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A magnificent 50% off! This package features every Fire Findings' article published through Vol. 18, No. 1 a bonanza of 68 issues. A must for every fire library.
Start your Fire Findings' library with a one-year subscription and a binder system (includes custom red binder, 20 protectors to hold your FF issues and the 16-year cross-referenced index).
INTL ORDERS ONLY: POSTAGE/HANDLING EXTRA FOR BINDER.
Electric baseboard heaters are not always the fire cause culprits. How smoke detectors work and why they may not work. Operating temperatures of an electric iron. Electrical receptacles not in use can cause fires. Special Report: gas water heater fires and how a safety shutoff works. Kitchen fires: It pays to know what's cooking.
Delayed ignition device: Do you have one in your home? Burn speed tests produce surprising results. Consumer Product Safety Act mandates hazard reporting. How hot light bulbs get. Special Report: residential gas regulators. Radiating fins in baseboard heaters key to uncovering failure. On-scene checklist.
Bimetal is vital part of an appliance's control system. Does a curling iron get hot enough to ignite? Determine yourself if a circuit breaker tripped. Avoid cross contamination with easy-to-use methods. Special Report: portable kerosene heaters. Pop-Tartsฎ fuel faulty toasters and produce burning results.
Exterior electrical exams: Important aspect of fire scene exam WAAS-enabled GPS receives may have applications for larger fire-scene work Operating temperatures of a multi-cooker (countertop deep-fat fryer) Input for 2004 edition of NFPA 921 due soon Special Report: Forced Entry Kirk's author, John DeHaan, adds to V-pattern discussion (excerpt of new edition also included)
Bystander videos: Using them intelligently may strengthen your investigations Knob-and-tube wiring installations: how they work Toaster oven operating temperatures and hazards NFPA 921: Depth of char analysis Special Report: Candle Fires Update Part I: Water heater testing varying the air supply
Circuit breaker tripping: magnetic field or temperture rise yields different breaker trip times With the flick of a cigarette, floral arrangments are set afire FryDaddy (electric deep fryer) operating temperatures NFPA 921: Incendiary indicators ("too hot," "too fast" not among those listed) Special Report: gas regulator lock-ups plus how to test regulator pressure Overcurrent testing: small temp increases fail to damage conductors, let alone create fire-causing conditions.
Furnace ignition systems: High-efficiency technology brings variances among manufacturers NFPA 921: Working with the scientific method a basic tool of today's investigations Operating temperatures of the George Foreman "Lean Mean Fat Reducing Grilling Machine" How it Works: A gas shutoff valve leaks after the fire here's why Special Report: Ignitable Liquid Classification Update (ASTM International E 1387 and E 1618) Prevailing winds: Structures can significantly block or alter wind direction
Masonry fireplaces: Improper construction years ago may lead to fires today Occupational health and safety: Risks still present after fire extinguishment Roof de-icing cable requires extra care (operating temperatures test) Look for fuel gas as an influence on fire development or as a cause Special Report: electric blanket fires (Part I) + how to handle, preserve crucial components How the mechanical electric meter works
Electric blanket fires common failures (Part II) Updated curriculum vitae (CV) essential part of being an expert witness Salamander heater (portable forced-air heater) operating temperatures NFPA 921: evaluating low burn patterns Special Report: aerosols and fire science Identifying the age, manufacturer of burned "mystery" appliances
Indicators of insurance fraud Ignition Handbook by Vytenis Babrauskas Heating pad comparisons and operating temperatures Southwest Mobile Storage burn chamber Special Report: Neon lighting fires Tripped circuit breakers after a fire: what they mean
Attorney questionnaire: Investigators should evaluate cases honestly and prepare totally Language Line Services: interpreter services How Hot Does it Get? Incandescent nightlight ATF National Laboratory Center Special Report: Juvenile firesetting NFPA 921: surface effect statement
Voltage required to cause arcs and sparks LP-gas tank top heater operating temperatures NFPA 921: User's Manual premieres Special Report: methamphetamine lab fires Alarm systems: gaining crucial info after a fire
NFPA 921: Preparation for 2007 edition starts plus proposal-writing tips Case study: Keep the gas grill clean and off a wood deck (blocked venturi tubes leading to fires) How it Works: gas grill igniter Hair straightener operating temperatures Special Report: clues from smoke stains and soot Poor housekeeping out of control: hoarders' collections and the risk of fire
Researching marine fires: Electrical failures and overheating top insurer's fire-cause list. Minutiae of fire investigation: What wall covering was in use? Dishwasher heating element's operating temperatures Special Report: metallurgy and origin/cause NFPA 921: 2004 edition arrives with important changes.
