Vehicle Fire Investigations

docx

School

Eastern Gateway Community College *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

230

Subject

Mechanical Engineering

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by ProfUniverse13047

Running Head: VEHICLE FIRES 1 Vehicle Fire Investigations Scott Hinson Eastern Gateway Community College FIR 230 Fire Investigation Methods Assignment #14

VEHICLE FIRES 2 Vehicle Fire Investigations The author of this paper will discuss investigation techniques utilized for investigating vehicle fires. They will identify and discuss potential ignition sources associated with vehicles fires. The author will also discuss the process of documenting motor vehicle fire scenes. Literature Review Vehicle Fire Investigations are sometimes complex investigations. They have the same characteristics for ignition and combustion as a structure fire or wildland fires. “The fire investigator should be able to recognize the burn and char indicators, which may vary from vehicle to vehicle, although patterns may be hard to identify with the tight spaces and excessive fuel loads found in vehicle compartments” (IAFC, IAAI, & NFPA, 2016, p370). When it comes to vehicle fires investigators should have a good knowledge of fuel systems and the fire behavior with those fuels. Systems like the cooling system and the fuel system are similar in most vehicles. If the investigator has a good working knowledge of these systems can help with the investigation and make it less difficult. Just like with a structure fire the investigator must also make sure the vehicle is safe. The investigator should make sure the car is stabilized and supported properly and unhook the battery prior to starting the investigation to make sure the air bags are disabled. “Other hazards to be aware of include fuel spillage from tanks or lines; contamination with coolants, lubricants or other fluids; cut and puncture hazards from contact with broken glass or sharp metals; and release of energy from damaged spring devices such as truck parking brake assemblies” (IAFC, IAAI, & NFPA, 2016, p371). “In most cases, the sources of ignition energy in vehicles are the same as those associated with structure fires” (IAFC, IAAI, & NFPA, 2016, p373). They also have unique ignition sources, like heated exhaust, bearings, and brakes. The most common ignition sources in vehicle

VEHICLE FIRES 3 fires are open flames; electrical sources; hot surfaces; mechanical sparks; and smoking materials. Open flame is not as common as it used to be, it was more common back when cars had carburetors, they would backfire through the carburetor starting the fire. Most cars now have fuel injectors, that has eliminated the backfire problem because the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber. “The primary source of electrical energy in a vehicle that is not running is the battery” (IAFC, IAAI, & NFPA, 2016, p374). Investigators must keep in mind that some cares have multiple batteries. Investigator must also keep in mind beside the normal electrical system in a car the investigator must think about and look at aftermarket items. Hot surfaces such as exhaust systems will get hot enough to ignite gasoline or other fuels like diesel fuel. Mechanical sparks are usually caused by rotating metal on metal contact like bearings or brakes and rotors. Broken exhaust pipes or drive shafts can cause sparking by dragging on the pavement. Just like structure fires improperly discarded smoking materials are a common ignition source. “When documenting the scene of a vehicle fire, the entire fire scene should be defined, including the vehicle and the area surrounding the vehicle” (IAFC, IAAI, & NFPA, 2016, p380). The vehicle fire scene should be documented and photographed just like the scene of a structure fire. “The investigator should record the fire scene by making a scene diagram showing reference points and distances. “The scene should be photographed, as should surroundings buildings, highway structures, vegetation, other vehicles, tire and foot impressions, fire damage, signs of fuel discharge, and any parts of debris” (IAFC, IAAI, & NFPA, 2016, p380). Just like structure fires documentation of the investigation needs to be detailed and accurate and is one of the most important parts of investigations.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

VEHICLE FIRES 4 Conclusion Vehicle fires on the surface are a complex to investigate, but if the investigator uses the scientific method and the fire is broken down it can be just like investigating a structure fire or any other fire. Vehicle fires have a lot of the same ignition sources such electrical system malfunctions or improperly discarded smoking material. They do have some unique ignition sources like mechanical sparks and back fired carburetors. A vehicle fire should be documented and photographed just like any other fire. Documentation is important and should be very in depth and thorough. Vehicle fires can be accidental from mechanical malfunctions or incendiary just like other fires that is why documentation is important.

VEHICLE FIRES 5 References IAFC, IAAI, & NFPA, (2016). Fire Investigator Principles and Practices to NFPA 921 and 1033 (4 th Edition) . Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning