Fire Technology and Arson Investigation

potassium.

3 State of matter

Class K Fires - Class K is a new classification of fire as

of 1998 and involves fires in combustible cooking fuels such
as vegetable or animal fats.

Solid
Liquid
Gas
4 General Categories Of Heat Energy
Chemical Heat Energy
Electrical Heat Energy
Mechanical Heat Energy
Nuclear Heat Energy

Combustion - is the self-sustaining process of rapid

oxidation of a fuel being reduced by an oxidizing agent along
with the evolution of heat and light.
Dry Chemicals and Halons - method of fire extinguishment,
interrupt the flame producing chemical reaction, resulting in
rapid extinguishment.
Electrical Heat Energy

Backdraft - a phenomenon in which a fire that has consumed

all available oxygen suddenly explodes when more oxygen is
made available, typically because a door or window has been
opened.

Dielectric Heating - The heating that results from the

action of either pulsating direct current, or alternating current
at high frequency on a non-conductive material.

Boiling Point - The temperature of a substance where the

rate of evaporation exceeds the rate of condensation.

Heat from Arcing - Heat released either as a hightemperature arc or as molten material from the conductor.

British Thermal Unit - (BTU) The amount of heat needed to

raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree F.

Heat Generated by Lightning - The heat generated

by the discharged of thousands of volts from either earth to
cloud, cloud to cloud or from cloud to ground.

Calorie - The amount of heat needed to raise the

temperature of one gram of water one degree Centigrade.
Centigrade - (Celcius) On the Centigrade scale, zero is the
melting point of ice; 100 degrees is the boiling point of water.
Chemical Heat Energy
Heat of Combustion - The amount of heat generated
by the combustion (oxidation) process.
Heat of Decomposition - The release of heat from
decomposing compounds. These compounds may be
unstable and release their heat very quickly or they may
detonate.
Heat of Solution - The heat released by the mixture of
matter in a liquid. Some acids, when dissolved, give off
sufficient heat to pose exposure problems to nearby
combustibles.
Spontaneous Heating - The heating of an organic
substance without the addition of external heat. Spontaneous
heating occurs most frequently where sufficient air is not
present to dissipate the heat produced. The speed of a
heating reaction doubles with each 180 F (80 C) temperature
increase.
Classification of Fires
Class A Fire - Fires involving ordinary combustible
materials, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber and many
plastics.
Class B Fires - Fires involving flammable liquids,
greases and gases.
Class C Fires - Fires involving energized electrical
equipment.
Class D Fires - Fires involving combustible metals,
such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium and

Induction Heating - The heating of materials

resulting from an alternating current flow causing a magnetic
field influence.
Leakage Current Heating - The heat resulting from
imperfect or improperly insulated electrical materials. This is
particularly evident where the insulation is required to handle
high voltage or loads near maximum capacity.
Resistance Heating - The heat generated by passing
an electrical force through a conductor such as a wire or an
appliance.
Static Electricity Heating - Heat released as an arc
between oppositely charged surfaces. Static electricity can be
generated by the contact and separation of charged surfaces
or by fluids flowing through pipes.

Endothermic Heat Reaction - A chemical reaction where a

substance absorbs heat energy.
Exothermic Heat Reaction - A chemical reaction where a
substance gives off heat energy.
Fahrenheit - On the Fahrenheit scale, 32 degrees is the
melting point of ice; 212 degrees is the boiling point of water.
Fire point - The temperature at which a liquid fuel will
produce vapors sufficient to support combustion once
ignited. The fire point is usually a few degrees above the
flash point.
Fire Triangle - Oxygen, Fuel, Heat
Fire National Training Institute - (FNTI) the Institution for
training on human resource development of all personnel of
the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Flame - A gas-phased combustion.

Flammable or Explosive Limit - The percentage of a

substance in air that will burn once it is ignited. Most
substances have an upper (too rich) and a lower (too lean)
flammable limit.

Mechanical Heat Energy

Flashover - an instance of a fire spreading very rapidly

across a gap because of intense heat. Occurs when a room or
other area becomes heated to the point where flames flash
over the entire surface or area.

Friction Sparks - The heat generated in the form of

sparks from solid objects striking each other. Most often at
least one of the objects is metal.