Gas water heaters and new flammable vapor ignition resistant (FVIR) technology Assessing human factors in product design Special Report: electric space heaters Using building features to evaluate burn patterns (Fire Scene Reconstruction, book excerpt) Testing Molotov cocktails for DNA
Electric space heaters (Part II): Clues to determining if this appliance caused a fire CPSC seeking electrical panelboards and receptacles involved in fires Melted fluorescent light bulb and recall of them Special Report: Protocol primer Using pre-fire photographs to capture essence of burned structures
Toxicology primer for fire investigators NFPA 921: tracking changes from edition to edition Propane torch operating temperatures How it Works: hot surface igniters for gas ovens Special Report: basics of arc mapping Inspecting ground-fault protection (GFP) devices after a fire
Careful exterior inspection can aid determination process How a power-vent water heater works New column premieres: What's Inside -- this issue we cover wall-mounted thermostats NFPA 921: The case of the overdriven or misdriven staple Special Report: fluorescent lighting (Part I) Conductors 101: Learning properties and sizing techniques can help identify device, maker
Electrostatic pinholing: Charge buildup in PE pipe may lead to gas leaks, ignition How it Works: dehumidifier What's Inside: microwave magnetron NFPA 921 and confirmed incendiary fires: Serial arson clues may lie in other types of fires Special Report: fluorescent lighting (Part II) Sketching: A valuable took if done early in an investigation
A matter of inches: Slight changes in variables make a difference in resulting test fires How instant-demand (tankless) water heaters work Wire nuts, aka pressure-type wire connectors, are tiny parts that perform a big job in any wiring project Special Report: high-efficiency gas furnaces When flame-rollout leads to fires
Fire Findings moving its offices, testing and seminar facilities What's Inside: Bakelite still recognizable after a fire How it Works: Multitude of receptacle grades available, but U.S. specifies few straight blade grades Special Report: Clues to identifying remains Returning to the scene: Preparation is key to making good use of time Editor's Note: Daubert and dinosaurs
Aging a house: Knowledge of materials may help determine decade of construction Video surveillance camera: Technology advancements make canvassing efforts worthwhile What's Inside: Infinite control switch NFPA 921: Fire-related human behavior Special Report: Origin determination primer How it Works: Spa systems
Manufactured fireplaces: Installation instructions more complicated than you think What's Inside: oxygen depletion sensor Investigating Residential Dryer Fires: April 2007 symposium Special Report: cell phone evidence Using heavy equipment at the scene
Part I: The Testifying Investigator - Consideration of litigation begins at the scene NFPA 921: Committee issues proposal report What's Inside: Mechanical timer controls operation of appliance Phantom power: devices turned "off" may create fire hazards Special Report: Interviewing occupants (Part I) How it Works: Battery chargers
Unvented logs can lead to soot problems Part II: The Testifying Investigator - Knowing what and when to report is central part of investigative process What's Inside: Bias thermostat makes lower temperature possible in a clothes dryer Special Report: Dishwasher fires Interviewing occupants (Part II)
Cigarette fires in fabrics: After 500 tests, results may be difficult to fathom States step up to enact "fire-safe" cigarette legislation NFPA 921: Wildfire chapter applies to more than wildland fires What's Inside: incandescent and halogen bulbs DeHaan makes substantive changes to new edition of Kirk's Fire Investigation Special Report: Arc mapping follow up How It Works: air conditioning systems
Taking on the challenge of group fire scene exams and tips for streamlining inspections NFPA 921: Low burn not proof of an incendiary fire What's Inside: excess flow valve Smoke Characterization Project and the significance behind the findings for fire investigators Special Report: cellulose insulation tests How it Works: capillary tube thermostat
The effects of Daubert: Experts must protect reputations and financial interests When wiring is an issue, arm yourself with knowledge What's Inside: the basic box or pedestal fan Type of mulch and lighting may be important to scene exam Special Report: Apartment / condominium fires Case study: Can a high resistance connection lead to afire even after a load is removed?
