CCAI-70-WEB-cl
image image image image image image

SAVE THE DATE

CCAI October 21-24

Fire Investigation Training Seminar

 

Watch the video


CLICK HERE

From Out of the Abyss...

This week’s article from the past is titled Incendiary Fires Can Be Spotted and was written by Benjamin Horton, CPCU, who was President of the National Adjuster Traing School in Louisville, Kentucky..  It is taken from the Decembe 1968 Vol. XVI No.5 issue.

Incendiary Fires Can Be Spotted 

In the new issue of NFPA Journal®, President Jim Shannon said the Association will focus on the leading causes of home fires, including cooking. "We also need to continue to push hard for home fire sprinklers. That's still a large priority for NFPA, and we plan to work very aggressively in 2014 on our residential sprinkler initiative," he said.

Read more...

From the Danish Journal of Archaeology

Abstract

During excavations of the Viking-age ring fortress Borgring, Denmark, traces of a devastating fire was uncovered. The National Forensic Services of the Danish Police were invited to participate in a novel collaboration, applying contemporary forensic fire investigation to an archaeological site. This paper presents the results and sets a benchmark for future applications. The investigation leads to a revised reconstruction of the fortress and the development of the fire. The application of fire investigation methods, following the Daubert standard criteria, enhance the documentation and analysis of archaeological sites, while archaeological methods show significant potential at modern fire scenes.

Read more...

BY VYTO BABRAUSKAS

SHOCK, INJURY, OR DEATH {ELECTROCUTION) from the passage of electric current through a human body has been studied for more than a century. The level of response or injury depends on the magnitude of the current and also on the frequency, whether it is direct current (DC), power line alternating current (AC), or AC voltages of higher frequency. Some typical values are shown in Table 1.1 Children are generally more sensitive than adults; thus, guidelines often assume that a child is the person to be protected. With firefighting, however, this assumption is not reasonable. Furthermore, protection against a startle reaction is the most severe level of protection. A startle reaction is described as one in which a person jumps because of a small shock that does not injure the person. No direct electrical injury occurs because of startling; there is some hazard caused by jumping, but it is remote.

The "inability to let go" of an energized conductor that has been accidentally grabbed can cause pain and injury if the current increases to an injurious level. This is also called "muscle tetanization." Thus. Many safety requirements are based on a safety-factor-reduced value of the let-go current, even though this is quite a conservative stance. Matters are further complicated. Since individuals show variation in their responses and standards, bodies typically pick a very conservative level (often the 0.5 percentile) instead of the 50-percentile value. Physiological effects of electric current, furthermore, depend strongly on frequency. The most dangerous frequencies are the 50- or 60-Herz (Hz) power line frequencies. The human body becomes less sensitive to electric current at high frequencies.2 Dalziel3 has published a useful summary of safety guidance on electric shock.

Read more...

70th-banner

CCAI Seminar

October 21-24, 2024

 

Member $495.00 - Non-member $605.00

Click here to register in the CCAI Online Store


 The Embassy Suites Hotel

805 549-0800


Fire Investigator Academy 2024

October 2024 Training Seminar

SAVE THE DATE

CCAI October 21-24

Fire Investigation Training Seminar

 

Watch the video


CLICK HERE

Water Streams, Power Lines, and Shock: How Serious a Hazard?

BY VYTO BABRAUSKAS

SHOCK, INJURY, OR DEATH {ELECTROCUTION) from the passage of electric current through a human body has been studied for more than a century. The level of response or injury depends on the magnitude of the current and also on the frequency, whether it is direct current (DC), power line alternating current (AC), or AC voltages of higher frequency. Some typical values are shown in Table 1.1 Children are generally more sensitive than adults; thus, guidelines often assume that a child is the person to be protected. With firefighting, however, this assumption is not reasonable. Furthermore, protection against a startle reaction is the most severe level of protection. A startle reaction is described as one in which a person jumps because of a small shock that does not injure the person. No direct electrical injury occurs because of startling; there is some hazard caused by jumping, but it is remote.

The "inability to let go" of an energized conductor that has been accidentally grabbed can cause pain and injury if the current increases to an injurious level. This is also called "muscle tetanization." Thus. Many safety requirements are based on a safety-factor-reduced value of the let-go current, even though this is quite a conservative stance. Matters are further complicated. Since individuals show variation in their responses and standards, bodies typically pick a very conservative level (often the 0.5 percentile) instead of the 50-percentile value. Physiological effects of electric current, furthermore, depend strongly on frequency. The most dangerous frequencies are the 50- or 60-Herz (Hz) power line frequencies. The human body becomes less sensitive to electric current at high frequencies.2 Dalzielhas published a useful summary of safety guidance on electric shock.

Read more...

‘The Coldest Case of All’ – Fire Investigation at the Viking Age Ring Fortress of Borgring, Denmark

From the Danish Journal of Archaeology

Abstract

During excavations of the Viking-age ring fortress Borgring, Denmark, traces of a devastating fire was uncovered. The National Forensic Services of the Danish Police were invited to participate in a novel collaboration, applying contemporary forensic fire investigation to an archaeological site. This paper presents the results and sets a benchmark for future applications. The investigation leads to a revised reconstruction of the fortress and the development of the fire. The application of fire investigation methods, following the Daubert standard criteria, enhance the documentation and analysis of archaeological sites, while archaeological methods show significant potential at modern fire scenes.

Read more...

