What type of analysis involves determining causes and effects leading to a fire?

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a systematic approach used to evaluate potential failures in a system, process, or design, focusing specifically on understanding how those failures can contribute to undesirable outcomes, such as a fire. In the context of fire investigation, applying FMEA enables the investigator to identify how different failure points can lead to the ignition and spread of fire. This analysis takes into account both the causes (the reasons why something fails) and the effects (the consequences of that failure), facilitating a thorough understanding of the sequences that can lead to fire incidents.

FMEA goes beyond merely observing what happened during a fire; it examines the entire chain of events and conditions that contribute to the ignition and development of a fire, allowing investigators to address underlying issues and improve safety measures. This makes it a crucial tool in fire investigations where understanding the causal relationships is essential for preventing similar incidents in the future.