IFSTA 7 Chapter 20: Fire Origin and
Cause Determination ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
T/F: It is every firefighter's responsibility to recognize the area where the fire began, to note
indicators of its cause, and to protect any physical evidence relating to the cause. -
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅True
The ______ has the legal responsibility to determine the origin and cause of a fire and will
delegate this authority to the ________ and firefighters at the scene - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Fire Chief
Fire Officers
The _________ are in the best position to observe any conditions that may indicate an
incendiary fire - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅first arriving firefighters
First arriving firefighters should make mental notes of the following: (5 total) - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅- vehicles and people present
- status of doors and windows (locked or open)
- Evidence of forcible entry
- condition of contents in the rooms
- Unusual fire behavior or more than one point of origin
T/F: Firefighters must be aware that what they do and how they do it can affect the
determination of the origin and cause of the fire - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅True
Why should firefighters refrain from expressing personal opinions about the probable cause
of a fire? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅The property owner, news media, or other bystanders
could overhear and report them as fact
Instead of expressing personal opinion for the cause of a fire, A sufficient reply to any
question concerning cause is, " _________" - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅The fire is under
investigation
, When should any public statement regarding the fire cause be made? - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Only after the investigator and fire officer in charge have agreed to its
accuracy and validity and have given permission for it into be released.
__________ conduct detailed investigations and analysis beyond the initial determination of
fire origin and cause - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Fire Investigators
When is it necessary to assist fire investigators? (3 total) - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅-
undetermined fire cause
- Fire fatality
- suspected incendiary fire
What reasons would fire investigators, insurance adjusters, and specialized fire and arson
investigators have contradicting conclusions? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Differing
investigative methodologies or in some instances, investigative oversights.
The area of origin should contain the ________ of origin where ignition took place and will
often contain the greatest amount of ______ and _______ - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Precise point
Damage and debris
Until air monitoring indicates that it is safe, you must always assume that potentially lethal
concentrations of unburned gases such as _______ and ________ are present - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Carbon monoxide
Hydrogen cyanide
The debris in the area of origin will contain an indication of the _______ - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Fire cause
Fire cause indicators include an ignition source and a _______ - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Fuel source
Cause Determination ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
T/F: It is every firefighter's responsibility to recognize the area where the fire began, to note
indicators of its cause, and to protect any physical evidence relating to the cause. -
CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅True
The ______ has the legal responsibility to determine the origin and cause of a fire and will
delegate this authority to the ________ and firefighters at the scene - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Fire Chief
Fire Officers
The _________ are in the best position to observe any conditions that may indicate an
incendiary fire - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅first arriving firefighters
First arriving firefighters should make mental notes of the following: (5 total) - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅- vehicles and people present
- status of doors and windows (locked or open)
- Evidence of forcible entry
- condition of contents in the rooms
- Unusual fire behavior or more than one point of origin
T/F: Firefighters must be aware that what they do and how they do it can affect the
determination of the origin and cause of the fire - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅True
Why should firefighters refrain from expressing personal opinions about the probable cause
of a fire? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅The property owner, news media, or other bystanders
could overhear and report them as fact
Instead of expressing personal opinion for the cause of a fire, A sufficient reply to any
question concerning cause is, " _________" - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅The fire is under
investigation
, When should any public statement regarding the fire cause be made? - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Only after the investigator and fire officer in charge have agreed to its
accuracy and validity and have given permission for it into be released.
__________ conduct detailed investigations and analysis beyond the initial determination of
fire origin and cause - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Fire Investigators
When is it necessary to assist fire investigators? (3 total) - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅-
undetermined fire cause
- Fire fatality
- suspected incendiary fire
What reasons would fire investigators, insurance adjusters, and specialized fire and arson
investigators have contradicting conclusions? - CORRECT ANSWERS✅✅Differing
investigative methodologies or in some instances, investigative oversights.
The area of origin should contain the ________ of origin where ignition took place and will
often contain the greatest amount of ______ and _______ - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Precise point
Damage and debris
Until air monitoring indicates that it is safe, you must always assume that potentially lethal
concentrations of unburned gases such as _______ and ________ are present - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Carbon monoxide
Hydrogen cyanide
The debris in the area of origin will contain an indication of the _______ - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Fire cause
Fire cause indicators include an ignition source and a _______ - CORRECT
ANSWERS✅✅Fuel source