Gasoline vapor testing: What makes a competent ignition source? Residential Electricity for Fire Investigators: New Fire Findings seminar makes debut What's Inside: capacitor motor NFPA 921: Addition of guidelines could improve interviewing section Special Report: smoke alarm evaluations Case study: The Missing Firebox
Unfused lines at the service entrance make for potential ignition source Compact fluorescent lights warrant caution in some instances NFPA 921: Changes to origin determination chapter may have impact Special Report: cooktop control analysis How It Works: Today's notes make tomorrow's testimony noteworthy
If a product is "listed," does that mean it can't cause a fire? UL offers variety of product testing services Create "grids" to X-ray larger masses of burned debris What's Inside: Heat tape and heat cable are not the same NFPA 921: "Inductive reasoning" moved in latest edition Special Report: Fireplace installation issues Contaminated water + electricity = potential fire hazard
Improper fireplace use: problems run the gamut What do the markings on circuit breakers mean? Special Report: Refrigerator fires How it Works: Instant-demand gas water heater Was the switch on or off? X-rays may provide the answer
Testing lit cigarettes in potting soil and peat moss; Verification of lightning data and the role of the fire investigator; What's Inside: air freshener heating element; NFPA 921: spoliation material; Special Report: anticipating the fire scene; How it Works: operation of a pellet stove; X-ray Vision: small fuses (overcurrent protection device)
NFPA 921: Q & A interview with Chairman Randy Watson; What's Inside: power strip aka relocatable power tap (RPT); Experimenting with expanding foam insulation and fire potential; Special Report: reflective radiant barriers; How it Works: heating elements are "workhorses" of electric appliances
Overcurrent: Evaluation should include evaluation of conductors, loads and circuit protection (checklist included) Using physical evidence to prove or disprove a witness' credibility X-ray Vision: gas regulators "Piggyback plug": Blades and fuses make it uniquely different Special Report: water heaters revisited Garage fires: Challenges are many when investigating
Fire-safe cigarettes: Are they really less likely to ignite other combustibles? Cellulose at the seminar: Attendees get unexpected "bonus" with wood-burning stove demonstration What's Inside: Humidifiers Special Report: Barometric kerosene heaters NFPA 921: Time to comment on proposals for 2011 edition X-ray Vision: Gas shutoff was it open or closed?
Part 1: Electricity 101 for investigators. Tip-over switches make heaters virtually foolproof. How hot does a self-cleaning oven get? Hearth extension is an important consideration in an investigation. Special Report: gas furnace fires. Popular extension cord reels can be dangerous. NFPA Section 921 premieres: faulty indicators. Fire Findings 1993 index.
Spontaneous combustion not instantaneous (includes a list of common materials subject to spontaneous heating). How a three-way switch works. How hot does an air gun get? Part II: Electricity 101 for investigators - Computing resistance to determine current load. Special Report: preparing useful, easy-to-use diagrams. NFPA 921: Interviewing section for most inexperienced. Isolated product malfunctions can cause fires. (FF examines a hair dryer's quality control problem as an example.) Cigarette delays don't always work, but when they do...
Flash point temps can help validate witness statements (plus a list of temps for some common flammable liquids). Laundry fires classic spontaneous combustion cases. How thermal cutoffs (TCOs) work. How hot does a waterbed heater get? Special Report: electrical receptacle fires Part III: Electricity 101 for investigators -I2R formula can help determine potential for fire causes. Charcoal briquettes remain hot longer than 26 hours. NFPA 921: How to take accurate char measurements. Recreational boat recalls
Load center protects circuit breakers better than expected: An analysis of breaker behavior during a test fire. How hot do glue guns get? How transformers work. AC: Why it's the current of choice and how it works. Special Report: recessed light fixtures - how they work, fail and start fires. Includes how to examine these fixtures. NFPA 921: Burning under doors doesn't imply arson. Holiday decoration product recalls.
Concrete core sections may increase chances of identifying accelerants. Burn tests show one bag of potato chips fuels fire. How hot does a toaster get? How propane tank vapor withdrawal valve works. Special Report: floating neutrals - how to check continuity to ground and a checklist for determining the problems. Exclusive smoke detector burn tests: Don't make assumptions about presence of them. NFPA 921: fire patterns Fire Findings 1994 Index.
Tests burn hole in "1-inch per 45-minute" wood burn rule. Range control analysis yields useful observations. How hot do fuses get? NFPA unveils new 921 edition that includes many changes. Special report: fuel-related boat fires, interviewing tips, checking for vapors or raw gas and recreational boat recalls. Bird nest fire hazards not just for the birds. Water heater main burner timing experiment and findings.
