The Primary Determination of the Origin of the Fire - Term Paper Example

Running Head: Fire Investigation Title: Fire Investigation Name: Course: Instructor: Date: Table of Content Introduction Fire investigation is the examinations of fire relate occurrences. This is normally done using systematic approach and basic fire science knowledge. After extinguishing the fire, fire investigators start investigating on the origin of the fire and what caused the fire. This has been the most difficult practice among forensic sciences as they have to involve themselves in determining the cause of the crime (Chandler 2009 25-45). It has been difficult to determine the actual cause of the fire as the fire normally destroys the key evidence of its origin. None the less, the fire investigator examines the fire remains to attain information that will lead them to reconstruct the sequence of events that lead to the fire. Many of the fire occurrences are reported to be as result of defective equipments such as shorting of faulty e.g. electrical circuit. In case of car fire, it is normally as result of faulty fuel line which acts as fire starter. These have been the key cause of fire in the country. Process of Fire Investigation While handling the process, the investigators have to follow the correct investigation process to establish the cause of the fire. The functions occupied in investigation of fire can be broadly be classified as; fire scene investigation, follow up investigation, securing and serving search and arrest warrant and lastly court preparation and testimony. In investigation of the fire scene, the fire department performs the primary determination of the origin of the fire. Whenever the cause seem to be more detailed, the department hands over the case to more trained personnel who go through the established scientific method in attaining the cause and origin of the fire. The method comprises of seven steps that has to be successfully fulfilled for the cause of fire to be regarded as determined. These involve: 1. Recognition of the need: The responders of the fire have to recognize that need that the fire scene has to be kept safe from future fire incidence for any investigation to commerce. 2. Definition of the problem: A tentative investigative plan has to be developed to preserve and protect the fire scene, establish the cause and nature of the loss, conduct a needs evaluation, devise and put into practice a strategic plan, and prepare a report. The report has to illustrate the method of data collection and analysis method to be used during the investigation period (NFPA 921 2001). 3. Collection of data: The investigator has to obtain relevant information that will assist in establishment of fire cause. This is done through measurements, direct observation, photographs, evidence collection, testing, experimentation, historical case histories and witness interviews. The data collected has to be subjected to verification of how it was legally obtained, its chain of custody and notation as to its verification and authoritative nature. 4. Analyze the data: The investigator has to use his training skills, knowledge and experience obtained in assessing the totality of the data. This calls for past experiences from observation or references, understanding of fire dynamics, fire testing experience and experimental data which helps one to determine the cause of the current fire occurrence (NFPA 921 2001). Example, in regard to Camberwell Sceaux estate fire occurrence, the investigator analyzed that the fire was caused by electrical devices in the house. 5. Develop a working hypothesis: Basing on the analysis developed previously, the investigator comes up a working hypothesis to explain the fire origin, its cause and development that is consistent with on-scene observations, physical evidence and testimony form witnesses. 6. Deductive Reasoning (Test the working hypothesis): At this stage, the investigator scrutinizes the hypothesis with all other evidences and tests carried out at the investigation centre (NFPA 921 2001). He has to allow for more collection and analysis of additional data, look for new information from witnesses and modify the working hypothesis. This is intended for elimination of unjustified hypothesis for the fire incidence. 7. Opinion/ Conclusion (Select final hypothesis): When the working hypothesis relates with the evidences provided and research carried out, then it becomes the final hypothesis, thus can be authoritatively concluded as the conclusion of the investigation (NFPA 921 2001). None the less, when they do not relate with the evidences, it rules out the hypothesis and the cause can be reported as undetermined. With basic knowledge about fire investigation, the paper is entitled to discuss on the relevant aspects of human behavior and characteristics which may impact on the cause and outcome of a fire and are relevant to the fire investigation. In this will look at the factors that can be classified relevant to the individual basing on decision process of the individual, other factors responsible for peoples’ reaction to fire, the way nature of building affect human behavior, the way danger for fire affect human behavior and lastly illustrate a fire case study resulting from human behavior. Individual Decision Process The way individual react to fire is based on a composite pattern of human behaviour. These behaviours can categorised into the process called decision process of the individual. Any human being incorporates six steps in attaining the step to take in case of emergency. These are recognition, justification, definition, assessment, commitment and reassessment (Flannery Associates 2001 3-10). 