Fire Investigation Research Articles

Distributive Analysis of Temperature Variation According to Fire Patterns through Burn Test

본 연구는 열전대 29개와 데이터록, 그리고 열화상 카메라 등 첨단장비를 활용한 연소실험을 통하여 화재패턴의 영향요인/변수 중 하나인 플래시오버(flashover)를 중심으로 플래시오버 이전단계(preflashover)와 플래시오버 이후단계(post-flashover) 상황으로 구분하여 실험을 전개하였다. 열전대 실험에서 U패턴과 역콘형 패턴을 위시하여 V패턴, 완전 연소, 포어패턴(pour pattern), 엘리게이터 탄화패턴(alligator char pattern), 보호구역 및 열 그림자 그리고 폴다운패턴(fall down pattern)에 대하여 각각 관찰하였다. 또한, 과학적인 데이터 수집과 그 분석 자료에 기초하여 실제 화재조사 현장실무에 적합한 새로운 조사이론과 아이디어를 개발하고자 열전대 및 열화상 데이터 자료에서 수집한 화재패턴과 온도변화의 분포 비교를 통하여 화재패턴 형성과정에 따른 온도의 변화를 검토하였다. 특히, 열전대 데이터에서는 화재기둥과 공기유입의 상관관계 이론을 기초로 컨테이너 구획실의 코너와 벽에서의 화재기둥온도 900℃ 및 1,300℃를 비교 분석한 결과, 내부에서 방화에 의한 비정상 연소를 입증할 수 있었다.This research paper is to study on an analysis for fire pattern’s change in temperature and use of their tests data through combustion experiments using state-of-the art device such as 29 Thermocouples, a Data Logger, and Infrared Thermal Camera. Burn pattern test have been conducted in the phase of pre-flashover fire and post-flashover fire. In the thermocouple experiment, the U pattern and the inverted cone pattern are used and the V pattern, the clean burn, the pour pattern, the alligator char pattern, the protection zone and the heat shadow and the fall down pattern were observed. In addition, to develop new research theories and ideas that are appropriate for practical fire investigations on the basis of scientific data collection and analysis data, the change of temperature according to the process was examined by comparing fire patterns and temperature variations collected from thermocouples and thermal image data. In particular, from thermocouple data and intensity patterns from fires, these tests have determined that the burn have become intense and have the highest temperature (1300℃) when near a floor against wall at a main gate, compared to that of corner (900℃) in experiment sets.

매연포집필터 과열로 발생한 디젤승용차화재 원인의 분석

본 연구에서는 서비스센터에서 정비를 받고 출고한 날로부터 5일 후 터널 주행 중에 발생한 디젤승용차 화재 사례를 조사분석하였다. 조사분석한 결과, 배기구 내부에 흰색 이물질이 다량 부착되어 있었고, 배기관의 중간에 설치된 diesel particulate filter (DPF) 위쪽의 차열재가 용융 및 소실되어 있었고, DPF 위쪽의 차실 내부 금속재 바닥이 천공되어 금속재 바닥 위에 놓인 고무매트가 연소된 케이스이었다. 그리고 DPF 앞쪽의 배기관에는 과열흔적이 없고 DPF부터 배기구까지의 배기관에 과열흔적이 있는 특이점이 있었다. 이러한 특이점들은 DPF가 과열되고 DPF에서 발화된 경우에만 나타나므로 이 승용차화재는 DPF 내부 과열에 의해 발생한 것으로 분석할 수 있었다. 그리고 이 승용차화재조사를 통해 디젤승용차 화재원인조사 과정에서 배기구 내부에서 흰색 이물질이 확인되는 경우에는 DPF를 분리하여 DPF 내부의 손상을 조사하여 화재원인을 판정하여야 함을 알 수 있었다. This study analyzed the case of diesel car fires that occurred while driving in a tunnel 5 days after maintenance at a car service center. The results of the investigation and analysis found that a large amount of white foreign matter adhered to the inside of the exhaust port and the insulating plate above the DPF (diesel particulate filter) installed in the middle of the exhaust pipe was melted and lost. In particular, the metal floor of the car above the DPF was molten and pierced, and the rubber mat placed on the metal floor was burnt. Moreover, while the exhaust pipe in front of the DPF showed no overheating mark, such a mark was observed in the exhaust pipe from the DPF to the exhaust port. Because these findings may appear only when the DPF is overheated and ignited, this car fire is believed to have been caused by internal overheating of the DPF. The car fire investigation of this study suggests that if white foreign matter is found in the inside of the exhaust port during a fire cause investigation of a diesel car, the cause of the fire should be determined by removing the DPF and examining the internal damage of the DPF.

