- Author
- Carman, S. W.
- Title
- High Temperature Accelerants. A Study of HTA Fires Reported in the United States and Canada. January 1981-August 1991.
- Coporate
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Sacramento, CA
- Keywords
- accelerants | high temperature | fire behavior | fire investigators | arson | arsonists | fire tests | metal combustion | heat transfer | heat release rate
- Identifiers
- High Temperature Accelerants (HTA); United States of America; Canada
- Abstract
- The aim of the study was to: (*) Illustrate aspects of high temperature accelerants (HTA's) known to date; (*) Explain recent progress in interpreting HTA fire behavior; (*) Present the latest information to assist investigators in recognizing HTA fires; (*) Present the latest information for locating and collecting evidence which will prove HTA use; (*) Review currently suspected HTA fires; (*) Identify common factors at suspected HTA fires; (*) Identify misconceptions about HTA fires; (*) Discuss the likelihood of one arsonist or a group of people being responsible for more than one of the suspected HTA fires. Documented within are the historical origins of HTA fires and recounts research work and tests conducted to date. Also reviewed are the reported characteristic indicators of these fires. Test burns of candidate HTA's are presented and an analysis of those tests discussed. Theory and chemistry of metal combustion of candidate HTA's are also presented, including heat transfer mechanisms. Finally, 24 purported HTA fires are analyzed to determine if an HTA can be supported as a contributing factor. The author concludes that most of the fires presented as HTA related either were not, or that sufficient data was lacking to make such a conclusion. Of the remaining fires, the lack of definitive physical evidence prevented an absolute conclusion that a specific type of HTA was involved. Nonetheless, four of the fires were attributed to some type of high temperature fuels, most likely combustible metals. Examination of those fires also revealed inconsistencies in previously accepted characteristic indicators for HTA fires. Many of the fires revealed the need for fire investigators to understand the difference between high temperature fires and fires with high heat release rates. Finally, the author concludes that if HTA's are used, physical evidence should remain. In examining the issue of potential links between the fires by a common arsonist, the author determines that there is no evidence to support such a theory, either through a common denominator of HTA use, modus operandi, or physical evidence.