Flash Point - The minimum temperature at which a liquid

fuel gives off sufficient vapors to form an ignitable mixture
with the air near the surface. At this temperature, the ignited
vapors will flash, but will not continue to burn.
Fuel - is the material or substance being oxidized or burned
in the combustion process. Material such as coal, gas, or oil
that is burned to produce heat or power.
Fuel Removal - method of fire extinguishment, fire is
effectively extinguished by removing the fuel source. This
may be accomplished by stopping the flow of liquid or
gaseous fuel or by removing solid fuel in the path of the fire
or allow the fire to burn until all fuel is consumed.
Glowing Combustion - A condensed phased combustion.
Heat - the quality of being hot; high temperature. A form of
energy arising from the random motion of the molecules of
bodies, which may be transferred by conduction, convection,
or radiation.
Heating - is transfer of energy, from a hotter body to a
colder one, other than by work or transfer of matter.
Heat of Combustion - The amount of heat generated by the
combustion (oxidation) process.
Heat Transfer
Conduction - Conduction is the transfer of energy
through matter from particle to particle. Heat may be
conducted from one body to another by direct contact of the
two bodies or by an intervening heat-conducting medium.

Frictional Heat - The heat generated by the movement

between two objects in contact with each other.

Heat of Compression - The heat generated by the

forced reduction of a gaseous volume. Diesel engines ignite
fuel vapor without a spark plug by the use of this principle.
Nuclear Fission and Fusion - The heat generated by either
the splitting or combining of atoms.
Oxidation - The complex chemical reaction of organic
material with oxygen or other oxidizing agents in the
formation of more stable compounds.
Oxidizing Agents - are those materials that yield oxygen or
other oxidizing gases during the course of a chemical
reaction.
Oxygen Dilution - is the reduction of the oxygen
concentration to the fire area.
Phases of Fire
Incipient Phase (Growth Stage)
Free-Burning Phase (Fully Developed Stage)
Smoldering Phase (Decay Stage)
Products of Combustion
Fire gases
Flame
Heat
Smoke
Pyrolysis (also known as thermalde composition) - is
defined as the chemical decomposition of matter through the
action of heat.
RA 6975 - created the BFP.

Convection - is the transfer of heat by the actual

movement of the warmed matter. Transfer of heat by the
movement of air or liquid.
Radiation - Electromagnetic waves that directly
transport energy through space.
Ignition Temperature - The minimum temperature to which
a fuel in air must be heated in order to start self-sustained
combustion independent of the heating source.
Heat - The form of energy that raises temperature. Heat is
measured by the amount of work it does.
Heat of Decomposition - The release of heat from
decomposing compounds. These compounds may be unstable
and release their heat very quickly or they may detonate.
Heat of Solution - The heat released by the mixture of
matter in a liquid. Some acids, when dissolved, give off
sufficient heat to pose exposure problems to nearby
combustibles.

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) - administers and

enforces the fire code of the Philippines. The Fire Bureau shall
have the power to investigate all causes of fires and, if
necessary, file the proper complaints with the city or
provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction over the case.
Chief of the Fire Bureau - rank is Director.
Deputy Chief for Administration of the Fire Bureau - 2nd
highest officer in the BFP. Rank is Chief Superintendent.
Deputy Chief for Operation of the Fire Bureau - the 3rd
highest officer in the BFP. Rank is Chief Superintendent.
Chief of Directorial Staff of the Fire Bureau - 4th
highest officer in the BFP. Rank is Chief Superintendent.
Directors of the Directorates in the respective national
headquarters office - rank is Senior Superintendent.
Regional Director for Fire Protection - The BFP

shall establish, operate and maintain their respective

regional offices in each of the administrative regions of
the country. Rank is Senior Superintendent. - He/She shall be
respectively assisted by the following officers with the rank of
superintendent:
Assistant Regional Director for Administration,
Assistant Regional Director for Operations, and
Regional Chief of Directorial Staff.
Assistant Regional Director for Fire Protection - The
assistant heads of the Department's regional offices rank is
Senior Superintendent.
District Fire Marshall - the heads of the NCR district
offices - rank is Senior Superintendent.
Provincial Fire Marshall - the heads of the provincial
offices - rank is Superintendent.
District Fire Marshall - heads of the district offices
rank is Chief Inspector.
Chief of Municipal/City Fire Station - (also called City/
Municipal Fire Marshall) - the heads of the municipal or city
stations - rank is Senior Inspector.
Fire Station - at least one in every provincial capital,
city and municipality.
LGU - (Local Government Unit) - shall provide the site
of the Fire Station.
RA 9263 - this Act shall be known as the "Bureau of Fire
Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
Professionalization Act of 2004.
The BFP is headed by a Chief to be assisted by 2
deputy chief, 1 for administration and 1 for operation, all
appointed by the President upon recommendation of DILG
Secretary from among qualified officers with at least the rank
of Senior Superintendent in the service.
In no case shall any officer who has retired or is
retirable within six (6) months from his/her compulsory
retirement age be appointed as Chief of the Fire Bureau or
Chief of the Jail Bureau.
The Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail
Bureau shall serve a tour of duty not to exceed four (4)
years. The President may extend such tour of duty in times of
war or other national emergency declared by Congress.
RA 9514 - this act shall be known as the fire code of the
Philippines of 2008. An Act establishing a comprehensive fire
code of the Philippines repealing PD 1185 and for other
purposes.

