IFE Level 4 Certificate in Fire Investigation

Examiner Report

Introduction

Only ten candidates sat this examination. Only one of the candidates achieved a Pass.

Candidates generally performed best on question 3. The average mark attained for responses
to this question was 11. Performance on the other questions was usually poor. Candidates
performed least well on questions 5 and 8 with the average mark scored for each of these
questions being 3.

Candidates often appeared to be unprepared for the examination and responses frequently
lacked the depth and detail required at Level 4. It was common for candidates to provide brief
responses containing only basic points.

Question 1

A fire investigator must have a basic understanding of fire science so that they can interpret
fire patterns and accurately determine a fire’s origin.

a) Describe in detail the process of a smouldering fire. (12 marks)

b) Explain in detail the term “heat release rate” and explain how it influences a fire. (8 marks)

Examiner Feedback

All ten of the candidates who sat the examination attempted this question. The average mark
attained for this question was 7.

There were three excellent responses where candidates secured 10 or more marks for their
responses. Unfortunately, four candidates attained only five or fewer marks. Where
candidates attained low marks, this was due to the lack of specific detail provided in
responses. “Smouldering” and “heat release rate” should be areas with which all fire
investigators are familiar.

Question 2

a) Describe in detail a “diffuse-phase explosion”. (10 marks)

b) Describe in detail a “mechanical explosion”. (10 marks)

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Examiner Feedback

This question was a popular option for candidates but the average mark attained was only 6.

There were 10 marks available for each section of the question but candidates provided only
brief responses and most candidates attained only two or three marks for each of the two
sections. The lack of specific detail provided in responses limited the marks that could be
awarded.

Examples of detailed points that could have been made when responding to part a) include:

• diffuse phase explosion is the rapid combustion of a fuel/gas pre-mixed with air or oxygen
which is then ignited
• the reaction proceeds as a flame front extending from the ignition source into the pre-
mixed fuel/air mixture and then grows larger in volume and surface area with time
• its effects depend on type of fuel, concentration, ignition mechanism and degree of
confinement

Question 3

a) If a body is found at a fire scene, it is vitally important to establish the cause of death. As
well as burns, describe the other causes that can lead to the death of person in a fire.
(8 marks)
b) Fire victims can display varying severities of burning. Describe how burns are classified.
(8 marks)
c) Briefly describe the tests that can be carried out on a fire fatality’s blood sample.
(4 marks)

Examiner Feedback

This question was usually answered well. Candidates who performed particularly well were
able to secure marks of 10 or above. Unfortunately, there were also some responses which
lacked sufficient detail to score more than a few marks.

Question 4

Self-heating of drying oils is a frequent cause of fire. Using linseed oil as an example, describe
its properties in detail and explain how the self-heating of drying oil can cause a fire. (20
marks)

Examiner Feedback

This question was not a popular option for candidates. Candidates who did provide responses
usually provided only brief responses. Some candidates failed to address both elements of
the question and wrote about only the properties of linseed oil.

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A detailed explanation of the way that self-heating of drying oil can cause a fire was required.
Marks were available for points such as:
• cotton rags containing boiled linseed oil can self-heat to the point of auto-ignition when
kept at room temperature in just a few hours
• because the reaction is enhanced by the availability of oxygen and enough insulation is
provided by the rags as little as 25-50 ml is enough if other factors are optimum
• temperatures inside the rags measured to reach approx. 4000C
• the higher the ambient temperature, the quicker the reaction
• if ambient temp is below 100C then auto-ignition is unlikely

Question 5

a) Describe in detail the way in which the nature of fuels in a wildland fire affects the spread
of the fire and its intensity. (15 marks)
b) In relation to a wildland fire, explain what is meant by the “area of transition” and state how
this is useful to a fire investigator. (5 marks)

Examiner Feedback

Responses to this question were generally poor and the average mark attained was 3.

Candidates generally performed better on part a). Part b) was often omitted. Candidates
should be aware that:

• the area of transition is where burn indicators change from micro-scale indicators to
indicators of directional spread.
• in the area surrounding the point of origin, the micro-scale indicators may show
considerable variation as the fire seeks fuel.
• if identified, the area of transition may assist the fire investigator in determining the
area/point of origin.

Question 6

a) With regards to fires involving electricity, define the term “arcing” and explain how arc
tracking can result in ignition. (8 marks)
b) “Arc mapping” can be a useful tool for the fire investigator to determine where a fire may
have originated. Describe in detail the limitations of this method. (12 marks)

Examiner Feedback

This is a critical area of understanding for fire investigators but responses were generally poor.
Nine of the ten candidates that sat the examination provided a response to this question. The
average mark attained for this question was 5.

In response to part a), some candidates were not able to define “arcing” or explain how arc
tracking can result in ignition. Candidates should be aware that arcing is the flow of current
across an air gap or another non-conductor between two conductors. Without this

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fundamental understanding to build on, candidates were unable to answer either part a) or
part b) in sufficient detail to score high marks.

Question 7

Spalling is an effect often found at fire scenes.

a) Define “spalling”. (2 marks)
b) Explain the causes and extent of spalling at a fire scene. (9 marks)
c) Discuss the likelihood of a burning pool of petrol/Gasoline resulting in spalling of a concrete
floor. (9 marks)

Examiner Feedback

The average mark achieved for this question was 6. Candidates often provided relevant
points in response to part a) and were able to attain some marks for part b).

Part c) was least well answered. This question required the application of understanding to a
specific context and consideration as to the likely outcomes. Points which would have scored
marks included:

• a burning pool of flammable liquid is highly unlikely to produce spalling on a bare concrete
floor
• a typical pool fire lasts for approximately 1 to 2 minutes and this is not enough time for
heat to penetrate into the concrete as it is a poor conductor.
• the concrete will not usually be heated up sufficiently to the point where it is affected.
• if a floor covering is present, such as tiles or carpet, petrol/gasoline can cause charring,
melting and combustion of the floor covering
• this combustion will be more prolonged that than the petrol/gasoline flame
• the molten mass will have a high boiling point therefore spalling is more likely to occur

Question 8

Explain how the fire investigator can use an assessment of char depths on timber within a fire
compartment to assist in determining the origin and spread of a fire. (20 marks)

Examiner Feedback

This was not a popular option for candidates and those candidates that did attempt the
question often attained low marks - the average mark attained was 3. Most of the marks that
were achieved focused on basic information about the charring process. Few candidates
showed any depth of understanding in relation to how a fire investigator can use char depths
when carrying out an investigation.

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