Ch. 5 Fire Scene Investigation (Final Exam) Flashcards
These are the visible or measurable physical changes, or identifiable shapes, formed by a fire effect or group of fire effects.
Fire patterns
What are the 4 classifications of fire?
1) Accidental
2) Natural
3) Incendiary
4) Undetermined
What are the 3 primary sources of post-fire damage?
1) Firefighting
2) Overhaul
3) Salvage operations
This is a firefighting term involving the process of final extinguishment after the main body of fire has been knocked down.
Overhaul
Overhauling should be as { } as possible.
Limited
Why are fire officials responsible for not allowing unauthorized persons to enter the scene?
Salvaging and security concerns
What 3 things should you do while the fire is still burning?
1) Observe fire suppression activities
2) Photography
3) Searching for witnesses
This is a buoyant column of hot gases produced by the combustion that produces vertical flame columns, hot combustion products, and smoke.
Fire plume
What type of shape does a fire plume produce?
V-shape
What are 4 types of fire plume patterns (HINT: BAWL)?
1) Axisymmetric
2) Window
3) Balcony
4) Line
Where do axisymmetric plumes typically occur?
Open areas or near centers of rooms with no nearby wall
Where do window plumes typically occur?
From openings during the fire
This action is the process of air or gases being drawn into a fire, plume, or jet.
Entrainment
Where do balcony spill plumes typically occur?
Under overhangs and from doors
What is a defining feature of line plumes?
Having more length than width; essentially, narrow, thin, and shallow
What are the 5 typologies of fire?
1) Demarcations
2) Surface effects
3) Penetrations
4) Loss of material
5) Victim injuries
This typology involves the intersection of affected and unaffected borders of materials.
Demarcations
What 3 things can affect demarcations?
1) Fire suppression
2) Gas temp
3) Ventilation
Demarcations can create V-shaped patterns. In degrees, about how wide are these patterns?
30 degrees
How do you find the origin of a fire plume?
Trace the V-shape (angle of demarcation) down to the base of the V
Spalling is an example of a surface effect, but what exactly is spalling?
Chipping or crumbling of concrete or masonry
This typology involves the breaching of horizontal and vertical surfaces.
Penetration
This typology involves combustible surfaces with loss of material and mass.
Loss of material
This typology involves areas and degrees of burns on the victim’s body and clothing.
Victim injuries
What are 3 instances that victim injuries will occur?
1) Discovering the fire
2) Interacting with the fire
3) Escaping from the fire
