The Importance Of Fire Investigation And Fire Prevention

1808 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Arson and it's effects

Fire investigation and fire prevention are hands down the most important aspects of the fire service. Public knowledge for both of these topics should be more known, and are in need of a further explanation to all individuals. Fire Investigation is a way of investigating the cause and origin of fires, which involves arson fires and accidental fires. Fire prevention is easy to understand, but its definition is the act of teaching the public of ways to prevent fires in homes, schools, businesses, and other places that a fire can occur in. Something as simple as having a fire alarm installed would be considered a good practice of fire prevention.
Ever since fire has been around, people have always wondered how they started, and who may have started them. One of the biggest questions, is who started it, and was it an accident, or intentionally set. Some fires that are ruled accidental, can end with the result of being determined as arson, due to a fire marshal’s investigation.
As soon as a fire has been extinguished, a fire investigator or fire marshal is called to the scene, and is asked to determine the cause of the fire. Accidental fires can be from an electrical malfunction, heating water pipes that are frozen, and many more things. Accidental fires involve all of those for which the proven cause does not involve a deliberate human act to ignite or spread fire into an area where the fire should not be (Cause Determination: InterFireOnline). Many fires that are accidental are usually because of electrical problems and malfunctions. Things like overloaded electrical circuits and improperly installed electrical wires are some of the biggest causes of fires. Misuse of things, like not taking the lint out of a dryer or installing h...

... middle of paper ...

...lerting that there is smoke, an individual should evacuate the building, and call 9-1-1. This method of fire safety is taught nationwide. Because of this information and the use of smoke detectors, the risk of dying has decreased eighty two percent compared to houses without smoke detectors (Campaign Info for the Fire Service: U.S.FA). In recent years, the International Code Council has been working to update the International Residential Code to include a new kind of fire safety tool to people in a residential structure.
In 2013, residential fire sprinklers were put as a standard in the construction of new homes (2012 Edition of International…: IRCFSC). Many states have adopted this new standard, such as California, Maryland, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania. The sprinkler system has suppressed fires and increased the safety to the individuals that use the system

Show More
Related

  • Comprehensive Incendiary Investigation

    1213 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...ire scenes. The case of Tight Shoes Inc. seems to be pretty obvious as I read it, but I can’t image an arson fire that is not obvious. Interviewing the right people and asking the right questions is just as important if not more than finding physical evidence. Being a people’s person and coaxing the right responses is an under stated in the job title of fire investigator. After following the five steps of comprehensive incendiary investigation and finding and asking the right questions to the interviewee will help secure a solid case against an arsonist.

    Read More

  • Lessons Learned from the San Diego, California Wildfire

    960 Words  | 2 Pages

    Wildfires started as an annual and seasonal occurrence in the south western region of California since the early 1930’s in part because of the hot dry summers and the hot dry turbulent Santa Ana winds that blow in from the desert during the fall months. Now it has become a yearlong event (Mckay, 2010). These conditions greatly contribute to the “fire season” throughout this area. This set of circumstances in conjunction with downed power lines and humans that ignited fires took place in October of 2007. This led to a series of fires that burned more than 500,000 acres, destroyed 1,500 homes, killed 9, injured 85, and forced the successful evacuation of around 500,000 people out of harm’s way.

    Read More

  • Fire In Detroit Essay

    636 Words  | 2 Pages

    The most pressing issue facing Detroit, in regard to fire, is the steady amount of burning vacant or delipidated buildings, and second to that is the high rate of home fires. For the purposes of this project, the capabilities of

    Read More

  • Facing A Fire Case Analysis

    1431 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the case, “Facing a Fire” prepared by Ann Buchholtz, there are several problems and issues to identify in determining if Herman Singer should rebuild the factory due to a fire or retire on his insurance proceeds. I believe that this case is about social reform and self-interest. I think that Singer needs to ask himself, what is in the firm’s best economic interests. There are several things to question within this case, what should Herman Singer do and why, should he rebuild the factory or begin retirement, if he rebuilds, should he relocate the firm to an area where wages are lower and what provisions, if any, should Singer make for his employees as well as for the community?

    Read More

  • America Burning Impact

    2352 Words  | 5 Pages

    Fire safety education is a crucial aspect of fire prevention. The general public needs to know how big of a threat fire is to them and how they can do things in their everyday lives to improve their safety, as well as preventing the threat of fire to begin with. The commission also realized that it was critically important that people know how to properly act once a fire has started. It is important that people have the knowledge to act quickly, safely, and effectively. When people don’t understand fire they can react in many negative ways such as panicking, not evacuating effectively, or by trying to fight a fire that they are not going to be able to extinguish. All these human reactions can decrease safety and end with tragic results. In the commission’s report they approximate that nearly 70 percent of all building fires were due to people acting carelessly because they did not understand the fire dangers that were present. The commission cited studies like one conducted in southeast Missouri. In the southeast Missouri community, a huge emphasis was put into public fire safety education because the fire death rate of the community was much higher than the national average. After increasing fire safety education in the community it was no surprise that the rate of deaths and injuries decreased

    Read More

  • Automatic Fire Sprinkler System

    1364 Words  | 3 Pages

    Through simple application of water onto a fire before it can grow, it has saved countless lives and saved countless amounts of money on property and business. As its use grows in the commercial setting, it has also begun to grow in the residential setting. There are few areas that require automatic sprinkler systems in residential homes, but as they are proven to be safe, affordable, and effective, this will rapidly change. It will not be long before there is an automatic sprinkler system in every business, as well as home. Works Cited http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_sprinkler_system http://ezproxy.sunyocc.edu:2170/codesonline/ http://www.apifiregroup.com/firesprinkler/sprinkler-history.html.

