THE INVESTIGATION OF MOTOR VEHICLE FIRES. A GUIDE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND INSURANCE PERSONNEL

An attempt is made to show how the cause of fires, both accidental and deliberate, may be determined. The parts of the vehicle most often involved in fires are described: the engine, the fuel system, the electrical system, and the exhaust system. The main points to be checked in determining the origin of the fire are listed and discussed. The question of arson is described in some detail. The elements in the prosecution of an arson case are noted. Explosions, and the common causes of explosions are discussed. The temperatures and the color of flames are tabulated, as are also the melting points, and the ignition temperatures of liquid hydrocarbon fuels, gaseous hydrocarbon fuels, paints and lacquers, alkali earths and metals, and explosives.

• Corporate Authors:

  Lee Books

  Cole (Lee S) and Associates, P.O. Box 906
  Novata, CA  United States  94948
• Authors:
  • Cole, L S
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Pagination: 62 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crashes; Explosions; Fire causes; Fires; Flames; Fuels; Gasoline; Ignition; Liquid fuels; Motor vehicles; Temperature
• Old TRIS Terms: Arson; Ignition temperature
• Subject Areas: Energy; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00390737
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-037 009
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Nov 30 1984 12:00AM