Republic of the Philippines

NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE

VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

Course Code : CDI 6

Descriptive Title : FIRE TECHNOLOGY AND ARSON INVESTIGATION
Term and Academic Year : 1st Semester, AY 2020-2021
Department and Year Level : BSCRIM 4
Professor : MR. ARNOLD B. MAGPANTAY

Module 1, Lesson 1
Theories of Combustion
I. Introduction
In this lesson, you shall be introduced to the deferent Theories of Combustion, the fire triangle theories, the
three element necessary to create or produce fire, the fire tetrahedron as using fourth side element and the life cycle of
fire theories which is the stages or steps where in the fire is created.

In order to gain thorough understanding of this lesson, you have to read the discussion and supplemental note.
You are tasked to answer the assessment and submit requirement found in the “Assessment” section.

Time Frame: 12 hours Date of Submission:

II. Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson, you must have;
1. traced the theories of combustion;
2. discussed the fire triangle theories, fire tetrahedron and life cycle of fire; and
3. identified the terminology in fire triangle theories.

III. Learning Contents

Theories of Combustion
1. Fire triangle theory
- Three elements necessary to create/ produce fire in equal proportion;
Element of a Fire
For many years the concept of fire was symbolize by the Triangle of Combustion and represented, fuel, heat,
and oxygen, and removing any one of the three elements will put the fire out.

Using the same theory, there are three ways to extinguish fire:
1. Reduce the temperature (cooling)
2. cut-off the oxygen supply
3. remove the fuel

Elements of Fire
1. Fire Triangle
 1. Heat- a form of energy measured in degree of temperature, the product of combustion that
caused the spread of fire. For a fire to start there must be a source of ignition, usually heat or a spark.
Heat source include open flame, hot surface, spark and arcs, friction-chemical action, electrical
energy and compression of gases.
 2. Oxygen – a colorless and odorless gas and one of the compositions of air that supports fire which is
approximately 21% by volume. Oxygen is needed. Approximately 16% is required. Normal air contains
21% oxygen. Some fuels contain enough oxygen within their make-up to support burning.
 3. Fuel – any substance/combustibles which reacts chemically with oxygen and produces flames. For
a fire to start there must be something to burn. The physical state of the fuel may be gases (natural
gas propane, butane, hydrogen, etc.); liquids (gasoline , kerosene, turpentine, alcohol, paint, varnish,
lacquer, etc.).
Fuel sources:
 1. Solid-molecules are closely packed together.
 2. Liquid- molecules are loosely packed.
 3. Gas- molecules are free to move.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

Common type of solid

A. Bulky B. Finely Divided C. Dust

1. Coal 1. Plastic 1 .Saw dust
2. Wood 2. Paper 2. Sugar
3. Was 3. Cork 3. Grain
4. Grease 4. Leather 4. Others

Common type of gasses

1. Natural
2. Propane
3. Butane
4. Hydrogen
5. Acetylene
6. Carbon monoxide
7. Others

Common type of liquids:

1. Gasoline
2. Kerosene
3. Turpentine
4. Alcohol
5. Cod liver oil
6. Paint
7. Varnish
8. Lacquer
9. Oliver oil

2. Fire tetrahedron theory

- The fourth elements of fire known as the “Chemical chain reaction.”

Fire Tetrahedron
The fire triangle theory describes the three elements of a fire as shown in (Figure 1). Another explanation of
the requirement of combustion uses a four-sided figure called tetrahedron, a new theory that explains
combustion and extinguishment (W.M. HAESSLER).

Fire Tetrahedron. The combustion reaction can be characterized by four components: the fuel, the oxidizing
agent, heat, and uninhibited chemical chain reaction. These four components have been classically symbolized
by a four-sided solid geometric form called a tetrahedron (see Figure2). Fire can be prevented or suppressed
by controlling or removing one or more of the sides of the tetrahedron.

The fourth element of the tetrahedron explanation is known as chemical reactivity, or chemical reaction. Both
theories are used to explain what causes fire. Each element of tetrahedron must be in place for combustion to
occur. This theory must be in place for to students of fire suppression, prevention, and investigation. If ignition
has already started, the fire is extinguished, if one of the elements is removed from the reaction.