Fire timing test results show fires may only appear to start rapidly, and what witnesses don't see can impact your cause determinations. Highest temps during a test fire weren't at higher levels. How hot do bread makers get? NFPA 921's appliance section doesn't address key items. Special report: Close-up photos and a question / answer format show you what to look for when examining wires. Photo examination shows you how a toaster works. Proposed UL Standards lead to important propane valve system safety changes.
Test results add further doubt to the reliability of concrete spalling as an indicator. Other tests show gasoline doesn't cool the surface beneath it. Slow cookers - How hot do they get? Don't like portions of NFPA 921? You can do something about it. Special report: Noted authority, David C. Smith, explains how heat tapes and cables work and fail. He also discusses what to examine during your inspection. Protected area tests indicate the space under a combustible piece of furniture may not always be protected.
Gas leaks: Joints are common sources for problems. Relays are important parts of HVAC systems. Electric radiators - How hot do they get? NFPA 921 - Heed advice about red flags. Special report: Noted authority, James M. Finneran, explains how coffeemakers work and fail. Includes a list of coffeemaker recalls. X-rays: Nondestructive exams can lead to accurate determinations. Fire Findings 1995 Index.
Multiple origins? Maybe not in balloon-frame building fires. Flame rollout switch guards against elevated temperatures. Pop quiz: Unattended popcorn does what? Recently sold homes: Buyers' remorse rarely the reason for fires. Special Report: Gas chromatography. NFPA 921: Proposed canine amendment addresses concerns of improper use. Tests seem to cool the burning nail theory.
Exterior fires in residential settings: Some probable sources may help you determine fire causes. Flame ionization detector senses presence of flame. Push lawn mowers get hot, but seldom cause fires. Physical evidence at the scene may help you discover when someone was last there. Special Report: Clothes dryer fires (Part I). NFPA 921: Accelerants raise temperatures faster, not higher. Reader telephone calls prompt testing on halogen lamps.
Alloying helps explain how some materials melt at temperatures lower than expected. Spontaneous combustion test: Outside of linseed oil bundle was room temperature, but the inside was hot. How hot does a coffeemaker get? Special Report: Clothes dryer fires (Part II). NFPA 921: Safety at the scene. Tests put kibosh on exploding, flying can theory.
Loose gas pipe fittings: Physics basics may aid investigation. Plug fuses halt current almost instantly. Hair dryer temps make good comparisons. Curing fiberglass resin creates chemical reaction but no fire. Special Report: Electrical apparatus remains. Add smoke detectors to your list of potential fire causes (plus list of smoke detector recalls). Fire Findings 1996 Index
Horizontal surface testing yields clues to fire's origin. Test confirms NFPA 921 saddle burn theory. How it Works: GFCIs compare strength of magnetic fields. How hot does a kitchen get? Case study: Tracing internal wiring of electric iron irons out melting mystery. Special Report: Expert Witness Testimony Time and Temp: Can twisting, squeezing and compressing a conductor cause a fire? Interview with Kirk's Fire Investigation author, John D. DeHaan, Ph.D. NFPA 921: Examining slopes of holes may help find fire source.
Fireworks not just personal injury hazards - fire risks associated with many. Recreational boat-related defects and recall campaigns. How hot does a heating pad get? Electric range tests produce similar results to 1993 gas range experiment. Special Report: LP gas cylinders, plus news on the new overfill prevention device. Lightning detection service monitors strikes within 1,500-foot radius.
Medium petroleum distillates - These ignitable liquids may or may not be accelerants. (Plus a chart of ignitable liquid residues' classifications.) Study in refraction is a reminder of what light can do. How hot does a charcoal-firewood starter get? Crematorium tour aids fire death investigation. Special Report - candle fires. Plus, ASTM, NCA and CPSC initiate voluntary standard talks. NFPA 921 - A "total burn" fire scene may not be a complete loss. Sprinkler heads typically one of two designs. Training materials and certification are useful tools for wood stove and fireplace investigations.
