Mazen Fire Investigation - Case Study Example

Mazen fire investigation Name of Student Institutional affiliation Date Abstract Fire costs countries millions when it occurs; this is both through containing it and on medical facilities to the injured. An average of 115,000 fires is recorded to have occurred in every year on buildings in the United Kingdom. The accidents and injuries caused by fire are in the second position, led by the road traffic accidents. The most favourable method to minimize these costs and reduce the damages caused by fire is by carrying out an effective fire investigation. Elimination of dangerous products in buildings and improving the building codes will help reduce the accidental fires. The purpose of the investigation is to get to the cause of the fire and then to analyze the place in which the fire has occurred to determine why the fire started in that specified location. The report analyses the impacts and the cause of the fire at Mazen premises. And the various recommendations that are useful to the company. The report also indicates the methods that are used to gather information on the site and to carry out various laboratory tests to establish the cause of the fire. The report analyses the various stages of the examination in the fire occurrence, and the spread of fire causing such massive damage. Introduction Fire costs countries millions when it occurs; this is both through containing it and on medical facilities to the injured. An average of 115,000 fires is recorded to have occurred in every year on buildings in the United Kingdom. The accidents and injuries caused by fire are in the second position, led by the road traffic accidents. The best way to reduce these costs and reduce the damages caused by fire is by carrying out an effective fire investigation. Elimination of dangerous products in buildings and improving the building codes will help reduce the figure recorded as accidental fires. The purpose of the experiment to analyze the place in which the fire has occurred to determine why the fire started in that specified location (Bouquard 2004, P 56) The analysis and investigation include the establishment of the pattern in which the fire spreads, this is because fire creates patterns of damage that are predictable largely. With the comprehension of the properties of combustion and the general properties and behavior of fire, the analysis will observe the fire scene clues. Using each clue as a test for the direction of travel independently, the intensity of fire or the period in which the fire occurred and the place that the fire emerged can be determined. Note that the fire tends to form patterns that are mainly determined by various aspects such as the burning structure or the fuel presence (Dehaan 2014, P 157). An analysis would begin by trying to comprehend the overall view of the site and the damage caused by the fire. This could be done simply or with complexity, the materials gathered at the site could provide good samples to carry out the examination. In addition, the fuel load, and the state of debris at various spots in the building can also provide good samples. These can assist in getting the cause of fire in the building (Dehaan 2014, P 159) The analysis is also carried out to the building deformations, smoke pattern, and char depths. Considerations of the fire scene as a crime scene must be done unless it is proven otherwise. We had to ensure that the fire scene was intact and free from destruction by the occupants or the firefighters. Since if the destruction occurred, it would tamper with the evidence collected for investigations (Ott 2012, P 46). There are various rules that can be used to establish the cause of the fire. It is always observed that fire burns outwards and upwards, the availability of highly combustible materials will increase the rate at which the fire burns and the fire will rise faster and get hotter to cause mass burning. In addition, one should consider that fire needs oxygen and fuel to enlarge and that the spreading of fire will be accelerated or reduced by various instances such as stairways, air currents and falling burning debris. Aims and Objectives The aim of the investigation at maze was to establish the cause of the fire to give the desired results that can be used to mitigate future same occurrences. In carrying out the study, we had to conduct various observations to the site of the fire. We had to identify the seat of the fire, I noted that fire burnt upwards, and the debris fell. The start of the fire was buried as the fire is established; we dug through the debris to find the seat of the fire. Observation of the soot patterns is made that indicated the glass was broken during the fire. Spill and burn patterns observation were made that showed there was the presence of fuel that enhanced the spread of fire in the building. In carrying out the investigation of the fire scene, internal and external areas of the building were observed. And samples were taken in which some are taken to the laboratory for further investigations (Bouquard 2004, P 78). I noted the ‘V" shaped burning thermal patterns; common accidental fires emanates from a low heat source. As the materials get heated, the fire burns upwards and outwards up to the ceiling where it then moves horizontally, the shape is caused by thermal decomposition. Where there are flammable liquids the ‘v' pattern of burning will be inverted mostly in the part, where there is insufficient fuel load to initiate rapid burning. In the establishment of burning rate, the burning was accelerated by the presence of fuel and the availability of oxygen in the building (Chandler 2009, P 230). Hypothesis To establish the cause of the fire, several lab tests are carried out. The FMVSS is applied to test the burn resistance among various materials; the materials are tested in a horizontal position using propane as a source of ignition. The material is exposed to the Bunsen burner for about 15 seconds and the timing started after the material burning distance is 38mm. The timing is terminated when the sample material ceases to burn and has moved to 38mm from the end of the other ignition source. The rate of burning is established by dividing the distance the flame moved in millimeters by the time the flame travelled in seconds. 