FIRE Flashcards
What are the definitions of fire types?
Ignition and Combustion: Rapid chemical reactions between fuel and oxygen, releasing heat and light.
Flames: Visible manifestation of combustion; categorized as pre-mixed or diffusion flames.
Flash Point: Temperature at which fuel gases flash when ignition source applied.
Fire Point: Temperature at which fuel vapours sustain ignition.
Spontaneous Ignition Temperature: Temperature at which vapors ignite without external flame.
What are the definitions of fire growth?
Heat Transfer: Conduction, convection, and radiation facilitate fire growth.
Enclosed Space Behavior: Fire behaves differently in enclosed spaces due to increased radiant heat.
Stages of Fire: Growth, stability, and cooling stages after ignition.
Critical Stage: Flames reaching the ceiling dramatically increase radiant heat.
Flashover: Sudden transition when remaining combustibles ignite rapidly.
What are the categories of deliberate fires?
Financial Gain
Concealing a Crime
Malicious Vandalism
Casual Vandalism
Act of Terrorism
What types of fuel limitations are present in material choice for a building?
Reducing Fire Dangers:
Control of fire load and smoke load limits material available for combustion and smoke production.
Types of Fuel Influenced by Designers:
Building Fabric
Building Contents
How does fire relate to building fabric?
Fire Safety Terms:
Ignitability, Combustibility, Fire Propagation, Surface Spread of Flame, Potential for Smoke Obscuration, Fire Resistance.
Structural Elements and Internal Finishes:
Structural elements must not be fuel sources; internal finishes need careful specification.
Influence of Materials on Fire Properties:
Materials behind surface finishes affect fire properties.
How does building contents affect a fire?
Fire Risk Assessment:
Different materials pose varying fire risks (e.g., textiles, furniture, plastics).
Testing and Classification:
Regulations control materials for wall and ceiling surfaces to limit fire spread.
How is fire safety incorporated into the design of a building?
Communication:
Fire Detection Communication:
Importance of communicating fire location to occupants and fire service upon detection.
Automated Response:
Triggers automated response systems upon fire detection.
Escape:
Designing for Safe Evacuation:
Buildings should facilitate occupants’ safe escape in case of fire.
Escape Route Considerations:
Escape routes must be short and uncomplicated.
Containment:
Criticality of Fire Containment:
Design’s ability to contain fires is vital for property and occupant safety.
Passive and Active Containment Measures:
Passive measures involve building structure; active measures require communication.
What is passive structural protection from fire?
Fire Resistance Assessment:
Structural fire protection depends on escape needs and extinguishment time.
Guidelines for Fire Resistance:
Recommendations for fire resistance based on building type and anticipated fuel load.
Passive Fire Resistance:
Defining Fire Resistance:
Ability of structural elements to maintain functionality under heat exposure.
Methods of Enhancing Fire Resistance:
Oversizing, Insulation, Dissipation
What is passive compartmentation in terms of fire protection?
Purpose and Principles:
Dividing buildings into fire and smoke-tight areas to contain fire spread.
Design Considerations:
No weak points in barriers; services must maintain fire resistance.
What is passive envelope protection?
Limiting Fire Threats:
Measures to prevent fire spread to adjoining properties and limit ignition risks.
What are the active measures of fire protection?
Active Pressurisation:
Smoke Control Strategy:
Maintaining air pressure in protected areas to prevent smoke ingress.
Active Venting:
Smoke Containment:
Allowing smoke to escape outside to contain it within fire area.
What extinguishment agents can be used to combat fires?
Common Extinguishing Agents:
Water, Foam, Carbon Dioxide, Dry Powder, Halon
Methods of Application:
Manual firefighting, Auto-suppression, Fire service intervention
What is fire service intervention in building design?
Access and Equipment Requirements:
Need for safe ‘bridgeheads’ and access to firefighting equipment.
Bridgeheads are usually a safe position inside the building from which to carry out fire fighting operations.
What are the three elements required for combustion to occur?
Oxygen, heat, and a fuel source.
What is the flash point?
The temperature at which a fuel must be heated for the gases given off to flash when an ignition source is applied.
What is the fire point?
The temperature at which a fuel must be heated for the vapors given off by the fuel to sustain ignition.
What is spontaneous ignition temperature?
The temperature at which vapors ignite spontaneously without an external flame.
How is heat transferred during fire growth?
By conduction, convection, and radiation.
What is a flashover?
A sudden transition where the remaining combustible materials ignite within 3-4 seconds due to radiant heat, marking the start of the stable phase.
What is the critical temperature for a flashover to occur at the ceiling?
About 550°C.
What are the primary fire safety objectives?
Life safety and property protection.
What are the main fire safety tactics?
Prevention, communication, escape, containment, and extinguishment.
What does prevention in fire safety involve?
Ensuring fires do not start by controlling ignition and fuel sources.
How does fuel limitation help in fire safety?
By controlling the amount of material that can burn and release heat, and by controlling the amount of smoke produced.
What are the key escape strategies in fire safety?
Egress, refuge, and rescue.
What is the difference between passive and active fire containment measures?
Passive measures involve building structure and design, while active measures involve communication and instructions for action during a fire.
What is the importance of communication in fire safety?
Communicating the location of the fire to occupants and the fire service to start evacuation and trigger automated responses.
