Anatomy of Fire & Oxidizing Agents
How combustion works, why the fire tetrahedron replaced the fire triangle, and which oxidizers support burning.
Fire Behavior & Chemistry for Firefighters
A training guide to combustion, fuels, heat, phases of fire, flashover, backdraft and extinguishment theory.
Effective fire control and extinguishment requires a basic understanding of the chemical and physical nature of fire. This includes information describing sources of heat energy, composition and characteristics of fuels, and environmental conditions necessary to sustain the combustion process.
Fuels: Solids, Liquids, Gases & Flammable Range
Pyrolysis, vaporization, specific gravity, vapor density, the HA HA MICEN mnemonic, and flammable range tables.
Sources of Heat Energy
Chemical, electrical, mechanical and nuclear heat sources that start and sustain fires.
Phases of Fire, Flashover & Backdraft
Growth, fully developed and decay stages, the time-temperature curve, and the warning signs of backdraft.
Heat Transfer
How conduction, convection and radiation move heat and spread fire through a building.
Products of Combustion
Fire gases, flame, heat and smoke, and the hazards each presents to firefighters.
Extinguishment Theory & Classes of Fire
Cooling, fuel removal, oxygen dilution and chemical flame inhibition, plus Class A, B, C, D and K fires.
Fire Behavior Glossary
Definitions for flash point, fire point, ignition temperature, BTU, endothermic and exothermic reactions, and more.