The Role of Fire Investigation - Assignment Example

FIRE INVESTIGATION NAME COURSE INSTUTION INSTRUCTOR DATE OF SUBMISSION The role of fire investigation Chandler states that, as a forensic science, fire investigation aims at identifying the source and cause of a fire as well as the impact of the fire disaster (2009, p11). To begin with, fire investigators begin their inquiry by determining the source of the fire. This involves answering the question ‘where did the fire begin?’ Fire investigators understand the operations of fire whereby three basic conditions have to be satisfied. These are the presence of a source of heat energy, oxygen and flammable material. Within the fire scene, a fire investigator will be on the look for these elements to determine the source of the fire. Observations on heat, smoke and burn patterns at the scene of a fire assist in the determination of the source of a fire (World of Forensic Sci. 2005, Para. 1). Secondly, the fire investigator will seek to determine the cause of the fire by looking at the interaction between the aforementioned fire elements. The source of fire energy and the inflammable material are considered the basic elements in the determination of the cause of the fire. Investigators are required to establish the flammable material and its capability to fuel the fire to the extent of the resultant losses. On the other hand, fire energy can emancipate from a number of sources that can either be mechanical, electrical, chemical or radioactive material. Therefore in identifying the cause, the role of the fire investigator is to identify the circumstances in which the three fire elements interacted. The causes of a fire can either be accidental, deliberate, natural or undetermined (World of Forensic Sci. 2005, Para. 3). Fire investigation fulfils one basic objective of determining whether the fire disaster was connected to a crime such as arson. This enables the relevant authorities to step in and conduct their investigations directed towards apprehending the culprits. Other causes of fires such as natural and accidental causes should be determined to facilitate the formulation of precautionary measures to avert similar disasters in the future (Chandler 2009, p59). For example if a fire is caused as a result of flammable substances being exposed to an energy source, then the fire investigators will recommend that individuals or organizations dealing with these substances should store them safely. Investigative reports are prepared at the end of each fire investigation to enlighten the public on the various preventive measures. In turn, individuals and organizations are required to implement the various recommendations that are enforced by the local authorities. The application of preventive measures therefore involves the control of energy sources, flammables and oxygen. Engineering design solution and concept Modern fire prevention measures involves the selection of appropriate fire-fighting equipment that includes engineered fire prevention systems, developing fire-safe procedures, formulating sound management fire prevention programs and improving the present fire prevention designs. The engineering design solution and concept are derived from the results obtained after the investigation of previous fires. This design comprises of five major phases namely the concept, preliminary, developed, detailed and construction phases. Each phase consists of several sub-stages namely inputs, design, drawings, specifications and reports. At the concept phase, designer takes into consideration the client’s requirements and financial capabilities, develop the site plan and project program. The fire engineer should ensure that this design phase comprises of acceptable and alternative solutions towards providing the client’s requirements as well as develop a fire safety brief. At this stage, the client should be highly involved by discussing the design options and also agreeing on the various roles and responsibility centres (New Zealand Construction Ind. Council 2004, p1). At the preliminary stage, the client approves the concept fire engineering, architectural and structural drawings. The fire engineers identify any special fire requirements such as exit points and their dimensions, egress analysis that determines the required and available egress time, the required smoke control measures as well as the definition of the interface requirements with other emergency services. Reports prepared at this stage should be pegged on the concept design approved by the client (New Zealand Construction Ind. Council 2004, p2). The third stage involves the developed design phase whereby the client approves the preliminary engineering design and its elements. The design process includes inputs from fire protection and building services preliminary designs. In turn the actual design seeks to determine the fire severity, analysis of the structural behaviour and detailed egress analysis. Drawings at this stage should indicate fire ratings, location of fire safety zones and exits as well as egress routes and their dimensions. The fourth stage is the detailed design phase whereby the clients approve the developed fire engineering design. On the other hand, the fire engineers improve on the design by updating it according to the various requirements by the client and relevant authorities. At this stage, the drawings indicate the fire engineering requirements that are inclusive of the plans and sections. The design report prepared at this stage should include various calculations that support the dimensions provided in the structural and architectural drawings (New Zealand Construction Ind. Council 2004, p3 & 4). Lastly, the construction design phase involves the actual development of the preventive measures adopted by an individual or organizational entity. These measures have to be agreed upon by the client and relevant authorities through the consent process. Detailed structural and architectural designs are provided for the actual construction process. At this stage, the fire engineering design report is prepared and issued to provide the go-ahead for construction. Specific time frames for the construction process and all parties to the construction notified on their responsibilities