FIRE PROTECTION AND ARSON INVESTIGATION

Prepared by: Farah Faye D. Daga, RCRIM

DEFINITION OF TERMINOLOGIES
FIRE - Fire is the manifestation of rapid chemical reaction occurring between fuel and an oxidizer- typically the oxygen in
the air. Such rapid chemical reaction releases energy in the form of heat and light. The active principle of burning,
characterized by the heat and light of combustion. (RA 9514)

PYROLYSIS - “chemical decomposition of matter through the action of heat”. In this case, the decomposition causes a
change from a solid state to vapour state. Of the vapour mixes sufficiently with air and heated to high temperature,
combustion results.

COMBUSTION - is a self – sustaining chemical reaction producing energy or products that cause more reactions of the
same kind. Commonly known as burning

SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION - Is the process of catching fire as a result of heat generated by internal chemical action.

FLAME - Are incandescent gases which accompanies brisk or rapid oxidation of any combustible material. The burning
gas or vapor of a fire that is visible as light of various colors.

FIRE TRIANGLE VS FIRE TETRAHEDRON

FIRE TRIANGLE (GLOWING MODE)
 OXYGEN
 FUEL
 HEAT

FIRE TETRAHEDRON (FLAMING MODE)

 OXYGEN
 FUEL
 HEAT
 SELF-SUSTAINED CHEMICAL REACTION

NOTE:
 If the process is confined with pressure it is called explosion
 If combustion propagates at supersonic speed, it produced a detonation

FIRE ELEMENTS
 FUEL
 HEAT
 OXYGEN

FUEL (REDUCING AGENT)

Is anything that will burn when heated with sufficient oxygen. It is the most important part of the triangle, for
fuel is what burns. The nature and properties of the fuel are essential in combating fires. It comes in three form as solid,
liquid or gas.
 SOLID - molecules are closely packed together
 LIQUID - molecules are loosely packed
 GAS - molecules are free to move

THE SOLID FUELS

Types of Flammable solids
 Pyrolyzable solid fuels – include many of the ordinary accepted combustibles: wood, paper and so on.
 Non-pyrolyzable solid fuels – solid fuels that are difficult to ignite. A common example is charcoal. Chemical
decomposition does not occur because there are no pyrolyzable elements present.

THE FOLLOWING ARE GROUP OF SOLID FUELS

 Biomass - it is the name given to such replaceable organic matters like wood, garbage and animal manure that can
be use to produce energy
 Fabrics and Textiles - A fiber is a very fine thin strand or thread like object
 Plastics - Cellulose Nitrate is a chemical powder used in bombs, they are also called pyroxylin.
 Coal - a black, combustible, mineral solid resulting from the partial decomposition of matter under varying degrees
of temperature.
 Peat -It is partially decayed plant matter found in swamps

THE LIQUID FUELS

Liquid fuels are mainly made from Petroleum, but some synthetic liquids are also produced. Petroleum is also called
crude oil. They may be refined to produce gasoline, diesel oil, and kerosene.

2 GENERAL GROUPS OF LIQUID FUELS

 Flammable liquids – they are liquids having a flash point of 37.8 °C (100°F) and a vapor pressure not exceeding
40 psia (2068.6 um) at 37.8 °C.
 Combustible Liquids – these liquids have flash point at or above 37.8 °C (100°F).

THE GAS FUELS

Gaseous fuels are those in which molecules are in rapid movement and random motion. They have no definite shape or
volume, and assume the shape and volume of their container. There are both natural and manufactured flammable
gases. Gas fuels flow easily through pipes and are used to provide energy for homes, businesses, and industries.
Examples of gas fuels are acetylene, propane, and butanes.

Classification of Gases: BASED ON SOURCE

NATURAL GAS – the gas used to heat buildings, cook food, and provides energy for industries. It consists chiefly of
methane, a colorless and odorless gas. Natural gas is usually mixed with compounds of foul-smelling elements like sulfur
so gas leaks can be detected.
Butane and propane, which make up a small proportion of natural gas, become liquids when placed under large amount
of pressure. When pressure is released, they change back to gas. Such fuels, often called Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
or liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), are easily stored and shipped as liquid.

MANUFACTURED GAS – this gas like synthetic liquid fuels is used chiefly where certain fuels are abundant and others
are scarce. Coal, petroleum, and biomass can all be converted to gas through heating and various chemical procedures.

Classification of Gases: ACCORDING TO PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

COMPRESSED GAS – gas in which at all normal temperature inside its container; exist solely in the gaseous state under
pressure.

LIQUEFIED GAS – gas, which, at normal temperature inside its container, exist partly in the liquid state and partly in
gaseous state and under pressure as long as any liquid remains in the container.

CRYOGENIC GAS – a liquefied gas which exists in its container at temperature far below normal atmospheric
temperature, usually slightly above its boiling point and correspondingly low to moderate pressure.

Classification of Gases: ACCORDING TO USAGE

FUEL GASES – flammable gases usually used for burning with air to produce heat, utilize as power, light, comfort, and
process. Most commonly used gases are natural gas and the LPG (butane and propane).
INDUSTRIAL GASES - This group includes a large number of gases used for industrial processes as those in welding and
cutting (oxygen, acetylene); refrigeration (freon, ammonia, sulfur dioxide); chemical processing (hydrogen, nitrogen,
ammonia, chlorine); water treatment (chlorine, fluorine).

MEDICAL GASES – those used for treatment such as anesthesia

(chloroform, nitrous oxide); respiratory therapy (oxygen).

OTHER FUELS
CHEMICAL FUELS
Chemical fuels, which are produced in solid and liquid form, create great amounts of heat and power. They are used
chiefly in rocket engines. Chemical rocket propellants consist of both a fuel and an oxidizer. A common rocket fuel is the
chemical hydrazine.

NUCLEAR FUELS
Nuclear fuels provide energy through the fission or fusion of their atoms.
 Nuclear Fission – split of the nucleus of atoms
 Nuclear Fusion – combination of two light nuclei of atom

HEAT
The energy component of the fire tetrahedron when heat comes into contact with a fuel, the energy supports the
combustion reaction - Source of ignition or any device to start a fire. It can be a safety match, a lighted candle, or of
more sophisticated forms such as a chemical, mechanical or electrical contrivance designed to start a blaze.

TEMPERATURE - Temperature is the measurement of the degree of thermal agitation of molecules; the hotness or
coldness of something. Thermometer is the instrument used to measure temperature and commonly expressed in °C, °F,
and °K.

SPECIFIC HEAT
The heat capacity or the measure of the amount of heat required raising the temperature of a unit mass of a substance
one-degree.

LATENT HEAT
 SUBLIMATION – solid to gas
 MELTING – Solid to liquid
 VAPORIZATION – Liquid to vapor/gas
 CONDENSATION – steam/vapor/gas to water

The amount of heat to produce a change of phase is called LATENT HEAT

LATENT HEAT
The quantity of heat absorbed by a substance when the substance from a solid to liquid, and from a liquid to gas.