Element of Fire Tetrahedrons

 1. Oxygen (oxidizing agent) - material/ substance that yield oxygen gases during the process of a chemical
reaction. Oxidizers are not themselves combustible, but they support combustion when combined with fuel.
For purpose of discussion, the oxygen in the air in the surrounding area is considered the primary oxidizing
agent.
 2. Fuel (reducing agent)-material or substance being burned in the combustion process. The fuel in a
combustion reaction is known as the reducing agent. Most common fuel contains carbon along with
combustion of hydrogen and oxygen.
 3. Heat (temperature) -the energy component of the fire tetrahedron. When heat comes in combustion
process. A form of energy generated by the transmission of some other form of energy, as in combustion or
burning.
 4. Self-sustained chemical reaction – (the fourth element) - a series of event that occurs in sequence with the
result of each individual reaction being added to the result.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

Once flaming starts, it can only continue when enough heat or energy is produced to cause the continued chain
reaction.

Combustion reaction/ process:

- Causes pyrolysis or evaporation or solid and liquid fuel and the production of ignitable vapors or gases;
- Provides the energy necessary for ignition;
- Causes the continuous production and ignition of fuel vapors or gases to continue the combustion reaction.

Common Source of Heat

 Type of Energy
1. Chemical Energy
2. Electrical Energy
3. Nuclear Energy
4. Mechanical Energy
5. Heat
6. Light

Chemical Energy
The most common source of heat in combustion reactions. An energy released as a result of a chemical
reaction such as combustion. When any combustible is in contact with oxygen oxidizing occurs.

Example:
a.) Heat generated from a burning match
b.) Self-heating (spontaneous heating)

Electrical Energy
An energy developed when electrons flow through a conductor. Electrical energy can generate temperatures high
enough to ignite any combustible materials near the heated gases.

Factors involving Electrical heating

a) Current flow through a resistance
b) Arcing
c) Sparking
d) Static
e) Lightning

Nuclear Energy
An energy generated when atoms either split apart (fission) or combine (fusion. Nuclear power plants generated power
as a result of the fission of uranium-235.

Example:
a.) Fission heats water to drive steam turbines and produce electricity
b.) The solar energy is a product of a fusion reaction (a form of nuclear energy)

Mechanical Energy
An energy created by friction and compression.

Heat of Friction- the movement two surface against each other. This movement produced spark being generated.

Heat of compression- heat is generated when a gas is compressed inn a container or cylinder.

Energy exists in two types

a.) Potential Energy- an energy possessed by an object that can be released in the future.
b.) Kinetic Energy- an energy possessed by a moving object.

Heat
An energy that is transferred between two object of differing temperature such as sun and the earth.

Light
A visible radiation created at the atomic level such as flame produced during combustion.

Combustion- a self-sustaining chemical reaction may be slow or very fast.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

Combustion or burning- is a complex sequence of exothermic chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidant
accompanied by the production a heat or both heat and light in the form of ether glow or flames, appearance of
flickering.

In a complete combustion reaction, a compound reacts with an oxidizing element, such as oxygen or fluorine,
and the products are compound of each element in the fuel with the oxidizing element.

Fire and combustion are terms that are often used interchangeably. Technically speaking, fire is a form of
combustion. Combustion is a self-sustaining chemical reaction producing energy or products that cause more reaction
of the same kind. Combustion is an exothermic reaction.
Fire is a rapid, self-sustaining oxidization process accompanied by the release of heat and light of different
intensities. The time it takes a reaction to occur determines the type of reaction that s observed.

The Nature of Fire

Often a misconception is fire burn the actual chair or piece of wood. It is the gases given off by an object that
burns. Heat causes objects to give off these flammable gases. When the gases reach their ignition temperature you see
the light given off during the oxidation known as fire. Fire itself generates more heat to the objet and thus an endless
cycle begins until all the gasses have been exhausted from an object. Then the remaining particle or ashes are what are
left.

Even the most flammable materials (capable of being easily ignited) do not actually burn. The vapors given off
by a material is the part that burn. When a piece of wood is ignited, the fire is not from the burning wood, rather, from
the vapors that given off by the wood. That heated causes the substance in the wood to vaporize. The heated vapors
mix quickly with oxygen in the area and fire result.

This process is known as pyrolysis.