Vapor Density - the density of a particular gas or vapor

relative to that of hydrogen at the same pressure and
temperature.

Definition of Terms Under RA 9514

Abatement - Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire
hazard.
Administrator - Any person who acts as agent of the owner
and manages the use of a building for him.
Blasting Agent - Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel
and oxidizer used to set off explosives.
Cellulose Nitrate or Nitro Cellulose - A highly combustible
and explosive compound produced by the reaction of nitric
acid with a cellulose material.
Cellulose Nitrate Plastic (Pyroxylin) - Any plastic
substance, materials or compound having cellulose nitrate
(nitro cellulose) as base.
Combustible, Flammable or Inflammable - Descriptive of
materials that are easily set on fire.
Combustible Fiber - Any readily ignitable and free burning
fiber such as cotton, oakum, rags, waste cloth, waste paper,
kapok, hay, straw, Spanish moss, excelsior and other similar
materials commonly used in commerce.
Combustible Liquid - Any liquid having a flash point at or
above 37.8 C (100 F).
Corrosive Liquid - Any liquid which causes fire when in
contact with organic matter or with certain chemicals.
Curtain Board - A vertical panel of non-combustible or fire
resistive materials attached to and extending below the
bottom chord of the roof trusses, to divide the underside of
the roof into separate compartments so that heat and smoke
will be directed upwards to a roof vent.
Cryogenic - Descriptive of any material which by its nature
or as a result of its reaction with other elements produces a
rapid drop in temperature of the immediate surroundings.
Damper - A normally open device installed inside an air duct
system which automatically closes to restrict the passage of
smoke or fire.
Distillation - The process of first raising the temperature in
separate the more volatile from the less volatile parts and
then cooling and condensing the resulting vapor so as to
produce a nearly purified substance.

Specific Gravity - the density of liquids in relation to water.

Spontaneous Heating - The heating of an organic substance
without the addition of external heat. Spontaneous heating
occurs most frequently where sufficient air is not present to
dissipate the heat produced.
Temperature Reduction - method of extinguishing fire,
cooling the fuel with water to a point where it does not
produce sufficient vapor to burn.

Duct System - A continuous passageway for the

transmission of air.
Dust - A finely powdered substance which, when mixed with
air in the proper proportion and ignited will cause an
explosion.
Electrical Arc - An extremely hot luminous bridge formed by
passage of an electric current across a space between two
conductors or terminals due to the incandescence of the

conducting vapor.
Ember - A hot piece or lump that remains after a material
has partially burned, and is still oxidizing without the
manifestation of flames.
Finishes - Materials used as final coating of a surface for
ornamental or protective purposes.
Fire - The active principle of burning, characterized by the
heat and light of combustion.
Fire Trap - A building unsafe in case of fire because it will
burn easily or because it lacks adequate exits or fire escapes.
Fire Alarm - Any visual or audible signal produced by a
device or system to warm the occupants of the building or
firefighting elements of the presence or danger of fire to
enable them to undertake immediate action to save life and
property and to suppress the fire.
Fire Door - A fire resistive door prescribed for openings in
fire separation walls or partitions.

Hazardous Operation/Process - Any act of manufacturing,

fabrication, conversion, etc., that uses or produces materials
which are likely to cause fires or explosion.
Horizontal Exit - Passageway from one building to another
or through or around a wall in approximately the same floor
level.
Hose Box - A box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves and
other equipment are stored and arranged for fire fighting.
Hose Reel - A cylindrical device turning on an axis around
which a fire hose is wound and connected.
Hypergolic Fuel - A rocket or liquid propellant which consist
of combinations of fuels and oxidizers which ignite
spontaneously on contact with each other.
Industrial Baking and Drying - The industrial process of
subjecting materials to heat for the purpose of removing
solvents or moisture from the same, and/or to fuse certain
chemical salts to form a uniform glazing the surface of
materials being treated.

