Fire Technology and Arson Investigation PDF

FIRE TECHNOLOGY AND ARSON INVESTIGATION PREPARED BY: RYAN DAVE GALANG What is Fire? It is an active chemical reaction that takes place between fuel, heat and oxygen in the form of light and noticeable heat. What is Fire Technology? It is the application of the results of...

FIRE TECHNOLOGY AND ARSON INVESTIGATION PREPARED BY: RYAN DAVE GALANG What is Fire? It is an active chemical reaction that takes place between fuel, heat and oxygen in the form of light and noticeable heat. What is Fire Technology? It is the application of the results of the basic research and of engineering principles to the solution of practical fire protection problems. PROPERTIES OF FIRE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES : Specific gravity - ratio of the weight of a solid or substance to the weight of an equal volume of water. Vapor pressure – the force exerted by the molecules on the surface of the liquid at the equilibrium. (CLE1014)  Temperature – which is the measure of the degree of thermal agitation of molecules. Boiling point – is the constant temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid is equal to the atmospheric pressure. THREE (3) POINTS IN FIRE 1. FLASH POINT - lowest temperature at which vapors of the material will ignite, when given an ignition source. 2. FIRE POINT - lowest temperature at which the vapor will keep burning after being ignited and the ignition source removed. 3. KINDLING POINT - lowest temperature at which it spontaneously ignites in normal atmosphere without an external source of ignition. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES Endothermic reactions – are changes whereby energy (heat) is absorbed or is added before the reaction takes place. Exothermic reactions – are those that releases or gives off energy thus, they produced substances with less energy than the reactants.  Oxidation – is a chemical change in which combustible materials or FUEL and an oxidizing agent like OXYGEN, reacts. (SLOW AND FAST/RAPID)  Flame – is a glowing body (incandescent) of mixed gases undergoing the process of combustion. Flames commonly consist of a mixture of oxygen and another gas, usually such combustible substances as hydrogen, carbon monoxide or hydrocarbon. TYPES OF FLAME 1. According to color and completeness of combustion: a.LUMINOUS FLAME – reddish- orange in color; it deposits soot because it is a product of incomplete combustion; it has lower temperature. b. NON-LUMINOUS FLAME – bluish in color; it does not deposit soot because it is a product of complete combustion; it has a higher temperature than luminous flame. 2. According to Smoothness: a. TURBULENT – irregular, unsteady swirls or rough flame b. LAMINAR – smooth flame 3. Based to Burning Fuel and Air Mixture:  Premixed flame- is a flame formed under certain conditions during the combustion of a premixed charge (also called pre-mixture) of fuel and oxidizer.  Diffusion flame - is a flame in which the oxidizer combines with the fuel by diffusion. As a result, the flame speed is limited by the rate of diffusion. Diffusion flames tend to burn slower and to produce more soot FIRE TRIANGLE  FUEL - anything that will burn when heated with sufficient oxygen.  OXYGEN - aids in combustion; comes from the atmosphere we breath. ATMOSPHERE = 21% oxygen + 78% nitrogen + 1% impurities.  HEAT- source of ignition. THE FIRE TRIANGLE FIRE TETRAHEDRON - geometric representation of what is required for fire to exist, namely, fuel, an oxidizing agent, heat, and an uninhibited chemical reaction. ELEMENTS OF THE FIRE TETRAHEDRON  OXYGEN  FUEL  HEAT  SELF-SUSTAINED CHEMICAL REACTION THE FIRE TETRAHEDRON A.OXYGEN (O2) - colorless, odorless gas and one of the compositions of air which is approximately 21% percent by volume.  AIR COMPONENT: - 21% normal oxygen - 78% nitrogen - 1% other gases B. FUEL - material or substance being oxidized or burned in the combustion process. Fuel Sources 1. Solid- molecules are closely packed together 2. Liquid- molecules are loosely packed. 3. Gas- molecules are free to move. C. HEAT - energy component of the fire tetrahedron. - when heat comes into contact with a fuel, the energy supports the combustion reaction. TYPES OF ENERGY (as common heat sources) 1.Chemical Energy 2.Electrical Energy 3.Nuclear Energy 4.Mechanical Energy 1.Chemical Energy - 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. 2. Electrical Energy - can generate temperature high enough to ignite any combustible material near the heated area. 3. Nuclear Energy - Generated when atoms either split apart (fission) or combine (fusion) 4. Mechanical Energy - 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. D. SELF-SUSTAINED CHEMICAL REACTION - a chain reaction is a series that occur in sequence with the result of each individual reaction being added to the rest. STAGES OF FIRE 1.INCIPIENT 2.GROWTH 3.FLASHOVER 4.FULLY-DEVELOPED 5.DECAY 1.Incipient Stage - the period when the four elements of the fire tetrahedron come together and combustion begins. 