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Investigations with TCFP Guidance.
A Latest Updated Exam Study Guide Current
Edition 2025/
Is NFPA 921 a guide or a standard? - ansIt is the Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations What are the six steps of the scientific method? - ansRecognize 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? - ansAnalyze the data What step of the scientific method is deductive reasoning? - ansTest the hypothesis What are the four parts of the fire tetrahedron? - ansFuel (reducing agent) Heat Oxidizing agent Uninhibited chemical chain reaction What kind of reaction absorbs energy, an endothermic or an exothermic reaction? - ansEndothermic What is heat transfer by direct contact called? - ansConduction What is heat transfer by gas flow / air movement called? - ansConvection What is heat transfer by microwave energy called? - ansRadiation What is a fuel controlled fire? - ansA fire that is limited by the amount of combustibles. What is a ventilation controlled fire? - ansA fire that is limited by the amount of oxygen. What are the stages of fire growth? - ansIgnition Growth Flashover Fully Developed Decay What is a flashover? - ansThe 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? - ansFlameover or rollover What factors influence flashover conditions? - ansSize of the compartment Height of ceiling
Investigations with TCFP Guidance.
A Latest Updated Exam Study Guide Current
Edition 2025/
Ventilation Amount of fuel Layout of fuel Location of fire in the compartment What are fire patterns? - ansThe physical manifestation of the affects of fire on materials. What are the different types of fire patterns on the walls and ceiling? - ansPlume Generated patterns (often V shaped) Ventilation generated patterns Hot gas layer patterns (Line of demarcation) What is spalling? - ansThe 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? - ansPyrolized carbonaceous material What is oxidation? - ansPhysical change in appearance of a material resulting from the combination of oxygen. What is alloying? - ansMixing two metals heated then cooled to change their properties. Often melts at a lower temperature. What is a clean burn? - ansWhen 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? - ansElemental carbon produced during incomplete combustion. What is calcination? - ansWhen 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? - ansBulbs 25 watts or less pull away. Bulbs greater than 25 watts will expand towards the fire. What causes heat shadowing? - ansAn object blocking the travel of radiated heat. What is a dead load? - ansThe weight of things attached to the building, like flooring, cloumns, and roof coverings. What is a live load? - ansA load that can move, like people, furniture, wind, water, and snow. What is compartmentation? - ansDesign features of a building that limit fire growth to the room of origin. What are the five building construction types? - ansType I - Fire resistant Type II - Non combustible Type III - Ordinary Type IV - Heavy timber
Investigations with TCFP Guidance.
A Latest Updated Exam Study Guide Current
Edition 2025/
Short circuit Ground fault Parting Arc Excessive current What is the difference between and arc and a spark? - ansSparks are thrown metal particles Arcs are brief discharges of electricity What is arc tracking? - ansArc following salts, dusts, or liquids along a path. What is arc mapping? - ansMapping out of electrical damage in a circuit. What is static electricity? - ansA 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? - ansA 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: - ansLP (liquid petroleum) Natural gas What is the difference between tanks and cylinders for LP gas? - ansTanks: storage with greater than 1000 LBs water capacity. Cylinder: Portable, usually consumer. What are some human factors related to fire initiation in a structure? - ansImproper 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? - ansChild 2-6, curiosity
Investigations with TCFP Guidance.
A Latest Updated Exam Study Guide Current
Edition 2025/
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? - ansConsent Exigent Circumstance Administrative Search warrant Criminal search warrant What are the four rules of the Miranda warning? - ansRight 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? - ansThe loss or destruction of an object or document that is evidence What is demonstrative evidence? - ansAny tangible evidence that you can touch, feel, see, or smell. Any evidence that is tangible (physical). What is documentary evidence? - ansWritten reports or documents relevant to the case. What is Testimonial evidence? - ansVerbal testimony of witnesses Fact witness VS Expert witness - ansFact witness can only testify observations and statements of fact. Expert witness may testify their opinion. Daubert Rule considerations: - ansCan 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? - ansCausing 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? - ansAbsorption (surface of skin)
Investigations with TCFP Guidance.
