Powers and Fire

Question 1

Natural Causes of Fire

Answer 1

• Sun’s rays
• Lightning
• Static electricity
• Rodents eating through wiring or making nests out of flammable material
• Spontaneous combustion and ignition of things like hay or wool, turpentine or paint, dust in factories

Question 2

Powers of Fire Service Staff

Answer 2

S28 Fire Service Act 1975

• Enter private property when it is on fire or endangered or when entry is essential to perform a a necessary duty
• Close roads
• Remove vehicles impeding the fire service. Can break into the vehicles for that purpose
• Remove people who are in danger or interfering with operations, using reasonable force if necessary
• Do anything else that is reasonably necessary for the protection of life and property

Fire service can call upon Police to exercise these powers

Question 3

Incendiary and Explosive Devices

Answer 3

• Candles
• Chemical Ignitors
• Electrical apparatus
• Electric matches
• Matches and cigarettes
• Molotov Cocktails
• Timing devices
• Trailers

Question 4

Effect of Fire on:
Timber
Steel 
Concrete
Masonry

Answer 4

Timber - Burn and char

Steel - Expand and eventually collapse

Concrete - Spalling (break away at surface), expose steel reinforcing, subject to collapse

Masonry - Weaken the mortar, expand, collapse

Question 5

Fire

Answer 5

Process of combustion, chemical reaction between fuel and oxygen, triggered by heat.

Question 6

Point of Origin

Answer 6

Exact location at which:

• A component failed
• A fire was maliciously lit
• An accidental fire originated

Question 7

Difference between Gas Explosion and Explosives

Answer 7

Explosions caused by gas generally cover a wider area than those caused by explosives, and they do not leave a crater.

Lighter-than-air gases such as hydrogen will create an outward blow at the top of a wall, whereas heavier-than-air gases blow out at the bottom of a wall.

There are a number of other tell-tale signs, such as the implosion of cabinets, which will be obvious to the expert.

Question 8

Providing explosives to commit an offence

Section, elements

Answer 8

S272 CA61

Everyone is liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 2 years who knowingly has in his or her possession or makes any explosive substance, dangerous engine, instrument or thing, with intent to enable another person to use the substance, dangerous engine, instrument or thing to commit an offence

Question 9

Building explosive - what must prosecution prove?

R v Hallam

Answer 9

R v Hallam

On a charge of knowingly having possession of an explosive substance, it must be proved that the offender knowingly had the substance in his possession and also that he knew it to be an explosive substance.