    Read More

  • Great Chicago Fire

    1803 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Great Chicago Fire occurred during October 8th and 9th of 1871. The weeks leading up to this disaster were spent with an extremely watchful eye on the city due to the lack of rain. So, one spark or one small fire could start an extremely large fire because of how much wood had been used to build the city. There were even warnings given in form of a building inspection department idea that would inform the city that the buildings were “shoddily constructed firetraps”, according to the Tribune at the time. However, the city did nothing about the proposed problem of a dangerous fire breakout and paid the price.

    Read More

  • Legal Aspects of Fire Protection

    582 Words  | 2 Pages

    Varone, J. C. (2012). Legal considerations for fire & emergency services (2nd ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar.

    Read More

  • Protecting Firefighters Lives and Safety

    1939 Words  | 4 Pages

    Every year communities struggle each year around the nation with issues of life safety. In 2012, the nation’s fire departments responded to 31,854,000 responses that resulted in the deaths 0f 2,855 civilians and injuring 16,500 causing an estimated $12,427 million dollars in damage. (United States Fire Administration, 2014) These incidents put at risk 345,950 career and 783,300 volunteer firefighters that resulted in the deaths of 81 individuals (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2013) and nearly 70,000 reported injuries. ( Karter & Molis, 2013) These numbers represent incidents that are determined to be in the line of duty but do not take into consideration the long-term health risk issues that may develop. Evidence shows that he hazards associated with Fire and Emergency Services are consistent across the board whether paid or volunteer and jeopardize the lives and health of each individual, placing administrative and physical control measures reduces this risk to firefighter within an organization. While it is impossible to eliminate the hazards firefighters face, it is important to identify these hazards as the first step in reducing the potential for loss of life and wellbeing both physically and mentally.

    Read More

  • Effects of Wildfires on Forest Ecosystems

    1979 Words  | 4 Pages

    Human beings cause most wildfires, directly or indirectly. In the United States lightning, the only truly natural cause is responsible for less than 10% of all such fires. In the West, lightning is the primary cause, with smoking (cigarettes, matches, and such) the second most frequent. Combined they account for 50 to 75% of all wildfires. In the “13 southern states (Virginia to Texas) the primary cause is arson; this combined with smoking and debris burning makes up 75% of all wildfires” (Perry, 1994). The other causes of wildfires are machine use and campfires. Machine use includes railroads, logging, sawmills, and other operations using equip...

    Read More

  • Case Study Of Investigating An Arson

    1024 Words  | 3 Pages

    Investigating an arson is very difficult because fires tend to destroy evidence and firefighters while fighting the blaze will move things around and destroy even more evidence. Once an investigation is open for an arson, investigators need to find the source of heat and the material ignited in order to determine if it was a set fire. The two most important question investigators will ask is where and how did the fire start? When a fire has multiple starting points that should raise the level of suspicion and dictate if the fire was purposely set. Other preliminary steps to take is for investigators to find ignition devices. These devices can be gasoline, chemicals, matches, or other types of accelerants. Accelerants also known as boosters speeds of the process of a fire by adding to the initial fire for the fire to burn rapidly and increase the intensity. Firefighter and law enforcement can look for melted metals or similar materials. This can mean that accelerants were used because metals usually burn at about 3,000*F. The most important thing for law enforcement and fire fighters when suspecting an arson is to not move and contaminate any physical evidence. The first thing they should secure is any harm or injuries and clear

    Read More

  • Legal Aspects of Fire Protection

    1182 Words  | 3 Pages

    Legal issues are a necessary function of the fire service as with any business, therefore long term strategies must be established that ensure compliance with mandated regulations and laws. The legal issues a fire department may face can fill volumes of books, perhaps even a library, however a plan of action must be established to avoid legal repercussions for the fire department and/or its members. Common legal issues should be addressed within the fire department standard operating guidelines or procedures and newly arising issues should be viewed carefully before a plan of action is developed. Court decisions have been rendered that negatively affect jurisdictions, fire departments, and its members in ways that range from fines up to criminal prosecution. It is the responsibility of the fire department to be a good steward of the community and tax payer funds and therefore, develop policies and procedures that will responsibly protect the jurisdiction, fire department, community, and its members from legal consequences of violating laws and regulations.

    Read More

  • Essay On Arson Investigator

    619 Words  | 2 Pages

    1) What are some of the fire anomalies an arson investigator will look for during an investigation? A fire investigator will first ensure that the fire did not have an accidental cause, by searching for clues like faulty wiring, cigarette smoking and overheated electric motors. Then the investigator will begin an extensive on-site investigation by first looking for containers that are capable of holding an accelerant, as well as an ignition device such as a candle. The investigator will also be looking for irregularly shaped patterns on the floor, which could be caused by the accelerant. Finally, the accelerant will search for signs of breaking and entering and theft.

    Read More

  • The Effects of Wildfires

    1357 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...r it is arson, an uncontrolled camp fire, or a cigarette butt it doesn’t take much for humans to spark a disaster. Yet there is as well a few set by good old Mother Nature. On top of the effects on the earth as well as humans, there is only one thing we all can do and that is listen to our old pal Smokey the Bear when he says, “only you can prevent wildfire.”

    Read More

  • Campus Fire Safety Day Essay

    1372 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fires in the campus may arise from the irresponsible use of appliances, lighters, unattended candles, faulty wiring and outlets smoking, impaired judgment due to alcohol, arson, overloading and other factors. Some of these are due to ignorance while others are lack of

    Read More

More about The Importance Of Fire Investigation And Fire Prevention

Open Document