Vehicle Fire Investigation

1. Vehicle Fire Investigation

2. Introduction • This presentation will address the trials and tribulations of vehicle fire investigation • The presenter is Steve Mackaig from Fire Cause Analysis located in California. Don’t hold that against him.

3. How’s the National Vehicle Fire Loss Picture? Approximately 285,000 vehicle fires occur per year, 75% of vehicle fires are motor vehicles. Vehicle fires result in 330 deaths, 1400 injuries and 692 million in Damage 83 PERCENT ARE CLASSIFIED AS ACCIDENTIAL

4. Our Topics for Discussion and Debate • Vehicle fire investigation popularity • How is the vehicle fire cause determined? • The field formula of vehicle fire cause • Understanding vehicle systems • Indicators of vehicle system failure • Methodology of a physical fire cause examination • Subrogation • Vehicle arson

5. Suggested Reading • Investigation of Motor Vehicle Fires, Lee S. Cole • Kirk’s Fire Investigation, John Dehaan • NFPA 921, 2011 edition

6. Who Enjoys Vehicle Fire Investigation? • It appears to be the least popular form of fire cause investigation • WHY?

7. Who is Initially Determining the Cause of Most Vehicle Fires?

10. Private Fire Investigators • Different scope of responsibility • Uses same process of fire cause determination but long after extinguishment • Limited power to pursue arson • Suspected arsonist may also be client of insurance company • More time and resources for accidental fire causes

11. Determining Fire CauseYou Can Choose: • The wheel of fire origin or • Flip a coin or • You can use burn patterns and fire behavior indicators in an organized, safe and scientific approach.

12. Landmark Cases such as Dauberthave Challenged Fire ExpertsMethodology

13. What is the most internationally excepted Guideline text in Fire Investigation? National Fire Protection Association 921 Guide For Fire and Explosion Investigations 2011 Edition Chapter 25 Motor Vehicles

14. Use a Fire Determination Process that is Considered a Systematic Approach The Scientific Method is considered a reliable contemporary Systematic Approach

15. Scientific Method • Recognize The Need ( fire occurs) • Define The Problem ( requires fire cause Investigation) • Collect Data ( facts and indictors) • Analyze Data ( inductive reasoning) • Develop an Hypothesis ( cause opinion) • Test Hypothesis ( what didn’t cause the fire ) • Select Final Hypothesis ( Fire Cause Opinion)

16. Burning Modern Vehicles Are Influenced by • Composites • Unlimited air supply and wind influence • Preheated components • Fuel and oil sources under pressure • Large amount of plastics and rubber

17. The Basic Rule of Thumb in identifying the Area of Origin is: • The area of origin is identified as the area of most severe damage and the lowest level of severe damage. • Accidental fires tend to start and develop slowly while arson fires are associated to rapid fire start and spread. • What is it about modern vehicles that can potentially screw up this basic theory?

18. Burn patterns and physical indicators on the vehicle provides the clues of fire cause & origin. • Unfortunately, the amount of fire damage is proportional to the amount of indicators or clues that remain after the fire.

20. Fire fighting activities Salvage activities Towing activities Condition of night time Wet surfaces Standing water, foam or snow Factors that effect your indicators

21. Once You Have Identified The Area of Fire Origin • Identify all potential ignition sources • Identify all potential fuel sources • Systematically rule out unrelated fire causes • Challenge your own opinion

22. Additional Information that can be valuable in determining the fire cause: • Events prior to the fire • Vehicle history and use • Mechanical and recall data research

23. Formula For Fire Cause HEAT EVENT FUEL

24. The First Step • Fire typically originates in the area of most severe damage • Burn patterns on the body reveal direction of fire travel, fire exposure and liquid patterns • Heat naturally rises and flammable liquids flow to the lower areas.

25. Work towards area greatest damage comparing surfaces and the various levels of damage.

26. Consider the probabilities Where do you think the most common place for a accidental fire to occur is? Where do you think arson is the most common?

27. Document your investigation as you proceed • Compare the 5 compartments between each other • Compare damage within each compartment • Photograph before and after debris removal • Recommend using photo procedure that parallels inspection

28. Methods of Documentation • Digital Camera • Video • sketching

29. Systematically rule out unrelated fire causes • Potentials include fuel, lubrication, electrical, friction, heat exposure, smoking materials, open flame sources

30. Potential follow up issues • Manufactures defects • Recent repairs • Fluid analysis • Component analysis • Dealer survey, mechanic inquiry & parts department resources • Exemplar vehicle

31. Let’s examine the 3 elements of fire cause • First is fuel sources • Gasoline • Diesel fuel • Propane • Power steering fluid • Transmission oil • Gear oil • Anti freeze • Air conditioning refrigerant • Wet cell batteries

32. Heat ignition sources • Engine surface heat • Exhaust system-pipes, manifolds & mufflers • Friction-brake pads, bearings & tires • Electrical system-resistance heating, dead short & energized ground • Smoking materials • Intentional fire setting

33. Events • Was vehicle operating • System failure potential after parking • Pre-fire activities and indicators • Pre-fire conditions such as weather, road grade, towing, turning accessory use

34. Fire behaviors • Fuel system failure is typically rapid flame onset • Lubricating oil on the exhaust system create lots of white smoke while the vehicle is moving, but no flaming combustion why? • Electrical fires typically develop from a slow, smoldering state

35. Vehicle Component Analysis • To accurately evaluate accidental fire causes requires a basic understanding of vehicle systems • It has been my experience that arson determined fires are typically countered with accidental causes so prepare by learning accidental causes.

36. Carburetors • Common in vehicles up to 1975 • Typically in 2 or 4 barrel configuration • 2 to 6 pounds of fuel pressure • FAILURE POTENTIAL- • Gasket & seal leakage, improper adjustment • Backfires

38. Fuel Injection • Fuel is injected into each cylinder by use of a mechanical pump, air pump or electric signal • Because of normal system pressure, leakage is typically in the form of a spray at 30-40 pounds per square inch. • Immediate fire, black smoke, rapid spread

40. Fuel injection failure potential • Leakage at the rubber seals • Leakage where fuel distribution rail connects to injectors • Leakage at Schrader valve • Leakage at fuel hose connections • Fuel hose side wall • System pressure spike • Plastic failure from heat, pressure and vibration

41. Indicators of fuel system failures • Severe fire damage in the area of origin • Area of origin houses fuel system components with leakage potential • Origin surfaces are burned cleaned and brightly discolored • Liquid stains and evidence of fuel wash • Fire start described as immediate • Fire described as explosion • Fire occurs during start up • Engine operation is disrupted as fire is discovered