Fire Hazard - Any condition or act which increases or may

cause an increase in the probability of the occurrence of fire,
or which may obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with
firefighting operations and the safeguarding of life and
property.

Jumper - A piece of metal or an electrical conductor used to

bypass a safety device in an electrical system.

Fire Lane - The portion of a roadway or public way that

should be kept opened and unobstructed at all times for the
expedient operation of firefighting units.

Occupant - Any person actually occupying and using a

building or portions thereof by virtue of a lease contract with
the owner or administrator or by permission or sufferance of
the latter.

Fire Protective and Fire Safety Device - Any device

intended for the protection of buildings or persons to include
but not limited to built-in protection system such as sprinklers
and other automatic extinguishing system, detectors for heat,
smoke and combustion products and other warning system
components, personal protective equipment such as fire
blankets, helmets, fire suits, gloves and other garments that
may be put on or worn by persons to protect themselves
during fire.
Fire Safety Constructions - Refers to design and
installation of walls, barriers, doors, windows, vents, means
of egress, etc. integral to and incorporated into a building or
structure in order to minimize danger to life from fire, smoke,
fumes or panic before the building is evacuated. These
features are also designed to achieve, among others, safe and
rapid evacuation of people through means of egress sealed
from smoke or fire, the confinement of fire or smoke in the
room or floor of origin and delay their spread to other parts of
the building by means of smoke sealed and fire resistant
doors, walls and floors. It shall also mean to include the
treatment of buildings components or contents with flame
retardant chemicals.
Flash Point - The minimum temperature at which any
material gives off vapor in sufficient concentration to form an
ignitable mixture with air.

Occupancy - The purpose for which a building or portion

thereof is used or intended to be used.

Organic Peroxide - A strong oxidizing organic compound

which releases oxygen readily. It causes fire when in contact
with combustible materials especially under conditions of high
temperature.
Overloading - The use of one or more electrical appliances
or devices which draw or consume electrical current beyond
the designed capacity of the existing electrical system.
Owner - The person who holds the legal right of possession
or title to a building or real property.
Oxidizing Material - A material that readily yields oxygen in
quantities sufficient to stimulate or support combustion.
Pressurized Or Forced Draft Burning Equipment - Type
or burner where the fuel is subjected to pressure prior to
discharge into the combustion chamber and/or which includes
fans or other provisions for the introduction of air at above
normal atmosphere pressure into the same combustion
chamber.
Public Assembly Building - Any building or structure where
fifty (50) or more people congregate, gather, or assemble for
any purpose.

Forcing - A process where a piece of metal is heated prior to

changing its shape or dimensions.

Public Way - Any street, alley or other strip of land

unobstructed from the ground to the sky, deeded, dedicated
or otherwise permanently appropriated for public use.

Fulminate - A kind of stable explosive compound which

explodes by percussion.

Pyrophoric - Descriptive of any substance that ignites

spontaneously when exposed to air.

Refining - A process where impurities and/or deleterious

materials are removed from a mixture in order to produce a
pure element of compound. It shall also refer to partial
distillation and electrolysis.
Self-Closing Doors - Automatic closing doors that are
designed to confine smoke and heat and delay the spread of
fire.
Smelting - Melting or fusing of metallic ores or compounds
so as to separate impurities from pure metals.
Sprinkler System - An integrated network of hydraulically
designed piping installed in a building, structure or area with
outlets arranged in a systematic pattern which automatically
discharges water when activated by heat or combustion
products from a fire.
Standpipe System - A system of vertical pipes in a building
to which fire hoses can be attached on each floor, including a
system by which water is made available to the outlets as
needed.
Vestibule - A passage hall or antechamber between the
outer doors and the interior parts of a house or building.
Vertical Shaft - An enclosed vertical space of passage that
extends from floor to floor, as well as from the base to the
top of the building.
http://www.bigwas.com/2014/06/fire-technology-and-arsoninvestigation.html

1.

2.

3. Fire point/flame point - the lowest temperature

at which liquid fuel produces a flammable vapor in
sufficient quantity such that if a source of ignition is
introduced, the vapor will ignite and is usually a few
degrees above the flash point
4. Ignition/auto-ignition temperature - the
temperature at which a fuel will ignite on its own
without any additional source ignition.
5. Thermal inertia - the ease at which a material
can be ignited.
6. Heat release rate - is a measure of the amount
of energy a specific type of fuel can contribute to the
heat flux in a fire.
7. Heat transfer - the mechanism in which fire can
spread from its origin to other sources of fuel.
Methods of heat transfer
1.

