• a rapid, self-sustaining oxidation process

accompanied by the evolution of heat and

light of varying intensity
• an active chemical reaction that takes
place between fuel, heat and oxygen in the
form of light and noticeable heat
• a chemical reaction; the rapid oxidation of
a fuel producing heat and light
• an oxidation taking place with a rate rapid
enough to produce heat and light
FIRE
 The Chemistry of Fire
• Chemically, fire is a type of oxidation, which is
the combination of oxygen with other
substances to produce new substances.
• To start fire, the minimum temperature needed
to spontaneously ignite fuel, known as ignition
temperature, must be reached.
• The heat evolved when a substance burns is
known as heat of combustion.
• An additional factor, besides the liberation of
energy, needed to explain fire is the rate or speed
at which the oxidation reaction takes place.
• A fuel will achieve a reaction rate with oxygen
sufficient to produce a flame only when it is in
the gaseous state.
A liquid burns when the temperature is high
enough to vaporize it (flash point), while a solid
must be hot enough to decompose into gaseous
products (pyrolysis).

Glowing combustion or smoldering is burning at

the fuel-air interface, such as a cigarette.

Spontaneous combustion, which is rare, is the

result of a natural heat-producing process in
poorly ventilated containers or areas
• FUEL • anything that will burn when heated with
sufficient oxygen
• OXYGEN • aids in combustion; comes from the
atmosphere we breath; the atmosphere contains: 21%
oxygen, 78% nitrogen and 1% impurities
• HEAT • source of ignition

ELEMENTS OF FIRE OR
TRIANGLE OF FIRE
Fuel + Oxygen + Heat = Fire
The FIRE TRIANGLE represents the three elements
needed for fire to occur: heat, fuel, and oxygen.

FUEL

HEAT OXYGEN
 Fuel can be any combustible material in any state
of matter - solid, liquid, or gas. Most solids and
liquids become a vapor or gas before they will
burn.
Fuel sources Examples:
1. Solid - molecules are CLOTHING
closely packed together FUEL FURNITURE
CURTAINS
2. Liquid - molecules are
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
loosely packed
3. Gas - molecules are
free to move

HEAT OXYGEN
OXYGEN (Oxidizing Agent) a colorless, odorless gas
and one of the compositions of air which is
approximately 21% percent by volume
Oxygen sources: Oxygen requirements:
1. 21% of normal oxygen 1. 12% no fire
2. 78% nitrogen 2. 14% flash point
3. 1% other gases 3. 21% fire point
FUEL

HEAT OXYGEN
Remember: Fuel + Oxygen +
Heat = Fire
Heat is the energy necessary to increase heat energy is measured in
the temperature of the fuel to a point units of Joules (J), however
where sufficient vapors are given off for it can also be measured in
ignition to occur. Calories (1 Calorie = 4.184
J) and BTU's (1 BTU =
1055 J)
FUEL
Examples:
STOVES
HEATING APPLIANCES
FIREPLACES
DAMAGED WIRING

HEAT OXYGEN
• a measure of the degree of molecular
activity of a material compared to a
reference point - a measure of the degree
of molecular activity of a material
compared to a reference point - measured
in degrees Farenheit or degrees Celsius

TEMPERATURE
ºC ºF Response
37 98.6 Normal human oral/body temperature
44 111 Human skin begins to feel pain
48 118 Human skin receives a first degree burn injury
55 131 Human skin receives a second degree burn injury
62 140 A phase where burned human tissue becomes numb
162 162 Human skin is instantly destroyed
100 212 Water boils and produces steam
140 284 Glass transition temperature of polycarbonate
230 446 Melting temperature of polycarbonate
250 482 Charring of natural cotton begins
300 572 Charring of modern protective clothing fabrics begins
600 1112 Temperatures inside a post-flashover room fire
1. CHEMICAL ENERGY the most common source of heat in
combustion reactions When any combustible is in contact with oxygen,
oxidation occurs. The reaction of this process results in the production
of heat
ex. Heat generated from burning match, self heating (spontaneous heating)
2. ELECTRICAL ENERGY - can generate temperature high enough to
ignite any combustible material near the heated area.
Examples:
• over current or overload
• arcing
• sparking
• static lightning

Types of Energy (common

sources of heat)
3. NUCLEAR ENERGY generated when atoms either split
apart (fission) or combine (fusion)
Ex. 1. fission heats water to drive steam turbines and produce
electricity 2. solar energy is a product of a fusion reaction

4. MECHANICAL ENERGY an energy created by friction

and compression Heat of friction - the movement of two
surfaces against each other, thus producing sparks Heat of
compression - heat is generated when a gas is compressed in a
container or cylinder

Types of Energy (common

sources of heat)
Combustion is a complex reaction that requires a fuel (in the
gaseous or vapor state), an oxidizer, and heat energy to come
together in a very specific way. Once flaming combustion or
fire occurs, it can only continue when enough heat energy is
produced to cause the continued development of fuel vapors or
gases. Scientists call this type of reaction a “chain reaction”. A
chain reaction is a series of reactions that occur in sequence
with the result of each individual reaction being added to the
rest.

SELF-SUSTAINED
CHEMICAL REACTION