2014 – 2015
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Fire Investigator I
Career Cluster:	Law, Public Safety & Security

CCC	
CIP Number	0743020105	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate	
Program Length	12 credit hours	
CTSO	N/A	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	33-2021 Fire Inspectors and Investigators	
Targeted Occupation List	http://www.labormarketinfo.com/wec/TargetOccupationList.htm	
Perkins Technical Skill Attainment Inventory	http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/perkins/perkins_resources.asp	
Statewide Articulation	Contact the Florida Department of Financial Services/State Fire College for information regarding basic skills.
http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/arti_frame.asp 	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Fire Science Technology (FESHE Model) AS (1743020100).

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Law, Public Safety and Security career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Law, Public Safety and Security career cluster. 

The purpose of this program is to align a cluster of Fire Science courses with the promotional and state certification requirements of local and regional public service agencies. The primary intent is to assist incumbent workers in acquiring professional certifications and opportunities for career advancement. Credits acquired through this certificate program can be applied towards the AS in Fire Science Technology.  This program does not prepare students for certification as basic fire fighters. A student must successfully complete the basic recruit program in firefighting to become certified, pursuant to Chapter 633, Florida Statutes. Program SOC Code 33-2021 Fire Investigators.

Standards

After successfully completing this program the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Explore the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread, and how they are controlled.
02.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the components of building construction that relate to fire and life safety.
03.0	Demonstrate knowledge of classifications, controls, and applications of automatic sprinkler systems.
04.0	Demonstrate knowledge of inspection practices for fire protection systems.
05.0	Demonstrate knowledge of classifications, controls, and applications of portable fire extinguishers.
06.0	Demonstrate knowledge of water supply for sprinkler and standpipe systems.
07.0	Demonstrate knowledge of acceptance testing for fire protection systems.
08.0	Identify the appropriate certifications for fire extinguishers, hood systems, sprinkler systems, and alarm devices.
09.0	Demonstrate knowledge of various extinguishing agents.
10.0	Define types of building classifications and construction types.
11.0	Define various loads and forces that affect buildings.
12.0	Demonstrate knowledge of various types of building construction and their effect on fire propagation, smoke generation, and control.
13.0	Define the characteristics of various building materials, with particular regard to fire resistance.
14.0	Define the characteristics of various building types and occupancies, with particular regard to fire load and resistance.
15.0	Describe principles of fire resistance, fire growth, and the behavior of fire and smoke in buildings.
16.0	Demonstrate knowledge of features of matter and energy.
17.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of chemical reaction:  oxidation, reduction, and combustion.
18.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the fire tetrahedron and principles of extinguishment.
19.0	Demonstrate knowledge of common elements such as oxygen, hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, phosphorus, sulfur, and carbon.
20.0	Demonstrate knowledge of corrosive materials, i.e. acids and bases.
21.0	Demonstrate knowledge of path of travel of fire, heat, and smoke.
22.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the role and responsibilities of the fire investigator.
23.0	Demonstrate the ability to differentiate between accidental and incendiary fire causes.
24.0	Demonstrate the ability to recognize and report indicators of the point of origin of a fire.

2014 – 2015
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Fire Investigator I
CIP Numbers:	0743020105
Program Length: 	12 credit hours
SOC Code(s):		33-2021