Validation of an HS-MS method for direct determination and classification of ignitable liquids

Fire debris analysis is a key step in fire investigation. Most of the analytical methods used for the analysis of ignitable liquid residues in fire debris require pre-concentration of the ignitable liquid residues prior to the chromatographic analysis. The standard method, ASTM E1412, involves a passive headspace concentration with activated charcoal strips to isolate the ignitable liquid residues from fire debris followed by a desorption procedure from the carbon strip with carbon disulfide.In this study a non-separative analytical method based on HS-MS eNose (headspace mass spectrometry electronic nose) in combination with chemometric tools, including hierarchical cluster analysis and linear discriminant analysis, has been used to detect and classify ignitable liquid residues in fire debris into the classes defined by the ASTM E1618 standard method. This method allows a direct analysis of fire debris in 10min and avoids the use of solvent and sorbents.The method was validated by analyzing a set of burned samples by GC–MS according to the standard methods ASTM E1412 and ASTM E1618. The results obtained on using the method proposed in this study were comparable to those obtained with the reference method. The correct classification rates for assigning ignitable liquid residues into ASTM E1618 classes were in the range of 90% for both methods. In comparison to the standard methods HS-MS does have specific advantages. Apart from the speed of the analysis and the fact that the sample does not require sample pre-concentration, this technique is also safer and ecofriendly since it does not use any solvents or produce any residues.

Solid Fuel-Burning Appliance Fire Investigations

Solid fuel-burning fireplaces and wood stoves are popular because they provide heat and aesthetically pleasing environments. They also provide backup heat to gas, electric, and oil building heating systems. However, if they are not properly installed and maintained, they pose a risk of structure fires. This paper describes the basics of conducting a forensic engineering investigation of a building fire involving a suspected fireplace or wood stove. The paper examines the types of appliances available, the types of chimney systems, and related design standards and building codes. Case studies (highlighting common failure modes) are also presented.

Absence of Statistical and Scientific Ethos: The Common Denominator in Deficient Forensic Practices

ABSTRACTComparative Bullet Lead Analysis (CBLA) was discredited as a forensic discipline largely due to the absence of cross-discipline input, primarily metallurgical and statistical, during development and forensic/judicial application of the practice. Of particular significance to the eventual demise of CBLA practice was ignorance of the role of statistics in assessing probative value of claimed bullet “matches” at both the production and retail distribution levels, leading to overstated testimonial claims by expert witnesses. Bitemark comparisons have come under substantial criticism in the last few years, both due to exonerations based on DNA evidence and to research efforts questioning the claimed uniqueness of bitemarks. The fields of fire and arson investigation and of firearm and toolmark comparison are similar to CBLA and bitemarks in the absence of effective statistical support for these practices. The features of the first two disciplines are examined in systemic detail to enhance understanding as to why they became discredited forensic practices, and to identify aspects of the second two disciplines that pose significant concern to critics.

