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Flashcards in Fire Behavior Deck (53)
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1
Q

What is fire?

A

The result of rapid combustion reaction.

2
Q

What is combustion?

A

The self sustaining process of rapid oxidation of a fuel, which produces heat and light.

3
Q

What two forms can rapid oxidation (combustion) occur in?

A

Smoldering fires and steady-state fires.

4
Q

Boiling point

A

The temperature of a substance when the vapor pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure. Water 212 degrees.

5
Q

BTU(British thermal unit)

A

The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1lbs. of water 1 degree Fahrenheit.

6
Q

Calorie

A

The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram, 1 degrees Celsius.

7
Q

Fahrenheit

A

Unit temperature measurement in the U. S.

8
Q

Flame spread

A

The movement of flame away from the ignition source.

9
Q

Fire point

A

The temperature which liquid fuel will produce vapors sufficient to support continuous combustion once ignited.

10
Q

Flash point

A

The minimum temperature which a liquid fuel gives off sufficient vapors to form an ignitable mixture with the air near the surface.

11
Q

Ignition temperature

A

The minimum temperature to which a fuel in air must be heated to start self-sustained combustion without a separate ignition source.

12
Q

The 5 general categories of energy are?

A

Chemical, electrical, mechanical, nuclear & solar.

13
Q

Chemical heat

A

The result of a chemical reaction (4 types).

14
Q

Name the four types of chemical reactions that result in heat production.

A

Spontaneous heating, heat of combustion, decomposition & solution.

15
Q

Spontaneous heating is?

A

The heating of an organic substance without the addition of external heat.

16
Q

Heat of combustion is?

A

The amount of heat generated by the combustion (oxidation) reaction.

17
Q

Heat of decomposition is?

A

The release of heat from decomposing compounds, usually due to bacterial action (compost pile).

18
Q

Heat of solution is?

A

The heat released by solution of a matter in a liquid (the combination of some acids and water).

19
Q

Name the five causes of electrical heat energy.

A

Resistance heating, dielectric heating, leakage current heating, heat from arching, and static electricity.

20
Q

Resistance heating is?

A

The heat generated by passing an electrical current through a conductor such as a wire or appliance, also when the wire is to small for the amount of current (overloaded extension cord).

21
Q

Dielectric heating is?

A

The result of an action of pulsating either direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) at high frequency on a non conductive material (microwave oven).

22
Q

Static electricity is?

A

The buildup of a positive charge on one surface and a negative charge on another.

23
Q

Mechanical heat energy is?

A

Generated two ways, by friction and compression.

24
Q

Leakage current heating occurs?

A

When a wire is not insulated well enough to contain all the current.

25
Q

Heat of friction is caused by?

A

The movement of two surfaces against each other.

26
Q

Heat from arching occurs?

A

When the current flow is interrupted, open switch or loose connections.

27
Q

Heat of composition is created when?

A

A gas is compressed (SCBA bottle feels warm after filling).

28
Q

Nuclear heat energy is generated?

A

When atoms are either split apart (Fission) or combined (Fusion).

29
Q

Solar heat energy is?

A

The heat transmitted from the sun in the form of electromagnetic radiation (concentrated to one point).

30
Q

What three ways can heat transfer?

A

Conduction, convection and radiation.

31
Q

Conduction of heat is?

A

The transfer of heat between two bodies by direct contact or by an intervening heat conducting medium (metal pipe).

32
Q

Convection of heat is?

A

The transfer of heat by movement of air or liquid. ( hot air rises so expansion is mostly upward)

33
Q

Radiation of heat is?

A

Heat will travel through space (like the sun) until it reaches an object/heating it up.

34
Q

What are the three states of matter fuel may be found in?

A

Solid, liquid & gas

35
Q

What are the six phases of fire?

A

Incipient, rollover, steady-state burning, flashover, hot-smoldering & backdraft.

36
Q

The incipient phase is?

A

The earliest phase of fire beginning with ignition.

37
Q

The rollover phase of fire is?

A

When unburdened combustible gasses release during the incipient or early steady-state phase accumulating at the ceiling.

38
Q

The steady-state phase is?

A

The stage of the fire where sufficient oxygen and fuel are available for growth.

39
Q

The flashover phase is?

A

When flames flashover the entire surface of a room caused by the buildup of heat from the fire itself.

40
Q

The hot-smoldering phase of a fire is?

A

When burning is reduced to embers, room is filled with smoke and gasses, room temperature in excess of 1,000 degrees.

41
Q

The backdraft phase is?

A

Caused by improper ventilation during the “hot-smoldering” phase.

42
Q

Eight potential signs of backdraft are?

A
  1. Pressurized smoke exiting small openings.
  2. Black smoke becoming grey/yellow.
  3. Confinement and excessive heat.
  4. Little or no visible flame.
  5. Smoke leaving the building in puffs.
  6. Smoke stained windows.
  7. Muffled sounds.
  8. A sudden rapid movement of air when an opening is made.
43
Q

The thermal layering of gases is?

A

The tendency of gases to form layers according to temperature.

44
Q

What is the fire extinguishment theory?

A

When the extinguishment of a fire is carried out by limiting or interrupting one or more of the essential elements in the combustion process. Reducing temperatures, eliminating fuel or oxygen, stopping chemical reaction.

45
Q

Cooling with water would be considered?

A

Extinguishment by cooling with water.

46
Q

Stopping the flow of liquids, gaseous fuels or removing solid fuels would be considered?

A

Extinguishment by fuel removal.

47
Q

Flooding an area with inert gas such as carbon dioxide would be considered?

A

Extinguishment by oxygen dilution.

48
Q

The use of extinguishing agents such as dry chemicals and halogenated hydrocarbons (halons) would be considered?

A

Extinguishment by chemical flame inhibition.

49
Q

What are the four classes of fires and extinguishment methods?

A

Classes A, B, C, D

50
Q

Class A fires would be considered?

A

Ordinary combustible materials (wood, cloth, paper, plastic).

51
Q

Class B fires would be considered?

A

Flammable combustible liquids and gases (gasoline, oil, lacquer, paint, mineral spirits, & alcohol).

52
Q

Class C fires would be considered?

A

Energized electrical equipment (computers, transformers).

53
Q

Class D fires would be considered?

A

Combustible metals (aluminum, magnesium, titanium, sodium, potassium).