Term
|
Definition
| ...the result of a rapid combustion reaction. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| ...the self-sustaining process of rapid oxidation of a fuel, which produces heat and light. |
|
|
Term
| flammable or explosive limits |
|
Definition
| The % of a substance (vapor) in air that will burn once it is ignited. Most substances have an upper (too rich) and a lower (too lean) flammable limit. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The minimum temperature at which a liquid fuel gives off sufficient vapors to form an ignitable mixture with the air near the surface. At this temperature, the ignited vapors will flash but will not continue to burn. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the minimum temperature to which a fuel in air must be heated to start self-sustained combustion without a separate ignition source |
|
|
Term
| Heat can travel throughout a burning building by one or more of 3 methods: |
|
Definition
1. conduction
2. convection
3. radiation |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Direct contact. Example: A basement fire that heats pipes enough to ignite the wood inside walls several rooms away. Aluminum, copper, and iron are good conductors. Fibrous materials like felt, cloth, and paper are poor conductors. Liquids, gas and air are poor conductors of heat. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The transfer of heat by the movement of air or liquid. Heated air in a building will expand and rise, so fire spread by convection is mostly in an upward direction. Direct flame contact is a form of convective heat transfer. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Heat travel where matter does not exist. Radiation of heat waves. Example: us being warmed by the Sun. Heat waves are longer than light waves. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. oxygen (oxidizing agent) (~16% required. Normal air contains 21%)
2. fuel (solid, liquid, or gas [only gases burn])
3. heat
4. self-sustaining chemical reaction |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
1. incipient
2. steady-state
3. hot smoldering |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| ordinary combustible materials (wood, cloth, paper, rubber, many plastics) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Flammable and combustible liquids and gases like gasoline, oil, lacquers, paints, mineral spirits, and alcohol (liquids, greases, gases). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Live electrical equipment like household appliances, computers, transformers, and overhead transmission lines. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Combustible Metals (aluminum, magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, zinc) |
|
|