A Latest Updated Exam Study Guide Current
Edition 2025/
Cloth, paper, cardboard Seams, tears, cracks Edges of burn patterns Floor drains How much space can you fill up in an evidence can? - ans2/3 of the can What data should be included with the evidence? - ansDate and time Case # Location Brief description Name of investigator What is the difference between Gas chromatography and Mass spectrometry? - ansGC seperates mixtures into their individual components MS further analyzes the individual components What is the point of origin? - ansExact physical location where a heat source and fuel come together and a fire begins. What is the area of origin? - ansThe room or area where the fire began Recommended procedure for origin determination: - ansPreliminary 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? - ansOne 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? - ansIgnition source Fuel first ignited Oxidizer present
Investigations with TCFP Guidance.
A Latest Updated Exam Study Guide Current
Edition 2025/
Ignition sequence Four features of the investigation: - ansCause of fire or explosion Cause of damage to property Cause of bodily injury / loss of life Degree to which human fault contributed Four classifications of cause: - ansAccidental Natural Incendiary Undetermined Should a fire ever be classified as "suspicious?" - ansNo. Suspicious is not an appropriate term to describe the unexplained. What is failure analysis? - ansA logical, systematic examination of an item, component, assembly, or structure and it splace and function within a system, conducted to identify and analyze the probability, causes, and consequences of potential and real failures. What are hard times? - ansIncidents with a known exact time. These include dispatch times and other documented times. What are soft times? - ansWitness statements with approximate times, other observations with approximations. What are benchmark events? - ansThe foundation of the timeline. Includes events related to cause, spread, detection, or extinguishment of the fire. Micro VS Macro times: - ansMacro can be as far as months or years before the fire, and Micro are small and narrow parts of the timeline. What does FMEA stand for? - ansFailure Mode and Effects Analysis - a graphical method or technique used to determine causes and effects leading to the fire. Similar to Fault trees. Mathmatical and Engineering models for fire investigation: - ansHeat Transfer models Flammable gas Concentrations Hydraulic Analysis (sprinkler failure) Structural analysis Egress analysis Fire dynamis (fire growth) What is a BLEVE? - ansBoiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion What are the basic types of explosions? - ansMechanical
Investigations with TCFP Guidance.
A Latest Updated Exam Study Guide Current
Edition 2025/
Fires near service equipment and appliances Removal/Replacement of contents prior to fire Blocked entry Sabotage to the structure or fire protection Opening windows and exterior doors What are some Evidentiary factors to consider? - ansGeographical (clusters) Temporal frequency Materials and methods (using the same firesetting method) Financial stress History of code violations Fires at additional properties, same owner Overinsured property What are some timed opportunities? - ansNatural conditions (flood, hurricains, etc) Civil unrest Fire Dept unvailible What are motives for firesetting? - ansVandalism Excitement Revenge Crime Concealment Profit Extremism Carbon monoxide poisining causes what color of the skin? - ansCherry-pink What are the different degrees of burns? - ans1st degree, reddening of the skin 2nd degree, blistering
Investigations with TCFP Guidance.
A Latest Updated Exam Study Guide Current
Edition 2025/
3rd degree, full-thickness damage to skin 4th degree, damage to fat/muscle and charring of tissue What should you document on an appliance in the area of origin? - ansControls Bonding/grounding Position of moving parts Clocks Power supply Fuel supply (gas) What identifying info should you get for each appliance? - ansManufacturer Model Number Serial Number Date of manufature Name of product Warnings Recommendations What is an exemplar? - ansA duplicate object, such as an appliance, obtained for testing purposes. Types of heat cutoff devices: - ansFluid pressure Bimetal Expanding metal Melting Motion switch (tip over) What do fluorescent lights and HID lights have in common? - ansThey all have ballasts, which can fail and cause a fire. What are ignition sources in vehicles? - ansOpen flames (backfire)
Investigations with TCFP Guidance.
A Latest Updated Exam Study Guide Current
Edition 2025/
Fireworks Controlled burn Vehicles Railroad What are some search patterns? - ansGrid Spiral Strip Area What are some ways to identify a boat? - ansHull Identification Number (HIN) Registration numbers US Coast Guard documentation numbers Boat name and hailing port What are some common ignition sources on a boat? - ansOpen flames Electrical faults / overloads Mechanical (bearings, friction) Hot surfaces (exhaust, cooking, heating) Boats that are powered by gasoline have similar fuel systems to cars. What are the two main gasoline fuel systems? - ansHigh pressure - fuel injected Lower pressure - carbuerated ALSO: Some boats are diesel, or even electric ONLY What are some cooking fuels found on boats? - ansLPG CNG Solid fuels
Investigations with TCFP Guidance.
