Reading Smoke

Question 1

4 key attributes for smoke leaving a structure

Answer 1

Volume, velocity, density and color

Question 2

Particulate

Answer 2

The solids suspended in smoke are high surface-to-mass. Soot and ash most prevalent.

Question 3

Soot

Answer 3

carbon, can support flaming. Flat, black color.

Question 4

Ash

Answer 4

trace metals and minerals, can no longer support flaming. Dirty, white color

Question 5

Hydrocarbons

Answer 5

Part of aerosol composition of smoke. Produced by flaming plastics. Give satin, black color.

Question 6

6 Phases of Vent-controlled Fire

Answer 6

1. Ignition
2. Initial Growth (fuel controlled)
3. Vent-limited phase
4. Explosive Growth Phase
5. Fully developed Phase
6. Decay Phase

Question 7

Ghosting

Answer 7

hostile event waring sign. intermittent ignition of small pockets of smoke.

Question 8

Flame over

Answer 8

Includes the ignition and sustained burning of overhead smoke layer within a room. Flames start near vent opening and burn back to the fire seat

Question 9

Smoke Explosion

Answer 9

occurs when a spark or flame is introduced into a pocket of smoke that is below ignition temp but above some aggregate flashpoint. No sustained burning.

Question 10

Flashover

Answer 10

occurs when all the surfaces and contents of a space reach ignition temp simultaneously.

Question 11

Smoke Velocity

Answer 11

indicator of pressure that has built up in a building

Question 12

Most important smoke observation?

Answer 12

Whether velocity is turbulent or laminar

Question 13

What does thin, black smoke mean?

Answer 13

Open flaming is nearby

Question 14

What does fast-moving, dirty white smoke indicate?

Answer 14

The smoke has traveled some distance, but a hot fire exists

Question 15

Brown smoke

Answer 15

Unfinished wood gives off brown smoke as it approaches mid- to late stage heating.

Question 16

Black Fire

Answer 16

smoke that is high-volume, turbulent and ultra dense. Sure sign of impending autoignition and flashover.