Fire investigation; the triangle shirtwaist factory fire trial

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Chris Bennellick            Gordon Mitchell                 Assignment 1: Fire Investigation      

Assignment 1: Fire investigation; the triangle shirtwaist factory fire trial

Task 1 (P1)

        The triangle shirtwaist factory fire may have been cause by various flammable materials. The flammable materials that I could identify from the text that I was given were the lines of hanging patterns, the discarded rags on the floor and cutting tables, the shirts that have already been made, the table because they were probably made from wood and maybe the ceiling, walls and floor because that may have a material or something else flammable.

The possible sources of ignition for the triangle shirtwaist factory fire could have been some faulty cables from the sewing machines causing the wires to rub together causing friction meaning that the cables would get hot and therefore this could be one ignition source. Another source could be gas lighters because in those days people were allowed to smoke in the work place. A gas lighter is not like a lighter nowadays because when it was alight it would not go out unless you put the cap over it unlike the lighter nowadays if you let go/ drop it the button comes back up instantly. Therefore, the gas lighter could have been a source of ignition if it was dropped. Another source of ignition could have been a cigarette. If it was not put out properly and was dropped, it could start the fire. Lastly, candles may have caused the fire because back in those days there would have been candles on each workbench so that the workers could see what they were doing because there were no lights back then. Due to there being candles around if one was knocked/ dropped it could have fell onto the rags on the floor causing the fire to start.

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Investigation of Liquid Combustion

Introduction

        In this experiment, we will find out why some liquids burn at certain temperatures.

Risk assessment

        Due to the fact that we are dealing with fire, long hair must be tried back goggles warn and lab coats on. There was also a risk of that somebody could bur themselves or set alight an object. In addition, if we were to pick up a hot crucible without gloves we must use appropriate equipment so that we do not burn our hands.

Materials

  • Crucible
  • Heat proof mat
  • Bunson ...

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