Fire Investigator - Master for TCFP Full Test Bank/2022 TCFP Possible Questions and Answers

Fire Investigator - Master for TCFP Full Test Bank/2022 TCFP Possible Questions and Answers Is NFPA 921 a guide or a standard? It is the Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations What are the six steps of the scientific method? Recognize the need Define the problem Collect the data Analyze the data Develop a hypothesis Test the hypothesis What step of the scientific method is inductive reasoning? Analyze the data What step of the scientific method is deductive reasoning? Test the hypothesis What are the four parts of the fire tetrahedron? Fuel (reducing agent) Heat Oxidizing agent Uninhibited chemical chain reaction What kind of reaction absorbs energy, an endothermic or an exothermic reaction? Endothermic What is heat transfer by direct contact called? Conduction What is heat transfer by gas flow / air movement called? Convection What is heat transfer by microwave energy called? Radiation What is a fuel controlled fire? A fire that is limited by the amount of combustibles. What is a ventilation controlled fire? A fire that is limited by the amount of oxygen. What are the stages of fire growth? Ignition Growth Flashover Fully Developed Decay What is a flashover? The transition phase from growth to fully developed, where all surfaces reach ignition temperature almost simultaneously. What is ignition of the underside of the hot gas layer called? Flameover or rollover What factors influence flashover conditions? Size of the compartment Height of ceiling Ventilation Amount of fuel Layout of fuel Location of fire in the compartment What are fire patterns? The physical manifestation of the affects of fire on materials. What are the different types of fire patterns on the walls and ceiling? Plume Generated patterns (often V shaped) Ventilation generated patterns Hot gas layer patterns (Line of demarcation) What is spalling? The separation of chunks of concrete with explosive force caused by the expansion of water (moisture) trapped in the concrete as it turns to steam What is char? Pyrolized carbonaceous material What is oxidation? Physical change in appearance of a material resulting from the combination of oxygen. What is alloying? Mixing two metals heated then cooled to change their properties. Often melts at a lower temperature. What is a clean burn? When there was enough heat to burn away all carbon deposits (soot) on a surface leaving a "clean" surface. Occurs on non-combustible surfaces. What is soot? Elemental carbon produced during incomplete combustion. What is calcination? When chemically bound water is driven out of gypsum walls by the heat of the fire. Does a 25 Watt light bulb expand towards the fire or pull inward away from it? Bulbs 25 watts or less pull away. Bulbs greater than 25 watts will expand towards the fire. What causes heat shadowing? An object blocking the travel of radiated heat. What is a dead load? The weight of things attached to the building, like flooring, cloumns, and roof coverings. What is a live load? A load that can move, like people, furniture, wind, water, and snow. What is compartmentation? Design features of a building that limit fire growth to the room of origin. What are the five building construction types? Type I - Fire resistant Type II - Non combustible Type III - Ordinary Type IV - Heavy timber Type V - Wood frame What is ordinary construction? Exterior walls are masonry and frame is wood. What is wood frame construction? Lightweight wood construction, used in apartments, houses. What is platform frame construction? Each floor is a seperate platform. What is balloon frame construction? The wall studs extend from the foundation to the roof. What is Ohm's Law? V=IR (E = I x R) What is voltage? Pressure What is current? Flow What is resistance? Friction, opposition to the flow What is an overload? Power needs exceed the circuit's capacity. Alternating Current VS Direct Current Alternating current - the electrons flow out from the source and then back to it, alternating directions. Direct current - electrons flow one way. Single Phase service Residential. Three conductors: Two insulated conductors at 120 V each, and a bare ground wire. Three phase system Commercial. Four conductors: Three insulated conductors (480, 240, or 208 V), and a bare ground wire. What is the difference between grounding and bonding? Grounding connects the system to the earth (ground). Bonding connects to systems together so the charge stays the same between them. What is overcurrent protection? A device that protects the system from excess current. Includes: Circuit breakers Plug fuses Type S fuses Time delay fuses Cartridge fuses