Chapter 5- Fire Behavior and Building Construction Flashcards
The initial stage of a fire after ignition, usually involving a single or small number of combustibles.
Incipient
The secondary stage of a fire in which it spreads to adjacent combustible materials.
Free burning
A transition stage in which exposed surfaces within the compartment ignite simultaneously and fire spreads throughout the compartment. Results in full room involvement.
Flashover
A stage in which glowing combustion takes place, without flame.
Smoldering/decay
Aluminum will melt at around __ degrees F.
1200
The fire growth building problem can be differentiated based on its location: __ __
Hidden, Exposed
The fire growth contents problem can result from any of the following elements:
__
__
__
Furnishings
Interior finish, including decorations
Mercantile stock
The paper vapor seal on __ __ glass fiber insulation leads to a phenomenal rate of flame spread.
Batt type
Large groups of __ __ can support self sustaining ignition.
Electrical wires
There are three ways in which interior finishes may increase the fire hazard:
__
__
__
- They may increase fire extension by surface flame spread.
- They may generate smoke and toxic gases.
- They may add fuel to the fire, contributing to flashover.
When punched with holes, high density fiberboard is called __.
Pegboard
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) researchers noted that CO generation in such void could be as much as __ times what is normally generated.
50
Often cotton sheeting is used, which has a high flame spread, in proximity to light bulbs (a __ watt bulb can ignite cotton) or candles.
100
There are several possible approaches to control the problem of fast fire growth, including __, __, __, __.
- Eliminating High Flame Spread Surfaces
- Separating material from the source of combustion
- Cutting off the extension of the fire
- Coating the materials
Ballast in fluorescent fixtures can reach temperatures of __ degrees F.
1500
Haber’s rule states that any exposure in which the concentration (in parts per million) x minutes exposed equals __ is likely to be dangerous.
33,000
But don’t forget that aluminum also anneals when exposed to prolonged heat of __ degrees F and higher- that means it starts to lose its rated strength.
350
The vertical spread of fire on the exterior of a multistory building, from one floor to the floor above, via convection and radiation.
Autoexposure
Low density fiberboard made of wood fibers or sugar cane residue
Bagasse
Fiberglass or rock wool insulation with various thicknesses; it may or may not have a paper covering.
Batt insulation
The hot, buoyant gases that collect at the very top of a room.
Ceiling layer
Fiberboard in which holes have been punched.
Combustible acoustical tile
The process of air being drawn into a fire.
Entrainment
The column of flames, smoke, and heated gases rising above the burning object.
Fire plume
A situation in which unburned fuel gases, having gathered in sufficient quantities at the ceiling layer, suddenly ignite; also called rollover.
Flameover
Sometimes used as an interior finish, a product made of wood particles such as wood shavings and bound together with a suitable binder.
Low density fiberboard
Ceilings made of embossed steel and wooden boards.
Matchboarding
Toxic chemicals used as nonflammable coolants in transformers that may be released during fires.
Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)
A commercially produced organic compound used in transformers and capacitors due to its electrical insulator properties and low flammability rating.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Cellular foam plastic that is used as an interior finish.
Rigid Foamed polyurethane
Asphalt coated steel.
Robertson protected metal