and roles (New Zealand Construction Ind. Council 2004, p5). The engineering design seeks to provide a step-by-step analysis of the necessary prevention measures by involving the client, fire engineers and relevant authorities towards ensuring that a similar accident does not occur in future arising from a past cause. All parties should integrate the fire requirements arising from previous fire disasters in order to avoid substantial loss of property and lives. Responsibility and the power of the fire investigator Chandler provides that fire investigators have the responsibility of identifying the source and cause of fires and their ability to generate the extent of the loss evident from the fire disaster (2009, p48). As a science, fire investigators adopt a step-by-step approach through which they go through the debris to identify the various causes and sources of the fire. Where the debris indicates the possibility of a criminal activity, the fire investigator has the responsibility of contacting the local law enforcers. However, the law enforcers should not interfere with the duties of the fire investigators and should conduct parallel investigations. Thirdly, the fire investigator has the power to summon various individuals such as the owner of the property in an effort towards establishing the cause of the fire. In the event that the individual does not cooperate the investigator has the power to proceed with their investigations and make appropriate recommendations. Fourthly, the fire investigator has the responsibility of preparing reports at the end of the investigation. This report should contain sufficient information detailing the source, cause and impact of the fire. It should also provide various recommendations aimed at ensuring such a disaster does not re-occur within the facility (Chandler 2009, p 57). Mechanics of Fire As stated earlier, three basic requirements have to be in play for a fire to ignite. The potential loss from the fire depends on the availability of either of these elements towards fuelling the fire. Flammable material comprise of substances that have a higher risk of catching fire once exposed. This material could range from solid substances to gaseous substances that have a higher risk in spreading fire. Scientifically, oxygen supports combustion and therefore the presence of oxygen supports a fire and therefore the increased chances of incurring huge losses from a fire disaster. Finally, the fire energy source is the source of a fire ignition that is the initial process for a fire to start. This source could be mechanical, electrical or chemical and have different impacts on the extent of the damage caused in the fire (Wrld of Forensic Sci. 2005, Para 3). Flammable material may either be solid, liquid or gaseous whereby all states have different effects on fire. When solid material is exposed to an energy source, it burns slowly but generates a lot of heat. Buildings exposed to such a heat for a long time are bound to collapse due to the weakness in the structural material especially concrete (Bailey, C & Building Res. Establishment 2004, p93). Liquid material that is flammable is known to spread fire very fast compared to any other materials. However, these materials do not generate substantial amounts of heat but the resultant loss is quite substantial. Finally, gaseous material proves to be quite explosive when exposed to fires particularly due to their form of storage. These materials spread fire very fast and generate high amounts of heat. Appendix Full Investigation Report This report seeks to address various issues surrounding the fire disaster in Lancashire where a young child lost its life. After conducting several investigations, the source of the fire has so far been identified as from within the house’s kitchen area. The fire was caused as a result of an electrical fault in one of the kitchen appliances that caught fire before igniting a number of other materials. Within the kitchen was an LPG cylinder that exploded following the intense heat within the kitchen. On the other hand, the occupants of the house had left for the night and had contracted a baby sitter to take care of the child. Late at night the baby sitter left since the occupants of the house had not yet arrived and the baby was fast asleep. Unfortunately, the baby lost its life in the fire and the parents have so far been contacted and are assisting with the investigation. So far, results of the investigations reveal that the fire was accidental since there are no signs of criminal activity especially from the surrounding circumstances. Lastly, the officer in charge of the incident has forwarded the evidence collected from the scene, statements from the handlers and witnesses, the incident log and photographs that aided the investigation. This evidence was preserved at the investigator’s office at the local county and the fire scene was under police surveillance round the clock. The investigator recommends that households should install smoke detectors within their houses as this could have saved the child’s life. These detectors should be linked to an exterior alarm that will alert the neighbours who will respond to the fire. Secondly, gas cylinders should not be placed inside the kitchen as they result into fierce fires once they are ignited. Cylinder containing liquid gas should be placed on the outside of the house to reduce their exposure to fires and their effects upon ignition. References Bailey, C & Building Res. Establishment 2004, Structural Fire Eng. Design: Materials Behaviour-Steel, Chicago: BRE Bkshp. Chandler, RK 2009, Fire Investigation, Denver: Cengage Learning. Lataille, J 2009, Integrating Fire Prevention with Performance-based Design, Retrieved from < http://www.fpemag.com/archives/article.asp?issue_id=21&i=98 > on Dec. 20, 2009 New Zealand Construction Ind. Council 2004, DDG Fire Engineering, Accessed from < http://www.nzcic.co.nz/Design/DDG-Fire%20Engineering.pdf> on December 20, 2009 Robertson, JC 2004, Intro. To Fire Prevention 6th Ed, New York: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Wrld of Forensic Sci. 2005, Fire Investigation, Accessed from < http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3448300241.html > Dec. 20, 2009 Read More