What are the colors of residential wires? Hot - black or red Neutral - gray or white Ground - bare or green What are some methods of electrical heat production? Resistance heating Short circuit Ground fault Parting Arc Excessive current What is the difference between and arc and a spark? Sparks are thrown metal particles Arcs are brief discharges of electricity What is arc tracking? Arc following salts, dusts, or liquids along a path. What is arc mapping? Mapping out of electrical damage in a circuit. What is static electricity? A stationary charge caused by movement of one object against another. Lighting is a static disharge. What are the five conditions nessecery for Static Arc Ignition? A Means of static generation A means of accumulating and maintaining the charge A static discharge with sufficient energy A fuel source Coexistence of the arc and fuel source Name two fuel gasses: LP (liquid petroleum) Natural gas What is the difference between tanks and cylinders for LP gas? Tanks: storage with greater than 1000 LBs water capacity. Cylinder: Portable, usually consumer. What are some human factors related to fire initiation in a structure? Improper maintenance and operation Housekeeping Product labels, warnings, and instructions Recalls Violations of fire safety codes and standards What are the age groups and types of child firesetters? Child 2-6, curiosity Juvenile 7-13, psychological or emotional problem Adolescent 14-16, stress, anger, or other psychological or emotional problems What are the four ways of right of entry? Consent Exigent Circumstance Administrative Search warrant Criminal search warrant What are the four rules of the Miranda warning? Right to remain silent Any statement can be used against you Right to an attorney Right to have an attorney appointed if you can't afford one - Sixth Amendment What is spoliation? The loss or destruction of an object or document that is evidence What is demonstrative evidence? Any tangible evidence that you can touch, feel, see, or smell. Any evidence that is tangible (physical). What is documentary evidence? Written reports or documents relevant to the case. What is Testimonial evidence? Verbal testimony of witnesses Fact witness VS Expert witness Fact witness can only testify observations and statements of fact. Expert witness may testify their opinion. Daubert Rule considerations: Can the theory or technique be tested? Has the theory or technique been peer-reviewed and published? Is there a known or potential rate of error? Has it gained general acceptance in the expert's field? What is Arson? Causing unlawful and intentional damage, by fire or explosion, to structures, vehicles, and personal property. What are four ways you can be exposed to chemical hazards? Absorption (surface of skin) Inhalation Ingestion Injection Should you investigate a fire alone or in pairs? In pairs What are some Basic Investigation Assignments for personnel? Photography Note Taking Mapping Diagramming Interviewing Witnesses Evidence Collection What are some ways to document a scene? Photographs Video Notes Drawings (sketches) What items can cause cross-contamination at a scene? Tools Gear (boots, gloves, etc) Evidence Cans Other emergency equipment Characteristics of evidence: Physical state: Solid, liquid, gas Characteristics: Size, shape, weight Fragility: Will it disintegrate or break? Volatility: Will it evaporate? What is an accelerant? Any substance used to initiate or promote fire spread. What are the most desireable collection areas for liquid accelerants? Lowest areas Samples of porous or fiberous material Cloth, paper, cardboard Seams, tears, cracks Edges of burn patterns Floor drains How much space can you fill up in an evidence can? 2/3 of the can What data should be included with the evidence? Date and time Case # Location Brief description Name of investigator What is the difference between Gas chromatography and Mass spectrometry? GC seperates mixtures into their individual components MS further analyzes the individual components What is the point of origin? Exact physical location where a heat source and fuel come together and a fire begins. What is the area of origin? The room or area where the fire began Recommended procedure for origin determination: Preliminary scene assessment Preliminary fire spread scenario development In-depth exterior examination In-depth interior examination Fire scene reconstruction Fire spread scenario report What is a competent ignition source? One that has sufficient energy, temperature, and time to raise the first fuel to its ignition temperature. What are the four elements of determining a fire cause? Ignition source Fuel first ignited Oxidizer present Ignition sequence