USFA Burn Pattern Tests

The first Scientific study into the formation, growth, nature and investigative analysis of post-fire patterns.

Backdraft, Flashover, and Other Rapid Fire Progression Phenomena

Rapid fire progression phenomena, such as backdraft and flashover, can result in danger to firefighters. This paper examines current research and divides these phenomena into categories based on fundamental physical and chemical processes. 

A Detailed Look at the Necked Vessel Flame Thrower Effect

In 2013 and 2014 extensive study and laboratory tests were conducted outside the scope of any specific incident or litigation. This data was combined with data collected during case specific research conducted during the previous 36 years. The study viewed and evaluated the variables in producing the “Necked Vessel Flame Thrower Effect”, including: Vessel Shape, Total Vessel Volume, Opening Diameter, Percent Filled, Pouring Rate (fast or slow), Fuel Temperature and Flashpoint, whether the opening is occluded or not, and the nature (character) of the expulsion of ignited contents.

Depth of Calcination Measurement In Fire Origin Analysis

This is a report on a research project into the practical use of measurements of depth of calcination of room-fire exposed gypsum wallboard, under actual fire scene investigation conditions, to discover and illustrate movement and intensity fire patterns for fire origin determination. The work builds on the previously published research of Posey and Posey, 1983; McGraw and Mowrer, 1999; Mowrer, 2000; and Schroeder and Williamson, 2000 and the
procedures outlined in NFPA 921.

A Fire Analysis Tool Revisited - Acoustic Soot Agglomeration in Residential Smoke Alarms.

This paper produces additional research particularly focusing on the production of acoustic soot agglomeration patterns in both ionization and photo-electric single station residential smoke alarms. Producing new test data, and combining that with previously reported data, this research work concludes that the presence or absence of acoustic soot agglomeration patterns on smoke detectors exposed to sooty smoke atmospheres was in fact a viable fire analysis tool.

Outgassing - A Phenomenon in Flash Point Testing

The importance of truly recognizing and understanding the outgassing phenomenon becomes of critical importance when ignitable liquid manufacturers use halogenated hydrocarbon liquids, such as methylene chloride, in an attempt to “inert” an otherwise flammable liquid product.

Flashpoint and Fire Analysis

Many times the flashpoint of an ignitable liquid fuel is a key consideration in fire case litigation. When fuel flammability characteristics become the main issue at the heart of litigation "materials science" comes into play. Few practitioners in the theoretical sciences posses sufficient practical knowledge of the flammability characteristics to accurately represent the true significance to a court and jury.

Fractional Vaporization of Ignitable Liquids -Flash Point and Ignitability Issues-

Explosions or flash fires have occurred under circumstances in which suspected liquid fuel does
not appear to explain the fuel source because of its high reported flash point.  In some cases, science can explain the fuel source by the application of the principal of fractional distillation. Test can reveal that perceived ignitability of the original liquid is masked or underreported in material safety data sheets, labels, warnings, and product use instructions.

Fire Pattern Persistence and Predictability on Interior Finish and Construction Materials During Pre and Post Flashover Compartment Fires.

a series of eight full scale tests were conducted in identically constructed, finished and
furnished compartments. In each of the tests with one exception all fires progressed to full room
involvement. These test burns demonstrated fire pattern persistence and predictability during pre and
post full room involvement fires. The full scale tests demonstrated that the fire patterns described in
current literature are correct and when used properly can assist in the determination of the origin of a
fire.

Fire Effects on High Efficiency Compact Fluorescent Lighting.

For years investigators have used heat distorted light bulbs to help determine the origin and intensity of fires. The purpose of this study is to establish a base of information on the effects of fire on new styles of lighting, and how the effects of fire can aid the investigator in his or her work.

Thermometry in Fire Investigation and Analysis

Understanding the Practical Use of Basic Thermometry in Fire and Explosion Investigations and Analyses

The Myths and Mysteries of NFPA 921

Misunderstandings about the nature and content of National Fire Code© NFPA 921 - Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations abound in the fire investigation industry. These “Myths and Mysteries” tend to depreciatethe value of the document. Caused by failures to understand the nature of the NFPA consensus code promulgation system, the history of the fire investigation profession, the nature and history of NFPA 921 itself; and even semantics. 

Full-Scale Room Burn Patterns Study.

Key questions to be addressed by the research
burns were: (a) patterns persistence through flashover and full room involvement, (b) reproducibility of patterns geometry in minimal variable testing methods, and (c) reaffirmation of standard patterns analysis methodologies, such as heat and flame vector analysis, depth of calcination measurement, and truncated cone patterns formation and analysis. These tests demonstrate a remarkable resemblance of patterns in minimal variable testing methods. Patterns persistence through flashover and full room involvement was observed, as well as the reproducibility of specific fire patterns, heat and flame vector analysis results, and depth of calcination measurements. In addition, several ancillary fire effects, fire patterns, and post-fire analysis issues were successfully examined.

Pioneer Hotel Report

The primary goal of this review is to identify the factors relied upon by the fire investigators in 1970 that led to the conviction of Mr. Taylor for the crime of arson. Depending upon the outcome of that review, the second goal was to provide recommendations that, if followed, would lead to the remediation of Mr. Taylor’s conviction. The third
goal was to identify the errors in the determination in the crime of arson (and classifying the fire cause as
incendiary) in order to prevent future errors.

Lithium Ion Batteries

Since their introduction, there have been many fire and explosion incidents where LI cell or batteries were involved. Sometimes the batteries were the source of ignition and sometime even the source of the fuel. In some cases, however, the batteries were victims of the fire. Determining the order of events is not always easy. Proper understanding of battery fundamentals, and investigation methodology when dealing with lithium-ion technology, is crucial to making the correct determination.

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