Role of Fire Investigation in Reducing Fire Statistics - Coursework Example

Fire Investigators Name and ID Course Name and Code Instructor’s Name 29 November 2009 Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Role of fire investigation in reducing fire statistics 3 Engineering design solution and concept 5 Responsibilities and power of fire investigator 6 Analysis of fire incidents 6 Conclusion 8 References 9 Introduction The aim of this report is to analyse the role of fire investigators bringing pinto consideration strategies that can be employed by fire investigators in reducing fire statistics, engineering solutions, while analysing fire mechanics and mechanism. Role of fire investigation in reducing fire statistics Fire prevention and reduction requires the fire investigator to move from emergencies, to addressing, identifying and solving specific causes of fires. This means it will important for the fire investigator to access reliable data and information doubled up with the ability of directing fire prevention in a timely manner. Fire investigator should factor into consideration such has understanding client and community needs, acquiring reliable information, and employing problem solving partnerships. Some of the roles that a fire investigator can employ to reduce fire statistics include (Dolan, Stauffer & Newman, 2007): Reduction of fire through leadership – fire investigators are supposed to use their skills, knowledge, expertise and experience to mobilise and commit to direct initiatives and reduction strategies. This means that fire investigators are supposed to take a proactive leadership in identification of customers’ needs and collaborating with the community and other stakeholders to formulate fire reduction programs. Thus, fire investigator should advice and raise awareness, and championing fire reduction initiatives and issues. They also carry out inspection process and fire safety education program. Reduction of fire through delivery of service – the fire investigator should encourage delivering of services that are responsive to the expectations and needs, an approach that is based on adaptive teamwork, skills and knowledge, to the community. It is important for the internal process and systems support fire reduction strategies. This means that the employees with fire fighting organisations should understand fire prevention requirements, ensure that they include community in developing strategies and cultivate knowledge of community safety and fire prevention (National Fire Protection Association 2004). Cooperation and collaboration – the fire investigator should work together will all stakeholders to ensure that fire prevention and reduction initiatives. This means that the investigator will be required to partner with other agencies to achieve the main objective; reduction of fire incidents. The fire investigator is supposed to enlist the support of communities and local authorities and at the same time promoting cooperative working environment with the main aim of fire prevention. Managing performance – measuring performance is important in that it improves on effectiveness and efficient management of hazard reduction and fire prevention strategies. A culture of continuous improvement should be cultivated through monitoring processes and systems, and ensure that the employees are accountable for their performance of the fire prevention strategies (Daeid 2004). Managing resources – technology is advancing and these provides opportunities for fire detection and appropriate means of collecting fire related data. Fire investigator should be able to manage, develop, and allocate human and physical resources to meet expectations and changing needs of the community. Developing members – it is important to develop a diverse workforce that incorporates skilled firefighters in the areas of hazard reduction and fire safety. Moreover, the diverse workforce should place into consideration capability, prevention, fire safety, management, and leadership. The firefighters and other staff should be trained into achieving necessary skills that achieve fire reduction in each of the numerous key management areas. Engineering design solution and concept After every fire incident, engineer develops new strategies that will ensure fire incidents are decreased (Hasofer, Beck & Bennetts, 2007). Some of the solution that they factor into consideration is the designing of building factoring fire retardant materials. These materials prevents spread of fires while at the same time cannot provide enough fuel to start or continue fires. The second approach that is employed is structural design changes in that the initial design of the building is designed into that has natural ventilation, pillars and support of the building strategically located (Redsicker & O’Connor 1997). The third approach that can be employed is incorporating appropriate fire detection and extinguishing means. Fire and smoke detections provide early means of detecting fire allowing appropriates measures to be formulated and implemented. Fire extinguisher agents such as automatic sprinklers ensure that fires can be extinguished easily (Jones & Brakhage 2000). Responsibilities and power of fire investigator The fire investigator is supposed to carry bout some investigators and then document all information and evidence within the site. They are supposed to identify origin and causes of fires and explosions The fire investigator is responsible in gathering photographic proofs and supervising field testing