Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:15 PM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Determine origin and cause of structure fire

Determine origin and cause of structure fire

Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR604A
State Code
WG156
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
3.00
Current Release Date
02/05/2013
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
21/03/2013
Field of Education
039905 - Fire Technology
Original Release Date
21/03/2013
Nominal Hours
55
Description
This unit covers the competency required to manage the inspection and assessment of a structure fire to determine the origin and the cause.It includes the excavation and examination of fire debris, identifying and recovering evidence relevant to the fire investigation, packaging items of evidence for examination and conducting a thorough analysis of fire behaviour, development and travel, and gathering evidence to establish fire cause. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Coordinate structure fire investigation
  • 1.1 Roles and responsibilities of multi-agency and supportpersonnel involved in a structure fire investigation are confirmed
  • 1.2 Cooperation with multi-agency personnel in the conduct of the investigation consistent with designated roles and responsibilities for a structure fire investigation is achieved
  • 1.3 Information required by fire investigator from multi-agency personnel is identified, sought and received
  • 1.4 Protective clothing and equipment are used in accordance with agency procedures
  • 1.5 Occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures appropriate to the incident are followed
2. Secure fire scene and preserve evidence
  • 2.1 Legal obligations of fire scene investigators are adhered to throughout the investigation
  • 2.2 Methods of scene security prior to examination are implemented
  • 2.3 Procedures to monitor and log access to a fire scene are established and applied, as required
  • 2.4 Strategies for locating, collecting and processing evidence are implemented
  • 2.5 Methods of preservation of evidence at a fire scene are implemented
  • 2.6 Scene is protected from unnecessary damage, spoliation, destruction or contamination
3. Conduct scene investigation
  • 3.1 External and internal survey of scene is conducted to identify hazards and action is taken to mitigate risk
  • 3.2 Scene is examined externally and internally to determine areas of interest and to record observation of factors which may have a bearing on the origin, cause or development of a structure fire
  • 3.3 Areas or items of evidence that have a potential bearing on the origin, cause or development of a structure fire are identified
  • 3.4 Effect of building construction and other factors relevant to fire development and spread are identified
  • 3.5 Nature and reactivity of materials involved in fire cause are identified
  • 3.6 Site indicators of fire spread with other sources of evidence are examined
  • 3.7 Witness and firefighter information is obtained in accordance with the rules of evidence
  • 3.8 Significance of evidence is assessed and prioritised for further review
  • 3.9 Burn patterns and effects of fire suppression are identified and assessed
  • 3.10 Area/likely point of origin and possible cause of structure fire are determined
  • 3.11 Origin and cause determination theories are assessed and tested
4. Collect and analyse evidence from a fire scene
  • 4.1 Appropriate sampling areas and items are identified using required sampling equipment and resources
  • 4.2 Appropriate collection techniques are applied eliminating contamination and loss of evidence
  • 4.3 Best available samples and items including control samples are collected
  • 4.4 Appropriate collection and packaging techniques are adopted
  • 4.5 Potential for destruction (spoliation) and contamination of evidence is eliminated
  • 4.6 Integrity and continuity of collected exhibits is maintained
  • 4.7 Evidence from fire scene is analysed and processed using a range of recording and technological media
  • 4.8 Witness accounts are reviewed against theories
  • 4.9 Findings are reported and documented according to required practice and agency policy
  • 4.10 Evidence is secured for subsequent action
  • 4.11 Investigation report is completed and forwarded to appropriate authorities/stakeholders
The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Roles and responsibilities may include:
Agency operating procedures
Legislative requirements
Memorandums of understanding
Agencies may include:
Coroner
Electrical authorities
Forensic scientists
Gas authorities
Industry peak bodies
Insurance investigators, assessors and construction companies (to ‘make safe’ properties)
Other statutory authorities
Police investigators
Support personnel may include:
Government and private forensic chemists
Insurance investigators and assessors
Statutory bodies
Scene security may include:
Legal obligations
Scene preservation
Internal survey of scene includes:
Development and testing of hypothesis/es on potential areas of origin
Determination of area of origin
Interpretation of smoke, heat and direct flame contact records
Recognition of area of least damage
Witnesses may include:
Firefighters
Members of statutory agencies
Members of the public
Property owners/occupants
Origin and cause determination must include:
Burn patterns (V patterns, inverted V patterns, hourglass patterns, circular-shaped patterns)
Identification of ignition sources
Scene interpretation
Scene processing
Sampling equipment and resources may include:
Accelerant detecting canine
Field-based sampling devices e.g. photo ionisation detectors
Appropriate collection techniques may include:

Preservation of evidence
Search techniques
Security of environment
Recording and technological media may include:
Audio
Computers
Log book
Note taking
Photography (digital, multimedia, closed circuit television [CCTV], other media images)
Sketches and plans
Video
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
collect and maximise the potential evidentiary value of physical evidence
apply safe work practices at a fire scene
identify area/point of origin and possible cause of fire
apply evidence and forensic scientific principles to assess possible area/point of origin and causes.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of workplace and/or simulated situations.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace and in a simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to gathering and managing evidence
case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of causes likely to occur for which evidence needs to be gathered and managed.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit may include a combination of:
case studies
demonstration
observation
questioning
scenarios
authenticated evidence from the workplace.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAY40 PUAFIR604 Determine origin and cause of structure fire Unit of competency
No information