Japan Japans Fire Investigation System

Kazuhiro

Amano

KokuraKokura-kita Fire Department

Japan Japans Fire Investigation System

Fire Investigation Investigation of the causes

Investigation of the

The aims and importance of the fire Investigation

For the fire preventative measures In order to prevent similar fires and reduce damage

For the improvement of fire control technique

The aims and importance of the fire Investigation

In order to utilize as data for security and fire prevention

In order to utilize as statistical data for administrative measures and policies

Legal grounds
Chapter 7 of Fire Service Law (1948.7.24~) Article 31 Chief of Fire Control or Chief of Fire Station shall not only engage in firefirefighting but investigate the causes of fires and damage caused by fires.

The definition of Fire

Three elements
1 Breakout against ones will or by arson one 2 A combustion phenomenon which needs to be extinguished 3 A combustion phenomenon which needs to be responded using fire control facilities or equipments with equivalent effects
by The fire report handling point

Classification of fires
Six fires
1 2 3 4 5 6 Building fire Forest fire Vehicle fire Ship fire Aircraft fire Other types of fire
March25.1977

Primary causes of ignition

2009
1 2 3 4 5 Arson(inciuding suspicion)126 suspicion)126 Hot plate Cigarette Playing with fire Bonfire 22 22

Items of investigation of the causes

1 The causes of ignition

ignition point ignition source progress ignited object

2 The causes of fire spread 3 The causes of casualties

Items of investigation of the damage Damage by fire 1 Damage by burning 2 Damage by fire fighting 3 Damage by explosion 4 Personnel damage

Procedure of Fire Investigation 1 Investigation in the time of turnout 2 Investigation in the site 3 Investigation after the fire extinction

Investigation in the time of turnout

Color and direction of smoke? Abnormal noise and odor?

Holiday or weekday ?
The time of the fire breakout?

Investigation in the site

Analysis of the situation of the spreading fire.

Residents of the building? Locking status of the building? Custody of the involved person.

Investigation after the fire extinction

Preparation
Distribution of assignment of the investigators.

Preparation of necessary materials and equipment.

Request of presence of involved persons.

Investigation after the fire extinction

Observation of the site
Overall observation from high altitude. Structure of the building?

Observation from outer circumference to the center.

Investigation after the fire extinction

Observation of the site
Overall observation from high altitude.

Observation from lightly burned parts to strongly burned part. Collapsing direction of Structure? Very strongly burned part?

ignition point

Investigation after the fire extinction

Excavation
Identify the fire break-out point breakaccording to the condition of the burned place and information derived from an interview to determine the excavating rang.

Determination and conservation of ignited object and ignition source.

Decision of excavation area.

Investigation after the fire extinction

Restoration

In the presence of the involved persons,restore the fire site to original state before the fire breakout.

Examination of the causes of fire

Level of damage by fire Material evidence Circumstantial evidence Answer of the involved persons

The causes of fire

Proof investigation

An on-site identification, onexpert testimony or combustion experiment is conducted.

Basic knowledge necessary for the investigators

1 2 3 4 5 Mechanism of fire breakout Combustion properties of objects Points of observation at the fire site Procedure of the fire site investigation Regulations concerning fire prevention and social condition.

Precaution for the investigation

A fire investigation hardly gives a second chance to the investigators It is important to determine the ignition point by a precise analysis of the fire site. Investigators must take safety control measures since there is danger in the site, such as falling

Precaution for the investigation

Fire investigation system

Fire Authorities of city of Kitakyushu Number of officials Headquarters Fire Authorities of Fukuoka city

About one thousand Section of Investigation, Security and Fire Prevention Department, Security and Fire Prevention Division, three officials (day shift), three officials other than the Officer of fire prevention 488 officials other than the Officer of Fire prevention (rotating shift)

About one thousand Section of Investigation, Security and Fire Prevention Department, Security and Fire Prevention Division, three officials (day shift), three officials other than the Officer of fire Prevention 70 officials other than the Officer of fire prevention (rotating shift)

Fire Station