Pyrolysis defined:
The chemical processes where by fire consume the most solid part of the fuel. It is thermal decomposition of a solid fuel
through the action heat.

The Process of Pyrolysis:

-the fuel is heated until its temperature reaches its fire point;
-Decomposition takes place – moisture in the fuel is converted into vapors;
-decomposition produces combustible vapors that ruse to the surface of the fuel these combustible vapors are
technically termed as free-radicals;

-Free-radicals undergo combustion if proper amount of oxygen is present.

The Most Common Type of free-radicals (combustible vapors):

1. Hydrogen gas
2. Carbon monoxide
3. Carbon dioxide
4. Nitrogen

Products of combustion:
 1. Fire gases- chemical composition of the fuel, percent of oxygen present, and the temperature of the fire. Are
those that remain when other products of combustion cool to normal temperature.

Common combustibles contain carbon, which forms carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide when burned.
Records of fatal fires show that more people died from inhaling these super-heated and toxic fire gases than from any
other cause. He complete combustion of fuels containing carbon will produce CO2, but seldom will there be enough
oxygen for complete combustion when only part the carbon is oxidized, carbon monoxide is formed

When CO is not the, most toxic fire gas, it causes more deaths than any other gases because it robs the body of
oxygen at high temperatures, Causing dangerous backdraft or explosions. Carbon monoxide, which is also produced by
slow oxidation, is found in sewers, wells, mines, stove furnaces, and automobile exhaust.

Type of poisonous gases:

1. Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) - a fire gas formed during fires involving organic material containing sulfur, such as:

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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

Rubber, hair, wood, meat and hides. It is colorless, highly toxic gas with strong odor of rotten eggs. Exposure
for even a short time is dangerous, it will ignite at 500°F (260°C).

2. Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) - a toxic fire gas found in oxygen –starve fires involving nitrogen-containing
material such as :

Wool, silk, urethane, polymides, and acrylics. These gases are also used as a fumigant which can pose serious
danger to firefighters working in recently fumigated buildings. Hydrogen cyanide smells like bitter almond
which may not be easily detected.
3. Hydrogen Chloride (HCL) - a gas which can be fatal after only a few breath, is produced n fires involving
chloride-containing plastic. Plastic can be found anywhere; from furnishing to electrical insulation, conduit, and
piping.

 2. Flame – the luminous body of a burning gas which gets hotter and less luminous when mixed with more
oxygen. Flames fade when carbon burn completely, so flame is conceder a product of incomplete
combustion.it is the manifestation of fire when the fire is in its gas phased combustion.

Flame Defined
A Flame Is Visible (Light – Emitting) Part of A Fire. Caused by a highly exothermic reaction (for example,
combustion, a self-sustaining oxidation reaction) taking place in the thin zone. If a fire is hot enough to ionize the
gaseous components, in can become plasma.
Type of Flames:
A. According to color and completeness of combustions.
1. Luminous flame – a reddish orange in color; it deposits soot because it is a product of incomplete
combustion; it has lower temperature.
2. noon-luminous flame – bluish in color; it does not deposit soot because it is a product of complete
combustion; it has a higher temperature than luminous flame.

B. According to Burning fuel and air Mixture:

1. Premixed flame- example of a Bunsen burner.
2. Diffusion flame – example of flame of the oxyacetylene torch (diffused – dispersed; widely spread).

C.Based on Smoothness
1. Laminar flame – (smooth flame) flame is laminar when a particle follows a smooth path through a gaseous
flame.
2. Turbulent flame – (rough flame) those having unsteady, irregular swirls and eddies.
3. Heat- a form of energy generated by the transmission of some other form of energy.

Heat defined
A form of energy measured in degree of temperature, it is the product of combustion that spread the fire. It
causes burns and other injuries such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, and respiratory tract injuries. Heat, oxygen
depletion, and carbon monoxide formation are the primary hazard in fire.
Energy transferred from one body to another when the temperature of the bodies defer. Heat is the most common
form of energy found on earth. Temperature is an indicator of heat and measure the warmth or coldness of an object
base on some standard. In most cases at present, the standard used is based in ton the freezing (32°F and 0°C), and
boiling points (212°F and 100°C) of water. Temperature is measured using degree Celsius in SI and degrees Fahrenheit
in the Customary System.

