11/11/2024
#384
FIRE TRIANGLE
First, what is fire?
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. At a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition point, flames are produced. The flame is the visible portion of the fire.
WHAT IS THE FIRE TRIANGLE?
The fire triangle is a simple way of understanding the elements or ingredients of fire. The sides of the triangle represent the interdependent ingredients needed for fire: heat, fuel and oxygen. These must all work together, all-or-nothing, to make a fire.
HEAT
Heat is the first element of the fire triangle. It is the energy that raises the temperature of a fuel to its ignition point. A heat source is responsible for the initial ignition of fire, and is also needed to maintain a fire.
Heat sources can be from sparks, friction, electrical charges, the Sun, or chemical reactions.
FUEL
Any combustible material, solid, liquid, or gas, that can burn when exposed to heat and oxygen. The moisture content determines how easily the fuel will burn.
OXYGEN
Helps oxidize fuel molecules into smaller combustible compounds, releasing energy and heat. Air contains about 21 percent oxygen, and most fires require at least 16 percent oxygen content to burn. Oxygen supports the chemical processes that occur during fire. When fuel burns, it reacts with oxygen from the surrounding air, releasing heat and generating combustion products (gases, smoke, embers, etc.). This process is known as oxidation.
The fire triangle is also known as the "combustion triangle". If you add the fourth element, the "chemical reaction", you have a fire "tetrahedron" (a triangular based pyramid shape).
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HOW TO EXTINGUISH A FIRE
To extinguish a fire, all you have to do is remove one or more elements of the fire triangle.
Heat
To reduce or totally remove heat, you can apply a cooling agent like water, powder, or a chemical retardant. For common fire, we usually use water.
Fuel
Fuel can be removed from the fire. Without fuel, a fire will stop.
Oxygen
Without sufficient oxygen, a fire cannot continue and will die. Oxygen can be denied to a fire using a fire extinguisher, a fire blanket or water. If the fire is small, covering it with a non-combustible material will suffice. In the outdoors, sand or dirt will do the trick.
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