CHEMISTRY OF FIRE
Stages of Fire
CLASSES OF FIRE
TERMS
MISC
100
A RAPID CHEMICAL PROCESS THAT PRODUCES HEAT AND LIGHT
WHAT IS A FIRE
100

Stage of fire where energy release is at a maximum and is only limited by availability of fuel and oxygen.  

What is FULLY DEVELOPED?

100
BURNING COOKING OILS AND FATS IN A KITCHEN
WHAT IS A CLASS K FIRE
100
THE SMALLEST UNIT OF MATTER
WHAT IS AN ATOM
100
THE FIRST STEP IN READING SMOKE IS TO CONSIDER THESE FOUR ATTRIBUTES
WHAT IS SMOKE VOLUME, SMOKE DENSITY, SMOKE VELOCITY, SMOKE COLOR
200
SOLID, LIQUID, AND GAS
WHAT ARE THE 3 FORMS OF MATTER
200

The early stage of a fire where fuel and oxygen are virtually unlimited.

What is GROWTH STAGE?

200
THIS FIRE INVOLVES COMBUSTIBLE METALS SUCH AS SODIUM, MAGNESIUM, AND TITANIUM
WHAT IS A CLASS D FIRE
200
A CHEMICAL REACTION UNITES FUEL, HEAT, AND OXYGEN IN THIS FIRE TRIANGLE
WHAT IS THE FIRE TETRAHEDRON
200
SMOKE IS COMPOSED OF THESE THREE MAJOR COMPONENTS
WHAT ARE PARTICLES, VAPORS, AND GASES
300
HEAT SPREADS VIA THESE METHODS
WHAT IS CONDUCTION, CONVENTION, RADIATION, AND DIRECT CONTACT
300

Stage of fire when fuel is consumed and energy release diminishes. Fire goes from vent controlled to fuel controlled.

What is DECAY STAGE?

300
THIS FIRE INVOLVES ENERGIZED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
WHAT IS A CLASS C FIRE
300
IF GAS IS PRESENT IN THE AIR BEYOND THIS MIXTURE LEVEL, IT WILL NOT BURN
WHAT IS UPPER FLAMMABLE LIMIT (UFL)
300
CAUSED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF OXYGEN INTO A CLOSED STRUCTURE WHERE THERE IS A DEFICIENCY OF OXYGEN
WHAT IS A BACKDRAFT
400
ENERGY IS CLASSIFIED INTO THESE FORMS
WHAT IS CHEMICAL, MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, LIGHT, AND NUCLEAR
400

Stage of fire marked by ignition.

What is INCIPIENT STAGE?

400
FIRE THAT CAN BE EXTINGUISHED BY SHUTTING OFF THE SUPPLY OF FUEL OR BY USING FOAM TO EXCLUDE OXYGEN FROM THE FUEL
WHAT IS CLASS B FIRE
400
THIS OCCURS WHEN A FLAMMABLE LIQUID IS STORED UNDER PRESSURE AND THE CONTAINER FAILS IN A FIRE
WHAT IS A BLEVE
400
SPONTANEOUS IGNITION OF THE HOT GASES IN THE UPPER LEVELS OF A ROOM
WHAT IS FLAMEOVER/ROLLOVER
500
THE PROCESS IN WHICH OXYGEN COMBINES CHEMICALLY WITH ANOTHER SUBSTANCE TO CREATE A NEW COMPOUND
WHAT IS OXIDATION
500

The stage at which a fire first moves from fuel controlled to ventilation controlled.

What is GROWTH STAGE?

500
BURNING ORDINARY COMBUSTIBLES SUCH AS PAPER AND WOOD
WHAT IS A CLASS A FIRE
500
THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE AT WHICH A SUBSTANCE RELEASES ENOUGH VAPOR TO IGNITE AND SUSTAIN COMBUSTION
WHAT IS FLAME POINT (FIRE POINT)
500
THE TENDENCY OF FIRE GASES IN AN ENCLOSED SPACE TO FORM LAYERS ACCORDING TO THEIR TEMPERATURE
WHAT IS THERMAL LAYERING
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