Chapter 5 Fire Behavior and Building Construction

Question 1

Autoexposure

Answer 1

The vertical spread of fire on the exterior of a multistory building, from one floor to the floor(s) above, via convection and radiation.

Question 2

Autoignition

Answer 2

A phenomenon in which a combustible material ignites spontaneously without the application of a flame or spark.

Question 3

Backdraft

Answer 3

The explosive burning of heated gaseous products of combustion when oxygen is introduced into an environment whose oxygen supply has been depleted due to fire.

Question 4

Bagasse

Answer 4

Low-density fiberboard made of wood fibers or sugar cane residue.

Question 5

Batt insulation

Answer 5

Fiberglass or rock wool insulation with various thicknesses; it may or may not have a paper covering.

Question 6

Ceiling layer

Answer 6

The hot, buoyant gases that collect at the very top of a room.

Question 7

Combustible acoustical tile

Answer 7

Fiberboard in which holes have been punched.

Question 8

Conduction

Answer 8

The transfer of heat within an object or between objects through direct contact.

Question 9

Convection

Answer 9

The transfer of heat through circulation within a medium such as a gas or liquid.

Question 10

Entrainment

Answer 10

The process of oxygen (air) being drawn into a fire.

Question 11

Fire plume

Answer 11

The column of flames, smoke, and heated gases rising above the burning object.

Question 12

Flameover

Answer 12

A situation in which unburned fuel gases, having gathered in sufficient quantities at the ceiling layer, suddenly ignite; also called rollover.

Question 13

Flashover

Answer 13

A transition stage in a fire in which exposed surfaces within the compartment ignite simultaneously and fire spreads throughout the compartment, resulting in full room involvement.

Question 14

Fuel

Answer 14

A material that will sustain combustion.

Question 15

Heat

Answer 15

A form of energy that is the source of ignition.

Question 16

Low density fiberboard

Answer 16

Sometimes used as an interior finish, a product made of wood particles such as wood shavings and bound together with a suitable binder.

Question 17

Matchboarding

Answer 17

Ceilings made of embossed steel and wooden boards.

Question 18

Neutral plane

Answer 18

The interface between the hot ceiling layer and the cooler air flowing into the compartment.

Question 19

Oxidizing agent

Answer 19

Normally atmospheric oxygen, but may also be chemical compounds known as oxidizers that release oxygen as they react.

Question 20

Piloted ignition

Answer 20

Ignition of a heated combustible material when a flame or spark is applied.

Question 21

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)

Answer 21

Toxic chemicals used as non-flammable coolants in transformers that may be released during fires.

Question 22

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Answer 22

A commercially produced organic compound used in transformers and capacitors due to its electrical insulator properties and low flammability rating.

Question 23

Radiation

Answer 23

Heat transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves.

Question 24

Rigid-foamed polyurethane

Answer 24

Cellular foam plastic that is used as an interior finish.

Question 25

Robertson protected metal

Answer 25

Asphalt coated steel.

Question 26

Smoke

Answer 26

The airborne solid and liquid particulates and gases produced by a fire.

Question 27

Uninhibited chemical chain reaction

Answer 27

A sustained oxidation reaction that produces sufficient excess heat to continue heating unburned fuel, making it available for combustion.