Lesson 8: Fire Prevention and Response

• Fire is a combustion or burning of substances combined chemically with oxygen from the air and typically give off light and heat.
• The concept of fire is originally represented by the FIRE TRIANGLE
• The concept of fire is originally represented by the FIRE TRIANGLE: 1. Oxygen is needed to sustain combustion 2. There must be fuel or combustible material 3. sufficient heat is needed to raise the material to its ignition temperature.
• FIRE TRIANGLE: The three elements that are necessary for a fire to occur, namely FUEL (combustibles), HEAT (ignition source) and OXYGEN (air).
• At present, the concept of fire is represented by the FIRE TETRAHEDRON
• FIRE TETRAHEDRON: 1. Oxygen is needed to sustain combustion 2. There must be a fuel or combustible material 3. Sufficient heat is needed to raise the material to its ignition temperature 4. A chemical chain reaction should take place in the material
• The stages of fire includes: Ignition stage, Growth, Fully Developed, and Decay (burnout)
• Stages of fire: Ignition is where fuel and oxygen are exposed to heat
• Stages of fire: Growth is where heat is transferred igniting more materials
• stages of fire: Fully Developed is where fire spreads and temperature reached its peak
• stages of fire: Decay (Burnout) is where fire consumes all available fuel and temperature decreases
• Fire continues until: 1. All of the available fuel is consumed 2. The fuel/oxygen is removed 3. The temperature is recued by cooling 4. The number of molecules is reduced and the chain reaction is broken
• There are four classes of fire: Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D
• Class A fires involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, plastic, and fire crackers
• Class B fires are flammable liquids and chemicals such as LPG
• Class C fires are electricity
• Class D are metals
• The three types of fire includes: Fire due to Natural Hazards, Fire due to Human-Made Conditions, and Fire due to Mismanagement
• Fire due to Natural Hazards are caused by earthquake, volcanic eruption, drought, and high temperature
• fire due to Human-made conditions are caused by transportation accidents, chemical explosions, and faulty electrical connections.
• Fire due to mismanagement are caused by negligence, and irresponsible handling of fire
• Examples of fire due to natural hazards are pyroclastic materials and lava flow may burnout houses
• examples of fire due to human-made conditions is overheating of electrical wirings
• example of fire due to mismanagement is lighted candle that is left unattended
• Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) - 032-254-8385 (Cebu City)