Tetrahedron Breakdown
This element of the Fire Tetrahedron is a gas in the air that makes up about 21% of the atmosphere.
Oxygen
Fact or Myth: Spraying water on a wood fire puts it out primarily by removing oxygen.
Myth! (It puts it out by reducing heat)
When a firefighter smothers a small pan fire with a fire blanket, which element of the Tetrahedron is being removed?
Oxygen
What is the term for the heat-driven process where a solid material breaks down and releases flammable gases?
Pyrolysis
Wood, paper, gasoline, and natural gas are all examples of this component of the Fire Tetrahedron.
Fuel
Fact or Myth: Solid wood blocks and liquid gasoline do not actually burn—only their gases burn.
Fact! (Pyrolysis creates flammable gases that burn!)
Turning off the gas valve on a stove or grill extinguishes the flame by removing which element?
Fuel
Modern furniture made of foam, plastics, and synthetic fabrics can reach maximum room heat (flashover) in under how many minutes?
4 minutes
This component of the Fire Tetrahedron provides the energy needed to reach an object's ignition temperature.
Heat
Fact or Myth: Fires in modern homes burn slower than fires did 50 years ago because of better building codes.
Myth! (Fires today burn much faster due to synthetic materials and plastics!)
Spraying water onto burning wooden pallets cools the fire down below its ignition temperature, removing which element?
Heat
What do firefighters call the movement of heat and toxic smoke out of a building while cool air rushes in to feed the fire?
Flow Path
The Fire Tetrahedron has 4 components instead of the old Fire Triangle. What is the 4th element that connects the other three in a continuous loop?
Chemical Chain Reaction
Fact or Myth: Opening doors and windows during a house fire helps clear out the smoke and makes it safer.
Myth! (Opening doors creates a flow path that feeds oxygen to the fire!)
Firefighters sometimes use chemical foam or specialized agents to interrupt the rapid bonding of fuel and oxygen molecules. Which element are they attacking?
Chemical Chain Reaction
What simple safety habit creates a thermal barrier at night, keeping heat, smoke, and toxic gases out of your bedroom while you sleep?
Close before you Doze