FIVE DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE SCALES ARE IN USE TODAY, THEY ARE:

1. Celsius – it has a freezing point of 0°C and a boiling point of 100°C. It is widely used through out the world,
particularly for scientific works.
2. Fahrenheit – it is used mostly in English-speaking countries for purposes other than scientific works and based on
the mercury thermometer. In this scale, the freezing point of water is 32°F and the boiling point is 212 °F.
3. Kelvin or Absolute – it is the most commonly used thermodynamic temperature scale. Zero is defined as absolute
zero of temperature that is, 273.15 °c, or –459.67 °F.
4. Rankine – is another temperature scale employing absolute zero as its lowest point in which each degree of
temperature is equivalent to one degree on the Fahrenheit scale. The freezing point of water under this scale is 492
°R and the boiling point is 672 °R.
5. International Temperature Scale – In 1933, scientist of 31 nations adopted a new international temperature scale
with additional fixed temperature points, based on the Kelvin scale and thermodynamic principles. The international
scale is based on the property of electrical resistively, with platinum wire as the standard for temperature between –
190 ° and 660°C.

TYPES OF ENERGY (COMMON SOURCES OF HEAT)

1. CHEMICAL ENERGY
the most common source of heat in combustion reactions when any combustible is in contact with oxygen,
oxidation occurs. The reaction of this process results in the production of heat. Example: Heat generated from
burning match, self heating (spontaneous heating)
2. ELECTRICAL ENERGY
can generate temperature high enough to ignite any combustible material near the heated area.
Examples:
- over current or overload
- arcing
- sparking
- static lightning
3. NUCLEAR ENERGY – generated when atoms either split apart (fission) or combine (fusion)
Example:
fission heats water to drive steam turbines and produce electricity
solar energy is a product of a fusion reaction
4. MECHANICAL ENERGY – an energy created by friction and compression
Heat of friction - the movement of two surfaces against each other, thus producing sparks
Heat of compression - heat is generated when a gas is compressed in a container or cylinder

HEAT TRANSFER
 CONDUCTION
It is the transfer of heats by molecular activity with in a material or medium, usually a solid. Direct contact is the
underlying factor in conduction.
 CONVECTION
It is the transfer of heat through a circulating medium, usually air or liquid. Heat transfer by convection is chiefly
responsible for the spread of fire in structures.
 RADIATION
Radiated heat moves in wave and rays much like sunlight. Radiated heat travels the speed, as does visible light:
186,000 miles per second. A means of heat transfer when energy travels through materials and space as waves.

OXYGEN (OXIDIZING AGENT)

A colorless, odorless gas and one of the compositions of air
which is approximately 21% percent by volume AIR COMPOSITION:
 - 21% of normal oxygen
- 1 % other gases 78% nitrogen
TAKE NOTE:
- 21% normal oxygen is needed to produce fire in the presence of fuel and heat.
- 12% oxygen is insufficient to produce fire, 14-15% oxygen can support flash point, and 16-21% oxygen can
support fire point.

PROPERTIES OF FIRE
1. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
A. SPECIFIC GRAVITY - the ratio of the weight of a solid or substance to the weight of an equal volume of water
B. VAPOR DENSITY - the weight of volume of pure gas compared to weight of a volume of dry air at the same
temperature and pressure
C. VAPOR PRESSURE - the force exerted by the molecules on the surface of the liquid at the equilibrium
D. TEMPERATURE - the measure of the thermal degree of the agitation of molecules of a given substance; the
measure of the molecular activity within the substance
E. BOILING POINT - the constant temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid is equal to the atmospheric
pressure
F. IGNITION TEMPERATURE - the minimum temperature to which the substance in the air must be heated in order
to initiate or cause self-contained combustion without addition of heat from outside sources
G. FIRE POINT - the temperature at which the material will give off ample vapors to keep burning
H. FLASH POINT - the temperature at which the material is not hot enough to keep burning, but still gives off
enough vapors to cause a flame across the surface

2. THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

A. ENDOTHERMIC REACTIONS – changes whereby energy (heat) is absorbed or is added before the reaction takes
place.
B. EXOTHERMIC REACTIONS – those that release or give off energy (heat) thus they produce substances with less
energy than the reactants.
C. OXIDATION – a chemical change that is exothermic, a change in which combustible material (fuel) and an
oxidizing agent (air), react. Example of oxidation is combustion which is the same as actual burning (rapid
oxidation)
D. FLAMES – flames are incandescent (very bright/glowing with intense heat) gases. It is a combustion product and
a manifestation of fire when it is in its gas-phased combustion.

TYPES OF FLAMES
Based on Color and Completeness of Combustibility of Fuel
 LUMINOUS FLAME – is orange-red, deposit soot at the bottom of a vessel being heated due to incomplete
combustion and has a low temperature.
 NON-LUMINOUS FLAME – is blue, there is complete combustion of fuel and has relatively high temperature.

Based on Fuel and Air Mixture

 PREMIXED FLAME – is exemplified by a Bunsen-type laboratory burner where hydrocarbon (any substance
containing primarily carbon and hydrogen) is thoroughly mixed with air before reaching the flame zone.
 DIFFUSION FLAME – is observed when gas (fuel) alone is forced through a nozzle into the atmosphere which
diffuses in the surrounding atmosphere in order to form a flammable mixture. The candle flame is an example of
diffusion flame governed purely by molecular diffusion, and the flame of the oxyacetylene torch. (diffused –
dispersed, widely spread)

Based on Smoothness
 LAMINAR FLAME – when a particle follows a smooth path through a gaseous flame.
 TURBULENT FLAME – are those having unsteady, irregular flows. As physical size, gas density or velocity is
increased, all laminar gas flows tend to become turbulent.
FIRE BEHAVIOR, CAUSES AND CLASSIFICATION
The behavior of fire maybe understood by considering the principle of thermal balance and thermal imbalance.
 THERMAL BALANCE refers to the rising movement or the pattern of fire, the normal behavior when the pattern is
undisturbed.
 THERMAL IMBALANCE, on the other hand is the abnormal movement of fire due to the interference of foreign
matter. Thermal imbalance often confuses the fire investigator in determining the exact point where the fire
originated.
 DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR OF FIRE
Fire is so fatal when the following conditions occurred:

BACKDRAFT – it is the sudden and rapid (violent) burning of heated gases in a confined area that occurs in the form
of explosion. This may occur because of improper ventilation. If a room is not properly ventilated, highly flammable
vapors maybe accumulated such that when a door or window is suddenly opened, the room violently sucks the
oxygen from the outside and simultaneously, a sudden combustion occur, which may happen as an explosion
(combustion explosion).

Flashover – it is the sudden ignition of accumulated radical gases produced when there is incomplete combustion of
fuels. It is the sudden burning of free radicals, which is initiated by a spark or flash produced when temperature rises
until flash point is reached. When accumulated volume of radical gases suddenly burns, there will be a very intense
fire that is capable of causing flames to jump at a certain distance in the form of fireball. Fireballs can travel to a
hundred yards with in a few seconds.

Biteback - a fatal condition that takes place when the fire resists extinguishment operations and become stronger
and bigger instead.

Flash Fire – better known as dust explosion. This may happen when the metal post that is completely covered with
dust is going to be hit by lightning. The dust particles covering the metal burn simultaneously thus creating a violent
chemical reaction that produces a very bright flash followed by an explosion.

