Basic Fire Science

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DEFINITION

is a process of combustion usually

accompanied by a rapid release of heat and light in varying
intensities.

Heat Fuel

Oxygen

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CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE
Fire is classified into four main categories:
Class A - fires involving ordinary combustible materials.

Class B - fires involving flammable/combustible

liquids and gases

Class C - fires involving energized electrical equipment

Class D - fires involving combustible metals

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BASIC STAGES OF FIRE

DEVELOPMENT
INITIAL STAGE - fire develops from its point of fire origin

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BASIC STAGES OF FIRE
DEVELOPMENT
INITIAL STAGE - propagation of combustion

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BASIC STAGES OF FIRE

DEVELOPMENT
FLASHOVER - transition stage between initial and full
development stage

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BASIC STAGES OF FIRE
DEVELOPMENT
FLASHOVER - transition stage between initial and full
development stage

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BASIC STAGES OF FIRE

DEVELOPMENT
FULLY DEVELOPED - fire burning at its maximum intensity
DECAY - fire slowing down due to depletion of fuel or oxygen

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COMBUSTION
Combustion is a reaction between a substance
and oxygen in which heat is given out.

Where a reaction between substance and oxygen

requires heat to maintain its reaction and the
reaction stops when the applied heat is removed
is NOT a process of combustion

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COMBUSTION

All combustible materials burn as vapour

phase reactions

Solid combustibles will vaporise or decompose

(pyrolysis) and then burn.

Liquids also vaporises before combustion

can take place.

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PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION
The products of a combustion process are:

THERMAL - Flame
Heat

NON-THERMAL - Smoke
Gases

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FIRE SEVERITY
Fire Severity is the condition of a fire in which
is related to the maximum temperature
reached and to the duration of burning.

The factors which control the fire behaviour

and thus the fire severity are inter-related.
These are:
• Nature of the fuel
• Amount of the fuel
• Arrangement of the fuel
• Size and shape of room
• Thermal insulation of walls and cladding
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 Conditions to

FIRE SEVERITY
Minimize Fire
Determinants from fire Severity
Load and Occupancy ____________

Nature
Of Fuel
Low burning
Rate and
Ignition

Fuel Amount As low as

of Fuel Possible

Rate of
Maximum Burning In Large Blocks
Temp. of Fuel Arrangm’t
Reached Of Fuel Minimum Area
Air
Exposed to Air
Fire Supply

Severity
Maximum Duration Size and Minimum Size
of Fuel Shape of
Time at
Burn Room
Shallow as
High Temp
Possible

Loss of Win dow

Heat Area and
Maximum
Shape Area

Thermal
Insulation
Of Walls & As low as possible
cladding

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Possible Impacts on
CERT-FireFighting Team??
Fire Wardens??
General workers??

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EFFECTS OF PRODUCT
OF COMBUSTION- NON THERMAL
Corrosive or become corrosive
in solution with water

Cause Panic

Attributed to more fire deaths

from smoke inhalation and
suffocation
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SMOKE
Smoke is the general term for the solid and
gaseous product of the combustion in the rising
plume of heated air

Burnt Unburnt
SMOKE Fuel

Gases produced by
degradation of the fuel

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SMOKE
Smoke is the general term for the solid and
gaseous product of the combustion in the rising
plume of heated air

Burnt Unburnt
SMOKE Fuel

Gases produced by
degradation of the fuel

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QUANTITY OF SMOKE

Smoke Layer

Temperature can reach

bet 400 to 500 C

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QUALITY OF SMOKE

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VISIBILITY IN SMOKE
Visibility in Smoke
is dependant on:

Smoke
- colour
- size of particles
- density
- physiological
effect

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VISIBILITY IN SMOKE
Visibility in Smoke
is dependant on:

Environment
- size & colour
of object
- illumination of
object

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VISIBILITY IN SMOKE
Visibility in Smoke
is dependant on:

Observer
- Physical & mental
state
- conditions -
controlled or
panic state

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VISIBILITY IN SMOKE
Optical Density

Dense and undiluted smoke

OD = 10 cm

<
Minimum acceptable for escape route
OD = 500 cm

<
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TOXICITY OF SMOKE
Examples
• Carbon Monoxide
• Hydrogen chloride
• Hydrogen Sulphide

Effects of exposure dependant on:

• mental
• physical
state of the person exposed.

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EFFECTS OF HEAT ON
MATERIAL PROPERTIES

The behaviour of any part of the building

under the effect of heat depends on:
• thermal
• mechanical properties

of the materials used in the structural

elements.

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EFFECTS OF HEAT ON
MATERIAL PROPERTIES
Concrete
Spalling - caused by:
• Excessive compression
of the material
• Formation of high
pressure steam in the
material
• Slitting of the aggregate

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EFFECTS OF HEAT ON
MATERIAL PROPERTIES
Brick and Blockwork
Failure of brickwall is
usually due to excessive
distortion caused by
greater expansion of the
surface nearest the heat
source

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EFFECTS OF HEAT ON
MATERIAL PROPERTIES
Steel
Quickly weaken when
exposed to fire

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EFFECTS OF HEAT ON
MATERIAL PROPERTIES
Wood
When burn it chars to
insulate and protect the
unburnt wood below.

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EFFECTS OF HEAT ON
MATERIAL PROPERTIES
Plastic
Thermoplastic - one
that soften and melt on
the application of heat.

Thermosetting plastic -
one which have been
soldified by the
application of heat and
will not soften when
heat is re applied.
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SUMMARY

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