Fire-Related Terms and Meanings

1. Complete combustion
combustion that occurs when there is enough oxygen and produces carbon dioxide and water as
products. Ex: burning LPG

2. Incomplete combustion
combustion that occurs when there is limited oxygen and produces carbon monoxide, carbon, and
water as products. It produces soot. Ex: burning coal

3. Rapid combustion
combustion that produces a large amount of heat and light in a short time. Ex: lighting a candle

4. Spontaneous combustion
combustion that occurs without any external ignition source. Ex: combustible matter like hay, straw,
coal are stored in a close space.

5. Explosive combustion
combustion that produces a sudden expansion of gases and a shock wave. Ex: fire crackers

6. Characteristics
Bright and visible, often yellow or orange.

7. Example
Candle flame, wood fire.

8. Reason
The brightness is due to incandescent soot particles (carbon) that emit light as they burn.

9. Incomplete Combustion
Typically indicates incomplete combustion, producing soot and carbon monoxide.

10. Applications
Common in household candles, oil lamps, and wood fires.

11. Characteristics
Less bright, often blue, less visible in daylight.

12. Example
Bunsen burner flame with the air hole open, gas stove flame.

13. Reason
The blue color is due to the excitation of gas molecules (mainly carbon monoxide and hydrogen)
during combustion.

14. Complete Combustion

Indicates complete combustion, producing water and carbon dioxide, with minimal soot.

15. Applications
Used in scientific laboratories, gas stoves, and applications requiring clean and efficient burning.

16. Luminous Flame

Bright, yellow/orange, due to incomplete combustion and the presence of glowing soot particles.

17. Non-Luminous Flame

Blue, efficient, due to complete combustion with minimal soot production.

18. Characteristics
Smooth and steady.

19. Example
Small candle flame.

20. Characteristics
Rough and unsteady, with eddies and swirls.

21. Example
Large bonfire.

22. Characteristics
The fuel and oxidizer are mixed before reaching the combustion zone.

23. Example
Bunsen burner with the air hole open.

24. Advantages
More uniform combustion, higher flame speed, and better control over the flame.

25. Applications
Used in gas stoves, certain types of burners, and some internal combustion engines.

26. Characteristics
The fuel and oxidizer are not mixed before reaching the combustion zone; they diffuse into each
other during combustion.

27. Example
Candle flame, Bunsen burner with the air hole closed.

28. Advantages
Simpler setup, often more stable in windy conditions.

29. Applications
Common in candles, oil lamps, and some industrial burners.

30. Premixed Flame

Fuel and oxidizer are mixed before combustion, leading to more efficient and controlled burning.

31. Diffusion Flame

Fuel and oxidizer mix during combustion, leading to a more natural and often visible flame.

32. Pyrolysis
For solid fuels like wood, heating in the absence of oxygen decomposes the material into flammable
vapors and char. These vapors are what ignite and sustain combustion.

33. Vaporization
For liquid fuels, heating converts the liquid into a flammable vapor, which mixes with air to form an
ignitable mixture.

34. For a fire or combustion to occur, four components must be present

fuel, oxidizing agent, heat and uninhibited chemical chain reaction. By removing or eliminating one
of the four components, the fire can be extinguished. The four components of fire are often
displayed as the fire tetrahedron.

35. The diffusion flame process (fire) consists of three basic elements
fuel, oxygen, and heat.

36. Endothermic Reactions

These reactions absorb or require the addition of energy, usually in the form of heat, to proceed.

37. Exothermic Reactions

These reactions release or give off energy, typically as heat, during the process.

38. Oxidation
This occurs when a combustible material reacts with an oxidizing agent, often resulting in the
production of heat and light.

39. Flames
These are the visible, incandescent gases produced during a combustion process.
40. Definition
The ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water at a specified temperature.

41. Application
Used to compare the density of a fuel to water, which helps in identifying and handling different
fuels.

42. Example
Gasoline has a specific gravity of about 0.7, meaning it is less dense than water.

43. Definition
The ratio of the density of a pure gas or vapor to the density of dry air at the same temperature and
pressure.

44. Application
Important for understanding how gases will behave when released into the atmosphere; whether
they will rise or settle.

45. Example
Propane has a vapor density of 1.56, meaning it is heavier than air and will settle in low areas.

46. Definition
The pressure exerted by a vapor in equilibrium with its liquid or solid form at a given temperature.

47. Application
Indicates how volatile a fuel is, which affects its evaporation rate and potential for creating explosive
mixtures.