2.

Fire Technology and Investigation

Fire - exothermic reaction involving the oxidation of
some substance (fuel) resulting in the release of energy
in the form of light and heat.

3.

Fire Quadrangle
1.
2.
3.
4.

Fuel
Oxygen
Heat
Ignition energy

Triangles of Fire
1.
2.
3.

Fuel
Oxygen
Heat

Some major products of combustion

water
carbon dioxide
carbon monoxide
oxides of sulfur

Definition of terms

Conductive/conduction heat transfer heat is transferred by direct contact and the

rate of transfer is dependent on factors such
as the thermal conductivity of the material and
the temperature difference between the cooler
and warmer areas.
Convective/convection heat transfer transfer of heat through physical movement of
materials and occurs only in liquids and gases.
Hot gases rise and spread heat to nearby
ceilings and walls.
Radiative/radiation heat transfer - heat is
transferred if the form of electromagnetic
energy directly from one object to another. ex.
infrared radiation from the sun.

8. Combustion - or burning - is the sequence of

exothermic chemical reaction between fuel and an
oxidant accompanied by the production of heat and
conversion of chemical species. The result of the heat
can result in the form of either glowing or flame.

Removal of any of these results in the suppression of

the fire.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Vapor Density - the density of the vapor

relative to the density of air and is calculated
by dividing the molecular weight of the gas by
that of air.
Flash point - the lowest temperature at which
liquid fuel produces a flammable vapor.

Glowing combustion - occurs when solid

fuels are not capable of producing sufficient
quantities of gas during pyrolysis to sustain a
flame. If access to the oxidant (air) is limited,
glowing combustion may result.
Flaming combustion -commonly recognized
type of fire and occurs with gaseous fuel
sources only. The color of the flame can give
some indication of the composition of the fuel.
Spontaneous combustion - the ignition of
organic matter without apparent cause,
typically through heat generated internally by
rapid oxidation. A process whereby a material
self-heats.
Explosive combustion - can occur when
vapors, dust of gases, premixed with
appropriate amount of air are ignited.

Definition of Terms:
Arson - intentional or malicious destruction of property

by fire.

vent.

Fire analysis - the process of determining the origin,

cause and responsibility as well as the failure analysis
of fire or explosion.

Cryogenic - descriptive of any material which by its

nature or as a result of its reaction with other elements
produces a rapid drop in temperature of the immediate
surroundings.

Fire cause - the circumstances or agencies that bring

a fuel and an ignition source together with proper air or
oxygen.
Fire spread - the movement of fire from one place to
another.
Flash fire - a fire that spreads with extreme rapidity
such as the one that races over dust, over the surface
of flammable liquids or through gases.
Fuel load - the total quantity of combustible contents
of the building, spaces or fire area, including interior
finish and trim expressed in heat units or the
equivalent weight in wood.
Point of origin - the exact physical location where a
heat source and fuel comes in contact with each other
and a fire begins.
Rekindle - a return to flaming combustion after
incomplete extinguishment of a fire reigning at some
time after being put out.
Spalling - chipping or pitting of concrete or masonry
surfaces.
Definition of terms - (RA no.9514)
Abatement - any act that would remove or neutralize
fire hazard.
Administrator - any person who acts as agent of the
owner and manages the use of a building for him.
Blasting Agent - any material or mixture consisting of
a fuel and oxidizer used to set off explosives.
Cellulose nitrate or Nitro cellulose - a highly
combustible and explosive compound produced by the
reaction of nitric acid with a cellulose material.
Cellulose nitrate plastic (Pyroxylin) - any plastic
substance, materials or compound having cellulose
nitrate as base.
Combustible/Flammable or Inflammable Descriptive of materials that are easily set on fire.
Combustible fiber - any readily ignitable and free
burning fiber such as cotton, oakum, rags, waste cloth,
waste paper, kapok, hay, straw, Spanish moss,
excelsior, and other similar materials commonly used in
commerce.
Combustible liquid - any liquid having a flash point at
or above 37.8 degrees Celsius or 100 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Corrosive liquid - any liquid which causes fire when in
contact with organic matter or with certain chemicals.
Curtain board - a vertical panel of non-combustible or
fire resistive materials attached to and extending below
the bottom chord of the roof trusses, to divide the
underside of the roof into separate compartments so
that heat and smoke will be directed upwards to a roof