Cigarette fires in paper trash: Results difficult to believe, even after 300 tests New Bureau of ATF FIRE Center slated. How hot does a dimmer switch get? Burn patterns on floors may not indicate arson. Special Report: heat release rate (Part I) Circuit protection devices respond differently depending on situation. Fire Findings' 1997 index
Making sense of electrical receptacle remains starts with tracing wiring How hot does a lava lamp get? Updated NFPA 921 guide published Special Report: heat release rate (Part II) Using scientific calculators to compute flame heights, heat release rates Determining heat release rates using flame heights (chart shown in meters and feet) Toaster pastry update: Only two boxes included fire-risk caution
Alcoholic beverages burn efficiently, but don't prove effective accelerants What happens when you leave a hot iron on fabric? How hot does a transformer get? Solenoid balve uses electricity to control gas flow Special Report: Nonverbal communication plus body language tips Heat release rate and flashover (Part III)
Clothes dryer lint: Spontaneous heating doesn't occur in any of 16 tests Electric iron update: A week later, it still didn't start a fire Electrical conductor temps stay low in insulation, but different conditions could lead to ignition NFPA 921: New video series excellent accompaniment to 921 guide Special Report: gas explosions Split coil gas burner has few parts, but is a complex system
New cord fault circuit interrupter (CFCI) technology designed to detect fire-causing conditions. Cord abuse testing leads to higher temps, internal arcing. New Dex Wipe Warmers temps much lower than recalled product. NFPA 921: Tape recording statements doesnt need to be distracting or annoying. Special Report: Eyewitness Memory / Interviewing Tips / Swiss Nanny arson-murder case Part II Clothes dryer lint: Testing reaffirms spontaneous heating of lint is unlikely. Fire Findings 1998 index
Surge suppressors: Real protection or potential hazards? How hot does a natural gas-fired water heater get? NFPA 921: Mastering definitions not a waste of time. Special Report: Low-temperature wood ignition. Boat-related defects and recall campaigns Arc mapping can provide valuable clues of fire's origin. Arcing in conduit generally a result of the fire.
Heat and temperature are not interchangeable concepts (includes "specific heat" values of some common substances) NFPA 921: Prepare today for opposing counsels questions How Hot Does It Get self-heating meals Special Report: Electric system operations and power "surges" Part II: Surge suppressors voltages, components and quality vary High resistance connection may be fire-causing culprit, too
Electronic card catalogs good place to start research Washing machine effluent may provide clues in dryer fire investigations Glowing electrical connections study revisited Special Report: Close-up photography NFPA 921: Does it matter when you choose to interview? More involved in evidence tagging than meets the eye Noting product fasteners history of use can be helpful
Prefabricated chimneys: Proper installation and precautions reduce risks associated with use Ceramic heater acts fast when overheated Special Report: Part 1. Panelboard examinations NFPA 921: Proposed changes to next edition could have substantial impact Insulation analysis: Cellulose an mineral wool look deceptively alike but similarity stops there Learning to narrow Web results can be the key to successful on-line searching
Part II: Panelboard examinations New electric ranges coils heat faster and hotter InterFIRE VR well worth the wait Special Report: Examining switches, including meter makes short work of testing for electrical continuity Arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI): New device protects against electrical arcing
Carbon tracking: Poor insulation, contaminants make for potential fire cause NFPA 921: Technical committee affirms controversial proposals LP-gas, natural gas grills reach similar temperatures Newer toaster technology uses electronics instead of bimetals for timers Special Report Burn tests: ignition elevations of first fuels and fire origins Novelty lamps: potential fire causes? Cutler-Hammer self-study courses introduce electrical fundamentals
Heat-bulb testing: Wood, straw and towels respond differently at close distances to lamps Delayed ignition devices: Legendary balloon and gasoline device sounds better than it performs; without a timer, others don't have much delay Special Report: Electric blanket fires NFPA 921: Negative corpus, other proposals change for final draft of next edition
Floor-level burning: What kinds of damage do burning accelerants cause? How Hot Does It Get: soldering iron operating temperatures Uniform symbols to use for diagramming electrical systems Special Report: Utility voltage control NFPA 921: fire scene reconstruction and prefire positioning
Outdoor LP-gas cooker testing: Just -right conditions can lead to disastrous results Lighting at the fire scene (flashlights) How hot does candle wax get? NFPA 921: interpreting electrical wire damage Special Report: electrical apparatus remains revisited Halogen work-light testing
Household chemicals: Warning labels hint of fire hazards, but are they a significant fuel source? NFPA 921: New edition's additions and updates (2001 edition premieres) Hot rollers' operating temperatures Swivel outlet cover: Receptacle aimed at safety may prove otherwise Special Report: burn pattern testing (V-patterns) How it Works: automatic shut-off mechanisms Boat defects and recalls
Excavating debris look beyond the floor for important clues to fire's cause Holiday mini-lights (how they work) shunt begins operating when filament breaks or burns out Scorched battery charger leads to testing (how hot does it get) NFPA 921: additions to "other evidentiary factors" section takes 921 into new territory Special Report: residential steam boilers Errors and omissions coverage can protect from financial disaster