This certificate program is part of the Fire Science Technology (FESHE Model) AS (1743020100).  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Explore the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread, and how they are controlled--The student will be able to:	
01.01	Identify physical properties of the three states of matter.	
01.02	Categorize the components of fire.	
01.03	Recall the physical and chemical properties of fire.	
01.04	Describe and apply the process of burning.	
01.05	Define and use basic terms and concepts associated with the chemistry and dynamics of fire.	
01.06	Describe the dynamics of fire.	
01.07	Discuss various materials and their relationship to fires as fuel.	
01.08	Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of water as a fire suppression agent.	
01.09	Articulate other suppression agents and strategies.	
01.10	Compare other methods and techniques of fire extinguishments.	
02.0	Demonstrate an understanding of the components of building construction that relate to fire and life safety--The student will be able to:	
02.01	Demonstrate an understanding of building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection and firefighting strategy and tactics.	
02.02	Classify major types of building construction.	
02.03	Analyze the hazards and tactical considerations associated with the various types of building construction.	
02.04	Explain the different loads and stresses that are placed on a building and their interrelationships.	
02.05	Identify the principle structural components of buildings and demonstrate an understanding of the function of each.	
02.06	Differentiate between fire resistance and flame spread, and describe the testing procedures used to establish ratings for each.	
02.07	Classify occupancy designations of the building code.	
02.08	Identify the indicators of potential structural failure as they relate to firefighter safety.	
03.0	Demonstrate knowledge of classifications, controls, and applications of automatic sprinkler systems--The student will be able to:	
03.01	List and define the classes of automatic sprinkler systems.	
03.02	Identify and describe major controls of automatic sprinkler systems.	
03.03	Discuss proper installation and application of automatic sprinkler systems for different classes of occupancies.	
04.0	Demonstrate knowledge of inspection practices for fire protection systems--The student will be able to:	
04.01	Discuss legal requirements for fire protection system inspections.	
04.02	Discuss testing of fire protection systems.	
05.0	Demonstrate knowledge of classifications, controls, and applications of portable fire extinguishers--The student will be able to:	
05.01	List and define the classes of portable fire extinguishers.	
05.02	Identify and describe major controls of portable fire extinguishers.	
05.03	Discuss proper installation and application of portable fire extinguishers for different classes of occupancies.	
06.0	Demonstrate knowledge of water supply for sprinkler and standpipe systems--The student will be able to:	
06.01	Identify the major parts of sprinkler systems.	
06.02	Identify the major parts of standpipe systems.	
06.03	Discuss the use of sprinkler systems in fire suppression tactics of fire departments.	
06.04	Discuss the use of standpipe systems in fire suppression tactics of fire departments.	
06.05	Discuss the water supply system for sprinklers.	
06.06	Discuss the water supply system for standpipes.	
07.0	Demonstrate knowledge of acceptance testing for fire protection systems--The student will be able to:	
07.01	Define acceptance testing.	
07.02	Define compliance testing.	
07.03	Discuss acceptance testing procedures for fire protection systems.	
08.0	Identify the appropriate certifications for fire extinguishers, hood systems, sprinkler systems, and alarm devices--The student will be able to:	
08.01	Identify the certification procedures for portable fire extinguishers.	
08.02	Identify the certification procedures for hood systems.	
08.03	Identify the certification procedures for sprinkler systems.	
08.04	Identify the certification procedures for fire alarm systems.	
09.0	Demonstrate knowledge of various extinguishing agents--The student will be able to:	
09.01	Discuss the properties of water as a fire extinguishing agent.	
09.02	Discuss the properties of dry chemical as a fire extinguishing agent.	
09.03	Discuss the properties of carbon dioxide as a fire extinguishing agent.	
09.04	Discuss the properties of foam as a fire extinguishing agent.	
09.05	Discuss the properties of halon as a fire extinguishing agent.	
10.0	Define types of building classifications and construction types--The student will be able to:	
10.01	Define and describe the characteristics of single-family residential construction.	
10.02	Define and describe the characteristics of multi-family residential construction.	
10.03	Define and describe the characteristics of light commercial construction.	
10.04	Define and describe the characteristics of heavy commercial construction.	
10.05	Define and describe the characteristics of industrial construction.	
11.0	Define various loads and forces that affect buildings--The student will be able to:	
11.01	Define (a) vertical load, (b) sheer load, (c) tortional load, (d) compressive   load, (e) tension load, (f) static load, (g) live load, and (h) fire load.	
11.02	Define wind pressure.	
11.03	Discuss windstorm provisions of building codes.	
12.0	Demonstrate knowledge of various types of building construction and their effect on fire propagation, smoke generation, and control--The student will be able to:	