THE THREE STAGES OF FIRE

1. INCIPIENT PHASE (INITIAL STAGE)
2. FREE BURNING PHASE
3. SMOLDERING PHASE

1. INCIPIENT PHASE (INITIAL STAGE) - initial stage of fire

 normal room temperature
 the temperature at the base of the fire is 400-800/1000 °F
 ceiling temperature is about 200 °F
 the pyrolysis products are mostly water vapor and carbon dioxide, small quantities of carbon monoxide and
sulfides maybe present.

2. FREE BURNING PHASE

a phase of burning in which materials or structures are burning in the presence of adequate oxygen accelerated pyrolysis
process take place
 development of convection current: formation of thermal columns as heat rises
 temperature is 800-1000/1330 °F at the base of fire, 1200-1600 °F at ceiling
 pyrolytic decomposition moves upward on the walls(crawling of the flame) leaving burnt patterns (fire
fingerprints)
 occurrence of flashover.

3. SMOLDERING PHASE
final phase of burning wherein flame ceases but dense smoke and heat completely fill the confined room
 oxygen content drops to 13% or below causing the flame to vanish and heat to develop in layers,
  products of incomplete combustion increase in volume, particularly carbon monoxide with an ignition
temperature of about 1125 °F,
 ceiling temperature is 1000-1300 °F,
 heat and pressure in the room builds up,
 building/room contains large quantities of superheated fuel under pressure but little oxygen,
 when sufficient supply of oxygen is introduced, backdraft occurs

STAGES OF FIRE
1. IGNITION - describes the period when the four elements of the fire tetrahedron come together and combustion
begins.
2. GROWTH - hortly after ignition, a fire plume begins to form above the burning fuel. As the plume develops, it begins
to draw or entrain air from the surrounding space into the column.
3. FLASHOVER - the transition between the growth and the fully developed fire stages and is not a specific event such
as ignition. During flashover, conditions in the compartment change very rapidly as the fire changes from one that is
dominated by the burning of the materials first ignited to one that involves all of the exposed combustible surfaces
within the compartment.
4. FULLY-DEVELOPED - occurs when all combustible materials in the compartment are involved in the fire
5. DECAY - as the fire consumes the available fuel in the compartment, the rate of heat released begins to decline.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF FIRE
Based on Cause
 Natural fire/ providential
 Accidental fire
 Intentional Fire/Incendiary
 Undetermined

NATURAL/PROVIDENTIAL CAUSES – Involves fires without direct human intervention

 SPONTANEOUS HEATING – the automatic chemical reaction that results to spontaneous combustion due to
auto-ignition of organic materials, the gradual rising of heat in a confined space until ignition temperature is
reached. Sun rays focused on glasses which may serve as a convex lens

 LIGHTNING – a form of static electricity; a natural current with a great magnitude, producing tremendous
amperage and voltage.
A lightning may be in the form of:
 Hot Bolt – longer in duration; capable only of igniting combustible materials
 Cold Bolt – shorter in duration, capable of splintering a property or literally blowing apart an entire
structure, produces electrical current with tremendous amperage and very high temperature

ACCIDENTAL CAUSES
Electrical accidents in the form of:
 Short Circuit – unusual or accidental connections between two points at different potentials (charge) in an
electrical circuit of relatively low resistance.
 Arcing – the production of sustained luminous electrical discharge between separated electrodes; an electric
hazard that results when electrical current crosses the gap between 2 electrical conductors.
 Sparking – production of incandescent particles when two different potentials (charged conductors) come in
contact; occurs during short circuits or welding operations.
 Induced Current – induced line surge – increased electrical energy flow or power voltage; induced current;
sudden increase of electrical current resulting to the burning of insulating materials, explosion of the fuse box,
or burning of electrical appliances.
  Over heating of electrical appliances – the increase or rising of amperage while electric current is flowing in a
transmission line resulting to the damage or destruction of insulating materials, maybe gradual or rapid, internal
or external.

Purely accidental causes Negligence and other forms of human error

INTENTIONAL CAUSES (INCENDIARY)

Is one deliberately set under circumstances in which the person knows that the fire should not be set. If in the burned
property, there are preparations or traces of accelerant, plants and trailers, then the cause of fire is intentional.
 Accelerant – highly flammable chemicals that are used to facilitate flame propagation.
 Plant – the preparation and or gathering of combustible materials needed to start a fire.
 Trailer – the preparation of flammable substances in order to spread the fire.

UNDETERMINED FIRE CAUSE

Whenever the cause cannot be proven, the proper classification is undetermined.

Based on Burning Fuel (the classes of fire)

Class A Fire – Ordinary fires; they are the types of fire resulting from the burning wood, paper, textiles, rubber and other
carbonaceous materials. In short, this is the type of fire caused by ordinary combustible materials.
Class B Fire – Liquid fires; they are caused by flammable and or combustible liquids such as kerosene, gasoline, benzene,
oil products, alcohol and other hydrocarbon deviations.
Class C Fire – Electrical fires; they are fires that starts in live electrical wires, equipment, motors, electrical appliances
and telephone switchboards.
Class D Fire – Metallic fires; fires that result from the combustion of certain metals in finely divided forms. These
combustible metals include magnesium, potassium, powdered calcium, zinc, sodium, and titanium.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS?

water (CLASS A)
CO2 (CLASS b, C)
dry chemicals (CLASS A, B, C)
Dry powder (CLASS D)
AFFF(Aqueous Film Forming Foam) (CLASS B)
HALONS (halogenated Carbon) – (CLASS B, C)

WHAT ARE THE MARKINGS REQUIRED ON FIRE EXTINGUISHERS?

Under (Rule 37, Sec. 106 of PD 1185), all fire extinguishers manufactured or sold in the Philippines must be
labelled or marked to show at least the following:
 Date of original filling
 Chemical Contents
 Type of extinguisher
 Operating Instruction and Safe Procedure in usage
 Name and address of the manufacturer
 Name and address of the dealer

WHAT ARE THE GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURES IN FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT?

The general operating procedures in using a fire extinguisher may be modified by the acronym PASS.
P - Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher that keeps the handle from being pressed. Press the plastic or thin
wire inspection band.
A– Aim the nozzle or outlet towards the fire. Some hose assemblies are dipped to the extinguisher body.
Released it and then point at the base of the fire.
S – Squeeze the handle above carrying handle to discharge the extinguishing agent inside. The handle can be
released to stop the discharge at any time.
 S – Sweep the nozzle sideways at the base of the flame to disperse the extinguishing agent.
After the fire is out, probe for remaining smouldering hot spots or possible reflash of flammable liquids. Make sure the
fire is out before leaving the burned area.

FIRE FIGTHING OPERATIONS AND EXTINGUISHMENT

FIRE FIGHTING is an activity intended to save lives and property. It is one of the most important emergency services in a
community.

TAKE NOTE:
FIRE SUPPRESSION – Slowing down the rate of burning
FIRE CONTROL – Keeping the fire from spreading/holding the fire to one area
FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT – putting the fire completely out.

THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION (BFP)

Republic Act # 6975, the DILG Act of 1990 (Chapter 4, Section 53-59) created the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)
to be responsible for the prevention and suppression of all destructive fires and to enforce the laws on fire.
Fire Protection is the descriptive term referring to the various methods used by the bureau to stop, extinguish
and control destructive fire for eventual prevention of loss of life and property. It has the following objectives:
 To prevent destructive fire from startings
 To extinguish (stop or put out) on going destructive fire
 To confine a destructive fire at the place where it began
 To prevent loss of life and property when fire starts

Powers and Functions OF BFP (Sec. 54, RA 6975)

 The Fire Bureau shall be responsible for the prevention and suppression of all destructive fires on buildings,
houses and other structures, forest, land transportation vehicles and equipment, ships or vessels docked at piers
or wharves or anchored in major seaports, petroleum industry installations, plane crashes and other similar
incidents, as well as the enforcement of the Fire Code and other related laws.
 The Fire Bureau shall have the power to investigate all causes of fires and, if necessary, file the proper
complaints with the city or provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction over the case.

Organization (Sec. 55)

The Fire Bureau shall be headed by a chief who shall be assisted by a deputy chief. It shall be composed of
provincial offices, district offices and city or municipal stations. At the provincial level, there shall be an office of the
provincial fire marshall. In the case of large provinces, district offices may be established, to be headed by a district fire
marshall. At the city or municipal level, there shall be a fire station, each headed by a city or municipal fire marshall:
Provided, That, in the case of large cities and municipalities, a district office with subordinate fire stations headed by a
district fire marshall may be organized as necessary.

ESTABLISHMENT OF FIRE STATION (SEC. 56)

There shall be established at least one (1) fire station with adequate personnel, firefighting facilities and
equipment in every provincial capital, city and municipality subject to the standards, rules and regulations as may be
promulgated by the Department. The local government unit shall, however, provide the necessary and or site of the
station.

RANK CLASSIFICATION (SEC. 58)

Director
Chief Superintendent
Senior Superintendent
Superintendent
Chief Inspector
Senior Inspector
Inspector
Senior Fire Officer IV
Senior Fire Officer III
Senior Fire Officer II
Senior Fire Officer I
Fire Officer III
Fire Officer II
Fire Officer I

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9263 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE PROFESSIONALIZATION OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION
(BFP) AND THE BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY (BJMP), AMENDING CERTAIN, PROVISIONS OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6975, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
This Act shall be known as the "Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
Professionalization Act of 2004."

ORGANIZATION AND KEY POSITIONS OF THE BFP AND THE BJMP (SEC.3, RA 9263)
The BFP and the BJMP shall be respectively headed by a Chief who shall be assisted by two (2) deputy chiefs,
one (1) for administration and one (1) for operations, all of whom shall be appointed by the President upon
recommendation of the Secretary of the DILG from among the qualified officers with at least the rank of senior
superintendent in the service: Provided, that in no case shall any officer who has retired or is retirable within six (6)
months from his/her compulsory retirement age be appointed as Chief of the Fire
Bureau or Chief of the Jail Bureau, as the case may be, Provided, further, that the Chief of the Fire Bureau and
Chief of the Jail Bureau shall serve a tour of duty not to exceed four (4) years: Provided, however, that in times of war or
other national emergency declared by Congress, the President may extend such tour of duty.

APPOINTMENT OF UNIFORMED PERSONNEL TO THE BFP AND THE BJMP (SEC. 5, RA 9263)
The appointment of the BFP and the BJMP shall be effected in the following manners:
a. Fire/Jail Officer I to Senior Fire/Jail Officer IV. – Appointed by the respective Regional Director for Fire
Protection and Regional Director for Jail Management and Penology for the regional office uniformed personnel
or by the respective Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau for the national headquarters office
uniformed personnel, and attested by the
Civil Service Commission (CSC);
b. Fire/Jail Inspector to Fire/Jail Superintendent. – Appointed by the respective Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief
of the Jail Bureau, as recommended by their immediate superiors, and attested by the CSC;
c. Fire/Jail Senior Superintendent. – Appointed by the Secretary of the DILG upon recommendation of the
respective Chief of the Fire Bureau and Chief of the Jail Bureau, with the proper attestation of the CSC; and
d. Fire/ Jail Chief Superintendent. To Fire/Jail Director.- Appointed by the President upon recommendation of the
Secretary of the DILG, with the proper endorsement by the Chairman of the CSC.

BFP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE NO. IID 2008-01

Based on the degree of amount and value of the total damages incurred in a certain fire incident.
A. Municipal Fire Marshal -Level I- Through its Municipal Investigation and Intelligence Unit shall have the full
responsibility and power to investigate fire incidents with a total amount of damage not exceeding to twenty
million pesos.
B. City Fire Marshal -Level II-Through its City Investigation and Intelligence Branch shall have the full responsibility and
power to investigate fire incidents with a total amount of damage not exceeding to thirty million pesos.
C. District Fire Marshal Level -III-Through its District Investigation and Intelligence Branch shall have the full
responsibility and power to investigate fire incidents with a total damages amounting to above Thirty Million Pesos,
but not exceeding to forty million pesos. DIIB can assume the conduct of investigation on fire incidents with
damages amounting to more than 20 million pesos in Municipal levels only within their respective jurisdictions.
D. Provincial Fire Marshal -Level III- Through its Provincial Investigation and Intelligence Branch shall have the full
responsibility and power to investigate fire incidents with a total damages amounting to above thirty million pesos
but not exceeding to forty million pesos. PIIB can assume the conduct of investigation on fire incidents with
damages amounting to more than 20 million pesos in Municipal levels only within their respective jurisdictions.
E. Regional Director for Fire Protection -Level IV – through its RIIB shall have the full responsibility and power to
investigate fire incidents with a total damages amounting to above forty million pesos, but not exceeding to sixty
million pesos.
F. Chief, Bureau of Fire Protection – National level – Through its IID shall have the full responsibility and power to
investigate fire incidents with a total damages amounting to above sixty million pesos

Section 7 – in such event that death results from a fire incident, the concerned FAI shall immediately sought the
assistance of the PNP-SOCO, or any other legal/ recognized group for lifting and autopsy of the cadaver found at the
fire/crime scene

FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS

Fire fighting operations refers to fire suppression activities. In general the following procedures should be observed:

1. PRE-FIRE PLANNING
This activity involves developing and defining systematic course of actions that maybe performed in order to realize the
objectives of fire protection: involves the process of establishing the SOP in case fire breaks out.

2. EVALUATION – SIZE – UP
on-the-spot planning or sizing-up the situation) - this is the process knowing the emergency situation. It involves mental
evaluation by the operation officer-in-charge to determine the appropriate course of action that provides the highest
probability of success.

Evaluation of the situation:

a. Learn the facts of the situation – by answering the 5 Ws – 1H
b. Understand the probabilities of fatal behavior of fire
c. Know your own situation or capabilities – weaknesses and strengths: available manpower and equipment
d. Determine the specific course of action – entry or rescue

3. EVACUATION
This the activity of transferring people, livestock, and property away from the burning area to minimize damage or
destruction that the fire might incur in case it propagates to other adjacent buildings.

5. ENTRY
This is the process of accessing the burning structure. Entry maybe done in a forcible manner. Purposes of conducting
forcible entry:
 To provide access for fire fighters with equipment for fire extinguishments
 To provide rescue
 To aid in ventilation

6. RESCUE
This is the operation of removing (extricating), thus saving, people and other livestock from the burning building and
other involved properties, conveying them to a secure place

7. EXPOSURE
Also called cover exposure, this is the activity of securing other buildings near the burning structure in order to prevent
the fire from the extending to another building.

