Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction

QUARTER 2 MODULE 4 WEEK 4

Learning Competencies (Essential Competencies)
• Recognize elements of the fire triangle in different situationsDRR11/12-IIe-f-37
• Analyze the different causes of firesDRR11/12-IIe-f-38

Fire

Objectives
● Describe fire
● Recognize elements of the fire triangle in different situations

Introduction:

Figure 1: Disaster Risk

Figure 1: Cooking with fire Figure 2: Star City as it is being destroyed

"Kolbullar @ Gregoriemarknaden 2013" by by fire
Larsfl is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 By: Philstar.com

We usually hear or watch news about destructive fires. We are aware that fire is
dangerous and can cause severe damage and destruction and, at times, death. Since the
beginning of time, humans have tried to find out what fire is, how it starts, and what keeps it
going.
Let’s Understand (Study the Concept)
What is fire?
Fire is a rapid, self-sustaining oxidation process of combustible materials
accompanied by the evolution of heat and light of varying intensity
FIRE IS ...
a. FAST - Fire spreads quickly; there is no time to gather valuables or make a phone call.
In just two minutes a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes a residence can
be engulfed in flames.
b. DARK - A small fire can produce enough smoke to fill a building in minutes.
c. DEADLY - Most people who die in fires die from breathing smoke and toxic gases. Fire
produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. (carbon dioxide,
nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide)

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 Physiological Effects of Reduced Oxygen (Hypoxia)

Oxygen in Air (Percent) Symptoms

21 None – Normal Conditions

17 Some impairment of muscular

coordination; increase in respiratory
rate to compensate for lower oxygen
content

12 Dizziness, headache, rapid fatigue

BASIC FIRE SCIENCE

9 Unconsciousness

6 Death within a few minutes and

concurrent heart failure

d. HOT - hot enough to burn clothes, skin and scorch your lungs in one breathe
(Mangaoang, 2017)

Figure 3: Fire Triangle Figure 4: Fire Tetrahedron

Fire Triangle and
Fire Tetrahedron
For several years the concept of fire was represented by the Fire Triangle which is
composed of heat, fuel, and oxygen. Further fire research determined that a fourth element, a
chemical chain reaction, was a necessary component of fire. The fire triangle was changed to
a fire tetrahedron to reflect this fourth element. A tetrahedron can be described as a pyramid
which is a solid having four plane faces. Essentially all four elements must be present for fire
to occur, fuel, heat, oxygen, and a chemical chain reaction. Removal of any one of these
essential elements will result in the fire being extinguished. (Fire Safety, 2016)

Fuel - any kind of combustible material, including paper, oils, wood, gases, fabrics, liquids,
plastics, and rubber. The factors that determine how easily, how fast, and in what temperature
a fuel will burn are usually based on different characteristics such as its moisture content, size,
shape, and quantity fuel will burn and at what temperature.

Oxygen - a type of gas commonly found in the air. Air contains about 21% oxygen, and most
fires require at least 16% oxygen content to burn. Oxygen supports the chemical processes
that occur during fire. When fuel burns, it reacts with oxygen in a process known as oxidation.

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Heat - A heat source is responsible for the initial ignition of fire, and is also needed to maintain
the fire and enable it to spread. Heat allows fire to spread by drying out and preheating nearby
fuel and warming surrounding air.(Smokeybear,2020)

Three methods of heat transfer

1. Conduction
-heat conducted from one body to another either by direct contact of by an
intervening heat conducting medium
- depends on the type of conductor: metal (good), drywall (poor)
-example:metal plumbing components or electrical conduit

2. Convection
-transfer of heat energy by movement of air or liquid
-heated gases rise:mushrooming
-examples: Fire traveling through elevators shafts, stairways, balloon frame walls

3. Radiation
-Transfer by heat waves
-Travels through space until it reaches an opaque object
-Major source of fire spread to exposures (Mangaoang, 2017)

Causes of Fire
Objectives
● Analyze the different causes of fires and describe the different stages of fire

Let’s Understand (Study the Concept)

Causes of fire as listed in the Bureau of Fire Protection Operational
Procedures Manual:

A. Faulty electrical wiring or connection

B. LPG-related
C. Neglected cooking or stove
D. Cigarette butt
E. Unattended open flame: torch or sulo
F. Unattended open flame: candle or gasera
G. Matchstick or lighter
H. Direct flame contact or static electricity
I. Neglected electrical appliances or devices
J. Electrical machineries
K. Chemicals
L. Incendiary device or ignited flammable liquid
M. Spontaneous combustion
N. Fireworks
O. Bomb explosion
P. Lightning
Q. Others (forest fire, vehicular fire, etc.) (Bagtasa, 2016)

Stages of fire
1. Ignition Stage
Point wherein the fire starts
There is plenty of oxygen, little heat and smoke