12.01	Define fire propagation.	
12.02	Define smoke generation.	
12.03	Define fire control.	
12.04	Define balloon construction.	
12.05	Define tilt-slab construction.	
12.06	Define post-and-lintel construction.	
12.07	Given a particular occupancy, discuss the likely development of a fire within that type of construction.	
13.0	Define the characteristics of various building materials, with particular regard to fire resistance--The student will be able to:	
13.01	Discuss the fire resistance characteristics of wood frame construction.	
13.02	Discuss the fire resistance characteristics of metal frame construction.	
13.03	Discuss the fire resistance characteristics of masonry construction.	
13.04	Discuss the fire resistance characteristics of concrete construction.	
14.0	Define the characteristics of various building types and occupancies, with particular regard to fire load and resistance--The student will be able to:	
14.01	Define and describe fire load and resistance in assembly occupancies.	
14.02	Define and describe fire load and resistance in educational occupancies.	
14.03	Define and describe fire load and resistance in health care occupancies.	
14.04	Define and describe fire load and resistance in detention and correctional occupancies.	
14.05	Define and describe fire load and resistance in residential occupancies.	
14.06	Define and describe fire load and resistance in mercantile occupancies.	
14.07	Define and describe fire load and resistance in business occupancies.	
14.08	Define and describe fire load and resistance in industrial occupancies.	
14.09	Define and describe fire load and resistance in storage occupancies.	
15.0	Describe principles of fire resistance, fire growth, and the behavior of fire and smoke in buildings--The student will be able to:	
15.01	Define fire resistance.	
15.02	Define fire growth.	
15.03	Define fire spread.	
15.04	Define smoke propagation.	
16.0	Demonstrate knowledge of features of matter and energy--The student will be able to:	
16.01	Define the physical properties of matter.	
16.02	Define the physical properties of energy.	
17.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of chemical reaction:  oxidation, reduction, and combustion--The student will be able to:	
17.01	Define oxidation.	
17.02	Define reduction.	
17.03	Define combustion.	
18.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the fire tetrahedron and principles of extinguishment--The student will be able to:	
18.01	List and define the four parts of the fire tetrahedron.	
18.02	Discuss the principles of extinguishment.	
19.0	Demonstrate knowledge of common elements such as oxygen, hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, phosphorus, sulfur, and carbon--The student will be able to:	
19.01	Define the properties of oxygen.	
19.02	Define the properties of hydrogen.	
19.03	Define the properties of fluorine.	
19.04	Define the properties of chlorine.	
19.05	Define the properties of bromine.	
19.06	Define the properties of phosphorus.	
19.07	Define the properties of sulfur.	
19.08	Define the properties of carbon.	
20.0	Demonstrate knowledge of corrosive materials, i.e. acids and bases--The student will be able to:	
20.01	Define the physical properties of acids.	
20.02	Define the physical properties of bases.	
21.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the path of travel of fire, heat, and smoke--The student will be able to:	
21.01	Describe the path of travel for gasses in a structure.	
21.02	Describe the path of travel for heat and its three modes of transfer in a structure	
22.0	Demonstrate knowledge of the role and responsibilities of the fire investigator--The student will be able to:	
22.01	Define the role of the fire investigator.	
22.02	Discuss the responsibilities of the fire investigator in terms of state and national standards.	
23.0	Demonstrate the ability to differentiate between accidental and incendiary fire causes--The student will be able to:	
23.01	Define accidental fire causes.	
23.02	Define incendiary fire causes.	
24.0	Demonstrate the ability to recognize and report indicators of the point of origin of a fire--The student will be able to:	
24.01	List indicators of the point of origin of a fire.	
24.02	Identify point of origin indicators.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory activities are an integral part of this program.  These activities include instruction in the use of safety procedures, tools, equipment, materials, and processes related to these occupations.  Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students. 

Special Notes

The Fire Investigator is a restricted enrollment program.  Applicants must be certified law enforcement, fire fighter or fire inspector.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities as identified on the secondary student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan or postsecondary student’s accommodations’ plan to meet individual needs and ensure equal access.  Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors.  Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education.  Accommodations change the way the student is instructed.  Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems.  Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Articulation

For details on articulation agreements which correlate to programs and industry certifications refer to http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/artic_frame.asp.