Damper - a normally open device installed inside an

air duct system which automatically closes to restrict
the passage of smoke or fire.
Distillation - the process of first raising the
temperature to separate the more volatile from the less
volatile parts and then cooling and condensing the
resulting vapor so as to produce as nearly purified
substance.
Duct system - a continuous passageway for the
transmission of air.
Dust - a finely powdered substance which when mixed
with air in the proper proportion and ignited will cause
an explosion.
Electrical arc - an extremely hot luminous bridge
formed by passage of an electric current across a space
between two conductors or terminals due to the
incandescence of the conducting vapor.
Ember - a hot piece or lump that remains after a
material has partially burned and is still oxidizing
without the manifestation of flames.
Finishes - materials used as final coating of a surface
for ornamental or protective purposes.
Fire - the active principle of burning characterized by
the heat and light of combustion.
Fire Trap - a building unsafe in case of fire because it
will burn easily or because it lacks adequate exits or
fire escapes.
Fire Alarm - any visual or audible signal produced by a
device or system to warn the occupants of the building
or the fighting element of the presence or danger of fire
to enable them to undertake immediate action to save
life and property and to suppress the fire.
Fire door - a fire restrictive door prescribed for
openings in fire separation walls or partitions.
Fire Hazard - any condition or act which increases or
may cause an increase in the probability of the
occurrence of fire or which may obstruct, delay, hinder
or interfere with firefighting operations and the
safeguarding of life and property.
Fire Lane - the portion of a roadway or public way that
should be kept opened and unobstructed at all times for
the expedient operations of firefighting units.
Fire Protective and Fire Safety Device - any device
intended for the protection of buildings or persons to
include but not limited to built in protection system
such as sprinklers and other automatic extinguishing
system, detectors for heat, smoke and combustion
products and other warning system components,
personal protective equipment such as fire blankets,
helmets, fire suits, globes and other garments that may
be put on or worn by persons to protect themselves
during fire.

Fire Safety Constructions - refers to design and

installations of walls, barriers, doors, windows, vents,
means of egress etc. integral to and incorporated into a
building or structure in order to minimize danger to life,
from smoke, fire, fumes or panic before the building is
evacuated.
Flash Point - the minimum temperature at which any
material gives off vapor in sufficient concentration to
form an ignitable mixture with air.
Forcing - a process where a piece of metal is heated
prior to changing its shape or dimensions.
Fulminate - a kind of stable explosive compound
which explodes by percussion.
Hazardous operation/process - any act of
manufacturing, fabrication, conversion etc., or
produces materials which are likely to cause fires or
explosions.
Horizontal exit - passage way from one building to
another or through or around a wall in approximately
the same floor level.
Hose Box - a box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves
and other equipment are stored and arranged for
firefighting.
Hose Reel - a cylindrical device turning on an axis
around which a fire hose is connected.\.
Hypergolic fuel - a rocket or liquid propellant which
consist of combinations of fuels and oxidizers which
ignite simultaneously on contact with each other.
Industrial Baking and Drying - the industrial process
of subjecting materials to heat for the purpose of
removing solvents or moisture from the same and, or
to fuse certain chemical salts to form a uniform glazing
the surface of materials being treated.
Jumper - a piece of metal or an electrical conductor
used to bypass a safety device in an electrical system.
Occupancy - the purpose for which a building or
portion thereof is used or intended to be used.
Occupant - any person actually occupying and using a
building or portions thereof by virtue of a lease contract
with the owner or administrator or by permission or
sufferance of the latter.
Organic Peroxide - a strong oxidizing organic
compound which release oxygen readily. It causes fire
when in contact with combustible materials especially
under conditions of high temperature.
Overloading - the use of one or more electrical
appliances or devices which draw or consume electrical
current beyond the designed capacity of the existing
electrical system.
Owner - the person who holds the legal right of
possession or title to a building or real property.
Oxidizing Material - a material that readily yields
oxygen in quantities sufficient to stimulate or support
combustion.
Pressurized or Forced Draft Burning Equipment type or burner where the fuel is subjected to pressure

