Section 8.

1
FIRE
TETRAHEDRON
necessary change
in ecosystems
around the
world. For
instance, it
influence the
type and
population of
flora and fauna
 every
rapid, And
usually
persistent
WHAT IS chemical
FIRE? reaction
Ingredients of
Fire
The fire tetrahedron, which is a
triangular pyramid, is a visual
aid that reminds us of the four
important ingredients required
to initiate and sustain fire,
namely:1) heat, 2) fuel, 3) an
oxidizing agent, and 4) an
uninhibited chemical reaction.
It is energy that flows from an
object of high temperature
to an object of low
temperature.
 There are three
main ways in which
heat can be
transferred:
Conduction,
convection, and
contact of
substances
,
typically
solids,
for heat
the flow
of
liquids
and
gases in
that
involves
only
electromagne
tic waves,
like
sunlight, or
 Fuel
Is any
liquid,
substance
or gaseous
that can
be burned.
It is the
Pyrolysis
chemical
decomposition
of solid fuels
which produces
gas fuel
through the
Vaporizatio
The
n
production
of fuel
gases from
liquid
An oxidizing agent
Also oxidizer or oxidant

An element or a compound which

releases oxygen or other oxidizers
during a chemical reaction.
 An uninhibited chemical
chain reaction
combustion or burning--- an exothermic
reaction becomes self-sustained because the
heat given off during combustion (which is
greater than the amount of heat required for
the reaction to occur in the first place) is used
again to heat the fuel and maintain the burning
 STAGES
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OF NEXT

FIRE
PREV NEXT
 ONE
Ignition
(Incipient)
stage
The fire is very small
that it can still be
controlled by a portable
fire extinguisher or
small house line, or it
may even go out on its
own (but do not bank on
this). Recognizing this
stage of a fire is
crucial in successfully
 TWO
GROWTH
STAGE
The growth stage of a fire
is the shortest of the
four stages. It takes
place when the heat
release rate increases as
result of the burning of
additional fuel. The rate
of growth of a fire is
dependent on the amount of
 If heat
continues
to build,
 Flashover is the non-
explosive abrupt spread
of fire through the air
to almost all expose
combustible objects due
to the burning of vapors
of objects which have
 THREE
Full-developed
fire stage
During this stage,
fire has consumed
almost all if the
available combustible
materials. Oxygen is
being consumed
rapidly and maximum
temperatures are
 FOUR

DECAY
STAGE
which lasts the
longest, takes place
when oxygen and fuel
begin to diminish. The
fire consumes the
remaining fuel. During
this stage, the
temperature decreases
significantly and the
is an explosive fire that
happens due the sudden
introduction of oxygen into
an enclosed structure, like a
house, which has been
deprived of air for quite
some time. Oxygen may enter
into a house on fire when a
window breaks or when a door