Fire Protection Technology

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Running head: FIRE PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY 1

FIRE PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY 2

Fire Protection Technology

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Fire Protection Technology

There are different significant aspects of fire behavior which are necessary for firefighters to understand. They include, firstly, the burning behavior of materials. It is prudent to note that this is inclusive of the loss of mass as well as the rates of energy release. Secondly, it is imperative to understand the stages of fire development (Panchal, 2014). Thirdly, understanding the behavior of fully developed fires as well as the role of ventilation, development of temperatures as well as duration is equally important. This paper shall inclusive of these factors discuss the heat, fuel, oxygen and a chemical chain reaction and how it produces flaming as well as provide a summary of the benefits of fire protection systems in different types of structures which are based on development of fire.

Stages of Fire Development

Fire development can be explained through four stages. The first stage is the ignition stage where heat, combines with oxygen and a fuel source and have a chemical reaction whose outcome is a fire. This type of fire is represented by a small fire that can extinguish by itself before the next stages. A fire that is recognized at this stage can best be suppressed or escaped. The second stage is the growth stage and it is a stage where the fire is fueled by structures and oxygen. The growth stage is affected by several factors including the immediate environment of the fire, thermal layering potential. It is prudent to note that this is a short stage and a flashover can occur leading to trapping, injury or even death. The third stage is the fully advanced stage and during this stage, the fire has extended to its supreme point and ignited all the flammable elements in the immediate environment. The third stage is also the hottest stages of fire development. Lastly, there is the decay stage which also lasts longest (In Hurley et al. 2016). The defining characteristics at this stage are a decrease of oxygen, fuel as well as the gradual extinguishing of the fire. Care should be taken during this stage to be cognizant of impending danger such as oxygen backdraft that can reignite the fire as well as non-combustible that can also start a new fire if not fully extinguished.

Fire Tetrahedron

A fire can be started by three components namely, fuel, oxygen and heat source. A lack of one of these components will mean that a fire cannot occur. Notably, this is also known as the fire tetrahedron. These key components have different functions with respect to starting fire. The initial ignition of fire is consequent to a heat source and the heath source is subsequently needed for the maintenance of the fire as well as what would allow it to spread. Fuel can be any material that is combustible around the heat source. This is defined by the moisture content, the quantity, the arrangement as well as the size which all determine how easily it will burn. Oxygen is also referred to as the oxidizer (Till & Coon, 2019). Fires require only 16percent and as such the air provides it. To produce a flame, molecules from the fuel are heated by the heat source to form gas molecules which then combine with air.

Benefits of Fire Protection System in Different Types of Structures

A fully developed fire can be described as one which has attained a steady burning stage. Notably, the rate of mass loss at this stage is relatively invariable during this stage. To this effect, different types of structures have different fire response systems (Panchal, 2014). The fire protection system of a building is significant in providing both the building and the occupants with protection in case of a fire. It is prudent to note that depending on the type of structure as well as the fire behavior, the ultimate benefits of fire protection systems is protection of the building from fire.

References

In Hurley, M. J., In Gottuk, D. T., In Hall, J. J. R., In Harada, K., In Kuligowski, E. D., In Puchovsky, M., In Torero, J. L., ... In WIECZOREK, C. H. R. I. S. T. O. P. H. E. R. J. (2016). SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering. New York, NY: Springer New York.

Panchal, T. S. (2014). Science of Fire tetrahedron & Chain reaction of fire mechanism. Fire Engineer, 39(2), 7-9.

Till, R. C., & Coon, J. W. (2019). Unwanted Fire and Fire Growth. In Fire Protection (pp. 1-10). Springer, Cham.

Running head:

FIRE PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY

1

Fire Protection Technology

Student’s Name

Institutional

Affiliation

Running head: FIRE PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY 1

Fire Protection Technology

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation