Electrical Causes of Fire Flashcards
1
Q
What the normal investigation steps of an electrical Fire?
A
- General info gathering
- Scene Exam
- Debris Exam
- Product Exam
- Analysis and testing
- Opinion formulation
- Reporting Data and opinions
2
Q
What are the first questions in relation to any suspected electrical fire?
A
- Was the power to the building live?
- Was the power to the area of the building where the fire started, live?
- Electrical continuity to the suspected heat source
3
Q
What are the common electrical ignition sources and techniques?
A
- Heaters and clothing (electrical bar radiator ignite clothing resting on or close to bar)
- Electric Lamp and petrol igniters (Petrol can be introduces into the bulb but cutting top or injecting into bottom of bulb)
- Ignition of the main switchboard wiring by use of a gas torch applied to the earth or neutral bars (the heat is conducted form the neutral bar through the panel into the rear of the switchboard where the insulation melts and ignites. This approach requires the offender to remain at the scene until ignition is successful and must have an escape route)
- “Fallen” table or standard lamp in conjunction with combustible materials (Ignition is easy if the combustible material is in direct contact wit the lamp ie 60 watt lamp against cotton sheet)
- Toaster with nearby curtains (Toast ignite from about 7 minutes and flames to a height of 300mm. This appliance can be easily tampered to derail and safety feature)
- Leaving pot of stew on a stove element (Common course of fire and provide a delay of between 2-6 hours depending on the amount of stew)
- Ceiling Exhaust fans (Bearing systems are not intended for continuous operations which can cause the motor to stall, which causes heating because it requires air flow to cool it.
- Electric urn, bread makers, water heaters, deep fryers and rice cookers (Devices have only one temp control device and some are not fitted with thermal safety cut out. Tampering can eliminate safety cut it)
4
Q
A