8. CONFINEMENT
This is the activity of restricting the fire at the place (room) where it started : the process of preventing fire from
extending from another section or form one section to another section of the involved building.
9. VENTILATION
This the operation purposely conducted to displace toxic gases. It includes the process of displacing the heated
atmosphere within the involved building with normal air from outside atmosphere.

Types of Ventilation:
1. Vertical ventilation - must be worked from the top to bottom
2. Cross or horizontal ventilation - used if gases have not reached the higher level through the opening of windows
3. Mechanical force ventilation - a method whereby a device such as smoke ejector is utilized to remove faster
excessive heat and dense smoke

9. SALVAGE
The activity of protecting the properties from preventable damage other than the fire. The steps are a) remove the
material outside the burning area, and b) protecting or cover the materials by using tarpaulins (cotton canvass treated
with water proofing).

10. EXTINGUISHMENT
This is the process of putting out the main body of fire by using the 4 general methods of fire extinguishments.

4 General Methods of Fire Extinguishment

 Extinguishment by Temperature Reduction
 Extinguishment by Fuel Removal
 Extinguishment by Oxygen Dilution
 Extinguishment by Chemical Inhibition

EXTINGUISHMENT BY TEMPERATURE REDUCTION

 Cooling the temperature of the fire environment: usually done by using water.
 Lower down the temperature to cool the fuel to a point where it does not produce sufficient vapors that burn.

EXTINGUISHMENT BY FUEL REMOVAL

 Elimination of the fuel supply/ source which maybe done by:
 stopping the flow of liquid fuel
 preventing the production of flammable gas
 removing the solid fuel at the fire path
 allowing the fire to burn until the fuel is consumed

EXTINGUISHMENT BY OXYGEN DILUTION

 reduction of oxygen concentration at the burning area
 by introducing inert gases
 by separating oxygen from the fue

EXTINGUISHMENT BY CHEMICAL INHIBITION

Some extinguishments agents, like dry chemical and halon, interrupt the production of flame resulting to rapid
extinguishment of the fire. This method is effective only on burning gas and liquid fuels as they cannot burn in
smoldering mode of combustion.

11. OVERHAUL
This is the complete and detailed check of the structure and all materials therein to eliminate conditions that may cause
re-flash; involves complete extinguishments of sparks or smouldering (glowing) substances (embers) to prevent
possibilities of re-ignition or rekindling.

12. FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATION

This is the final stage of fire suppression activities. It is an inquiry conducted to know or determine the origin and cause
of fire.
WHAT ARE THE METHODS OF FIRE PREVENTION?
Individuals, groups, and communities use three main methods to prevent fires:

Laws and Regulations - Many countries have codes and standards that require certain types of fire retardant materials
and electric wiring to be used in buildings.
Inspection of buildings and other property - Fire brigades and other public agencies inspect public buildings for fire
hazards and recommend corrective action. In some communities, homeowners may agree to have their homes
inspected for fire hazards.

Public education about fire safety and prevention - Education is a vital part of fire prevention programmes because
people cause to prevent--almost all fires. Fire brigades, community groups, and schools teach children and adults about
fire hazards and work to reduce fires throughout the community.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
A Fire Extinguisher is a mechanical device, usually made of metal, containing chemicals, fluids, or gasses for
stopping fires, the means for application of its contents for the purpose of putting out fire (particularly small fire ) before
it propagates, and is capable of being readily moved from place to place. It is also a portable device used to put out fires
of limited size.

FIRE DETECTION SYSTEM

The primary purpose of fire detection system is to discover a fire when it is in its earliest phase and to respond
by activating an alarm.

CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE DETECTOR

SMOKE DETECTOR
Designed to react and activate the alarm when little amount of products of combustion go into their sensors.
Smoke detectors are attached to the ceiling or wall in several areas of the home.

TYPES OF SMOKE DETECTOR

A. Ionization Detector
 It uses a radioactive source to transform the air inside it into a conductor of electrical current.
 Any visible or invisible products of combustion entering this chamber interrupt the current flow, which, in return
activates the alarm.

B. Photoelectric smoke detector

 It consists of a projected light beam to cover large areas, or a reflected light beam or spot type detector to cover
small areas.

HEAT DETECTOR
A. Rate-of-rise-detector
 It is calibrated so that a rapid increase in room temperature will cause the detector to react and activate the
alarm.
 It is normally calibrated to allow temperature within a certain range but automatically activates when the
permitted maximum temperature is surpassed.

B. Fixed-temperature detector
 It is preset to activate at a given temperature.
 This detection unit may come from the manufacturer with a fixed temperature rating but be equipped with a
calibration screw, allowing an installer or contractor to reset the unit to avoid false alarms

SPRINKLE SYSTEM
 A sprinkler system consists of a network of pipes installed throughout a building. The pipes carry water to
nozzles in the ceiling. The heat from a fire causes the nozzles directly above the fire to open and spray water.

FIRE INVESTIGATION
In the Philippines, the Bureau of fire Protection is the main government agency responsible for the prevention
and suppression of all destructive fires on buildings, houses and other structures, forest, land transportation vehicles
and equipments, ships or vessels docked at piers or major seaports, petroleum industry installation, plane crashes and
other similar incidents, as well as the enforcement of the Fire Code and other related laws. It has the major power to
investigate all causes of fires and necessary, file the proper complaints with the proper authority that has jurisdiction
over the case (R.A. no. 6975, sec. 54)

WHY FIRES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED?

The very reason why fires should be investigated is to determine the cause of the fire in order to prevent similar
occurrences. The determination of the origin and cause of fire is arrived at only after a thorough investigation. Since
basic investigation is prelude to the discovery of the true cause of the fire, an understanding of the chemistry of fire and
its attendant behavior should be a concern for successful investigation.

WHO ARE QUALIFIED TO INVESTIGATE FIRES?

A fire investigator should have the following traits:
 Possession of knowledge of investigational techniques.
 He should have an insight of human behavior.
 He should have a first hand knowledge of the chemistry of fire and its behavior
 He should be resourceful.

IS FIRE INVESTIGATION COMPLEX AND UNIQUE?

Fire investigation is complex and unique because of the following reasons:
 Fire destroys evidence
 If it is Arson, it is planned, motivated and committed is discreet.
 Rarely can there be an eyewitness in Arson.

WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF THE FIREMEN IN FIRE INVESTIGATION?

Firemen are usually at the crime scene ahead of the fire investigators. Hence, they are valuable sources of information.
They are the so-called “Eyes and Ears” of the police before, during and after the fire has been placed under control. The
information taken from them may be categorize as:
 Information attainable or developed prior to the arrival at the scene
 Information available to the firemen at the scene
 Information available during overhaul and thereafter.

LEGAL ASPECT OF FIRE INVESTIGATION

Arson is the intentional or malicious destruction of property by fire. It is the concern of fire investigation to prove
malicious intent of the offender. Intent must be proved, otherwise, no crime exist. The law presumes that a fire is
accidental, hence criminal designs must be shown. Fire cause by accident or criminal design must be shown. Fire cause
by accident or negligence does not constitute arson.
It comes from the Greek word “ARSIO” meaning to burn.