화재조사 시 증거물의 효율적인 확보 방안에 관한 연구

공판중심주의 강화와 법률시장 개방 등 사법제도의 변화로 인해 화재현장의 해석은 과학적인 증거를 통해 철저한 실체적 진실의 구현을 지향하고 있다. 화재에 대한 실체적 진실 규명의 근거가 되는 물적 증거물에 대한 적정한 수집이 선행되지 않으면 법정에서 증거능력 부정 또는 증명력이 배척되어 조사결과에 대한 신뢰도는 추락하게 된다. 엄정하게 관리된 현장에서 물리적, 화학적으로 변형 우려가 높은 화재 증거물의 특성상 최대한 원형을 보존하도록 채취되어야 하고 채취부터 분석 감정에 이르는 모든 과정이 사진 및 기록으로 유지되어야 하며 이런 과정들에 대한 세부적인 매뉴얼 또는 지침이 규정화 될 필요가 있다. 이런 절차들이 정립되고 조사 기관간 협업 관계가 구축된다면 신뢰도 높은 화재감식 체계가 될 것이다. The recent changes in the judicial system in South Korea, including the stronger trial-centrism and legal market opening, have made fire investigations seek more scientific evidence and structure. The collection of physical evidence is very important to prove the substantial truth of a fire at the court. Without the appropriate physical proof, the credibility of a fire investigation is lost as evidence in a court. Therefore, the fire investigation team needs to carefully handle the fire site and fire initiation evidence because evidence of a fire incident can be destroyed easily by chemical and physical damage. In addition, the fire investigation team also needs to carefully record the collections of any evidence including pictures and their analysis. This study proposed the needs of the procedure manual and guidelines that can provide a step-by-step process of fire investigations in South Korea. This study also helps fire investigation agencies to secure fire-scene evidence to distinctly investigate the facts of fire. The guidelines and manual can eventually improve the ways for the fire investigation processes in South Korea.

Study on the Development of Fire Investigation Techniques and Ignition Probability Experiments of Low−Voltage Electrolytic Condenser

Study on the Development of Fire Investigation Techniques and Ignition Probability Experiments of Low−Voltage Electrolytic Condenser

Dangerously close: The CSB's investigation into the fatal fire and explosion in west, Texas

This article will focus on the fatal explosion and fire which occurred on April 17, 2013, at West Fertilizer in West, Texas, resulting in 15 fatalities, more than 260 injuries, and widespread community damage. The deadly fire and explosion occurred when about 30 tons of fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate exploded after being heated by a fire at the storage and distribution facility. The US Chemical Safety Board deployed an investigative team to examine the incident and conducted a thorough root cause investigation of the massive fire and explosion. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 35: 312–316, 2016

The development of a novel adsorbent for collecting ignitable liquid residues from a fire scene

Different ad-hoc materials are being used to recover ignitable liquid residues (ILRs) when direct sampling is difficult at a fire scene. Our investigations have shown that these are unable to recover all target compounds specified in the ASTM method for the positive identification of ILRs. A novel adsorbent (limestone and British Fuller’s earth; 10:1w/w) has been developed that is capable of recovering all of the target compounds, applicable to a wide range of ignitable liquids. It does not interfere with the analysis and can easily be used on different surface types. The novel adsorbent was also tested at a cold fire scene where all ILRs were identified. This investigation has proved that ad-hoc materials used by fire investigators are not fit for purpose and could lead to the misinterpretation of evidence in court. Here we propose an inexpensive, innovative and universal adsorbent that could be adopted by fire investigators globally.

How could the fire fatalities have been prevented? An analysis of 144 cases during 2011–2014 in Sweden: An analysis

Approximately 80%–90% of all fire-related fatalities take place in residential occupancies. The risk groups are well known, but the effectiveness of different measures has been less investigated. In this article, fire investigations from 144 unintentional fatal residential fires have been systematically analyzed and technical measures that would have been effective in preventing each fatality have been identified. The result shows that, generally, a thermally activated suppression system (e.g. sprinkler) has the highest potential effectiveness (68%) followed by a detector-activated system in bedroom and living room (59%) or smoke alarm (37%). For smokers with home care, however, the potential effectiveness of a thermally activated suppression system and home smoke alarm was significantly lower (31% and 14%, respectively). This indicates that different measures are effective for different groups. In one-fifth of the cases, the victim could have evacuated but chose not to do so, primarily to attempt to extinguish the fire.

