Powers and Fire Flashcards
Natural Causes of Fire
- Sun’s rays
- Lightning
- Static electricity
- Rodents eating through wiring or making nests out of flammable material
- Spontaneous combustion and ignition of things like hay or wool, turpentine or paint, dust in factories
Powers of Fire Service Staff
S28 Fire Service Act 1975
- Enter private property when it is on fire or endangered or when entry is essential to perform a a necessary duty
- Close roads
- Remove vehicles impeding the fire service. Can break into the vehicles for that purpose
- Remove people who are in danger or interfering with operations, using reasonable force if necessary
- Do anything else that is reasonably necessary for the protection of life and property
Fire service can call upon Police to exercise these powers
Incendiary and Explosive Devices
- Candles
- Chemical Ignitors
- Electrical apparatus
- Electric matches
- Matches and cigarettes
- Molotov Cocktails
- Timing devices
- Trailers
Effect of Fire on: Timber Steel Concrete Masonry
Timber - Burn and char
Steel - Expand and eventually collapse
Concrete - Spalling (break away at surface), expose steel reinforcing, subject to collapse
Masonry - Weaken the mortar, expand, collapse
Fire
Process of combustion, chemical reaction between fuel and oxygen, triggered by heat.
Point of Origin
Exact location at which:
- A component failed
- A fire was maliciously lit
- An accidental fire originated
Difference between Gas Explosion and Explosives
Explosions caused by gas generally cover a wider area than those caused by explosives, and they do not leave a crater.
Lighter-than-air gases such as hydrogen will create an outward blow at the top of a wall, whereas heavier-than-air gases blow out at the bottom of a wall.
There are a number of other tell-tale signs, such as the implosion of cabinets, which will be obvious to the expert.
Providing explosives to commit an offence
Section, elements
S272 CA61
Everyone is liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years who knowingly has in his or her possession or makes any explosive substance, dangerous engine, instrument or thing, with intent to enable another person to use the substance, dangerous engine, instrument or thing to commit an offence
Building explosive - what must prosecution prove?
R v Hallam
R v Hallam
On a charge of knowingly having possession of an explosive substance, it must be proved that the offender knowingly had the substance in his possession and also that he knew it to be an explosive substance.