LAWS ON ARSON ARTICLE 320-326, ACT 3815 (RPC)

RA 5467 - AN ACT TO AMEND ARTICLES THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE AND THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX OF ACT
NUMBERED THIRTY-EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN, (RE: OTHER FORMS OF ARSON.)
PD 1613 - AMENDING THE LAW ON ARSON
PD 1744 - MENDING ARTICLE THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE PROVISIONS ON ARSON
RA 7659 - AN ACT TO IMPOSE THE DEATH PENALTY ON CERTAIN HEINOUS CRIMES, AMENDING FOR THAT PURPOSE THE
REVISED PENAL LAWS, AS AMENDED, OTHER SPECIAL PENAL
LAWS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

ELEMENTS OF ARSON
 Actual burning took place
 Actual burning is done with malicious intent
 The actual burning is done by person(s) legally and criminally liable

WHAT CONSTITUTES ARSON?

1. Burning - to constitute burning, pyrolysis must take place. In other words, there must be burning or changing, i.e.
the fiber of the wood must be destroyed, its identity changed.
2. Willfulness – means intentional and implies that the act was done purposely and intentionally
3. Malice – denotes hatred or ill will or a desire for revenge; deliberate intention of doing unjustified harm for the
satisfaction of doing it
4. Motive – the moving cause which induces the commission of a crime; something that leads or influences a person to
do something
5. Intent – the purpose or design with which the act is done and involves the will; an essential element of crime,
smotive is not
METHODS OF PROOF IN ARSON
Physical evidences in arson are often destroyed. To prove arson was committed, Corpus Delicti must be shown and
identify of the arsonist must be established. Corpus Delicti (body of the crime) is the fact of that crime was committed.
The following must show it:
1. Burning – that there was fire that may be shown by direct testimony of complaint, firemen responding to the crime,
other eyewitnesses. Burned parts of the building may also indicate location.
2. Criminal Design – must show that it was wilfully and intentionally done. The presence of incendiary devices,
flammables such as gasoline and kerosene may indicate that the fire is not accidental.
3. Evidence of Intent – When valuables were removed from the building before the fire, ill-feeling between the
accused and the occupants of the building burned, absence of effort to put off fire and such other indications.

STAGES IN THE COMMISSION OF ARSON

A. Attempted Arson
 A person intending to burn a wooden structure, collects some rags, soaks them in gasoline and places them
beside the wooden wall of the building. When he is about to light a match to set fire to the rags, he is discovered
by another who trailed him away.
 The crime committed is attempted arson, because the offender begins the commission of the crime directly by
overacts (placing the rags soaked in gasoline beside the wooden wall of the building and lighting a match) but he
does not perform all the acts of execution (the setting of the fire to the rags) due to the timely intervention of
another who chases away) the offender.

B. Frustrated Arson
 The fact of having set fire to some rags and soaked in kerosene oil and placed near the partition of the entire soil
of an inhabited house, should not be qualified as a consummated arson, in as much as no part of the house had
begun to burn, although fire would have started in the said partition had it not been extinguished on time. The
crime committed was frustrated arson.
 The tools used alone are on fire, or a furniture or thing not attached to the building is on fire (U.S. v. Valdez, G.R.
No. L14128, December 10, 1918)

C. Consummated Arson
 If before the fire was put out, part of the building was burned.
  Setting fire to the contents of a building constitutes the consummated crime of setting fire to a building even if
no part of the building was burned.

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1613

Section 1. Arson. Any person who burns or sets fire to the property of another shall be punished by Prision Mayor.
The same penalty shall be imposed when a person sets fire to his own property under circumstances which expose to
danger the life or property of another.
Section 2. Destructive Arson. The penalty of Reclusion Temporal in its maximum period to Reclusion Perpetua shall be
imposed if the property burned is any of the following:
1. Any ammunition factory and other establishment where explosives, inflammable or combustible materials are
stored.
2. Any archive, museum, whether public or private, or any edifice devoted to culture, education or social services.
3. Any church or place of worship or other building where people usually assemble.
4. Any train, airplane or any aircraft, vessel or watercraft, or conveyance for transportation of persons or property
5. Any building where evidence is kept for use in any legislative, judicial, administrative or other official
proceedings.
6. Any hospital, hotel, dormitory, lodging house, housing tenement, shopping center, public or private market,
theater or movie house or any similar place or building.
7. Any building, whether used as a dwelling or not, situated in a populated or congested area.

Section 3. Other Cases of Arson. The penalty of Reclusion Temporal to Reclusion Perpetua shall be imposed if the
property burned is any of the following:
1. Any building used as offices of the government or any of its agencies;
2. Any inhabited house or dwelling
3. Any industrial establishment, shipyard, oil well or mine shaft, platform or tunnel;
4. Any plantation, farm, pastureland, growing crop, grain field, orchard, bamboo grove or forest;
5. Any rice mill, sugar mill, cane mill or mill central; and
6. Any railway or bus station, airport, wharf or warehouse.
Section 4. Special Aggravating Circumstances in Arson. The penalty in any case of arson shall be imposed in its maximum
period;
1. If committed with intent to gain;
2. If committed for the benefit of another;
3. If the offender is motivated by spite or hatred towards the owner or occupant of the property burned; 4. If
committed by a syndicate.
The offense is committed by a syndicate if its is planned or carried out by a group of three (3) or more persons.

Section 5. Where Death Results from Arson. If by reason of or on the occasion of the arson death results, the penalty of
Reclusion Perpetua to death shall be imposed.

Section 6. Prima Facie evidence of Arson. Any of the following circumstances shall constitute prima facie evidence of
arson:
1. If the fire started simultaneously in more than one part of the building or establishment.
2. If substantial amount of flammable substances or materials are stored within the building note necessary in the
business of the offender nor for household us.
3. If gasoline, kerosene, petroleum or other flammable or combustible substances or materials soaked therewith
or containers thereof, or any mechanical, electrical, chemical, or electronic contrivance designed to start a fire,
or ashes or traces of any of the foregoing are found in the ruins or premises of the burned building or property.
4. If the building or property is insured for substantially more than its actual value at the time of the issuance of
the policy.
5. If during the lifetime of the corresponding fire insurance policy more than two fires have occurred in the same
or other premises owned or under the control of the offender and/or insured.
6. If shortly before the fire, a substantial portion of the effects insured and stored in a building or property had
been withdrawn from the premises except in the ordinary course of business.
 7. If a demand for money or other valuable consideration was made before the fire in exchange for the desistance
of the offender or for the safety of the person or property of the victim.

Section 7. Conspiracy to commit Arson. Conspiracy to commit arson shall be punished by Prision Mayor in its minimum
period.

Section 8. Confiscation of Object of Arson. The building which is the object of arson including the land on which it is
situated shall be confiscated and escheated to the State, unless the owner thereof can prove that he has no participation
in nor knowledge of such arson despite the exercise of due diligence on his part.

BASIS OF LIABILITY IN ARSON:

1. Kind and character of the building, whether of public or private ownership.
2. Its location, whether in an uninhabited place or in a populated place.
3. Extent of damage caused; and
4. The fact of its being inhabited or not

BASIC LINES OF INQUIRY IN ARSON INVESTIGATION

POINT OF ORIGIN OF FIRE
Initially, the important point to be established is the point of origin of fire. Finding the point where the fire
originated is naturally very important to establishing the cause of the fire
 Firemen, occupant’s passersby and others who arrived at the fire scene during the early stages of the fire may
provide information relating to the location of the fire in its early stages.
 The obvious presence of “trailers” multiple separate fires, incendiary devices and other suspicious articles may
immediately reveal the origin and cause of the fire, especially in those instances when an attempted arson has
failed because the fire was rapidly extinguished or it “burned out” because the arsonist failed to properly
ventilate it.
 Another technique related to tracing the normal path of the fire to its origin, involves tracing the path of the
burning to its sources by observing the intensity of the destruction and charring of the uprights.
 Origin of the fire can also be traced through the so-called FIRE PATTERNS.