Моделирование пожароопасных режимов в электросети автомобилей для принятия решения при проведении пожарно-технической экспертизы

After arsons, the main reason for the fires on motor transport is emergency operation of operation of the power supply network (short circuit, overload of electricity cables and big transitional resistance). For Russia it is typical that the cars made 10-20 years ago constantly continue to be operated. The electrical wiring of such cars has a bad condition and often becomes a cause of the fire. Besides, even new cars are equipped with the additional alarm system, powerful musical and video equipment, systems of heating and ventilation, additional headlights. And contacts of the additional equipment often are made in the handicraft way that can lead to big transitional resistance and be a cause of the fire. Studying of nature of emergence and development of big transitional resistance, the techniques of an assessment of probability of emergence of the emergency operation, which connected with the big transitional resistance (BPS), leading to emergence of the fire in the car, will allow to create new recommendations, requirements in the field of fire safety which needs to be considered, to be changed taking into account a tendency of development of the motor transport. The accidents modes in the car power supply networks connected with big transition resistances are the most dangerous, as protection against their emergence does not exist, and development of big transition resistance can lead to sparking, short circuit and other ignition sources. At the same time, the initial reason of emergence of the fire is leveled, in process of the fire and suppression. In article, the stochastic model of the analysis of the emergency modes arising in the power supply network of cars is offered. The Markov model including several absorbing states will allow to calculate to what of the absorbing states the chain will get earlier (or later); in what of them process will stop more often and in what - is more rare. The developed model allows to analyses probability of emergence of the fire from the electric reasons connected with big transitional resistance that allows to make the correct conclusions by production of fire investigations.

Safe cell, safe battery? Battery fire investigation using FMEA, FTA and practical experiments

Incidents of electrical vehicle catching fire forced on a root cause analysis. Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and fault tree analysis (FTA) approaches were used for failure analysis and to design experiments on the battery system level. Analysis focused on the behaviour of an internal short circuit of a cell and its effect on the battery system and the vehicle. An internal short circuit of a stand-alone cell leads to venting and the release of dense smoke, however no fire or explosion occurred which complies with manufacturer declaration and hazard assessments according to battery safety standards. When such cell venting was triggered in the battery system it could be demonstrated that electric sparks on the carbonizing cell battery management print ignite the smoke and eventually lead to a fire of the complete vehicle. It has been shown that the use of comparatively safe Lithium-Iron-Phosphate cells does not entail a safe battery. The identification of the fire root cause enabled to develop and successfully test a mitigation method preventing fire caused by this failure mode.

과학적 방법을 적용한 화재조사와 결함수 분석을 이용한 정온전선의 발화원인 추론

정온전선은 평형 도체 사이에 반도전성 폴리머를 연속 압출 방식으로 충전시킨 후 양 도체 사이에 전기를 흐르게 함으로써 고분자에 의한 전열을 이용한 전기 발열체이다. 정온전선은 가격이 저렴하고 시공이 편리하기 때문에 겨울철 수배관의 동파방지용 열선으로 주로 사용되고 있다. 하지만 이러한 유용함에도 불구하고 구조적인 문제로 인하여 두 평형 도체의 절연이 파괴되는 경우에는 화재로 이어질 수도 있는 위험성이 존재하고 있다. 본 논문은 정온전선에 의한 화재현장을 조사하여 원인을 도출하는 방식으로 직접적인 원인을 추론하고자 하였으며, 결함수 분석을 통해 근본적인 문제를 파악해 보고자 하였다. 실제 냉동창고 화재현장을 조사하여 정온전선에 의한 화재원인을 추론한 결과 전선 말단 절연처리 결함에 의한 절연파괴인 것으로 판단되었다. 향후 이 결과는 안전활동 및 유사 화재원인조사 시에도 활용될 수 있을 것이다 A self-regulating heating cable is an electrical heating element by flowing an electric current between parallel conductors filled with an extruded semi-conductive polymer. Self-regulating heating cables are used mainly for frost protection purposes because the construction is convenient and the price is low. On the other hand, structural problems with imperfections of the insulation can cause a fire despite their usefulness. This paper deduced a direct method to derive the cause by investigating the scene of a fire due to a self-regulating heating cable and analyzed the basic problem using fault tree analysis. In this paper, the actual fire scene was a cold storage warehouse, and fire investigation was conducted. After investigating the fire scene and fault tree analysis, the cause of the fire could be attributed to dielectric breakdown of the self-regulating heating cable. This paper could be utilized in the fire safety activities and similar fire investigations.

