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Re: So no causes what do yall think.
Posted by:
dcarpenter (IP Logged)
Date: July 14, 2021 12:46PM
"Doug, you point out some good points. Because of those points is why I say it is up to the individual if a classification is used in a report.
Chapter 20 Classification was nothing more than definitions of accidental, incendiary, natural, and undetermined. I did not believe this was the methodology used in reaching the classifications. The methodology to make such classifications are found in other chapters within the document. The definition of incendiary and accident are presently in the definition section of 921. The definition for undetermined is found in Chapter 19. There may be a need for a definition of natural."
The definitions matter with respect to arriving at an incendiary fire cause classification. There is no methodology described in other chapters for determining a cause classification. That is in the removed chapter on Cause Classification.
The definition of undetermined in Chapter 19 is associated with a Fire Cause and not the classification. This is clearly stated in the removed chapter on classification.
My main point is that I am not sure those who agree with the chapter removal understand the practical application of a cause classification and how this changes the ability to arrive at a determination that the fire 'was set'. Disprove my hypothesis.
I would be interested in a discussion and examples of fire investigations that produce a reliable determination using the SM of a "set fire" without the use of a cause classification.
Douglas J. Carpenter, MScFPE, CFEI, PE, FSFPE
Vice President & Principal Engineer
Combustion Science & Engineering, Inc.
8940 Old Annapolis Road, Suite L
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 884-3266
(410) 884-3267 (fax)
www.csefire.com