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Fire Behaviour. Chemistry of Combustion. Aim. To provide students with information to give them an understanding of the behaviour of fire. Learning Outcomes At the end of the session students will be able to:. Describe the characteristic development and behaviour of a range of fires
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Fire Behaviour Chemistry of Combustion
Aim To provide students with information to give them an understanding of the behaviour of fire.
Learning OutcomesAt the end of the session studentswill be able to: • Describe the characteristic development and behaviour of a range of fires • Describe the combustion process within a range of fires and the contribution made by different fuels to fire growth and development • Recognize and interpret the characteristic development and behaviour of a compartment fire.
The triangle of combustion.
3 methods of heat transfer • Conduction • Convection • Radiation.
Heat transfer • Metals conduct - some better than others, silver & copper are best • Electrical insulators do not conduct heat well (plastics) • Liquids and gases do not conduct heat well.
This shows how a fire may be spread in a building due to the conduction of heat along an unprotected steel girder.
Convection • Only occurs in liquids and gases • Central heating systems • Chimney stacks • Shafts in buildings • In fire situations in a room -mushrooming.
Radiation • Heat is transmitted by infra-red radiation • Travels in straight lines • Casts shadows • Will transmit through some materials and not others • Absorption • Reflection.
The inverse square law as applied to radiation Double the distance - quarter the radiation.
Chemistry of combustion • Atom - smallest particle • Molecule - atoms chemically bound together • Elements - contain one sort of atom • Compounds - formed from one type of molecule which contains more than one kind of atom • Mixtures - contain more than one kind of molecule.
Combustion • Flashpoint • Firepoint • Fireball • Spontaneous ignition temperature • Spontaneous combustion • Smouldering.
Development of compartment fire • Fire starts • Gases rise - form plume • Convection takes place - mushrooming • Plume radiates heat outwards • Other fuels start to generate flammable gases • Conditions ripe for flashover.
Smoke layer at top of room.
Products of combustion • Heat • Smoke • Light • Gases that are toxic/noxious/irritant • Carbon monoxide • Carbon dioxide • Water vapour.
Safety • Wear full firefighting kit (inc. gloves) • Wear BA with balaclava • Use recognised BA procedures • Limit exposure to high levels of heat and humidity.
ConfirmationAssessments will be based on this lesson and the corresponding study note Learning Outcomes • Describe the characteristic development and behaviour of a range of fires • Describe the combustion process within a range of fires and the contribution made by different fuels to fire growth and development • Recognise and interpret the characteristic development and behaviour of a compartment fire.