 4. Smoke- a visible product of incomplete combustion, a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, CO, CO 2 and finely
divided particle released from the burning material.

3.Life Cycle of Fire Theory

- Stages/steps wherein fire is created.
 Life Cycle Of Fire Theory
Fuel
Oxygen
Proportioning
Mixing
Ignition continuity

Properties of Fire:

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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

1. Specific gravity- the ratio of the weight of solid or substance to the weight of an equal volume of water.
(Specific gravity is defined as the ration of the density of a given solid or liquid substance to the density of
water at a specific temperature and pressure, typically at 4°c (39°f) and1atm (760.00 mmHg), making it a
dimensionless quantity).
2. Vapor density- the weight of a volume of pure gas compared to the weight of a volume of dry air at the same
temperature and pressure.
3. Vapor pressure- the force exerted by the molecules on the surface of the liquid at equilibrium. The vapor
pressure of a liquid is the equilibrium pressure of a vapor above its liquid (or solid): that is, the pressure of the
vapor resulting from evaporation of a liquid or solid in a closed container
4. Temperature- the measure of thermal degree of the agitation of molecules of a give substance, the measure of
molecular activity within the substance. Temperature is measured with thermometer that my calibrated to a
variety of temperature scale.
5. Boiling point- the constant temperature at which the vapors pressure of the liquid is equal to the atmospheric
pressure.
6. Ignition temperature or kindling temperature- the minimum temperature to which the substance in the air
must be heated in order to initiate or cause self-contained combustion without the addition of heat from
outside source.
7. Fire point- the temperature at which the material will give off ample vapors to keep burning. Here is usually
about 5 to 10 degree difference between the flash point and the fire point of most materials. Since these two
are just a few degree apart
8. flashpoint- the temperature at which the material is not hot enough to keep burning, but still given off enough
vapor to cause a flame to “flash” across the surface the term “flashpoint” is used to express the condition of a
fuel vaporizing, whether or not it is vaporizing fast enough to keep burning.

B. Chemical properties:
1. Endothermic reaction- are changes whereby energy (heat) is absorbed or is added before the reaction takes
place.
2. Exothermic reaction – reaction or changes that release or if off energy (heat) thus the produce substance with
less energy that the reactant.
3. Oxidation- a chemical change in which combustible material (fuel) and oxidizing agent reactants.
4. Combustion/ flame – the manifestation of fire when the fire is in its gas- phase combustion. A matter that is
produced by fire.
Vapor Density:
The term used to explain the weight of vapor is: vapor density”. In order to measure the weight of this vapor
we usually compare them to air, which is considered to have a vapor density of 1.00. Therefore, it means that is on and
a half times as heavy as air under the same condition of pressure and temperature.

The following chart lists the Vapor Density (air=1) for some of the more common flammable materials:

MATERIALS VAPOR DENSITY

Acetylene 0.9
Butane 2.0
Gasoline 3-4
Hydrogen 0.1
JP-4 3.0
Kerosene 3.0
Propane 1.6

Phases of Burning/ the Three Stages of Fire:

The methods firefighter use to extinguish a fire will depend largely on the phase in which they find the fire.

Factors to be considered in determining phases of burning:

1. The amount of the time the fire has burned:
2. The ventilation characteristics of the confining structure ;
3. The amount and type of combustibles present.

Fires generally have three (3) progressive stages based on the following factors:
1. Incipient/ Beginning phase – it is the initial stage of fire.

Characteristics:
a. Normal room temperature
b. Oxygen plentiful

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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

c. Thermal updraft rise accumulates at higher point

d. Flame temperature of 1000 degree F
e. Producing pyrolysis products: (CO2, CO, SO2, water vapor, &other gases).

2. FREE- Burning Phase – the second phase of burning in which materials or structure are burning in the presence of
adequate oxygen.
Characteristics:
a. Fire has involved more fuel
b. Oxygen supply is depleted
c. Heat accumulates at upper area
d. Temperature exceeds 1,300f (705°c)
e. Area is fully involved

3. Smoldering Phase- the final phase of burning wherein flame ceases but dense smoke and heat completely fill
confined room.