2. Growth Stage - 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 stage - transition between the growth and the fully developed fire stages and is not a specific event such as ignition. 4. Fully Developed Stage - occurs when all combustible materials in the compartment are involved in the fire. 5. Decay Stage - as the fire consumes the available fuel in the compartment, the rate of heat released begins to decline. Modes of Heat Transfer a. Conduction - heat transfer within solids or between contacting solids. b. Convection - heat transfer by the movement of liquids or gasses. c. Radiation - heat transfer by electromagnetic waves. d. Flame Contact - heat may be conducted from one body to another by direct flame contact. Methods/Modes of Heat Transfer Classification of Fire based on Cause 1.Natural fire 2.Accidental fire 3.Intentional/Incendiary fire 1.Natural fire - involves fires without direct human intervention. 2. Accidental fire = ignited due to unintentional human design or action. - careless disposition of readily combustible materials. - poorly managed or defective heating facilities. - overheating, spark and electrical defects. - overload electric circuits - children playing matches - use of candles. 3. Incendiary fire - deliberately set under circumstances in which the person knows that the fire should not be set. 4. Undetermined Fire Cause – whenever the cause cannot be proven, the proper classification is undetermined. Classification of fire based on burning fuel.  Class A – ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, fabrics, etc. this will indicated deep cited fire, leaves ashes and embers (glowing coals) after burning.  Class B – flammable liquids such as gasoline, lube oil, kerosene, paint thinner, etc.  Class C – electrical fires caused by overloading, arcing, etc. (CLE-1014 -2x)  Class D – combustible metals such as magnesium (white element burning with dazzling light), sodium (a silver white metallic element), etc. This creates violent reaction.  Class E – flammable gases such as LPG, LNG, etc. This will also creates violent reaction. Different Extinguishing Agent 1. Class A – water (all agents) 2. Class B – foam/carbon dioxide (all agents) 3. Class C – carbon dioxide/powder (never use water, soda acid and foam), the use of water will cause electrocution. 4. Class D – special powder, the use of water will cause explosion. 5. Class E – all agents Modes of Extinguishment 1.Cooling - removal of heat 2. Starving - removal of fuel 3. Blanketing - removal of oxygen Factors that affects the rate and extent of the spread of fire: 1.Wind velocity 2.Relative humidity, dryness of the materials and the absence of rain. 3.Air temperature 4.Nature and condition of any vegetation surrounding the building 5.Nature of building construction USE OF LADDERS - A ladder is a vertical or inclined set of rungs or steps. Types of ladder 1.Rigid ladders – can be leaned against a vertical surface such as wall. 2.Rope ladders- hung from the top. Examples of Ladders  Fixed ladder - two side members joined by several rungs; affixed to structure with no moving parts.  Hook ladder - a rigid ladder with a hook at the top.  Trestle ladder - an “a frame”- style ladder.  Extension ladder = a fixed ladder or more lengths for more convenient storage; the lengths can be slid together for storage or slid apart to expand the length of the ladder.  Turntable ladder - an extension ladder fitted to the rotating platform on the top of a fire truck. Ladder Terminology  Bed ladder– the lowest section of an extension ladder.  Fly Ladder- the upper section of an extension ladder.  Butt – the bottom end of the ladder  Heel – the part of the ladder that touches the ground.  Halyard- a rope or cable used to raise the fly ladder.  Pawl and Dog – the mechanism located at the end of the fly ladder that locks to the bed ladder.  Rung – the cross member of the ladder that is used for climbing.  Top or tip – it is the top part of the ladder.  Guides – light metal strips of an extension ladder that guides the fly ladder while it is being raised or lowered.  ARSON INVESTIGATION What is ARSON? - consists of the willful and malicious burning of all kinds of buildings and structures including personal property. What is INVESTIGATION? - is the process of inquiry conducted in order to determine what is need to know and proven. COMPOSITION OF INVESTIGATION TEAM 1. Team leader - assumes overall control of the fire scene. 2. Lead Fire Arson Investigator- coordinates with the Team leader regarding appropriate investigation approach. 3. Fire Scene Photographer- photographs the fire scene prior entry of the investigation team and during walk-through.. 4. Fire Scene Sketch Preparer- diagrams and illustrates the immediate area of the fire scene. 