1. Recognition of the need: the individual has to identify signs of fire. These can be through identification of smoke of flame around the place. The identification of the signal has not to be indicative of a severe fire because when a small is not attended to, it may result to a large flame causing major disaster in the scene. 2. Justification: at this stage, the individual has to determine the seriousness of the threat signals. There has to be full justification of fire presence. 3. Definition: individual has to be able to relate the signal he is getting to the amount of effect that the fire might cause to the scene. He has to identify the course of action on the amount of smoke they see or amount of heat that they feel. 4. Assessment: this is the judgement made by the individual; it involves psychological and cognitive activities necessary for the person to act in response to the threat. Ones ability to minimise their level of anxiety and stress plays a major role in determining the psychological step to the acted upon. At this stage, the danger established by the fire will decide whether to escape from the scene of fight the fire (Flannery Associates 2001 3-10). The time taken for this stage highly depends on the speed of fire growth and its intensity, the higher the speed the shorter the time taken. 5. Commitment: this involves mechanisms that an individual may incorporate to initiate the behavioural activity needed to accomplish the defence plan that was attained at assessment stage. 6. Reassessment: this stage becomes more significant whenever the first judgement fails works. At this point, the individual needs to think rationally to come up with other option to reduce the level of risks and injury at the scene. None the less, the process will greatly depends on individual behaviour such as panic behaviour and individual familiarity with physical setting of the fire scene. Panic Behavior This is unexpected and disproportionate feeling of alarm or fear disturbing the body of an individual originating in some supposed threat unclearly detained and leading to profligate and injudicious labors to secure safety (Fahy & Proulx 2009 387-398). Panicking has been used to explain the incidence of multiple fatalities in fires, even when there is no psychological, physical or social evidence illustrating competitive, injudicious flight behavior actually that took place. Familiarity with Physical Setting The ability for an individual to be familiar with the scene increases the response rate thus reducing the number of victims in fire cases (Cote & Bugbee 1988 11-27). Other Factors Responsible For Peoples’ Reaction to Fire The response of an individual to threat not only depend on his own behavior but also other behavior of people around them as well as the size and structure of the group that he is in, avoidance, commitment, affiliation and role. Avoidance Denial of earlier signal of fire has led to high level of risks and injuries resulting from fire threats. Affiliation No man is an island; people live and relate closely to each other. The connection between people in case of fire does not depend on whether they know each other or not (Flannery Associates 2001 3-10). In time of threat, people will tend to vacate the place together; the speed depends highly on the most disable person. It is to this reason that men in society tend to assist children and women out of fire scene. Role The role of an individual in any fire scene will determine his reaction. For instance, a visitor may respond slowly compared to common person within the place. None the less, ones status or leadership tends to affect other peoples reaction as people will tend to depend on his judgment concerning the issue (Flannery Associates 2001 3-10). Therefore, this implies that, as a leader, one has to be able to come up with better solution in case of fire threat in place to reduce the amount of risks and injuries. Group Size The size of a group is known to determine the time which one act to the incident. Small group tend to act faster compared to a big group. This is because, there is more commotion in large group incase of any incident causing majority of the individual to panic thus reducing their ability to act to save themselves. Structure of the Group Group structure contributed greatly on people’s response to any incident. In areas where people depend on their leader for further action tends to reduce the members ability to respond to any slight sensation of danger around them, as they wait for orders from their leaders who might not be present at that particular time. Group Permanence This is the ability for the group to know each other and be familiar with the place they are within. Familiarity among people in a group reduces the response time thus availing more evidence to the fire investigators (NFPA 2005 117-120). In case of fire, it is easier for the individual to alert their colleagues for action in a timelier manner than when they are not familiar with each other. For instance in the above case study, it was easier for the neighbors to alert each other about the fire enabling them to vacate the building in a timely manner. Influence of Nature of Building on Human Behavior The nature of the building tends to influence the way one behavior during fire threat. Some of these feature many comprise of; the number of exits in the building, the location of the