The Nature of Fire

Lesson 1.2
PYROLYSIS
• The chemical process whereby fire consumes the most solid part of
the fuel. It is the thermal decomposition of solid fuel through the
action of heat.
The Process of Pyrolysis
• The fuel is heated until its temperature reaches the fire point.
• Decomposition takes place- moisture in the fuel is converted into
vapour.
• Decomposition produces combustible vapours that rise to the surface
of the fuel. These combustible vapours are technically termed as free-
radicals
• Free-radicals undergo combustion if proper amount of oxygen is
present.
MOST COMMON TYPES OF FREE
RADICALS
•Combustible vapors
• Hydrogen gas
• Carbon monoxide
• Carbon dioxide
• Nitrogen
Products of Combustion
• Fire Gas
• Flame
• Heat
• Smoke
1. Fire gases
• Chemical composition of the fuel, percent of oxygen present and the
temperature of the fire. Are those that remain when other products
of combustion cool to normal temperature.

• Types of poisonous gases

• Hydrogen Sulfide – colorless highly toxic gas with strong odor of rotten
eggs/involving organic material
• Hydrogen Cyanide – smells like bitter almond/found in ocygen starve fire
• Hydrogen Chloride – produced in fires involving chloride containing
plastic, can be fatal after few breaths.
2. Flame
• Is the visible (light emitting) part of fire.
A. According to color and B. According to fuel and air C. Based on smoothness
Completeness of combustion mixture

A. Luminous Flame – reddish- A. Premixed flame A. Laminar Flame-smooth

orange/deposits B. Diffusion Flame flame/particle follow a
soot/incomplete smooth path trough a
combustion/lower gaseous flame
temperature B. Turbulent Flame- rough
B. Non-luminous Flame – flame/unsteady, irregular
bluish/no soot/complete swirls and eddies.
combustion/higher
temperature than
luminous
3. Heat
• A form of energy generated by the transmission of some other
form of energy
• A form of energy measured in degree of temperature
• A product of combustion that spreads the fire, it causes burns and
other injuries
4. Smoke
• A visible product of incomplete combustion, a mixture of oxygen
nitrogen, carbon, carbon dioxide and finely divided particles
released from the burning material
LIFE CYCLE OF FIRE THEORY- STAGES/
STEPS WHEREIN FIRE IS CREATED

• Fuel
• Oxygen
• Proportioning
• Mixing
• Ignition continuity
Properties of Fire
A. Physical Property
1. specific gravity – the ratio of the density of a given solid or liquid
substance to the density of water at a specific temperature and
pressure.
2. Vapor density – the weight of the volume of pure gas compared to the
weight of a volume of dry air at the same temperature an pressure.
3. Vapor pressure – the force exerted by the molecules of the liquid at
equilibrium.
4. Temperature – the measure of thermal degree of agitation of
molecules of a given substance; the measure of molecular activity
within the substance.
5. Boiling Point – the constant temperature at w/c the vapor pressure of
the liquid is equal to atmospheric pressure.
A. Physical Property

6. Ignition temperature – the minimum temperature to which the

substance in the air must be heated in order to initiate or cause
self-contained combustion without addition of heat from outside
sources.
7. Fire point – the temperature at w/c a material will give off ample
vapors to keep burning
8. Flash Point – the temperature at w/c the material is not hot
enough to keep burning, but still gives off enough vapors to
cause a flame across the surface
B. Chemical Properties:
• 1. Endothermic reaction - are changes whereby energy (heat) is
absorbed or is added before the reaction takes place.
• 2. Exothermic reaction - reactions or changes that release or give
off energy (heat) thus they produce substances with less energy
than the reactants.
• 3. Oxidation - a chemical change in which combustible material
(fuel) and an oxidizing agent react.
• 4. Combustion/flame - the manifestation of fire when the fire is in
its gas-phased combustion. A matter that is produced by fire.
 STAGES OF FIRE
PHASES OF BURNING
1. INCIPIENT/BEGINNING PHASE
• - it is the initial stage of fire.

• Characteristics:
• a. Normal room temperature
• b. Oxygen plentiful
• c. Thermal updraft rise accumulates at higher point.
• d. Flame temperature of 1000 degrees F
• e. Producing pyrolysis products: (CO2, CO, SO2, water vapor, & other
gases).
 2. Free-Burning Phase

• the second phase of burning in which materials or structures are

burning in the presence of adequate oxygen.

• Characteristics:
• a. Fire has involved more fuel
• b. Oxygen supply is depleted
• c. Heat accumulates at upper area
• d. Temperature exceeds 1,3000F (705°C) e. Area is fully involved
3. Smouldering Phase
• the final phase of burning, wherein flame ceases but dense smoke
and heat completely fill the confined room.

• Characteristics:
• a. Flames may die and leave only glowing embers or super heated fuel under pressure
with little oxygen
• b. Intense heat will vaporize lighter fuel components, such as hydrogen and methane,
increasing the hazard
• C. Temperature throughout the building is very high and normal breathing is not
possible.
• d. Oxygen deficiency may cause back draft.
 BACKDRAFT
As the fire grows in a confine area, large volume of hot, unburned fire
gases can collect in unventilated spaces. These gases may be at or above
their ignition temperature but have insufficient oxygen available to
actually ignite.
 FLASHOVER
- Occurs when a room or other area is heated enough that flames sweep
over the entire surface

ROLLOVER
- Combustible material is group into one of four classifications. These
classes of fuel help to simplify firefighting methods and techniques
 CLASSIFICATION OF FRE
• CLASS A – materials involving vegetable fibers, wood, paper straw,
grain and grass; combustible materials such as coal and nearly all trash
fires.

• CLASS B – materials including petroleum products such as gasoline,

fuel oils, lubricating oils, and greases; animal fats such as butter, lard
and tallow; vegetable extracts such as alcohol, linseed oil and
turpentine.
• CLASS C – this type of fire involve electrical motors, electrical
appliances and apparatus.

• CLASS D – these are materials involving combustible metals, alloys

or metal compounds either in solid, semi-solid or liquid state.

• CLASS K – these are materials involved in the kitchen fires.

CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS

CLASS A FIRE EXTINGUISHER SYMBOL

CLASS B FIRE EXTINGUISHER SYMBOL
CLASS C FIRE EXTIGUISHER SYMBOL
CLASS D FIRE EXTINGUISHER
SYMBOL
CLASS K FIRE EXTINGUISHER
SYMBOL
 TYPES OF HEAT TRANSMISSION
• CONDUCTION – heat transfer through direct contact of two objects

• RADIATION – heat transfer between two objects that are close to each
other

• CONVECTION – transmission of heat by moving currents of liquids or gas

• FLAME CONTACT – transmission of heat by exposing an object directly

into the flame/fire.