Fire basics

Question 1

What does Fire triangle mean ?

Answer 1

the three elements needed to produce and sustain a fire.

Question 2

What does Flash Point mean ?

Answer 2

The lowest temperature to which a substance must be heated in order for the substance to give off vapors which will burn when exposed to a flame or ignition source.

Question 3

What does Point of Origin mean ?

Answer 3

The location where the fire started.

Question 4

What 3 elements should be present for a fire to occur ?

Answer 4

• fuel
• heat
• oxygen

Question 5

Common motives for arson :

Answer 5

• Crime concealment
• Revenge or spite
• Monetary Gain
• Malicious Vandalism
• Mentally Disturbed

Question 6

what does Heat Shadows mean ?

Answer 6

Occur when heavy furniture shields part of a wall; can help determine the origin point.

Question 7

How can Glass fragments, windows, and light bulbs provide clues to a fire ?

Answer 7

• Light bulbs tend to melt towards the heat source, so the “direction of melt” can indicate the direction of the fire.
• The shattered or cracked glass of the windows can provide clues as to how a fire burned.
• A dark soot layer on the glass could indicate a slow fire.
• clear glass with an abnormal pattern of cracking could imply a very hot fire.

Question 8

True or False :

A U-shape could indicate that there was a point of origin, rather than a “pool of origin”.

Answer 8

False

Question 9

True or False :

Fire burns downwards

Answer 9

False

Question 10

What could a very narrow V-shape indicate ?

Answer 10

A very narrow V-shape might indicate a fire that was hotter than normal, such as one helped along by an accelerant.

Question 11

True or False :

A wide V-shape might indicate a fire that was slow burning.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

Examples of Accelerants.

Answer 12

Gasoline, paint thinner, and alcohol