EASTERN STATES WORKING DOG ASSOCIATION, INC
 

Home By-Laws Certify Test Guestbook Upcoming Events Goals History Links Photos Videos Membership View Guestbook Contact

ACCELERANT DETECTION TEST

This test will determine the proficiency and reliability of the K-9 team in the detection of accelerant odors in a variety of realistic search scenarios.  For certification the team CANNOT MISS any training aids hidden A false indication is considered a miss of a training aid and will result in the K-9 team failing that particular area of the test.  If a team fails in one (1) test area, only that area failed will need to be retested within a thirty (30) day period.  All training aids will be placed at least 60 minutes prior to testing. 

 All canines must be tested on six different accelerant odors made up of two odors from each of the following groups.  The odors that may be used to test each division are as follows:

GROUP A                        GROUP B                    GROUP C

  1. 1. #2 Fuel Oil               1. Paint and Varnish Remover    1. Charcoal Lighter Fluid     

  2. 2. Diesel Fuel               2. Kerosene                               2. Paint Thinner

  3. 3. Gum Turpentine        3. Lacquer Thinner                     3. Naphtha

  4. 4. Lamp Oil                  4. Gasoline                                 4. Dry Gas

  5. 5. Transmission Fluid    5. Gasohol

  6. 6. Jet-A-Fuel                6. Octane

                                                                   

 It shall be the responsibility of the agencies / K9 teams being tested to provide samples of all accelerant odors.  The examining K-9 trainer will select the odors used to test each division at random from these samples. 

The maximum amount used for testing shall be 1/2 cup and the minimum amount shall be one (1) drop from an eyedropper.  Each area tested will contain a minimum of two aids and a maximum of four (4) training aids with each being a different accelerant odor.  The handler will not be told the number or type of accelerant aids they are searching for.

 Five (5) areas will be provided for testing.  The canine team will be tested in four (4) of the five (5) areas.  The five (5) areas will be: 

  1. Structure / Fire Scene
  2. Open Area
  3. Paint Can Line Up
  4. Clothing Line Up
  5. Vehicle Interior

 The Trainer will pick the areas by availability.

STRICT SAFETY MEASURES SHALL BE UPHELD DURING TESTING !!

 Structure / Fire Scene:  The structure / fire scene search shall consist of either an intact structure or the site of a structure fire.  If a structure fire scene is selected, the fire must have occurred not less than eight hours nor more than six months prior to the test being conducted.  The size of the area used for testing shall be not less than 1000 square feet or more than 2000 square feet. Prior to the examination beginning, the dog will search the area to make sure that there are no accelerant odors present before the training aids are hidden. The aids may be placed anywhere from a height of four six feet to a depth of six inches under debris or ash.

 Open Area Search:  Open area shall be defined as: 

  1. Exterior of buildings.
  2. Open Fields.
  3. Wooded area.
  4. Any outside area not covered in above.  The area is to be no larger than 100 yards by 100 yards and no smaller than 25 yards by 25 yards or any configuration thereof.  Aids used in this search shall consist of a minimum of ½ cup of accelerant poured on the ground or a container concealed in the area containing at least ¼ cup of accelerant.

 Paint Can Line Up:  It shall be the responsibility of the agencies / K9 Teams being tested to provide the correct number of properly prepared paint cans for this test.  A minimum of nine (9) and a maximum of twelve (12) unused one-gallon paint cans, each containing burned wood, paper and plastic material are placed in a line a minimum of four feet apart.  No accelerant material is used to prepare the ash samples.  If the dog to be tested indicates aggressively (scratching & biting) lids are placed on the paint cans with a minimum of twelve ¼ inch diameter holes in each lid.

             Clothing Line Up:  A minimum of six (6) and a maximum of twelve (12) piles of previously worn clothes not washed are placed in a line a minimum of four feet apart. One of the clothing samples will be contaminated with no more than one (1) ounce and no less than four (4) drops of an accelerant from wither group A, B, or C. This is left to the discretion of the examining K-9 trainer.

             Vehicle Interior:  A minimum of four (4) and a maximum of twelve (12) vehicles of any type or model are parked in a line so as to allow the team to have easy access to each vehicle.  All aids will be placed in the interior (passenger compartment) of the vehicles and the teams will confine the search to the vehicle interiors only. 

            There is no time limit for a team to complete each phase of testing; however, the Trainer may stop the test once it has been made evident that the team cannot locate the aids.  Only the areas failed will be required on a re-test within thirty (30) days.

 All tests given the Accelerant Detection Team will be on a pass/fail basis

 This certification will be valid for one (1) year from the date of issue.