KINDS OF FIRE PATTERNS

1. Lines or Areas of Demarcation - These are borders defining the differences in certain heat and smoke effects of
the fire upon various materials. They appear between the affected area and adjacent unaffected or less affected
areas.
2. Surface Effect - The nature and material of the surface that contains the fire pattern will have a bearing on the
shape and nature of the pattern itself.

FIRE LANGUAGE
 Alligatoring – large scales indicate rapid, intense heat.
 Calcinations – refer to the changes that occur during a fire in either plaster or gypsum wall surfaces. It includes
the elimination of water from gypsum to charring the paper surface off the wall board.
 Clean Burn – refers to a fire pattern on surfaces where soot has been burned away.
 Crazing – refers to the cracking of glass into smaller segments of subdivisions in an irregular pattern.
 Charring – It is an exposure of elevated temperatures in which a material undergoes chemical decomposition
that drives off gases, water vapor, and various pyrolysis products as smoke. Char shrinks as it forms, and
develops cracks and blisters.
 Spalling – Is the breakdown in tensile strength of concrete or brick, usually accompanied by a color change.
Sometimes it causes chipping.
 Depth of char – its value is obtained by measuring the distance from the surface of the original dimensional
wood and comparing this with remaining unburned matter. It indicates the length of the time that a wooden
structural member was exposed to flame. (estimate the duration of a fire.
 Fusion – Is the change in formation of metals, glass or plastic due to being exposed to high temperatures,
sometimes it is called melting.
TELLTALE IN ARSON
 Burned Building – the type of the building may indicate a set fire under some circumstances. A fire of
considerable size at the time the first apparatus arrive at the scene if it is a modern concrete or semi-concrete
building.
 Separate Fires – when two or more separate fires break out within a building the fire is certainly suspicious.
 Color of smoke – some fires burn with little or no smoke but they are exception. The observation of the smoke
must be made at the start of the fire since once the fire has assumed a major proportion; the value of the smoke
is lost, because the smoke will not indicate the material used by the arsonist.
 Smoke marks – an experience investigator will determine the volume of smoked involved at a fire and the
character as residue deposited on walls or elsewhere. Smoke marks have often been of assistance in
determining the possibility of a fire
 Size of Fire – this is important when correlated with the type of alarm, the time received and the time of arrival
of the first fire apparatus. Fires make what might be termed a normal progress. Such progress can be estimated
after an examination of the material burned the building and the normal ventilation offered to the fire. The time
element and the degree of headway much by the flames become important factors to determine possible
incendiarism.
 Odor – the odor of gasoline, alcohol, kerosene and other inflammable liquids which are often used as accelerant
is characteristic and oftentimes arsonists are trapped because of this tell-tale sign. Most of fire setters are
inclined to use substance which will make the blaze certain and at the same time burn up any evidence of their
crime.
 Condition of Content – persons tending to set their house on fire frequently remove objects of value either
materially or essentially. Store and other business establishments oftentimes remove a major portion of their
content or replace valuable merchandise without of style article.

MEANING OF COLOR OF SMOKE AND FIRE:

When white smoke appears before the water from the fire hose comes in contact with the fire, it indicates humid
material burning. E.g. – burning hay, vegetable materials.
 Biting smoke, irritating the nose and throat and causing coughing indicates presence of chlorine.
 White smoke with yellow flame – indicates burning of humid materials.
 Example: burning hay, vegetable matter.
 Black Smoke accompanied by large flame - indicates use of petroleum products or rubber and plastics
 Reddish brown smoke – presence of nitrocellulose sulfur, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid.
▪ Red flame – presence of petroleum.
▪ Blue flame – presence of alcohol, aldehyde or ketone.
▪ Biting smoke - irritating to nose and caused coughing indicate presence of chlorine.
▪ Garlic odor smoke – presence of phosphorous.
▪ Heavy brown smoke with bright red flame – Nitrogen products.
▪ White smoke with bright white flame – Magnesium
▪ Black smoke with red and blue flame – Asphalt
▪ Purple or lavender flame – Potassium
▪ Greenish – yellow flame - Chlorine or manganese
▪ Bright reddish yellow flame - Calcium

MOTIVES IN ARSON

MOTIVE – is the moving cause which induces a person to commit a crime.

IS MOTIVE NECESSARY TO BE PROVEN IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS?
 Motive is not necessary to be proven in criminal proceedings but once motive is shown, then intent can easily
established.
 In the crime of arson, the distinction between motive and intent is clearly defined.
 INTENT is a material element of arson while motive is not. INTENT is the purpose of design with which the act is
done and involves the will while MOTIVE is what induces the criminal.
MOTIVE CAN BE ESTABLISHED BY:

1. ECONOMIC GAIN
A. Insurance fraud with the assured directly benefiting:
1. Desire to move
- the premises may no longer be desirable because of the condition of the building, the fact that the quarters are
outgrown or because of the locality.

2. Disposing of Merchandise
- the stocks on hand may have lost value by reason of the seasonal nature of the business, obsolesce, scarcity of
materials necessary to complete the contracts, overstock in the absence of expected order or a changing
market. 3. Property Transaction
- the business itself may no longer be desirable because of impending liquidation, settlement of an estate of
which it is a part, the need for cash, prospective failure, the comparatively greater value of the land, or the
comparatively greater value of the insurance benefits.

B. Profit by the Perpetrator other than the assured:

2. Concealment of Crime:
The arsonists may set fire to a building in order to conceal a projected or past crime. He may wish to divert attention in
order to loot the burning premises or steal in other places. The burning may be for the purpose of destroying evidences.

3. Punitive Measure:
An arsonists may use fire as a means of punishing another person for reason of jealousy, hatred or revenge.

4. Intimidation or Economic Disabling:

The fire may be used as a weapon of the saboteurs, the strikers or the racketeers to intimidate or to disable
economically as a step toward forcing submission to certain demands.

5. PYROMANIA
Is the uncontrollable impulse of a person to burn anything without motivation. Pyromaniacs usually do not run away
from the scene of the crime, usually alone and feel satisfied watching the flame
Types of Pyromaniacs:
1. Abnormal Youth – Epileptics, imbeciles and morons may set fire without knowing the seriousness of the act.
2. The Hero Type – a person may set fire on a building, subsequently pretends to discover it and turn in the
alarm so that he will appear a hero to the public. A person may burn a building and endeavor to achieve
spectacular rescue in order to attract the attention of spectators.
3. Alcoholics and Drug Addicts – persons who subject themselves to intense artificial stimulants such as
narcotics sometimes develop a strong urge toward incendiaries.
4. Sexual Deviates – some sex perverts derive sexual stimulation from setting a fire and watching the flame.
5. Frequently, he is chronic masturbator who stimulates and enhances his sexual gratification by means of
arson.

