Petroleum-based liquid fuel soaking and burning properties on various floors, detectable period of detector tube for liquid fuel from fire debris

Abstract

 We investigated the burning properties of commonly used wooden panel flooring, carpet on flooring and styrofoam tatami, which were burned with liquid fuel gasoline or kerosene. We also confirmed how long detector tubes are able to detect ignitable liquid on the burnt floorings. We obtained the following results:

(1) At early stage of combustions, no distinct difference in burning properties was observed between flooring materials.

(2) When the liquid fuel was spilled on the wooden panel flooring, the liquid fuel moved underneath through the joints of the panels, therefore the fuel was easier to remain than other floor materials.

(3) The detector tubes were able to detect gasoline up to 4 weeks and kerosene up to 2 months after being extinguished.