60 is then multiply the figure generated. It has been observed that the burning rate is less than 1001.6mm/min or the sample barely burned after 60 seconds and never burned greater than 50mm in distance (Bouquard 2004, P, 36). A width of 102mm wide and 356mm long on the rectangular specimen should be maintained of the material to be tested. The thickness of the material sample is that of a compound or single material used in the construction of the building except if the material exceeds 13mm. In this case, the sample should be reduced to 13mm from the side that is exposed. If getting the flat sample is impossible, the sample should not exceed 13mm at any point. The sample is oriented to ensure the exposed part faces the test frame directly. Background The report was carried out to investigate the cause of fire in Mazen. The report analysis the methods used to gather information, the carrying out of the lab tests and the outcomes that led to the cause of the fire in Mazen. Mazen Company is one of the biggest companies in Australia and the burning of its structures led to hiring of a team of experts to get the cause of the fire. The fire burnt the company's buildings and properties of a substantial value, the methods of conducting the research and the testing of the samples are discussed below (Ott 2012, P 46). Methods In assessing the cause of the fire at Mazen, various techniques are applied. Observations of the site and taking samples for experimental purposes were done, and samples taken to the lab for testing. In the lab, the specimens are mounted in that; one end of each specimen is clamped in a U-shaped frame, the other end being even with the open end of the frame. I placed the mounted specimen to the rails for support and then adjusted the distance between the bottom edge of the sample and the center of the burner up to a width of 19mm. After this, I removed the specimen, ignited the Bunsen burner, and did adjustment to the flame until it was 38mm. Use of the needle valve was to the side of the combustion chamber (Dehaan 2014, P 189). I inserted the sample specimen, exposed it to the flame for 15 minutes, and later turned off the flame. On reaching at appoint of 38mm from the open end beginning timing I measured the time taken by the flame to reach the point of 38mm from the attached end of the sample and then removed the specimen sample. I carried out a record of the equipment used, and materials tested. This record also included The record of all the measurements and observations and calculation of the burning rate from the formula B=60*(D/T). Where B is the burning rate, D is the distance the flame travels in millimeters and T is the time the flame travels in seconds to the final point (Dehaan 2014, P 73). In the tests carried out to establish the cause of fire in mazen, I had to take three samples of different types and thickness. The first sample was of 36 cm in length, the second sample and the third sample had the same length. In thickness, the first sample had 3mm, the second sample had 6mm, and the third sample had 5mm. The first sample had 6 cm, the second sample had 7 cm, and the third sample had 7.5 cm in width. The sample specimen was car boot flooring (Ott 2012, P 123). Materials and Equipment The materials that were used in carrying out the study included Car boot flooring of 3mm thickness, a u shaped frame or a clamp stand, a Bunsen burner and a needle valve. In addition to these apparatus, a lighter and a distance-measuring tool was included in the tests. Some materials like the flooring boot are collected from the fire site while the others are sourced from the laboratory for carrying out the various test that will help in identification of fire source.(Ott 2012, P 53). Results and discussion / analysis The average rate of burning of the samples was in 13cm, which burned in 12 minutes and 33seconds. Therefore, the distance is at 13 centimeters. Hence, the burning rate is B=60(13000/739.8) = 1054.34. The issue spread of fire was seen as caused by the presence of fuels that made the fire spread fast. The colour of the flame is added in the investigations into the cause of the fire. The flame indicated that fuel was an accelerant in the burning of the premises. In carrying out another research on salts compound formed during combustion, various salts are used to establish the material is combusting. The different salt compounds included calcium chloride, Copper sulphate, and lithium chloride. In addition to the salts, Potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and Strontium chloride were also used. The materials used in carrying out the tests included gas burners, spatulas, safety goggles, and gloves (Dehaan 2014, P 27). Metal ion Expected flame colour Potassium K+ Sodium Na+ Lithium Li+ Calcium Ca+ Copper Cu+ Strontium Sr+ Conclusion and recommendations To conclude, Mazen fire tragedy examination was carried out successfully, the samples could be retrieved without being tampered with thus producing the desired results. The collection of information involved, mere observation, photographs and various laboratory tests that could give the desired results as to what caused the fire. After a successful examination of the site and the carrying out of the various lab tests, it was established that, the fire was caused by a lighter and later accelerated by fuels causing the damage. I recommend that the company adopt all measure possible to ensure fire safety and install fire extinguisher to put out small fires the later result to huge ones causing massive damage to the premises. Appendices Abstract …………………………………………………………………………2 Introduction …………………………………………………………………….2 Aims and Objectives……………………………………………………………3 Hypothesis………………………………………………………………………4 Background……………………………………………………………………..5 Methods …………………………………………………………………………5 Materials and Equipment………………………………………..…….………..6 Results and discussion / analysis……………………………….……………..6 Conclusion and recommendations……………………………………………7 References ………………………………………………………..……………. 9 Appendices………………………………………………………………………8 References BOUQUARD, T. J. (2004). Arson investigation: the step-by-step procedure. Springfield, Ill, Charles C. Thomas. CHANDLER, R. K. (2009). Fire investigation. Australia, Delmar Cengage Learning. DEHAAN, J. D., & ICOVE, D. J. (2014). Kirk's fire investigation. OTT, D. C. (2012). Fire investigator: principles and practice to NFPA 921 and 1033 - student workbook. Sudbury, Mass, Jones & Bartlett Learning. Read More

