Determining the Temperature and Time of Wood Combustion from Char Layer Parameters: Methodological Guidelines for Fire Investigators

Abstract

The paper offers a critical analysis of a methodology for determining combustion temperature and time in fire-exposed wood based on its char layer parameters. It demonstrates the possibility of using the charring rates for large cross section structural members (beams and columns) made of coniferous timber, as specified in SP 64.13330.2011, for the purposes of forensic fire investigation

Keywords

• forensic fire investigation, fire, combustion, time of combustion, temperature, wood, structures, charring, coal, pyrolysis, fire resistance