Condition assessment of fire affected reinforced concrete shear wall building - A case study

The post - fire investigation is conducted on a fire-affected reinforced concrete shear wall building to ascertain the level of its strength degradation due to the fire incident. Fire incident took place in a three-storey building made of reinforced concrete shear wall and roof with operating floors made of steel beams and chequered plates. The usage of the building is to handle explosives. Elevated temperature during the fire is estimated to be 3500C based on visual inspection. Destructive (core extraction) and non-destructive (rebound hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity) tests are conducted to evaluate the concrete strength. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) are used for analyzing micro structural changes of the concrete due to fire. Tests are conducted for concrete walls and roof slab on both burnt and unburnt locations. The analysis of test results reveals no significant degradation of the building after the fire which signifies that the structure can be used with full expectancy of performance for the remaining service life. This document can be used as a reference for future forensic investigations of similar fire affected concrete structures.

Mining-induced void distribution and application in the hydro-thermal investigation and control of an underground coal fire: A case study

Mining-induced voids are a necessary factor triggering underground coal fires that endanger the underground and atmospheric environment. On the other hand, voids provide channels for underground fluid and fire-fighting material migration. A series of void rate models were proposed to determine the three-dimensional heterogeneous distribution of the mining-induced voids in the disturbed strata. The void rate distribution map of horizontal voids presents a reversed “quadripod-type” shape in the strata plane, the void rate of vertical voids has a shape similar to two “basins” of different sizes and contrasting opening directions nested together, and the void rate of isotropic pores presents a “basin-type”. It can be deduced from the distribution maps that were calculated by theoretical and numerical models that the voids present a “fractured dome” distribution and that the void rate gradually decreases from foot to crown of the dome. It was ascertained from the application of void rate models in the hydro-thermal investigation of an underground coal fire that the correlation between heat production and ground surface temperature presents a linear function, while that between outflow velocity and fire source temperature has a negative-exponential-power relationship. Additionally, a new Plan-Do-Check-Adjust cycle was established for the management of fire-fighting engineering, which includes the delineation of fire zones, the evaluation of fire behavior, the optimization of fire-fighting measures, the performance of the fire-fighting plan, and the assessment of control results to determine whether the fire-fighting plan should be reformulated or improved. After five control cycles lasting nine months, an approximately 115,200m2 fire zone was controlled.

Figuring the male and female: fire and water in Bradbury's (science) fiction

Abstract The article highlights the results of the investigation of the literary FIRE and WATER concepts and their basic characteristics from a cognitive point of view. The research of the literary FIRE and WATER concepts was carried out in three steps - revealing their notional, image- and sense-bearing components. The results show that the FIRE concept is mostly personified into the image of A MAN, while the WATER concept is mostly personified into the image of А WOMAN.

Investigation of a light fixture fire

Metal-halide lamps produce light by discharging an electric arc through a gaseous mixture of vaporized mercury and metal halides. Metal-halide lamps for use in spaces with lower mounting heights can produce excessive visual glare in the normal, higher field-of-view unless they are equipped with prismatic lenses. Should the bulb fail, high internal operating pressure of the arc tube can launch fragments of arc tube at high velocity in all directions, striking the outer bulb of the lamp with enough force to cause the outer bulb to break. This article reports an investigation of a light fixture fire and reviews a case study of a metal-halide lamp fire. Causal analysis of the metal-halide lamp fire uncovered contributing factors that created the environment in which the incident occurred. Latent organizational conditions that created error-likely situations or weakened defenses were identified and controlled. Effective improvements that reduce the probability or consequence of similar metal-halide lamp fire incidents were implemented.