prior to discharge into the combustion chamber and /or

which includes fans or other provisions for the
introduction of air above normal atmosphere pressure
into the same combustion chamber.
Public Assembly Building - any building or structure
where 50 0r more people congregate, gather or
assemble for any purpose.
Public Way - any street, alley or other strip of land
unobstructed from the ground to the sky, dedicated for
public use.
Pyrophoric - descriptive of any substance that ignites
spontaneously when exposed to air.
Refining - a process where impurities and, or
deleterious materials are removed from a mixture in
order to produce a pure element of compound. It shall
also refer to partial distillation and electrolysis.
Self-Closing Doors - automatic closing doors that are
designed to confine smoke and heat and delay the
spread of fire.
Smelting - melting or fusing of metallic ores or
compounds so as to separate impurities from pure
metals.
Sprinkler System - an integrated network of
hydraulically designed piping installed in a building,
structure or area with outlets arranged in a systematic
pattern which automatically discharges water when
activated by heat or combustion products from a fire.
Standpipe System - a system of vertical pipes in a
building to which fire hoses can be attached on each
floor, including a system by which water is made
available to the outlet as needed.
Vestibule - a passage hall or ante chamber between
the outer doors and the interior parts of a house or
building.
Vertical Shaft - a enclosed vertical space of passage
that extends from floor to floor as well as from the base
to the top of the building.
RA no.9514 - Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of
2008 (Dec. 19, 2008).
PD. 1185 - known as the fire code of the Philippines,
was enacted into law 1977, repealed by RA no. 9514.
RA no. 9263 - Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of
Jail Management and Penology Professionalization Act
of 2004.
BFP Powers/Functions
1. Preventions and suppression of all destructive
fires on
a. buildings
b. houses
c. other structure
d. forest
e. land transportation vehicles
f. ships/vessels
g. petroleum industry installations
h. plane crashes and similar incidents
2. Enforcement of the Fire Code of the Philippines
3. Investigate all causes of fire
4. File proper complaints with the prosecutors office

note: Vessel/Ship must be docked at piers or

wharves or anchored in major seaport.

BFP Organization

Headed by a Chief who shall be assisted by a

Deputy Chief. It shall composed of a
Provincial, District, City and Municipal stations.
In large provinces, district offices may be
established to be headed by a district fire
marshall.
In large cities and municipalities, district
offices may be established with subordinate
fire stations headed by a district fire marshall.
There shall be at least one fire station in every
provincial, capital, city and municipality.
The local government unit shall provide the
site of the fire station.

BFP Key Positions

The Chief of the Fire Bureau - rank is

Director.
The Deputy Chief of the Fire Bureau - rank is
Chief Superintendent.
Assistant Regional Director for Fire Protection rank is Senior Superintendent.
District Fire Marshall of NCR District Offices rank is Senior Superintendent.
Provincial Fire Marshall - rank is
Superintendent.
District Fire Marshall of Province - rank is Chief
Inspector.
Chief of City/Municipal Fire Station - rank is
Senior Inspector.

Key Positions - Qualifications

1. Municipal Fire Marshal - should have the rank of
Senior Inspector.
a. Must have finished at least 2nd year Bachelor of
Laws or earned at least 12 units in a masters
degree program in public administration,
management, engineering, public safety,
criminology or other related discipline.
b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training of career courses for such position as
may be established by the fire bureau.
2. City Fire Marshal - should have the rank of Chief
Inspector.
a. Must have finished at least 2nd year Bachelor of
Laws or earned at least 24 units in a masters
degree program in public administration,
management, engineering, public safety,
criminology or other related disciplines.
b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training or career courses for such position as
may be established by the fire bureau.
3. District Fire Marshal/Provincial Fire Marshal/
Assistant Regional Director for Administration/
Assistant Regional Director for Operations/
Chief of Directorial Staff - should have the rank of
Superintendent.
a. Must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a
holder of a Masters degree in public
administration, management, engineering,

public safety, criminology, or other related

disciplines.
b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training or career courses for such position as
may be established by the fire bureau.
4. District Fire marshal for the NCR/Regional
Director for Fire Protection/Director of the
Directorate of the National Headquarters Office should have at least the rank of Senior
Superintendent.
a. Must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a
holder of masters degree in public administration,
management, engineering, public safety,
criminology, or other related disciplines.
b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training or career course for such position as may
be established by the fire bureau.
5. Deputy Chief for Administration and
Deputy Chief for Operation of the Fire Bureau should have the rank of Chief superintendent.
a. Must be a member of the Philippine Bar or must
be a holder of a masters degree in public
administration, management, engineering,
public safety, criminology or other related
disciplines.
b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training or career courses as may be established
by the fire bureau.
6. Chief of the Fire Bureau - should have the rank
of Director.
a. Must be a member of the Philippine Bar or a
masters degree in public administration,
management, engineering, public safety,
criminology or other related discipline.
b. Must satisfactory passed the necessary
the training or career courses for such position
as may be established by the fire bureau.
Fire Technology and Investigation Reviewer 1

