BOARD CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
Below are the board certification programs and accompanying skill sheets that have been offered to date by the Forensic Fire Analysis Institute:
Fire Dynamics and Fire Patterns Board Certification Program
Fire Dynamics and Fire Patterns: This board certification program tests knowledge and skills related to fire dynamics in compartments and how fuels and ventilation influence fire development that produce fire effects and patterns. Testing includes proficiencies in fire and explosion dynamics as it applies to origin and cause determinations. The candidate will demonstrate a working knowledge of fire science and apply this knowledge to assess fire effects, fire patterns, and analyze fire spread. The candidate’s knowledge of fire pattern generation concepts will be tested with a focus towards identification of full room involvement, understanding ventilation generated fire dynamics, and formation of fire patterns. Completion of written and skills testing is required. Required knowledge and skills include: [NFPA 1033-14 § 1.3.7 (1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 11); JPR’s 4.2.5] [NFPA 921-17 Basic Fire Science Chapter; Fire Patterns Chapter]
Electricity and Electrical Systems Board Certification Program
Electricity and Electrical Systems: This board certification program test knowledge and skills of the Fundamentals of electricity, electrical systems, and appliances in standard 120/240-Volt, single phase systems encountered in typical residential and commercial structures. A combination of electrical theory with practical skills related to the analysis of electrical systems will be tested. The candidate will be able to demonstrate how to document and analyze electrical systems and potential failures with standard equipment and tools. Completion of written and skills testing is required. Required knowledge and skills include: [NFPA 1033-14 § 1.3.7 (16); JPR’s 42.2.2, 4.3.1] [NFPA 921-17 Electricity and Fire].
Techniques for Origin Determination Board Certification Program
Techniques for Origin Determination: This certification program tests competencies in theory with a concentration on practical skills for determining the origin of a fire. The proper use of the scientific method will be assessed as it relates to the use of fire patterns, witness statements, arc mapping and fire dynamics. Knowledge and Skills related to data gathering techniques, including depth of char, depth of calcination, arc mapping, origin matrix, and heat and flame vector analysis will be assessed. Participates will demonstrate that they are capable of developing working origin hypotheses and illustrate how they arrived at a final origin hypothesis. Full-scale exercises will be used to test the candidate’s knowledge and skills. Completion of written and skills testing is required. Required knowledge and skills include: [NFPA 1033-14 § 1.3.7 (8); JPR’s 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.5, 4.2.6, 4.2.7] [NFPA 921-17 Origin Determination Chapter]
–Fire Investigator Hazard and Risk Assessment
Techniques for Cause Determination Board Certification Program
Techniques for Cause Determination: This board certification program tests knowledge and skills related to techniques for cause determination. Developing, testing, and selecting a final hypothesis for cause determination. Testing includes proficiency in fire dynamics as it applies to cause determinations. Participants will demonstrate a working knowledge of fire science, laboratory examinations, and how to apply this knowledge to assess possible ignition mechanisms and failures. The candidate’s knowledge of ignition sequence concepts will be tested with a focus towards competencies of the heat source in the context of the first fuel ignited. Completion of a written and skills testing is required. Required knowledge and skills include: [NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7 (8, 9, 11, 13); JPR’s 4.2.6, 4.2.7, 4.2.8] [NFPA 921-1 Basic Fire Science Chapter; Cause Chapter; Failure Analysis and Analytical Tools Chapter; Appliance Chapter].
–FFAI Skill Sheet 6.2 TOCD 1033 4.2.6 4.2.8 4.6.5
Scene Documentation Board Certification Program
Scene Documentation: This board certification program tests knowledge and skills related to fire and explosion scene documentation. Topics will include photography, diagramming, and note taking. Participants will demonstrate a working knowledge of traditional and newer tools and technology in documenting a fire and explosion scene. Completion of written and skills testing is required. Required knowledge and skills include: [NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7 (8, 9, 10, 11); JPR’s 4.3, 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.3] [NFPA 921 Documentation of the Investigation Chapter].
–FFAI Skill Sheet 10.4 SD 1033 4.3.1
–FFAI Skill Sheet 11 SD 1033 4.3.2
–FFAI Skill Sheet 12 SD 1033 4.3.3
Evidence Collection and Preservation Board Certification Program
Evidence Collection and Preservation: This board certification program tests knowledge and skills related to the documentation, methods of collection, and preservation of evidence. Testing includes proficiency in evidence identification, documentation, collection and preservation. Additionally, the applicant will be required to demonstrate working knowledge of the chain of custody, transmittal of evidence, and storage of evidence. Completion of written and skills testing is required. Required knowledge and skills include: [NFPA 1033 Section 1.3.7 (8, 9, 10, 15); JPR’s 4.2.6, 4.4, 4.4.1, 4.4.2, 4.4.3, 4.4.4, 4.4.5] [NFPA 921 Physical Evidence Chapter].
–FFAI Skill Sheet 13 ECP 1033 4.4.1
–FFAI Skill Sheet 6 ECP 1033 4.2.6, 4.4.3, 4.4.4
Fuel Gas System Fires Board Certification Program
Fuel Gas System Fires Board Certification Program: This board certification program tests knowledge and skills necessary to investigate fuel gas system fires in residential and commercial structures. Knowledge of system componentry, design, fire, and building code application, appliances, and devices will be tested with practical skills related to the analysis and testing of fuel gas systems. The candidate shall demonstrate how to document and analyze fuel gas systems, perform and identify necessary testing methods, and identify potential failures through the use of standard equipment and tools. Completion of written and skills testing is required. Required knowledge and skills include: [NFPA 1033-22 § 4.1.7 ((2-a, b, c, d, e, 3-a, 4-d)); JPR’s 4.2.8, 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.3] [NFPA 921-21; Chapter10 Building Fuel Gas Systems].