Experimental investigations on the repeatability of real scale fire tests

A large number of publications dealing with experimental fire investigations can be found in the literature. Predominantly, results and conclusions are based on single experiments and the influence of stochastic effects, uncertainties as well as error propagations are neglected or had not been discussed. Thus, the validity of the conclusions is not proven and the verification is hindered. In this paper, real scale fire tests had been performed with respect to repeatability and error propagation using statistical analysis. The design of the test series was to minimise systematic errors on the trials in a series, but demonstrate the impact of involved uncertain variables which are random by nature.

FORENSIC MEDICINE: THE STORY, CLINICAL NEXUS AND CHALLENGES OF THE PRACTICE IN NIGERIA

The synonym of forensic medicine is forensic pathology1,2. Also called legal medicine or medical jurisprudence3. Forensic medicine is a field that involves collection and analysis of medical evidence (samples) to produce objective information for use in the legal system2,3. It can therefore be aptly summed as the science that deals with the application of medical knowledge to legal questions. It is also extremely useful in cases where a patient dies without having made a definitive diagnosis2. The primary tool of forensic medicine has always been the autopsy2. Frequently used for identification of the dead, autopsies may also be conducted to determine the cause of death2. In cases of death caused by a weapon, for example, the forensic pathologist - by examining the wound - can often provide detailed information about the type of weapon used as well as important contextual information. In a death by gunshot, for example, he can determine with reasonable accuracy the range and angle of fire. Forensic medicine is a major factor in the identification of victims of disaster, such as landslide or plane crash4. In cause-of- death determinations, forensic pathologists can also significantly affect the outcome of trials dealing with insurance and inheritance5. Though the autopsy is performed by a forensic pathologist or a medical examiner, particularly during the investigation of criminal law cases and civil law cases in some jurisdictions2, Coroners and medical examiners are also frequently asked to confirm the identity of a corpse. The scope of modern day forensic medicine has expanded far beyond autopsies to include exciting subjects of anthropology; forensic odontology; forensic entomology; ballistics, fingerprint, crime scene and blood spatter analysis; toxicology; DNA; arson and fire investigation; evaluation of the sexual assault victim; forensic psychiatry (which is used to determine the mental health of an individual about to stand trial, and thus, his blameworthiness) and more1,2. It is therefore instructive that the forensic medical services cut across all specialities of medicine with the primary areas of medicine that are commonly involved and harnessed in forensic medicine practice being anatomy, pathology, and psychiatry. To render efficient and effective forensic services in any setting, the forensic pathologist works with a number of support staff including: accident scene investigator; autopsy technician; coroner; forensic investigator; legal consultant; trauma, emergency medicine or psychiatric nurse; sexual assault nurse examiner; social services investigator and/or advocate and more2 .

Development and Applications of Portable Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for Emergency Responders, the Military, and Law-Enforcement Organizations.

Portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) systems are being deployed for field use, and are designed with this goal in mind. Performance characteristics of instruments that are successful in the field are different from those of equivalent technologies that are successful in a laboratory setting. These field-portable systems are extending the capabilities of the field user, providing investigative leads and confirmatory identifications in real time. Many different types of users benefit from the availability of this technology including emergency responders, the military, and law-enforcement organizations. This manuscript describes performance characteristics that are important for field-portable instruments, especially field-portable GC-MS systems, and demonstrates the value of this equipment to the disciplines of explosives investigations, fire investigations, and counterfeit-drug detection. This paper describes the current state of portable GC-MS technology, including a review of the development of portable GC-MS, as well as a demonstration of the value of this capability using different examples.