5. Evidence recovery personnel and custodian- conducts actual exhaustive search of probable pieces of evidence with the direct guidance of the Team Leader and Lead FAI at the fire scene. 6. Team Security Personnel- ensures the overall security/safety of the investigating team. 7. Incident Command Post (ICP)- the designated area for planning and communication point members of the Fire Arson Investigation. What constitutes Arson? Burning - to constitute burning, there must be some burning or charring, its identity changed. Willfulness – means intentional and implies that the act was done purposely and intentionally. Malice – denotes hatred or ill will or a desire for revenge. Deliberate intention of doing unjustified harm for the satisfaction of doing it.  Motive – is the moving cause which induces the commission of a crime. Something that leads or influences a person to do something. Intent – is the purpose or design with which the act is done and involves the will. An essential element of crime, motive is not. Why is Arson very hard to investigate? Arson is one of the most difficult offenses to investigate because the arsonists is able to set a fire and can escape undetected. The fire can consume the scene and destroy much physical evidence of the offense. Harder forms of evidence are often buried in debris and grossly altered in appearance What constitute burning? The mere fact that a building is scorched or discolored by heat is NOT SUFFICIENT nor will bare intention or even an attempt to burn a house amount to arson, if no part of it is burned. Yet, if there is actual ignition of any part of the building, arson is committed, although there be no flame or the fire immediately goes out of itself.  To burn means to consume by fire. In the case of arson, if the wood is blackened but no fibers are wasted, there is no burning. But the wood need not be in flame or blaze, and the burning of any part, however, small is sufficient to constitute arson, and if the house is charred in a single place so as to destroy the fibers of the wood, it is sufficient to constitute arson.  STAGES OF COMMITTING ARSON ATTEMPTED ARSON  In attempted arson, it is not necessary that there be a fire before the crime is committed. EXAMPLE:  Ador, with the intention 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 Kardo who chases him away. FRUSTRATED ARSON EXAMPLE : Vincent Coks already set fire to the rags soaked with gasoline and put it near the partition of an inhabited house before he leaves the premises without knowing that before any part of the building was burned, the flaming rags has been extinguished by Leonardo Pelayo, the house owner. CONSUMMATED ARSON  The offender did in fact set fire to the roof of the house and said house was partially burned. The crime was consummated arson, notwithstanding the fact that the fire afterwards extinguished for once it has been started, the consummation of the crime of arson does not depend upon the extent of the damage caused. Basis of Liability of Arson: Kind and character of the building, whether of public or private ownership. Its location, whether in an uninhabited place or in a populated place. Extent of damage caused; and The fact of its being inhabited or not. MOTIVES OF ARSON What is MOTIVE? = It is the moving cause which induces a person to commit a crime. Is motive necessary to be proven in criminal proceedings? = The motive is not necessary to be proven in criminal cases for it is not an element of a crime.  Motive vs. Intent MOTIVE Not a material element of crime Motive is not an element in proving the crime of arson. Even if motive is not established, the accused can still be convicted MOTIVE is what induces the criminal.  Motive vs. Intent INTENT An element of crime especially in the crime of Arson. INTENT is the purpose of design with which the act is done and involves the will. Motive can be established by: 1.To Profit – fire is set for material gain. - most common motive of arsonist. (CLE -0414) - Insurance Fraud Motive can be established by: 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 Measures 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. 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. 6. Vandalism – is a general term denoting intentional burning to destroy properties. 7. Extremist – motivated fire setting is committed to further a social, political, or religious purposes. 8. PYROMANIA - is the uncontrollable impulse of a person to burn anything without motivation. -Pyromaniacs usually do not run away from the fire scene, usually alone and feel satisfied watching the flame. A PYROMANIAC Types of Pyromaniac  Abnormal Youth – epileptics, imbeciles and morons may set fire without knowing the seriousness of the act.  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.  Alcoholics and Drug Addicts – persons who subject themselves to intense artificial stimulants such as narcotics sometimes develop a strong urge toward incendiaries.  