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 Fire is still small and generally confined to the fuel that initially ignited

2. Growth Stage
Temperature and smoke level increases
Oxygen level decreases and the fuel is already dried out
Hot gases rise to the ceiling and spreads outward the walls
Can be continuous if there is enough fuel and oxygen
The smoke layer is getting thicker and fire is starting to spread to nearby furniture

3. Flash Over
Transition between growth and fully developed stage
Presence of huge smoke which indicates the rapid change of situation
May involve exposed combustibles
Increasing level of smoke with decreased visibility
Gases are generated by heat

4. Fully developed
All combustible materials present are continuously burning
Maximum amount of heat is released
The volume of fire is dependent of the number and size of ventilation openings
Unburned gasses begin flowing to adjacent spaces and ignite once it enters the space
where air is more abundant

5. Decay
Intensity of fire decreasing due to lack of available fuel
Most of fuel consumed
Effort concentrated on cooling of the remaining fuel (Mangaoang, 2017)

Classification of Fire

Objectives
● Describe Extinguishment theory and explain the different ways to extinguish
fire
● Classify fire based on its fuel
Introduction:

The pictures above show different objects on fire. Fire can be classified based on the
type of fuel being consumed. The concept is usually used as a basis on how to extinguish it.

Let’s Understand (Study the Concept)

Fire Extinguishment theory-these are things that you can do to extinguish or
put off the fire. It is based on removing any one or more of the four elements in
the fire tetrahedron to suppress the fire.
1. Reduction of temperature (also known as cooling)

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 Removing heat is one of the most effective ways to extinguish fire. This can be done
by using something that absorbs heat like water which is known as the best cooling
agent.
Remember: It is not advisable to use water to extinguish grease fire (fire caused by
oil or fats) or electrical fire.
2. Exclusion or deprivation of oxygen (also known as smothering)
Another way to extinguish fire is by removing the oxygen. This can be done in many
ways like putting sand, blanketing, foam application or by the use of chemical
extinguishers.
3. Removal of fuel (also known as starvation)
This is achieved by removing the fuel burning in the fire. Flammable liquid or gas fire
can be extinguished by shutting off the fuel supply.
4. Inhibition of chain reaction or breaking the combustion chain
This can be done by doing at least one of the methods mentioned above (cooling,
smothering or starvation).

Classification of fire
Fires are classified based on the type of material being burned (fuel). This classification is
utilized to determine the right extinguishing agent to be used to put out the fire. Listed below
are the different classification of fire:
Class A – fuels are ordinary combustibles or fibrous material such as wood, paper, plastic, or
anything that leaves ash.
Class B – fuels are flammable or combustible liquids like petroleum oil, gasoline, paint, and
flammable gasses such as propane and butane. Cooking oils and grease are NOT part of
class B fires.
Class C – fuels are energized electrical fires like motors, transformers, and appliances. Once
the power or source of electricity is removed, the fire becomes one of the other classes of fire.
Class D – fuels are combustible metals like potassium, sodium, aluminum, titanium, and
magnesium. They may react violently with water or other chemicals, and must be handled with
care
Class K – fuels are cooking oils, grease such as animal fat and vegetable fats. (Bagtasa,
2016)

Evaluation
Objective
Apply knowledge about the classification, stages and elements of fire
I. Identification. Directions: Write the best answer on the space provided.
____________1. Point wherein the fire starts
____________2. Any kind of combustible material
____________3. Stage where most of fuel consumed
____________4. Responsible for the initial ignition of fire
____________5. Transfer of heat energy by movement of air or liquid
____________6. Stage where the maximum amount of heat is released
____________7. Stage where the temperature and smoke level increases
____________8. A type of gas commonly found in the air which supports the chemical
processes that occur during fire.
____________9. Stage characterized by the presence of huge smoke which indicates the
rapid change of situation
____________10. A rapid, self-sustaining oxidation process of combustible materials
accompanied by the evolution of heat and light of varying intensity]

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II. Directions: Classify the following materials based on the type of fire they can
create.
____________1. Appliances
____________2. Cooking oils
____________3. Paper
____________4. Petroleum oil
____________5. Propane
____________6. Potassium
____________7. Magnesium
____________8. Vegetable fats
____________9. Butane
____________10. Gasoline
____________11. Plastic
____________12. Paint
____________13. Sodium
____________14. Transformers
____________15. Wood

III. Enumeration Directions: Answer the following questions. Write your answer on the
space provided.

1-4. What are the 4 ways to extinguish fire based on the extinguishment theory?
1.____________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________

5-8. What are the 4 elements needed for fire to occur based on the fire tetrahedron?
5.____________________________________________________________
6.____________________________________________________________
7.____________________________________________________________
8.____________________________________________________________