6. Public Disturbance
An offender may resort to arson as a means of a public disturbance because a fire attracts people and destruction causes
confusion that gives rise to attendant problems that divert police attention

7. Vandalism
Is a general term denoting intentional burning to destroy properties.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9514

 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPEALING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO.
1185 AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
-This Act shall be known as the “Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008”.

Definition of Terms. - As used in this Fire Code, the following words and phrases shall mean and be construed as
indicated:

 Abatement - Any act that would remove or neutralize a fire hazard.

 Administrator - Any person who acts as agent of the owner and manages the use of a building for him.
 Blasting Agent - Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer used to set off explosives.
 Cellulose Nitrate or Nitro Cellulose - A highly combustible and explosive compound produced by the reaction of
nitric acid with a cellulose material.
 Cellulose Nitrate Plastic (Pyroxylin) - Any plastic substance, materials or compound having cellulose nitrate
(nitro cellulose) as base.
 Combustible Flammable or Inflammable - Descriptive of materials that are easily set on fire.
 Combustible Fiber - Any readily ignitable and free burning fiber such as cotton, oakum, rags, waste cloth, waste
paper, kapok, hay, straw, spanish moss, excelsior and other similar materials commonly used in commerce.
 Combustible Liquid - Any liquid having a flash point at or above 37.8°C (100 °F).
 Corrosive Liquid - Any liquid which causes fire when in contact with organic matter or with certain chemicals.
 Curtain Board - A vertical panel of non-combustible or fire resistive materials attached to and extending below
the bottom chord of the roof trusses, to divide the underside of the roof into separate compartments so that
heat and smoke will be directed upwards to a roof vent.
 Cryogenic - Descriptive of any material which by its nature or as a result of its reaction with other elements
produces a rapid drop in temperature of the immediate surroundings.
 Damper - A normally open device installed inside air duct system which automatically closes to restrict the
passage of smoke or fire.
 Distillation - The process of first raising the temperature in separate the more volatile from the less volatile
parts and then cooling and condensing the resulting vapor so as to produce a nearly purified substance.
 Duct System - A continuous passageway for the transmission of air.
 Dust - A finely powdered substance which, when mixed with air in the proper proportion and ignited will cause
an explosion.
 Electrical Arc - An extremely hot luminous bridge formed by passage of an electric current across a space
between two conductors or terminals due to the incandescence of the conducting vapor.
 Ember - A hot piece or lump that remains after a material has partially burned, and is still oxidizing without the
manifestation of flames.
 Finishes - Materials used as final coating of a surface for ornamental or protective purposes.
 Fire - The active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and light of combustion.
 Fire Trap - A building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or because it lacks adequate exits or fire
escapes.
 Fire Alarm - Any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system to warn the occupants of the building or
fire fighting elements of the presence or danger of fire to enable them to undertake immediate action to save
life and property and to suppress the fire.
 Fire Door - A fire resistive door prescribed for openings in fire separation walls or partitions.
 Fire Hazard - Any condition or act which increases or may cause an increase in the probability of the occurrence
of fire, or which may obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with fire fighting operations and the safeguarding of life
and property.
 Fire Lane - The portion of a roadway or public-way that should be kept opened and unobstructed at all times for
the expedient operation of fire fighting units.
 Fire Protective and Fire Safety Device - Any device intended for the protection of buildings or persons to
include, but not limited to, built-in protection system such as sprinklers and other automatic extinguishing
system, detectors for heat, smoke and combustion products and other warning system components, personal
 protective equipment such as fire blankets, helmets, fire suits, gloves and other garments that may be put on or
worn by persons to protect themselves during fire.
 Fire Safety Constructions - Refers to design and installation of walls, barriers, doors, windows, vents, means of
egress etc. integral to and incorporated into a building or structure in order to minimize danger to life from fire,
smoke, fumes or panic before the building is evacuated. These features are also designed to achieve, among
others, safe and rapid evacuation of people through means of egress on construction which are sealed from
smoke or fire, the confinement of fire or smoke in the room or floor of origin and delay their spread to other
parts of the building by means of smoke sealed and fire resistant doors, walls and floors. It shall also mean to
include the treatment of buildings components or contents with flame retardant chemicals
 Flash Point - The minimum temperature at which any material gives off vapor in sufficient concentration to form
an ignitable mixture with air.
 Forcing - A process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing its shape or dimensions.
 Fulminate - A kind of stable explosive compound which explodes by percussion.
 Hazardous Operation/Process - Any act of manufacturing, fabrication, conversion, etc., that uses or produces
materials which are likely to cause fires or explosions.
 Horizontal Exit - Passageway from one building to another or through or around a wall in approximately the
same floor level.
 Hose Box - A box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves and other equipment are stored and arranged for fire
fighting.
 Hose Reel - A cylindrical device turning on an axis around which a fire hose is wound and connected.
 Hypergolic Fuel - A rocket or liquid propellant which consist of combinations of fuels and oxidizers which ignite
spontaneously on contact with each other.
 Industrial Baking and Drying - The industrial process of subjecting materials to heat for the purpose of removing
solvents or moisture from the same, and/or to fuse certain chemical salts to form a uniform glazing on the
surface of materials being treated.
 Jumper - A piece of metal or an electrical conductor used to bypass a safety device in an electrical system.
 Occupancy - The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used or intended to be used.
 Occupant - Any person actually occupying and using a building or portions thereof by virtue of a lease contract
with the owner or administrator or by permission or sufferance of the latter.
 Organic Peroxide - A strong oxidizing organic compound which releases oxygen readily. It causes fire when in
contact with combustible materials especially under conditions of high temperature.
 Overloading - The use of one or more electrical appliances or devices which draw or consume electrical current
beyond the designed capacity of the existing electrical system.
 Owner - The person who holds the legal right of possession or title to a building or real property.
 Oxidizing Material - A material that readily yields oxygen in quantities sufficient to stimulate or support
combustion.
 Pressurized or Forced Draft Burning Equipment - Type of burner where the fuel is subjected to pressure prior to
discharge into the combustion chamber and/or which includes fans or other provisions for the introduction of
air at above normal atmospheric pressure into the same combustion chamber.
 Public Assembly Building - Any building or structure where fifty (50) or more people congregate, gather, or
assemble for any purpose.
 Public Way - Any street, alley or other strip of land unobstructed from the ground to the sky, deeded, dedicated
or otherwise permanently appropriated for public use.
 Pyrophoric - Descriptive of any substance that ignites spontaneously when exposed to air.
 Refining - A process where impurities and/or deleterious materials are removed from a mixture in order to
produce a pure element or compound. It shall also refer to partial distillation and electrolysis.
 Self-closing Doors - Automatic closing doors that are designed to confine smoke and heat and delay the spread
of fire.
 Smelting - Melting or fusing of metallic ores or compounds so as to separate impurities from pure metals.
 Sprinkler System - An integrated network of hydraulically designed piping installed in a building, structure or
area with outlets arranged in a systematic pattern which automatically discharges water when activated by heat
or combustion products from a fire.
 Standpipe System - A system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire hoses can be attached on each floor,
including a system by which water is made available to the outlets as needed.
 Vestibule - A passage hall or antechamber between the outer doors and the interior parts of a house or building.
 Vertical Shaft - An enclosed vertical space of passage that extends from floor to floor, as well as from the base to
the top of the building.