48. Example
Gasoline has a high vapor pressure, making it highly volatile and quick to evaporate.

49. Definition
A measure of the degree of thermal agitation of molecules in a substance.

50. Application
Crucial for determining the state of a fuel (solid, liquid, gas) and its behavior under different
conditions.

51. Example
The temperature of a fuel affects its viscosity and combustibility.

52. Definition
The temperature at which a liquid's vapor pressure equals the atmospheric pressure, causing it to
turn into vapor.

53. Application
Important for understanding at what temperature a liquid fuel will start to vaporize, which affects
handling and storage.

54. Example
The boiling point of gasoline is around 100-400°F (37.8-204.4°C), depending on the blend.

55. Definition
The minimum temperature at which a fuel will spontaneously ignite without an external ignition
source.

56. Application
Used to assess the safety and fire risk of fuels.

57. Example
The ignition temperature of gasoline is about 475-536°F (246-280°C).

58. Definition
The lowest temperature at which a fuel will continue to burn for at least 5 seconds after ignition.

59. Application
Determines the temperature at which sustained combustion can occur, important for fire safety.

60. Example
The fire point of a fuel is typically slightly higher than its flash point.

61. Definition
The lowest temperature at which a liquid can form an ignitable mixture in air near its surface.

62. Application
Indicates the flammability of a fuel and its risk of catching fire.

63. Example
The flash point of gasoline is about -45°F (-43°C), making it very flammable.

64. Ex
Piles of oily rags, compost heaps.

65. Ex
Strikes trees, buildings, or other structures, causing them to catch fire.
66. Ex
Sunlight magnified through glass, dry vegetation in prolonged exposure to intense sunlight.

67. Electrical discharge that crosses a gap between conductors. Ex

Loose electrical connections, worn-out electrical components.

68. Emission of incandescent particles from electrical equipment or mechanical processes. Ex

Friction from machinery, grinding metal.

69. Sudden increase in current flow, typically from electromagnetic induction. Ex

Nearby lightning strikes, power surges.

70. Definition
Excessive amperage causing electrical devices to generate heat beyond safe levels. Ex:
Overloaded circuits, malfunctioning appliances.

71. Substances used to increase the speed and spread of fire. Ex

Gasoline, kerosene, alcohol.

72. Preparation and arrangement of combustible materials to ensure ignition and fire growth. Ex
Stacked papers, wooden pallets strategically placed.

73. Use of flammable substances to create a path for fire to spread from one point to another. Ex
Trails of gasoline, lines of gunpowder.

74. Class A Fires

Ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, and some plastics.

75. Class A Fires

Ordinary combustibles.

76. Class B Fires

Flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, and paint.

77. Class B Fires

Flammable liquids.

78. Class C Fires

Electrical equipment.

79. Class A Fires

Ordinary combustibles.

80. Class B Fires

Flammable liquids.

81. Class C Fires

Electrical equipment.

82. Class D Fires

Flammable metals (specific dry powder extinguishers are designed for certain metals).

83. Class K Fires

Cooking oils and fats (also sometimes labeled as Class F in Europe).

84. Class D Fires

Flammable metals such as magnesium, titanium, and sodium.

85. Water
Effective for Class A fires.

86. Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Effective for Class C fires; known for non-conductivity.

87. Dry Chemical

Effective for Class B and Class C fires.

88. Dry Powder

Effective for Class D fires.

89. Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)

Effective for Class B fires.

90. Halons
Effective for Class B and Class C fires.

91. Unplugged Source for Class C Fires

If the power source is unplugged or the electrical source is de-energized, Class C fires can be
treated like Class A or B fires.

92. Fire Extinguishment

PASS Method

93. Action
Remove the safety pin from the handle. This will break the tamper seal and allow you to discharge
the extinguisher.

94. Purpose
This action prepares the extinguisher for use.

95. Action
Point the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire.

96. Purpose
Aiming at the base of the fire ensures that you are targeting the source of the flames, which is
crucial for effective extinguishment.

97. Action
Squeeze the handle or lever to release the extinguishing agent. Purpose: This action discharges the
extinguishing agent from the extinguisher.

98. Action
Sweep the nozzle from side to side, covering the entire area of the fire.

99. Purpose
Sweeping ensures that the fire is fully covered and extinguished, preventing re-ignition.