Sexual Deviates – some sex perverts derive sexual stimulation from setting a fire and watching the flame. Frequently, he is chronic masturbator who stimulates and enhances his sexual gratification by means of arson.  In determining motive, a fire investigator concentrates on three major factors: 1. Points of origin of the fire 2. Modus operandi of the arsonist 3. Identify of persons who might benefits from the fire. What is Point of Origin?  In arson investigation, point of origin is the source, the beginning and the exact place where an unfriendly fire originates.  In other words, at what particular place in the building the fire started.  The arson investigator must concern himself with the point of origin at the fire scene because it is the point of origin that will tell him the cause of the fire. Factors to be considered in determining the Point of Origin: I. Interviewing witnesses - firefighting personnel, the occupants, the discoverer of the fire, the passerby and others. These witnesses will give testimonies to facts that cannot only pinpoint the origin of the fire but they can also provide information relative to the fire in its incipient stages. II. Low point of Burning – the lowest point of burning should be given first consideration when locating the point of origin of the fire. The single most significant fact that assists the investigator is that fire normally is burn upward. (CLE-1014) III. Charring Pattern – the lowest point of burning will indicate a deeper char. (alligatoring) Important reasons for determining the Point of Origin in the Investigation of Arson: Fire Prevention and Saving of Lives – statistics and lessons learned from tragedies will help prevent additional catastrophes. To establish the Fact that the fire was of incendiary origin – the law prescribes that every fire is presumed to be of an accidental nature. This presumption has to be overcome before the investigator can make an arson case.  To establish the corpus delicti – the difficulty in knowing the point of origin arises when a fire occur in a totally consumed factory or building because what the investigator will find at the fire scene are piles of debris. The physical evidence of the offense are destroyed and even grossly altered in appearance. What is Corpus Delicti? CORPUS DELICTI - is the body of the crime or the fact that injury or loss was sustained by reason of the crime committed. In arson case, it encompasses the fact that the building/property in question was burned. The mere confession of a person with respect to burning is not sufficient proof of guilt unless the Corpus Delicti has been established. There must be burning and criminal design. What is a Fire Scene? A fire scene is the location in which a fire occurred. It is also the central location of a fire from which subsequent investigate efforts will begin. What is meant by Preserving the Scene? Preserving the fire scene means to keep the site of the fire in the same physical condition as it was left by the perpetrator. To prevent obliteration, deterioration and destruction of tangible clues and to preserve evidential value of physical evidence. Searching the Fire Scene After the fire scene has been firmly secured, it must be searched. The investigation is carried out to obtain all available physical evidence such as weapons, clothing, fingerprints, footprints, tire marks, charred, burned materials or any other investigative lead which might help to achieve a successful conclusion to the case.  Searching the fire scene is not confined to the specific area of the fire itself. It may be extended along the path of approach and follow the line of flight of the perpetrator.  Quite frequently, a criminal may discards or accidentally drops an item which may be found to be valuable evidence such as wearing apparel or instrumental in obtaining identification.  Quite frequently, a criminal may discards or accidentally drops an item which may be found to be valuable evidence such as wearing apparel or instrumental in obtaining identification. Methods of Searches Quadrant Search (CLE1014)– also known as “zone method”, conducted wherein the crime scene is divided into four quadrants with one searcher assigned to each area. Strip Search – also known as “Line method”, searchers proceed simultaneously along the trail parallel to one side of a rectangle. Colors and Characteristics of Smoke: Characteristics and color of the smoke or other vapors which emanate from the fire may indicate the nature of burning substances. 1. Steam and Smoke – indicate that humid substance come in contact with combustible substances. The water present in humid substances evaporates before the substance begins to burn. 2. White Smoke – indicates the presence of phosphorous. 3. Grayish Smoke – may be caused by flying ashes or soot of loosely packed substances such as straw or hay. 4. Black Smoke – indicates burning materials of a product with petroleum base such as rubber, tar, coal, turpentine or petroleum. 