1 fire cause determination fire causes. 2 hot water heaters electric water heaters almost never...
Post on 31-Dec-2015
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Hot Water Heaters
• Electric water heaters almost never cause fires.
• One of the most common ignition sources of fires involving utility rooms are gas water heaters.
• Find the source of gasoline.
3
Hot Water Heaters (con’t.)
• Did they just cut the grass?
• Overuse of aerosol products.
• Storing combustibles too close.
• Children playing with unit.
4
Electric Heaters
• Are used in areas like garage apartments and trailers used by contractors.
• If temperature drops low enough they will come on.
• Used under sinks.
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Electric Heaters (con’t.)
• Placed against walls and other combustibles.
• A heavy load on a bad cord.
• Used with long extension cords.
• Drying clothes.
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Cigarettes
• You may find signs of carelessness.• You will not find the butt that
caused the fire.• A smoker may smoke 50/day, but,
he will know where everyone went…– “Just ask him!”
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Cigarettes (con’t)
• If you suspect smoking in bed check underside of the mattress.
• bed fires
• grass fires
• trash fires
• couches - chairs
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Cigarettes (con’t)
• In just 10 minutes smoke will appear.
• Fire will begin in approx. 30 minutes but no longer than 4 hours.
• It must be insulated.• Temperature inside padded
furniture maybe 1400-1600°F.
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Cigarettes (con’t)
• Annealing of springs used with other signs.
• Smoldering fire will be deep seated with heavy charring.
• Do not rule it out -- do not overuse.
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Exterior & Attic Fires
• Lightening 50,000°F (act of god) 200,000 amps
• Sweating pipes.
• Fireworks
• Ridding pest
• Wiring
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Exterior & Attic Fires (con’t)
• Birds, Squirrels, Rats
• Children Playing with fire.
• Arson
• Discarding ashes on porch and in outside trash can (signs of smoldering fire)
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Fireplaces
• Sparks popping• logs rolling out• combustibles too close• flammable liquids too close or misuse• construction members too close to
fire box
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Heaters
• Modern central heat and air units rarely cause a fire.
• If a gas line caused the fire the occupant may mention there has been an odor of gas early in the investigation.
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Heaters (con’t)
• Space heaters– standing too close…trial by fire
– usually self correcting
• Boxes stored too close
• Drying clothes
• Toddler placed item on heater
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Heaters (con’t)
• Floor Units– Rugs
– Boxes
– Clothing falling over unit
– Hangers found on vents
– Debris build up..dust & trash
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Stove Fires
• “It come on right by itself”
• Never mind the knobs, find the pot
• The occupant was– not home– sleeping– drunk
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Stove Fires (cont)
• The occupant was (cont):– drunk and sleeping
– on the phone
– watching tv
– looking at the other fire down the street
– just purchased a new cordless phone
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Stove Fires (cont)
• “The hood light” caused it.
• “The gas stove shorted out”– “It Did” “Really”
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Bed Fires and Bedrooms
• Find the 4 year old
• If children in the house question them but do not lead them
• Fire will begin on side or under the bed
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Bedroom Fires (cont)
• A point of origin in the closet is almost always children.
• They are trying to hide to play with fire
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Other Causes
• Electric Blankets have to be folded or rolled up to start a fire
• Fans a curtain will over heat a fan
• Extension cords
• Water bed heaters
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