A Latest Updated Exam Study Guide Current
Edition 2025/
Alcohol Diesel What are sources of electrical energy on boats? - ansBatteries Inverters Shore power What are some basic safety concerns when working on a boat? - ansConfined spaces Airborn particles Fuel leaks Electricity Stability What are some basic concerns for complex investigations? - ansTransportation Equipment Security Decon Environmental Communications Sanitation Trash removal Snow & Ice Lighting Evidence storage What are two natural causes of wildfires? - ansLighting Spontaneous heating What are some human causes of wildfires? - ansCampsite
Investigations with TCFP Guidance.
A Latest Updated Exam Study Guide Current
Edition 2025/
Roots Leaves Grass Dead wood Low brush What are some aerial fuels? - ansTree crowns Snags Moss High brush What are some fuel systems in vehicles? - ansGas - low pressure or high pressure, carb or fuel injected Diesel CNG/LPG Name some ignition sources in cars: - ansOpen flames Electrical problems Hot surfaces (exhaust, turbocharger) Mechanical sparks Smoking What is the difference between combustible liquids and flammable liquids? - ansCombustible = flash point above 100 F Flammable = Flash point below 100 F Name some residential appliances that can cause a fire: - ansOven Coffee maker Toaster Can opener
Investigations with TCFP Guidance.
A Latest Updated Exam Study Guide Current
Edition 2025/
Refrigerator Dishwasher Microwave Space heater Electric blanket Air conditioner Hair dryer Iron Dryer Lighting What is an exemplar? - ansIt is an example / exact copy of the product or item burned in the fire. It is for testing purposes. What are some different explosion related injuries? - ansBlast pressure Shrapnel Thermal (burns) Seismic effect injuries (building collapse) What are the degrees of burns? - ansFirst, red skin Second, blisters Third, full thickness - burns all the way through the skin Fourth, charring of underlying tissue like muscle and fat What are methods of death in a fire? - ansCO poisoning Hyperthermia (heat) Inhalation of hot gases Other toxins / soot / smoke
Investigations with TCFP Guidance.
A Latest Updated Exam Study Guide Current
Edition 2025/
Destruction of documents What is extremism firesetting? - ansTerrorism Riots or civil distrurbance What are some things to examine in multiple confirmed incendiary fires? - ansGeographic area Temporal frequency (time) Materials & Method of firesetting What are some indicators of incendiary fires? - ansEvidence of other crimes (crime concealment) Indicators of financial stress History of code violations Owner with multiple fires Over insurance Timed oppportunity (civil unrest, natural disaster) Other indicators that a fire is incendiary: - ansRemote locations Fire near service equipment / appliances Removal or replacement of contents prior to fire Entry blocked Sabotage of fire protection systems Multiple Fires Trailers Lack of fuel load / ignition sources Exotic accelerants Unsual fuel load burn injuries
Investigations with TCFP Guidance.
A Latest Updated Exam Study Guide Current
Edition 2025/
Incendiary devices What is the difference between low order and high order explosions? - ansLow order = less than the speed of sound, pushing / bulging damage, slow pressure rise High order = faster than the speed of sound, breaking / shattering, long range missiles, rapid pressure rise What is a seated explosion? - ansSeated explosions have a blast crater in the center of the explosion. Generally caused by high explosives like TNT, PETN, RDX, ANFO. Non seated explosions are caused by dispersed fuel gases and dusts. They do not cause a blast crater. What can cause a non-seated explosion? - ansFuel gases Pooling of flammable liquids Dusts Backdraft What does BLEVE stand for? - ansBoiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion What are the different basic types of explosions? - ansMechanical BLEVE Chemical Combustion Electrical Nuclear What are the parts of a investigation timeline? - ansHard times Soft times Benchmark events Describe some causes of injury or loss of life: - ansToxicity HazMat
