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FIRE IFSTA > Chapter 2 Fire Behavior > Flashcards

Chapter 2 Fire Behavior Flashcards

1
Q

Fire

A

A chemical reaction that requires Fuel, Oxygen, & Heat to occur.

A rapid chemical reaction that gives off energy & products of combustion that are very different in composition from the fuel & oxygen that combined to produce them.

Rapid self-sustaining oxidization process accompanied by the evolution of heat & light of varying intensities.

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2
Q

Physical Science

A

Study of the physical world around us and includes the sciences of chemistry & physics and the law related to matter & energy

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3
Q

The U.S. uses the English or Customary unit

A

Other use the Metric or International systems of units (SI)

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4
Q

Weight

A

The measurement of the gravitational attraction on a specific mass (customary unit LB’s)

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5
Q

Energy

A

The capacity to perform work.

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6
Q

Work

A

Transformation of energy from on form to another

(When a force is applied to an object over a distance)

(CU=”Ft lb”) (SI= “Joule”)

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7
Q

Joule

A

Unit based on a force in expressed Newtons

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8
Q

Types of Energy

A 
Chemical
Mechanical
Electrical
Heat
Light
Nuclear
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9
Q

Chemical Energy

A

Energy released as a result of a chemical reaction

FIRE

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10
Q

Mechanical Energy

A

Energy a object in motion possesses

Rolling Rock

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11
Q

Electrical Energy

A

Developed when electrons flow through a conductor

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12
Q

Heat Energy

A

Transferred between two bodies of differing temperatures.
(Sun & Earth)
Most common on earth

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13
Q

Light Energy

A

Visible radiation produced at the atomic level such as flame produced during the combustion reaction.

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14
Q

Nuclear Energy

A

Energy released when atoms split(Fission) or Join (Fusion).

Nuclear power plants generate power as a result of fission of uranium-235.

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15
Q

Fission

A

Atoms split

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16
Q

Fusion

A

Atoms join together

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17
Q

Energy exists in two states

A

Kinetic-energy possessed by a object in motion

Potential- Energy possessed by an object that can be released in future. (rock on cliff)

In fire, Fuel is potential chemical energy, as it burns its converted to kinetic energy in the form of heat and light.

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18
Q

Kinetic Energy

A

Energy possessed by a object in motion

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19
Q

Potential Energy

A

Energy possessed by an object that can be released.

“Rock on a cliff”

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20
Q

Power

A

Amount of energy delivered over a given period of time.

CU=”HP”) (SI=”WATTS”

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21
Q

Calorie

A

Amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 Gram of water 1 degree Celsius.

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22
Q

BTU

A

Amount of heat required to raise 1 Lb of water 1 degree Fahrenheit

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23
Q

Mechanical equivalent of heat.

A

Relationship between the calorie and Joule

1 Calorie= 4.187 Joules
1 BTU= 1,055 Joules

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24
Q

Heat can be transferred from one body to another by 3 mechanisms

A

Conduction
Convection
Radiation

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25
Q

Conduction

A

Point to point contact

*Heat transferred early in the development of all fires is almost entirely due to conduction

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26
Q

Convection

A

Transfer of heat energy by the movement of heated liquid of gases

  • When fire grows
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27
Q

Radiation

A

Transmission of energy as a electromagnetic wave.
(Light & Radio waves, X-rays)

Travels in a straight line at the speed of light.

Energy travels @ a speed of light from the sun through space”Vacuum” & warms the earth

  • Cause of most exposure fires
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28
Q

Matter

A

Anything that occupies space and has mass

Physical appearance/Properties (Mass,Size,Volume)

Physical State (Solid, Liquid, Gas, Color, Smell)

29
Q

Physical appearance/Properties of matter

A

Mass
Size
Volume

30
Q

Physical State of matter

A 
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Color
Smell
31
Q

H2O

A

32F Liquid
Sea level atmospheric pressure is defined as 760 mm of mercury on a barometer

Specific gravity of 1

32
Q

Density

A

Measure of how tightly the molecules of a solid substance are packed together
(Mass/Volume)

(SI=KG/M^3) (CU=LB/FT^3)

33
Q

Specific Gravity

A

Ratio of the mass of a given volume of liquid compared with mass of an equal volume of water.

H2O Specific gravity of 1.
Less than 1 are lighter than water. “FlOAT”
Greater than 1 are heavier than water. “SINK”

34
Q

Vapor Density

A

Density of a gas or vapor in relation to air

Less than 1 will “RISE”
Greater than 1 will “FALL”

35
Q

Chemical Reaction

A

Whenever matter is transformed from one state to another or a new substance is produced

Simplest of these reactions occurs when matter changes state which is called a physical change

Exp- when H2o freezes the chemical makeup stays the same.

36
Q

Chemical Change

A

Substances are transformed into new substances with different physical & chemical properties.

Exp- When Hydrogen & Oxygen are combined to form water.