5. Biting Smoke – irritating the nose and throat and causing lacrymation (pertaining to tears) and coughing indicates presence of chlorine. 6. Reddish-brown or Yellow Smoke – indicates the presence of nitrates or substances which are compounded with nitrates, such as nitric acid, plastics, film. 7. Color of the Flame – is a good indication of the intensity of the fire, an important factor in determining incendiaries: (CLE-1014) 8. Size of Fire – is important when correlated with the type of alarm, the time received and the time of arrival of the first five apparatus. 9. Intensity – the degree of heat given off by a fire and the color of its flame indicate that some accelerant have been added to the material normally present in a building.  10. Odor – odor of gasoline, alcohol, kerosene and other inflammable liquids which are often used as accelerants indicate certain characteristics, thus arsonists are trapped because of this tell-tale sign. 11. Other suspicious circumstances – such as interested bystanders, familiar faces and discovery of some objects which might be part of a mechanical fire-setting device among the debris  The Revised Penal Code Articles 320 to 326-b, RPC – these articles are expressly repealed by Section 9, PD 1613, March 7, 1979 due to the alarming increase of suspected arson cases during the past few years; a clamor was generated to update the law on arson here in our country. PD 1613 – Amending the Law on Arson PD 1744 – Amending Art.320-RPC PD 1185 – Fire Code of the Philippines RA 9514 – Revised Fire Code of the Philippines  Presidential Decree 1613 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 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.  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. CASE: Where XX killed WW and CC, husband and wife, and after killing, XX set a fire to the victims house, without knowing that a three days old infant is inside. The child perished in the fire as well as its parents lifeless bodies inside the house.  What crime is committed? Answer: The killing of WW and CC was murder and the burning of the house and child was arson with homicide  Chris Repato, with the hope of collecting insurance money, ordered Leonardo Filatio and the rest of his men to set on fire his very own sugar cane plantation. In the course of fire, the nearby pineapple plantation owned by another person was also burned. What crime is committed? A. other forms of arson B. destructive arson C. malicious mischief D. damage to property  Art. 325. Burning one’s own property as a means to commit arson. – Any person is guilty of arson or causing great destruction of the property belonging to another eventhough he shall have set fire to or destroyed his own property for the purposes of committing the crime. PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF ARSON What is Prima Facie Evidence? - An evidence at which standing alone, unexplained and uncontradicted is sufficient to maintained the proposition affirmed. prima facie evidence of arson: 1. If the fire started simultaneously in more than one part of the building or establishment. (CLE-0414) 2. If substantial amount of flammable substances or materials are stored within the building not necessary in the business of the offender nor for household use.  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. (CLE-0414)  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 be prove that he has no participation in or knowledge of such arson despite the exercise of due diligence on his part. BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION - Standard Operating Procedure- BFP – SOP # 2008 -01 II. PURPOSE A. To have a uniform and systematic procedures in the conduct of fire and arson investigation from the BFP National Headquarters down to the lowest investigation and intelligence units, to include the prompt submission of fire investigation reports.  B. To have a clear and explicable guidelines in conducting fire and arson investigation and the filing of the necessary complaint documents before the office of the City/Provincial Prosecutor.  C. To ensure the quality and value of the investigation being conducted by all BFP fire and arson investigators and to expedite the investigation process and disposition of fire and arson cases. III. INITIAL ACTIONS DURING FIRE ALARM Upon the notification of a fire call or fire incident, the duty Fire Arson Investigator (FAI) who has jurisdiction over the location of the fire incident shall mandatory to immediately respond at the soonest possible time.  