2. Enhanced Fire Behavior Flashcards
A simple model that explains nonflaming or surface combustion
Fire Triangle
P20
Kinetic energy associated with the movement of atoms and molecules that compromise
Thermal energy
P21
Measurement of kinetic energy
Temperature
P21
The movement of thermal energy from objects of higher temperature to those of lower temperature
Heat
P21
The capacity to perform work
Energy
P21
Defined as being equal to 1 N over a distance of 1 m.
Joule
P22
The US fire service uses the customary system in which the unit of measurement for heat energy is____.
BTU
P22
The ______ of any fuel determines its heat of combustion and has a significant influence on its energy or heat release rate (HRR)
Chemical contact/composition
P23
P36
Heat of combustion is usually expressed in either____ or ____.
Kilojoules/gram (kJ/g)
Megajoule/kilogram (MJ/kg)
P23
Total amount of energy released when a specific amount of that fuel is oxidized/burned.
Heat of combustion
P23
Energy released per unit of time as a given fuel burns.
Heat release rate (HHR)
P24
Heat release rate is expressed in ___ or ___.
Kilowatts (kW)
megawatts (MW)
P24
The dominant method of heat transfer in the early stages of fire development.
Convection
P24
The point where the three elements of the fire triangle come together and combustion begins.
Ignition
P26
When sufficient oxygen is available, fire development is controlled by the ____ and ____ or the fuel.
Characteristics
Configuration
P 26
In a compartment fire, the most fundamental fuel characteristics influence in fire development are ____ and ____.
Mass
Surface area
P31
The actual and potential ventilation of a structure based on structural openings, construction type, and building ventilation systems.
Existing ventilation
P34
Indicators of potential fire behavior prior to ignition.
Building features
P37
Used to describe how difficult it is to see through smoke
Optical density/opacity
P40
Term that refers to the buoyancy of smoke.
Physical density
P40
Refers to the movement of air toward burning fuel in the movement of smoke out of the compartment.
Airflow
P40
Differences in density between the hot smoke in cooler air.
Gravity current
P40
Alternate outward movement of smoke followed by an inward movement of air, indicative of an under ventilated fire with potential Backdraft conditions.
Pulsing airflow
P42
The key differences between a Backdraft and a smoke explosion.
Temperature of the fire gases
oxygen concentration
P54
