NFIRS 5.0 Element: ‘Type of Material’

Definition : The composition of the material in the item first ignited by the heat source. The type of material ignited refers to the raw, common, or natural state of the material. The type of material ignited may be a gas, flammable liquid, chemical, plastic, wood, paper, fabric, or any number of other materials.
This field is required only if the Item First Ignited code is “00” or a code less than “70.”

Purpose : This information assists in determining why fires start and spread and their severity. A study of this entry also helps assess the need for flammability and other material characteristic standards. This information is important to manufacturers for product improvement, as well as for fire prevention efforts.

Entry : Enter the code and description that best describes the type of material first ignited by the heat source.

Be certain to enter the first material ignited by the heat source. For example, if an arsonist poured gasoline on a wooden floor, it was the gasoline and not the wood that was the material first ignited.

If an insulated wire short circuits, it may be the wire’s insulation that was first ignited; or it may be the wood studs in the wall, thermal insulation nearby, or another material.

Element Specification

Specification	Value
Requirement	Optional
Expected Length	2
Element Type	Coded Field – The coded field relating to an entry in the code table. Most coded fields allow for Plus+ One codes. For these fields the expected length of the coded entry is depicted as (National length OR Plus+ One length). Only fields with this notation in the expected length column allow for Plus+ One definitions. If the user has not provided information, an empty field should be transmitted.

TYPE OF MATERIAL FIRST IGNITED CODES

Here are the NFIRS codes for the ‘Type of Material’ element

Flammable Gas:

11 – Natural Gas.
12 – Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
13 – Anesthetic Gas.
14 – Acetylene Gas.
15 – Hydrogen.
10 – Flammable Gas – Other.

Flammable, Combustible Liquid:

21 – Ether, Pentane Type Flammable Liquid.
22 – JP-4 Jet Fuel & Methyl Ethyl Ketone Type Flammable.
23 – Gasoline.
24 – Turpentine, Butyl Alcohol Type Flammable Liquid.
25 – Kerosene, No.1 And 2 Fuel Oil, Diesel Fuel.
26 – Cottonseed Oil, Creosote Oil Type Combustible
27 – Cooking Oil, Transformer or Lubricating Oil.
28 – Ethanol.
20 – Flammable or Combustible Liquid – Other.

Volatile Solid or Chemical:

31 – Fat, Grease, Butter, Margarine, Lard.
32 – Petroleum Jelly And Non-food Grease.
33 – Polish, Paraffin, Wax.
34 – Adhesive, Resin, Tar, Glue, Asphalt, Pitch.
35 – Paint, Varnish – Applied.
36 – Combustible Metal, Included Are Magnesium.
37 – Solid Chemical, Included Are Explosives.
38 – Radioactive Material.
30 – Volatile Solid or Chemical – Other.

Plastics:

41 – Plastic.

Natural Product:

51 – Rubber, Excluding Synthetic Rubbers.
52 – Cork.
53 – Leather.
54 – Hay, Straw.
55 – Grain, Natural Fiber (preprocess).
56 – Coal, Coke, Briquettes, Peat.
57 – Food, Starch, Excluding Fat And Grease (code 31).
58 – Tobacco.
50 – Natural Product – Other.

Wood or Paper – Processed:

61 – Wood Chips, Sawdust, Shavings.
62 – Round Timber, Including Round Posts,
63 – Sawn Wood, Including All Finished Lumber.
64 – Plywood.
65 – Fiberboard, Particleboard, And Hardboard.
66 – Wood Pulp, Wood Fiber.
67 – Paper, Including Cellulose, Waxed Paper.
68 – Cardboard.
60 – Wood or Paper, Processed – Other.

Fabric,textiles, Fur:

71 – Fabric, Fiber, Cotton, Blends, Rayon, Wool.
74 – Fur, Silk – Other Fabric.
75 – Wig.
76 – Human Hair.
77 – Plastic-coated Fabric.
70 – Fabric, Textile, Fur – Other.

Material Compounded With Oil:

81 – Linoleum.
82 – Oilcloth.
86 – Asphalt-treated Material.
80 – Material Compounded With Oil – Other.

Other Material:

99 – Multiple Types Of Material.
00 – Type Of Material First Ignited – Other.
UU – Type Of Material First Ignited, Undetermined.

Relational Edit Rules for ‘Type of Material’

NFIRS defines relational edit rules to ensure data consistency and accuracy in its database. These are the rules for ‘Type of Material’.

Rule	Group	Overview
Relational Edit Rule 50		Type of Material Required.

Transactions containing ‘Type of Material’

The value of this element is captured by the following transaction :

Fire

Need more NFIRS help?

Here are some other useful ressources to learn more about NFIRS.

NFIRS Codes Cheat Sheet – NFIRS Coding – NFIRS Examples – FDIDs – POCs – NFIRS Transactions – NFIRS Modules – NFIRS Elements – NFIRS Rules – NFIRS Reference – NFIRS Compliant ?

You can also read this NFIRS 5.0 Complete Reference Guide, and NFIRS 5.0 Design Documentation in order to have a deeper understanding of NFIRS 5.0. Here are also NFIRS 5.0 Forms ready for you to download and use.

We are here to help, Feel free to contact us if you need any additionnal informations.

Last Updated on May 9, 2023