The conduct of initial inquiry through interview and elicitation from all available witnesses at the fire scene must be done instantaneously. Section 2. – As soon as the area of origin or the focal point of the fire is ascertained, the FAI shall make necessary coordination with BFP firefighting personnel to include the volunteer fire brigades to exert diligent and careful efforts in the conduct of fire suppression operation in the identified AREA OF ORIGIN to preserve the EVIDENTIAL VALUE and the focal point of the fire that might be destroyed due to excessive flooding in the area. Section 3. – The fire scene should be well protected and secured. Coordination with the local police units or barangay personnel should be done in order to secure the fire scene from looters and other persons who has intention of entering the burned premises, so as to avoid contamination of the fire area. Section 4. – In the event that the FAI discovered SUSPECTED HAZARDOUS MATERIALS / suspected illegal or regulated chemicals, during the conduct of investigation of the burned premises, the circumstances shall be immediately reported to proper office ( e.g: BFP Hazardous Materials Office, or other law enforcement agency). Section 5. – Once the Fire Ground Commander (FGC) declared “FIRE OUT” the FAI shall take cognizance the responsibilities of PROTECTING and SECURING the whole fire scene by sealing / closing the perimeter with barricade tape (Fire Lines). Posting of uniformed BFP personnel for security purposes may also be carry out as deemed necessary. FIRE REPORT CLASSIFICATIONS AND REPORTING SYSTEM A. Spot Investigation Report (SIR) – Shall be made and accomplished by the FAI concerned during the actual response to a fire incident. The SIR should contain basic information about the fire incident.  - All SIR must be submitted IMMEDIATELY (within 24 hours) to respective fire marshals. - The respective OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR FIRE PROTECTION shall then submit the consolidate SIR to the office of the IID – BFP National Headquarters in BI-MONTHLY basis (every 15th and 30th day of the month) thru mail courier, for recording and proper disposition.  B. Progress Investigation Report (PIR) – Shall be made and accomplished by the FAI concerned after the conduct of follow-up investigation was made. The PIR or any succeeding PIRs (2nd PIR) shall be accomplished within 7 to 15 days.  C. Final Investigation Report (FIR) – Shall be made and accomplished by the FAI concerned upon the completion of the exhaustive investigation. All completed FIR should be signed by the concerned FAI and its respective Chief of the Investigation and Intelligence Office.  The FIR should be submitted the soonest time the case was resolved by the investigating office handling the case. The maximum allowable time for the investigating body to submit the FIR shall be 30 to 45 DAYS commencing from the first day of investigation. On the given period, the FAI shall already come up with a proper RESOLUTION or RECOMMENDATION about the case being investigated.  FIR shall be accomplished in five (5) complete copies for distribution to: 1. Office of the Chief, BFP thru the office of the Investigation and Intelligence Division, BFP National Headquarters; 2. Office of the Regional Director for Fire Protection; 3. Office of the District / Provincial Fire Marshal; 4. Office of the City / Municipal Fire Marshals.  D. Fire Incident Investigation Report (FIIR) – This kind of investigation report can only be made in such circumstances that the investigation report cannot be completed for some reasons independent to the will of the FAI. FIIR can only be accomplished in fire cases with UNDETERMINED cause and this kind of case should be considered as ON PENDING INVESTIGATION, subject to REOPENING in circumstances that relevant evidence and / or a witness shall surface in the future. LEVEL OF AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT INVESTIGATION A.Municipal Fire Marshall - Municipal level - Municipal Investigation and Intelligence Unit (MIIU) - total amount of damage not exceeding to Twenty Million Pesos (20,000,000) B. City Fire Marshall - City Level/Level 2 - City Investigation and Intelligence Section (CIIS) - total amount of damage not exceeding to Thirty Million Pesos ( 30,000,000) C. District Fire Marshall - District Limit/Level 3 - District Investigation and Intelligence Branch (DIIB) - total amount of damage above 30,000,000 but not exceeding 40,000,000 - DIIB operatives can assume the conduct of investigation on fire incidents with the total damage of more than 20M in Municipal Level only w/in their respective jurisdiction. D. Provincial Fire Marshall - Provincial Limit/Level 3 - Provincial Investigation and Intelligence Branch (PIIB) - total amount of damage above 30,000,000 but not exceeding 40,000,000 - PIIB operatives can assume the conduct of investigation on fire incidents with the total damage of more than 20M in Municipal Level only w/in their respective jurisdiction. E. Regional Director for Fire Protection - Regional limit/ Level 4 - Regional Investigation and Intelligence Division(RIIB) - total amount of damages above 40,000,000 but not exceeding 60,000,000. F. Chief, Bureau of Fire Protection - National/Level 5 - Investigation and Intelligence Division- BFP National Headquarters (IID) - total amount of damage above 60,000,000.  THANK YOU!!!