exit, the operation of its fire warning, the height of the structure and the fire suppression systems. Number of Exits High number of exits in a building increases the safety of the occupants. In relation to below case study, the high number of exits for every maisonette enabled the occupants of the house to vacate the building in timely manner thus reducing the number of victims (NFPA 2005 117-120). Location of Exit Fire exits have to be clearly labeled in any building, this is to help individuals who are unfamiliar with the building incase of fire incidence. In case where the exits are invisible to the individual, it tends to increase the percentage of panic among people thus reducing their time of response. Operation of Fire Warning Fire alarm systems assist occupants to detect threat within the building. The owner of the building has to ensure that the systems are in good condition all the time to improve on the safety of the occupants. In case of a number of false alarms, the occupants tend to be reluctant on their response until the actual fire emergency is confirmed through smoke or flame (NFPA 2005 117-120). This may result to majority of the occupants to be trapped in the threat. Height of Structure The higher the building the more risky it is to the occupants, to this, the constructors have to avail more devices for the individual to use to vacate the building incase of fire incidence. Impact of Hazards from Fire to Human Behavior The reaction of individuals to fire threat highly depends on hazards produced by fire. These comprises of exposure to fire gases, oxygen depletion, smoke obscuration heat flux & burn injuries and temperature. Exposure to Fire Gases In case of fire, many gasses are emitted to the environment. People have to be very conscious with the amount of carbon dioxide emitted. Carbon dioxide accounts for more than 50% of all fire related deaths (Flannery Associates 2001 3-10). The gas attaches itself easily to red blood cells decreasing the amount of oxygen in ones body, reducing ones ability to react to the threat. Higher percentage of carbon dioxide in air lowers the response rate of people in fire scene. Heat Flux & Burn Injuries This is the quantity for the amount of heat available to be transferred to human skin (Flannery Associates 2001 3-10). High temperatures result to high amount thus causing burns which reduces individual’s reaction to the threat. Oxygen Reduction Any drop in oxygen percentage in air affects the rate of individual reaction to fire threat. The lower the percentage the lower the physiological activities involved thus increasing the level of risks and injuries. Smoke Obscuration Smoke reduces visibility, irritates, and cause toxication through inhaling. These negative effects of smoke are known to reduce individual ability to vacate any fire scene. Temperature Any alteration on temperature interrupts human behavior in fire scene. High temperature above 212oF results to high number of deaths and injuries. Case Study On 3rd July 2009, a fire case was reported to have occurred at Lakanal House tower block on the Sceaux Gardens estate in Camberwell London, leaving six people dead with at least 20 other injured. Lakanal House is a 12storey building 41.91 meters high with 98 flats. The building is made up of two bedroom maisonettes of a distinctive scissor design. Every flat is accessed through left or right side of a central access corridor where there is two bedroom and bathroom. In the upper level, where there is a lounge and kitchen stretching across the full width of the block, there is some stairs. This means that the lounge for every flat is above one of the bedroom on the opposite side of the access corridor and one bedroom of that flat. During construction, there was provision of fire exits from the lounge and the kitchen to exit balconies on either side of the building as well as fire exit from the largest bedroom into the central access corridor away from the front door in every flat, giving every maisonette three fire exits. After fire investigation carried out by London Fire Brigade it was believed that the fire originated from the ninth floor of the building and caused by electrical fault in television set. In relation to the report, it was said that the flat is prone to high spread of fire incase of another fire incidence due to its structure and height. Conclusion In conclusion, it is evident that the people’s behavior in any fire occurrence play significant role in fire investigation. The ability for one to socialize with others, ability to sense change in environment and availability of enough exit in a building increases the safety of people in any fire incidence. References: National Fire Protection Association User’s manual for 921 Guide for Fire & Explosion Investigations 2nd Ed Jones & Bartlett Publishers 2005 pp 117-120 NFPA 921 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations National Fire Protection Association Quincy MA 2001 Furness A. & Muckett, M. Introduction to Fire Safety Management Elsevier 2007 pp 56-72 Cote, A. & Bugbee, P. Principles of Fire Protection 2nd Ed Jones & Barlett Publishers 1988 pp11-27 Chandler, R. Fire Investigation Cengage Learning Publisher 2009 pp 25-45 Powell, P. & Thorne, K. Human behaviour in Fire Emergencies Pennsylvania State University national Fire Protection Association 2003 pp 155-167 Fahy, F. & Proulx, G. Panic & Human Behaviour in Fire 4th Symposium UK Cambridge 2009 pp 387-398 Flannery Associates Introduction to Fire Scienc: Human Behaviour & Fire 2001 pp 3-10 Read More