire extinguisher may be
modified by the acronym PASS.
P - Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher that keeps the handle from
being pressed. Press the plastic or thin wire inspection band.
A– Aim the nozzle or outlet towards the fire. Some hose assemblies are
dipped to the extinguisher body. Released it and then point at the base of the
fire.
S – Squeeze the handle above carrying handle to discharge the
extinguishing agent inside. The handle can be released to stop the discharge
at any time.
S – Sweep the nozzle sideways at the base of the flame to disperse the
extinguishing agent.
 LADDER
Types of ladder
1. Ground ladders - (10 to 55 ft. long)
2. Aerial ladders
Purposes of ladders
a. for rescue
b. to stretch line into a fire building
c. to provide ventilation by giving access to places that are hard
to reach
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
In the Philippines, the Bureau of fire Protection is the main
government agency responsible for the prevention and
suppression of all destructive fires on buildings, houses and other
structures, forest, land transportation vehicles and equipments,
ships or vessels docked at piers or major seaports, petroleum
industry installation, plane crashes and other similar incidents, as
well as the enforcement of the Fire Code and other related laws. It
has the major power to investigate all causes of fires and
necessary, file the proper complaints with the proper authority that
has jurisdiction over the case (R.A. no. 6975, sec. 54)
 LEGAL ASPECT OF FIRE INVESTIGATION
• Arson is the intentional or malicious destruction of property by
fire.

• It is the concern of fire investigation to prove malicious intent of

the offender. Intent must be proved, otherwise, no crime exist. The
law presumes that a fire is accidental, hence criminal designs
must be shown. Fire cause by accident or criminal design must be
shown. Fire cause by accident or negligence does not constitute
arson.
 ELEMENTS OF ARSON

• Actual burning took place

• Actual burning is done with malicious intent
•The actual burning is done by person(s) legally and
criminally liable
 STAGES IN THE COMMISSION OF ARSON
A.Attempted Arson
• 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 trailed 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
B. Frustrated Arson
• The fact of having set fire to some rags and 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.
• The tools used alone are on fire, or a furniture or thing not
attached to the building is on fire (U.S. v. Valdez, G.R. No.
L14128, December 10, 1918)
C. Consummated Arson

• If before the fire was put out, part of the building was burned.
• 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.
 PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1613

Section 1. Arson. Any person who burns or sets fire to the property
of another shall be punished by Prision Mayor.
The same penalty shall be imposed when a person sets fire to his
own property under circumstances which expose to danger the life
or property of another.
Section 2. Destructive Arson. The penalty of Reclusion Temporal in its maximum
period to Reclusion Perpetua shall be imposed if the property burned is any of the
following:
1. Any ammunition factory and other establishment where explosives, inflammable or
combustible materials are stored.
2. Any archive, museum, whether public or private, or any edifice devoted to culture,
education or social services.
3. Any church or place of worship or other building where people usually assemble.
4. Any train, airplane or any aircraft, vessel or watercraft, or conveyance for
transportation of persons or property
5. Any building where evidence is kept for use in any legislative, judicial,
administrative or other official proceedings.
6. Any hospital, hotel, dormitory, lodging house, housing tenement, shopping center,
public or private market, theater or movie house or any similar place or building.
7. Any building, whether used as a dwelling or not, situated in a populated or
congested area.
Section 3. Other Cases of Arson. The penalty of Reclusion
Temporal to Reclusion Perpetua shall be imposed if the property
burned is any of the following:
1.Any building used as offices of the government or any of its
agencies;
2. Any inhabited house or dwelling;
3. Any industrial establishment, shipyard, oil well or mine shaft,
platform or tunnel;
4. Any plantation, farm, pastureland, growing crop, grain field,
orchard, bamboo grove or forest;
5. Any rice mill, sugar mill, cane mill or mill central; and
6. Any railway or bus station, airport, wharf or warehouse.
Section 4. Special Aggravating Circumstances in Arson.
The penalty in any case of arson shall be imposed in its maximum
period;
1.If committed with intent to gain;
2. If committed for the benefit of another;
3. If the offender is motivated by spite or hatred towards the
owner or occupant of the property burned;
4. If committed by a syndicate.
Section 5. Where Death Results from Arson. If by reason of
or on the occasion of the arson death results, the penalty of
Reclusion Perpetua to death shall be imposed.
All but one are special aggravating circumstance in arson.

a. Committed with intent to gain

b. Committed to conceal a crime.
c. Committed for the benefits of others
d. Offender is motivated by spite, revenge or hatred towards the
owner or occupant of the house;
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
The following are the basis of criminal liability in arson. Except

a. Kind and character of the building burned

b. Location of the building
c. Color of the flame
d. Extent or value of the damage
 BASIC LINES OF INQUIRY IN ARSON
INVESTIGATION POINT OF ORIGIN OF FIRE

Initially, the important point to be established is the

point of origin of fire. Finding the point where the fire
originated is naturally very important to establishing the
cause of the fire
• Origin of the fire can also be traced through the so-called
FIRE PATTERNS
MEANING OF COLOR OF SMOKE AND FIRE:
When white smoke appears before the water from the fire hose
comes in contact with the fire, it indicates humid material burning.
E.g. – burning hay, vegetable materials.
Biting smoke, irritating the nose and throat and causing coughing
indicates presence of chlorine.
White smoke with yellow flame – indicates burning of humid
materials. Example: burning hay, vegetable matter.
Black Smoke accompanied by large flame - indicates use of
petroleum products or rubber and plastics
Reddish brown smoke – presence of nitrocellulose sulfur,
sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid.
*Red flame – presence of petroleum.
▪ Blue flame – presence of alcohol, aldehyde or ketone.
▪ Biting smoke - irritating to nose and caused coughing indicate
presence of chlorine.
▪ Garlic odor smoke – presence of phosphorous.
▪ Heavy brown smoke with bright red flame – Nitrogen products.
▪ White smoke with bright white flame – Magnesium
▪ Black smoke with red and blue flame – Asphalt
▪ Purple or lavender flame – Potassium
▪ Greenish – yellow flame - Chlorine or manganese
▪ Bright reddish yellow flame - Calcium
 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.
 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9514

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE FIRE CODE

OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE NO. 1185 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

This Act shall be known as the “Fire Code of the Philippines of

2008”.
Definition of Terms. - As used in this Fire Code, the following
words and phrases shall mean and be construed as indicated:

Abatement - Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard.

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 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.
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.
(AUGUST 2023 CLE)
Damper - A normally open
device installed inside air duct
system which automatically
closes to restrict the passage of
smoke or fire.

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.
(August 2023 CLE)
Ember - A hot piece or lump that remains after a material has
partially burned, and is still oxidizing without the manifestation of
flames.
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.
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 Alarm - Any visual or audible signal produced by a
device or system to warn 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.
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.
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