1. Combustion or burning in which substances combine

chemically with oxygen from the air and typically give
out bright light,heat and smoke.
A. Flame
B. Heat
C. Fire
D. Smoke
2. A hot glowing body of ignited gas that is generated
by something on fire.
A. Flame
B. Heat
C. Fire
D. Smoke
3. An extensive fire that destroys a great deal of land
or property.
A. Conflagration
B. Burning
C. Fire
D. Combustion
4. Means on fire or very hot or bright.
A. Flame
B. Burning
C. Fire
D. Combustion
5. The rapid chemical combination of a substance with
oxygen involving the production of heat and light.
A. Flame

B. Burning
C. Fire
D. Combustion
6. The quality of being hot or high temperature at
which fuel will continue to burn for at least 5 seconds
after ignition by an open flame.
A. Flame
B. Heat
C. Fire
D. Smoke
7. The natural agent that stimulates sight and makes
things visible.
A. Flame
B. Heat
C. Light
D. Smoke
8. Is one of the 4 fundamental states of matter, the
other being solid,liquid and gas.
A. Flame
B. Plasma
C. Light
D. Smoke
9. The lowest temperature which the vapor of a
combustible liquid can be ignited in air.
A. Flash point
B. Ignition temperature
C. Fire point
D. Boiling point
10. Is the temperature at which fuel will continue to
burn for at least five seconds after ignition by an open
flame.
A. Flash point
B. Ignition temperature
C. Fire point
D. Boiling point
Remember the following:
1. Fire - Combustion or burning in which substances
combine chemically with oxygen from the air and
typically give out bright light,heat and smoke.
2. Flame - A hot glowing body of ignited gas that is
generated by something on fire.
3. Conflagration - An extensive fire that destroys a
great deal of land or property.
4. Burning - Means on fire or very hot or bright.
5. Combustion - The rapid chemical combination of a
substance with oxygen involving the production of heat
and light.
6. Heat - The quality of being hot or high temperature
at which fuel will continue to burn for at least 5 seconds
after ignition by an open flame.
7. Light - The natural agent that stimulates sight and
makes things visible.
8. Plasma - Is one of the 4 fundamental states of
matter, the other being solid, liquid and gas.
9. Flash point - The lowest temperature which the
vapor of a combustible liquid can be ignited in air.

10.Fire point - Is the temperature at which fuel will

continue to burn
for at least five seconds after ignition by an open
flame.
Fire Technology and Investigation Reviewer 2

1. The use of one or more electrical appliances or

devices which draw or consume electrical current
beyond the designed capacity of the existing electrical
system
A. self-closing door
B. jumper
C. overloading
D. oxidizing material
2. An enclosed vertical space of passage that extends
from the floor to floor, as well as for the base to the top
of the building is called
A. sprinkle evidence
B. vertical shaft
C. flash point
D. standpipe system
3. A wall designated to prevent the spread of fire
having a fire resistance rating of not less than four
hours with sufficient structural stability to remain
standing even if construction on either side collapses
under the fire conditions.
A. Wood rack
B. Fire wall
C. Post wall
D. Fire trap
4. Any act that would remove or naturalized a fire
hazard
A. Allotment
B. Combustion
C. Distillation
D. Abatement
5. The ____ shall be conducted as a pre-requisite to
grant permits and/or license by local governments or
other government agencies.
A. Fire safety inspection
B. Fire protection assembly
C. Fire alerting system
D. Fire service
6. An instance that may cause fires from the heat
accumulated from the rolling, sliding or friction in
machinery or between two hard surfaces, at least one
of which is usually a metal is called.
A. static electricity
B. overheating of machine
C. friction heat
D. heat from arching
7. Method of heat transfer by direct contact
A. nuclear fission
B. conduction
C. convection
D. Radiation
8. Instrument used to open and close a fire hydrant
A. hydrant key
B. kilowatts
C. key board
D. bunch of key
9. Energy is transferred from one body to another by

thermal interactions.
A. Fire
B. Smoke
C. Heat
D. Ember
10.The transfer of heat from one place to another by
the movement of fluids.
A. Convection
B. Radiation
C. Conduction
D. None of the above
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