An analysis would begin by trying to comprehend the overall view of the site and the damage caused by the fire. This could be done simply or with complexity, the materials gathered at the site could provide good samples to carry out the examination. In addition, the fuel load, and the state of debris at various spots in the building can also provide good samples. These can assist in getting the cause of fire in the building (Dehaan 2014, P 159) The analysis is also carried out to the building deformations, smoke pattern, and char depths.

Considerations of the fire scene as a crime scene must be done unless it is proven otherwise. We had to ensure that the fire scene was intact and free from destruction by the occupants or the firefighters. Since if the destruction occurred, it would tamper with the evidence collected for investigations (Ott 2012, P 46). There are various rules that can be used to establish the cause of the fire. It is always observed that fire burns outwards and upwards, the availability of highly combustible materials will increase the rate at which the fire burns and the fire will rise faster and get hotter to cause mass burning.

In addition, one should consider that fire needs oxygen and fuel to enlarge and that the spreading of fire will be accelerated or reduced by various instances such as stairways, air currents and falling burning debris. Aims and Objectives The aim of the investigation at maze was to establish the cause of the fire to give the desired results that can be used to mitigate future same occurrences. In carrying out the study, we had to conduct various observations to the site of the fire. We had to identify the seat of the fire, I noted that fire burnt upwards, and the debris fell.

The start of the fire was buried as the fire is established; we dug through the debris to find the seat of the fire. Observation of the soot patterns is made that indicated the glass was broken during the fire. Spill and burn patterns observation were made that showed there was the presence of fuel that enhanced the spread of fire in the building. In carrying out the investigation of the fire scene, internal and external areas of the building were observed. And samples were taken in which some are taken to the laboratory for further investigations (Bouquard 2004, P 78).

I noted the ‘V" shaped burning thermal patterns; common accidental fires emanates from a low heat source. As the materials get heated, the fire burns upwards and outwards up to the ceiling where it then moves horizontally, the shape is caused by thermal decomposition. Where there are flammable liquids the ‘v' pattern of burning will be inverted mostly in the part, where there is insufficient fuel load to initiate rapid burning. In the establishment of burning rate, the burning was accelerated by the presence of fuel and the availability of oxygen in the building (Chandler 2009, P 230).

Hypothesis To establish the cause of the fire, several lab tests are carried out. The FMVSS is applied to test the burn resistance among various materials; the materials are tested in a horizontal position using propane as a source of ignition. The material is exposed to the Bunsen burner for about 15 seconds and the timing started after the material burning distance is 38mm. The timing is terminated when the sample material ceases to burn and has moved to 38mm from the end of the other ignition source.

The rate of burning is established by dividing the distance the flame moved in millimeters by the time the flame travelled in seconds. 60 is then multiply the figure generated. It has been observed that the burning rate is less than 1001.6mm/min or the sample barely burned after 60 seconds and never burned greater than 50mm in distance (Bouquard 2004, P, 36). A width of 102mm wide and 356mm long on the rectangular specimen should be maintained of the material to be tested. The thickness of the material sample is that of a compound or single material used in the construction of the building except if the material exceeds 13mm.

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