Accomplish other duties as specified. The fire investigator has the power to control the people who can access the scene and any activity that can take place. Analysis of fire incidents The mechanics of fire can be defined by the combustion triangle or fire triangle. This triangle is a simple model that is used by firefighters to understand the ingredients that are crucial for most fires. Fire usually requires three elements, which are fuel, heat and an oxidising agent. Thus, firefighters have to remove one of these elements to be able to prevent or extinguish the fire. Enough heat is required to begin and continue fires. Thus, dosing the heat with convenient powder, foam or water will decrease the heat resulting in extinguishing of the fire. Fuel is what holds the heat and removal of fuel results in stopping of the fire. Fuel comes in state of liquid, gas or solids. Oxygen, which is an oxidising agent in sufficient amount, will ensure that fire begins and continues; lack of sufficient oxygen, fire cannot begin or continue (Lentini 2006). Different agents can ignite fires. The most common cause of fires is negligence or careless use of electronic equipments, electricity and matches. Negligence such as poor electrical wiring and leaving exposed sockets may result in fires (Hirst 2005). It is important to ensure that there should be no loose wires and other electrical wirings. Matches left with kids or accessible by kids within homes and availability of all ingredients of fire usually results in fires in residential houses. Cigarette is also a major cause of fires. Cigarettes tabs that are not fully extinguished while other people smoking while sleeping may result in fire. Thus, the potential ignition sources are numerous but all of them are based on negligence and ignorance (Barr & Eversole 2003). Different fuels behave different and one of common fuels is ordinary combustion. Such fire fuel is common and are usually characterised by organic material such as cloth, rubber and plastic (Fisher 2004). The material undergoes combustion so long as other ingredients of fire are present. Liquid and flammable gas is another common type of fuel and it is common to kitchen and industrial fires. Usually, the liquid or gas is lighter and thus can flow easily. The gas or fuels scatters easily and may result in spread of fires. Metals such as sodium, titanium, magnesium, calcium, potassium are usually metallic fuels. Such fuel fires are common in industrial settings and may be devastating to structural design of buildings (Almirall & Furton 2004). Heat or sometimes referred to as temperature is destructive in nature. Buildings and materials withstand some amount of heat and there are temperatures that make them to melt. The amount of heat exposed to a building will determine whether the building will sustain the impact of the fire. Structural design of buildings are interconnected with each other and if one of the materials has lower melting point than the others and the amount of heat reaches this melting point, the heat will weaken the strength of the structure and may result in the building collapsing. Thus, the amount of heat usually contributes to the failure of most building structures (Fairgrieve 2007). In any fire incident, smoke and flame are important features that are used to determine and define the extent of the fire. Flame and smoke can be used by firefighters to strategise on extinguishing fire while at the same time approaching the building in a manner that the smoke will not affect the firefighters. The amount or size of flame determines the vulnerability of the fire. However, there are fires that do not show smoke or flame and usually are devastating. Generally, flame and smoke are usually the first signals to show the presence of fire. Conclusion Fire investigators have important responsibilities that have to be fulfilled. Fire investigators employ different strategies in ensuring that fires can be reduced or eliminated. These strategies include educating, collaborating with the communities. Moreover, mechanics and behaviours of fires allow appropriate means and strategies that ensure impact of fire can be mitigated. The role of a fire investigator is numerous but the most common are determining the cause of fire and taking evident. References Almirall, J. & Furton, K. 2004. Analysis and Interpretation of Fire Scene Evidence. New York: CRC Press. Barr, R. & Eversole, J. 2003. The Fire Chief’s Handbook, 2nd ed. London: PennWell Books. Daeid, N. 2004. Fire Investigation. New York: CRC Press. Dolan, J., Stauffer, E. & Newman, R. 2007. Fire Debris Analysis. New York: Academic Press. Fairgrieve, S. 2007. Forensic Cremation Recovery and Analysis. New York: CRC Press. Fisher, B. 2004. Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation, 7th ed. New York: CRC Press. Hasofer, A., Beck, R. & Bennetts, I. 2007. Risk Analysis in Building Fire Safety Engineering. London: Butterworth-Heinemann Publishers. Hirst, B. 2005. Exam Prep: Fire Investigator. London: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Jones, J. & Brakhage, C. 2000. Fire Investigator. Oklahoma: Fire Protection Publications. Lentini, J. 2006. Scientific Protocols for Fire Investigation. New York: CRC Press. National Fire Protection Association. 2004. National Fire Codes: a Compilation of NFPA Codes, Standards, Recommended Practices and Guides, Volume 14. Virginia: National Fire Protection Association. Redsicker, D. & O’Connor, J. 1997. Practical Fire and Arson Investigation, 2nd ed. New York: CRC Press. Read More