1. UNIT 5: FIRE CAUSE DETERMINATION
United States Fire Administration
UNIT 5: FIRE CAUSE DETERMINATION

2. Enabling objectives
Determine the area or point of origin and the cause of a fire, when given fire scenarios.
Defend the conclusions reached regarding the fire origin and cause determination, when given fire scenarios.

3. Fire cause determination
It is often the responsibility of first responders to determine the cause of all fires to which they respond.
Knowing the process of fire origin and cause determination will help them to make more accurate decisions on the circumstances of the fire.

4. Key fire investigation aspects
Behavior of fire.
Understanding of basic scientific principles related to fire ignition, growth and spread.
Determination of area of fire origin.
Methodology required to successfully determine fire origin and cause.

5. Key fire investigation aspects (cont’d)
Accidental fire causes.
Understanding the most common causes of accidental fires.
Incendiary fire causes and devices.
Understanding the most common causes of incendiary fires and devices that may be used.

6. Key fire investigation aspects (cont’d)
Vehicle fires.
Understanding of the most common causes of vehicle fires and the recommended procedures for fire cause determination.
Fatal fires.
Understanding of the procedures required to properly secure and document a fatal fire scene.

7. ACTIVITY 5.1 Fire Scene Examination

15. Dvd presentation

16. “NFPA 921 determining origin and cause”
DVD PRESENTATION
“NFPA 921 determining origin and cause”
Slide 112
IN - Introduce the 30-minute “NFPA 921 Determining Origin and Cause (5 in a series)” video. Highlight the proper procedures that should be used to conduct a thorough fire scene examination.
Remind students of, and briefly discuss, the Fire Scene Examination Checklist located in the appendix.

17. United States Fire Administration
summary
Fire cause determination.
Application of fire investigation skills.