37
Q

Exothermic

A

Reactions that give off energy
(Fire Heat/ Light)

-Oxidation, Combustion

38
Q

Endothermic

A

Reaction that absorb energy

Liquid to gas

39
Q

Oxidation

A

Formation of a chemical bond between oxygen and another element.

(most common is iron) Flaky red called iron oxide,rust

Very slow process- heat dissipates before noticed.

Exothermic

40
Q

Combustion

A

Self-sustaining chemical reaction yielding energy or products that cause further reaction of the same kind.

Supported as low as 14%

41
Q

Fire Tetrahedron

A

Oxygen (oxidizing agent) O2 most common
Fuel
Heat
Self-sustained chemical reaction

42
Q

Oxygen

A

21% normally
Combustion supported as low as 14%
If temps in compartment fires go up, lower concentrations of o2 are need to support flaming combustion.

Research shows less than 2%

+21% is oxygen enriched ( Burn more rapidly)
31% Nomex ignites & burns vigorously. Hard to extinguish “Home care o2, Nursing homes”

43
Q

Fuel

A

Material or substance being oxidized or burned in the combustion process.

Fuel in combustion is known as a reducing agent

44
Q

Reducing Agent

A

Fuel in combustion

45
Q

Pyrolysis

A

Chemical decomposition of a substance through the action of heat

46
Q

Surface to mass ration

A

Surface area to the fuel in proportion to the mass.

Log=Low
Saw dust=High

47
Q

Vaporization

A

Transformation of a liquid to its vapor or gaseous state.

Exp- Water left in a pan evaporates

48
Q

Flammable (Explosive) Range

A

After fuel has been converted into a gaseous state, it must be mixed with air (oxidizer in the proper ratios) The range of concentrations of the fuel vapor & O2 is called the FR.

% by volume of gas or vapor in air for LFL & UFL

49
Q

Lower Flammable Limit

A

Minimum concentration of fuel vapor & Air that supports combustion.

Concentration that are below the LFL are too lean to burn

50
Q

Upper Flammable Limit

A

Concentration above which combustion cannot take place.

Above the UFL are too rich to burn

51
Q

Fuel Load or Fire Load

A

Total amount (mass) of fuel in a compartment or specific location multiplied by the heat of combustion of materials

Typical basement fire load 5.8 (lb.sq.ft)

52
Q

Heat

A

Energy component of fire tetrahedron
Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Nuclear

When heat comes in contact with fuel. Energy supports combustion reaction in many ways.

  • Pyrolysis or vaporization of solid & Liquids
  • Provides Energy necessary for ignition
  • Continuous production & Ignition of fuel vapors or gases to continue combustion.
53
Q

Chemical Heat

A

When any combustion is in contact with oxygen, oxidation occurs.

Most common in combustion

Heat generated when match burns

Self heating (Spontaneous Heating) is when materials increase in heat with addition of external heat.

54
Q

Ignition Temperature

A

Minimum temperature at which self-sustained combustion occurs

55
Q

Electrical Heat

A

Can generate temps high enough to ignite any combustible materials near the heated area.

  • Current flows through a resistance (static,Lightning)
  • Over current or overload ( Arching,Sparking)
56
Q

Mechanical heat

A

Generated by friction & Compression

Movement of two surfaces against each other

57
Q

Nuclear Heat

A

Heat Energy is generated when atoms either split (fission) or combine (fusion)

Fission heats water to drive steam turbines & produce electricity.

Fusion- sun heat is product

58
Q

Fire Development

A 
Ignition
Growth 
Flashover (900-1200 degrees) 
Fully Developed
Decay
59
Q

Fuel Controlled

A

When amount of fuel available to burn is limited

60
Q

Ventilation Controlled

A

When amount of available oxygen is limited

61
Q

Heat Release Rate (HRR)

A

Amount of energy released over time BTU’S or KW

62
Q

Flameover / Rollover

A

Flames move through or across the unburned gases during a fires progression

63
Q

Thermal Layering

A

Gases form into layers according to temp

64
Q

Polar Solvents

A

Liquids that readily mix with water

Non-polar (Hydrocarbons)

65
Q

Classifications of Fires

A

Class A- Ordinary combustibles
Class B - Flammable & Combustible liquids
Class C- Electrical
Class D- Metals

66
Q

Class A Fires

A

Ordinary combustibles

  • wood, cloth, paper, rubber, many plastics
67
Q

Class B Fires

A

Flammable & Combustibles

  • Gas, Oil, Lacquer, Paint, Mineral Spirits, Alcohol
  • Smothering or blanketing
68
Q

Class C Fires

A

Electrical

  • Household appliances, Computers, Transformers
  • Halon, Dry Chemical, Carbon Dioxide

Fasters to de-energize

69
Q

Class D Fires

A

Metals

  • Aluminum, Magnesium, titanium, Zirconium, Sodium, & Potassium
  • No single agent effectively controls fires in all combustible metals.

FIRE IFSTA (20 decks)

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