Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2018 00:07:20 -0800 (PST) From: "Safety Consultants & Solutions Provider Limited" <info@safetysolutionsng.com> To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Forensic Fire Investigation Message-ID: <zcb.11287eca5d2294.11a6977c3bd0b8d2.1515398840734@zcsend.net>
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Forensic Fire Investigation=20 This refers to the application of scientific methods & techniques to determ= ine the origin and cause of fire once firefighters have extinguished the fi= re.=20 The practice is similar to the examination of crime scenes in that the scen= e must be preserved and evidence collected and analyzed, but with numerous = additional difficulties and dangers. The investigation will include closely= surveying the damaged scene to establish the origin of the fire and eventu= ally establishing the cause.=20 However in order to effectively examine and evaluate a fire scene, it is im= perative that the investigator has a detailed=C2=A0 knowledge of the chemis= try and behavior of fire and its effects.=20 Understanding The Nature & Chemistry of Fire=20 Fire occurs due to the exothermic reaction of combustion (burning), produci= ng heat and light. In order for a fire to occur, three vital components mus= t be present: a fuel source, an oxidant (O 2 ) and a sufficient amount of e= nergy in the form of heat. Together these make up the fire triangle. A four= th factor can also be described =E2=80=93 a self-sustaining chemical chain = reaction =E2=80=93 to produce the fire tetrahedron. The absence of any of t= hese conditions will result in a fire not starting or extinguishing through= smothering (oxygen removal), cooling (heat removal) or starving (fuel remo= val).=20 Solid and liquid materials do not actually combust, but the process of heat= ing causes them to produce vapors which can burn. This is the process of py= rolysis. Through this pyrolysis products will be formed, flammable and vola= tile substances of low molecular weight caused through the decomposition of= materials by fire.=20 Heat produced by a fire can spread in one of three ways; convection, conduc= tion and radiation. Convection is the transfer of heat through air circulat= ion, and only occurs in liquids and gases. An example of convection is the = heat from a fire rising and heating the ceiling of a room. Conduction is th= e transfer of heat through a medium by direct contact, such as a fire heati= ng a metal beam which transfers the heat elsewhere. Radiation is the emissi= on of heat as infrared radiation without a medium, such as a fire heating a= nd igniting a nearby sofa.=20 Fire Investigation=20 The primary purposes of a fire investigation is to establish the origin (se= at) of the fire, determine the likely cause, and thus conclude whether the = incident was accidental, natural or deliberate. It is vital to establish th= e cause to ensure similar events do not occur (in the case of natural or ac= cidental) or to allow a legal investigation to be conducted (in the case of= deliberate fires).=20 Safety=20 The initial concern with regards to a fire incident scene is safety. Such a= scene has an increased risk factor with possible hazards including heated = materials, structural collapse, damaged electricity and gas mains, debris, = asbestos, dangerous combustion products and other toxic substances. A dynam= ic risk assessment should be conducted, the scene must be declared safe and= all individuals entering the scene should wear appropriate protective clot= hing such as hardhats, fire-resistant overalls, steel-capped boots, thick g= loves and, in some cases, a face mask. Supplies of gas and electricity shou= ld be switched off before the investigation begins.=20 Article by Peace Okorogu SCSP HSE Lead=20 http://safetysolutionsng.com/forensic-fire-investigation READMORE ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent by info@safetysolutionsng.com to freebsd-questions@free= bsd.org Not interested?Unsubscribe - https://zc1.maillist-manage.com/ua/optout?od= =3D11287eca5d2294&rd=3D11a6977c3bd0b8d2&sd=3D11a6977c3bd0200b&n=3D11699e4bf= c2eb8c Update profile - https://zc1.maillist-manage.com/ua/upc?upd=3D11a6977c3bbf= 0bf9&r=3D11a6977c3bd0b8d2&n=3D11699e4bfc2eb8c&od=3D11287eca5d2294 =20 Impressed?Tell-A-Friend - https://zc1.tell-your-friend.com/ua/forward?od=3D= 11287eca5d2294&rd=3D11a6977c3bd0b8d2&sd=3D11a6977c3bd0200b&n=3D11699e4bfc2e= b8c&s=3Df =20 Safety Consultants & Solutions Provider | 12B, Oguntona Crescent, off Oworo= nshoki Express Way First Pedro Bus Stop, Gbagada, Lagos State, Nigeria.=20
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