The fire was initially believed to be caused by an electrical surge following a period where the electricity was shut down.
The instrument was started up, and the investigator entered the building. The Tiger gave a reading, turning left, the readings dropped, and walking further into the premises caused the instrument to give an alarm. This was the first audible alarm that the instrument had given, and the readings were high. Using the Tiger, the source of the alarm was found, and samples were taken. The samples were sent to a laboratory, and the intentional nature of the fire was put beyond any question.
Danati’s lead dire investigator Danny Joubert said: “The instrument is extremely sensitive and will almost always give some level of reading when it is exposed to fire debris. Having done so on numerous occasions, I can honestly say that there are many positive aspects to the Tiger VOC detector.
“It must be understood that this instrument does not provide a definitive test for the presence of a specific accelerant or ignitable fluid. What it does do is indicate where higher than usual concentrations of VOCs may be present, and this will then prompt the investigator to take appropriate samples for laboratory testing, as per the NFPA 921 guidelines. Without the VOC detector, the average investigator can only rely on an interpretation of burn patterns and their sense of smell to detect the possible presence of a VOC.
“The Tiger adds a new dimension, and has allowed a far more thorough screening of debris to take place whilst the investigator is moving through the scene.
“The unit is very sensitive, allowing the investigators to disregard debris that might otherwise have been collected and subjected to expensive laboratory testing. Certified for use in explosive atmospheres, with high levels of sensitivity and resistance to interference from humidity or contamination, the Tiger is the only handheld instrument of its kind in South Africa, so it has allowed Danati bragging rights, which is always a morale booster!”