Fire Behavior

Question 1

Heat vs. Smoke

Answer 1

• Heat is energy

- Smoke is fuel

Question 2

Fire

Answer 2

Complex chemical reaction that converts one combination of substances into different combinations of substances and releases energy in the form of heat and light.

Question 3

Mechanical Energy

Answer 3

Friction

Question 4

Electrical Energy

Answer 4

• Electricity produces heat when it flows through a wire or any other conductive material
• The greater the flow of electricity and the greater the resistance of material, the greater the amount of heat produced

Question 5

Fire Tetrahedron

Answer 5

• Fuel
• Oxygen
• Heat
• Sustained Chemical Chain Reaction

Question 6

Heat Release Rate

Answer 6

Speed at which energy is released

Question 7

Oxidation

Answer 7

Process in which oxygen combines chemically with another substance to create a new compound

Question 8

Combustion

Answer 8

Rapid chemical process in which the combination of a substance with oxygen produces heat and light

Question 9

Three Major Components of Smoke

Answer 9

• Particles (solids)
• Vapors (finely suspended liquids/aerosols)
• Gases

Question 10

Methods of Extinguishment

Answer 10

• Cool the burning material
• Exclude oxygen
• Remove fuel
• Interrupt the chemical reaction

Question 11

Class A/B/C/D/K

Answer 11

• A: Ordinary combustibles
• B: Flammable or combustible liquids and/or gases
• C: Energized electrical equipment
• D: Combustible metals
• K: combustible cooking oils and fats in kitchens

Question 12

Class B:

Answer 12

Flammable or combustible liquids and/or gases

Question 13

4 Stages of Solid-Fuel Fire Development

Answer 13

-Ignition
-Growth
(Flashover)
-Fully Developed
-Decay

Question 14

Flameover (Rollover)

Answer 14

-Flaming ignition of how gases that are layered in a developing room or compartment fire (flames in the smoke)

Question 15

Thermal layering

Answer 15

-Gases rise as they are heated and form layers within a room

Question 16

Backdraft

Answer 16

An explosion after a closed box with a limited supply of oxygen and superheated gases is suddenly exposed to ocygen.

Question 17

Signs of Backdraft

Answer 17

• Confined fire with a large heat build-up
• Little visible flame from the exterior of the building
• “Living fire” smoke puffing from the building, as if it is breathing
• Smoke that seems pressurized
• Smoke-stained windows (indication of significant fire)
• Turbulent smoke
• Ugly yellowish smoke (containing sulfur compounds)

Question 18

Mixed compound liquid fuels flammability determined by:

Answer 18

Compound with the lowest ignition temperature

Question 19

Flash Point

Answer 19

Lowest temperature at which a liquid produces a flammable vapor

Question 20

Flame Point (Fire Point)

Answer 20

Lowest temperature at which a liquid produces enough vapor to sustain a continuous fire

Question 21

Vapor Density

Answer 21

• Air = 1
• Vapors < 1 Rise and dissipate
• Vapors > 1 Sink

Question 22

Lower Flammable Limit

Answer 22

Minimum amount of gaseous fuel that must be present in a gas-air mixture for the mixture to be flammable

Question 23

BLEVE

Answer 23

B oiling
L iquid
E xpanding 
V apor
E xplosion

-To prevent, cool top of container

Question 24

Ventilation Controlled Fire

Answer 24

Ignites, grows, consumes all oxygen and decays, until oxygen is introduced and room flashes.

Question 25

Ignition Temperature

Answer 25

-Minimum temperature at which a fuel, when heated, will combine with air and continue to burn