Effects of High Resistance on Electrical Receptacles

By Joe Sesniak, IAAI-CFI, IAAI-CI, CFEI, GIFireE

Loose electrical connections at screw terminals can create an increase in resistance, which
promotes development of oxide layer(s) on the affected metals and localized heating. While
the oxides are conductive (meaning the circuit will still “work”) its resistance is higher than that
of the original metals involved (NFPA 921, 2014)[1]. The nature of the heating results in a
locally high “watt density” and creates a potentially competent ignition source for proximal fuels
(DeHaan, J., Icove, D., 2012)[2].
Recent literature, including works by Benfer and Gottuk (2013)[3], Korinek and Lopez (2013)
[4] and Shea (2006)[5], provide detailed explanation of the chemical and physical processes
of oxidation (copper I and copper II oxides) and corrosion associated with high resistance
or “glowing” electrical connections. It is the visible effects of such localized high resistance
heating on the receptacle terminals, and the persistence of these effects in a post-flashover
fire environment, that are the subject of this paper.
INTRODUCTION
In this research, glowing connections were created on multiple electrical receptacles to
produce heat effects on only one line side terminal connection of each receptacle. The
purpose of this experiment was not to determine how heat effects manifest themselves on the
terminals of electrical receptacles and associated conductors. The focus of this study was to
determine whether or not the known effects persist beyond flashover at a visually perceptible
level. This information is of importance to the fire investigator in the field. The reader should
note that this work is considered preliminary. Potential variables were minimized, such as
having conductors terminated on all screw connections and having multiple receptacles with
varying loads on the same circuit. Further testing is required to evaluate the significance of
such variables. Nonetheless the results of this testing are notable.
The “heat damaged” test receptacles were installed in metal junction boxes and exposed
to a room and contents fire that transitioned through flashover. The compartment was not
instrumented. The point of origin and fuel load arrangement was selected to expose the
receptacles to varying levels and duration of heat intensity. The post-flashover persistence of
the effects of a glowing connection was subsequently visually evaluated. The intent was to
provide fire investigators a resource for the preliminary field evaluation of electrical receptacles
as a potential ignition source.

Loose electrical connections at screw terminals can create an increase in resistance, which promotes development of oxide layer(s) on the affected metals and localized heating. While the oxides are conductive (meaning the circuit will still “work”) its resistance is higher than that of the original metals involved (NFPA 921, 2014)[1]. The nature of the heating results in a locally high “watt density” and creates a potentially competent ignition source for proximal fuels(DeHaan, J., Icove, D., 2012)[2].  Recent literature, including works by Benfer and Gottuk (2013)[3], Korinek and Lopez (2013)[4] and Shea (2006)[5], provide detailed explanation of the chemical and physical processes of oxidation (copper I and copper II oxides) and corrosion associated with high resistance or “glowing” electrical connections. It is the visible effects of such localized high resistance heating on the receptacle terminals, and the persistence of these effects in a post-flashover fire environment, that are the subject of this paper.

INTRODUCTION

In this research, glowing connections were created on multiple electrical receptacles to produce heat effects on only one line side terminal connection of each receptacle. The purpose of this experiment was not to determine how heat effects manifest themselves on the terminals of electrical receptacles and associated conductors. The focus of this study was to determine whether or not the known effects persist beyond flashover at a visually perceptible level. This information is of importance to the fire investigator in the field. The reader should note that this work is considered preliminary. Potential variables were minimized, such as having conductors terminated on all screw connections and having multiple receptacles with varying loads on the same circuit. Further testing is required to evaluate the significance of such variables. Nonetheless the results of this testing are notable.The “heat damaged” test receptacles were installed in metal junction boxes and exposed to a room and contents fire that transitioned through flashover. The compartment was not instrumented. The point of origin and fuel load arrangement was selected to expose the receptacles to varying levels and duration of heat intensity. The post-flashover persistence of the effects of a glowing connection was subsequently visually evaluated. The intent was to provide fire investigators a resource for the preliminary field evaluation of electrical receptacles as a potential ignition source.

Read more...

 

More Articles...

Page 1 of 18

Start
Prev
1
Banner

Advertise Your Business Here!

 

CCAI Advertisers enjoy unprecedented exposure to professionals in the public and private sector with tens of thousands of targeted visitors each year looking to arson.org for critical information on the state of fire and arson investigation in the United States and worldwide!  

Banner ads should be formatted to 699 x 125 pixels, JPEG or animated GIF or Flash SWF, 100Kb or less. 

Annual advertising rates available.

Gold Club Members

Gold Club Sponsors
nugget_border_smaller

Titanium
~ ServiceMaster Restoration
~ Carmel Fire Protection

Platinum/Corporate
~ Bill Kilpatrick
~ Fee Investigations
~ Jeff Campbell
Forensic Fire Investigations
~ Glenn Solem
~ In Honor of Smokey
~ Scotty Baker
Peek Fire Investigations

Gold
~ 4x Forensic Engineering
~ Advanced Analysis
~ Ed Nordskog
~ Exponent
~ Dale & Jacob Feb
F.I.R.E. Associates
~ InFocus Fire Investigations
~ Terry McMahan

Silver
~ Andrew Derrick
~ George White
~ Rob Rappaport
Rappaport Consulting
nugget_border_smaller

Join CCAI Today!

Member Benefits:  

~Training in Fire/Arson
   Investigation
~Semi-Annual
  Training Seminars
~Regional Roundtable
  Meetings held
  throughout the State
~Fire Investigative Resources
~Networking between public
  and private agencies:
       Fire, Police, Insurance,
       Private Investigators,
       Attorneys
~Legal Updates
~Certification Development
~Annual Membership Card
~CCAI-CFI Program
~Field Training Exercises
~Videos on
   fire/arson investigations
~Members only area
~Attend Seminars at a
  greatly reduced rate!
~Weekly E-Newsletter

Location

1279 North White Avenue
Pomona, California 91768
Phone:  (909) 865-5004
Fax (909) 865-5024
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday - Friday

Disclaimer

This is the official website of the California Conference of Arson Investigators.

The information published on this website... more... 

 

Login