Characteristics:
a. flame may die and leave only glowing embers or super-heated fuel under pressure with little oxygen.
b. Intense heat will vaporize lighter fuel components, such as hydrogen and methane, increasing the hazard.
c. Temperature throughout the building is very high and normal breathing is not possible.
d. Oxygen deficiency may cause back draft.

Backdraft
Firefighter operating at fires in building must use precautionary measure when opening the building to gain
entry, by providing ventilation either by horizontal/ cross ventilation (opening door of window) or vertical ventilation
(opening the hole at the highest portion of the affect part of the building). As the fire grows in a confine area, large
volumes of hot, unburned fire gases can collected in unventilated space. These gases may be at or above their ignition
temperatures but have insufficient oxygen available to actually ignite. Any action taken during firefighting operation
that allows air to mix with these hot gases can result in an explosive ignition called backdraft.

Condition that indicate the danger for backdraft

a. Pressurized smoke exiting small opening
b. Black smoke becoming dense gray yellow
c. Confinement and excessive heat
d. Little or no visible flame
e. Smoke leaving the building in puffs or at intervals
f. Smoke stained windows

Flashover
Flashover occurs when a room of other area is heated enough that flame weep over the entire surface.
Firefighter originally believed that combustible gases released during the early stages of the fire causes flashover by
collecting at the ceiling and mixing with air until they burst into flame.

Flashover defined
The point in the fire at which other combustible within the area ignites, changing the fire from one object on
the fire to many objects on fire. Flashover occurs with the initial ignition of the fire in the original object, but on a much
larger scale. Combustible gases coming from the materials in a room rise and collect at the ceiling, thus, these gases
ignite, bringing sheet of flame across the ceiling and raising the overall temperature of the room as the gases are
consumed.

Rollover defined
The point at which gases produced by pyrolysis ignites. It involves only any gases and is typified by a brief,
sudden ignition in the overhead air.

If the volatile gases around the ceiling have been disturbed through the improper cooling with water, but not
vented, ignition may occur at lower room heights – a danger for firefighter. To avoid this to happened, the base of the
fire must first wet water before cooling the upper levels. Open ventilation at ceiling heights will also help by allowing
these heated gases to escape.

Combustible material is grouped into one of the four classifications. These classes of fuel help to simplify
firefighting methods and techniques.

Classification of fire

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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

By knowing the classes of fire a certain material will fall into, you will be able to make intelligent firefighting
decisions.

A. Bases on Causes
1. Natural fire
2. Accidental fire
3. Intentional fire
B. Based on Burning Fuel
Four (4) Classes of Fire
1. Class A – materials involving vegetable fiber, wood, paper straw, grain, and grass; combustible minerals
such as coal and coke. Nearly all thrash fires are considered as Class A.
2. Class B – materials including petroleum products such as gasoline, fuel, oil, lubricating oils, and greases;
animal fats such as butter, lard, and tallow; vegetable extract such as alcohol, linseed oil, and turpentine;
vegetable compounds such as shortenings and oleomargarines; natural gases and compressed gases such
as butane, propane, hydrogen, and acetylene.
3. Class C- this type of fire involved electrical motors, electrical appliances and apparatus,. Actually a Class C
fire is composed usually of Class A and class B material or a combination of both. Use of water is usually
dangerous because of the risk of electrical shock.
4. Class D – these are material involving combustible metals, alloys, or metal compounds either in a solid,
semi-solid or liquid state. They may further reduce in shavings, grindings, granules, or dust.
Some liquid metals are kept I a liquid state under pressure.
5. Class K – these are material involved in the kitchen fires. This classification was added to the NFPA
portable extinguishers Standard in 1998.

Classification of Fire Extinguishers

Different types of fire extinguishers are designed to extinguish fire involving different type of fuels. They are
classified as Class A, B, C, or D (or combination) depending on the fire against which their agents are effective.

The class of extinguisher should be indicated on the extinguisher shell/container. The “picture-symbol” labeling
system used is designed to make the operation of the fire extinguishers more effective and safe to use through the use
of less confusing pictorial labels. The system also emphasizes when not to use an extinguisher on certain type of fires.

Picture-Symbol System for Fire Extinguisher

Class A Extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustible, such as woof and paper. The numerical rating
for this class of fire extinguisher refers to the amount of water the fire extinguisher holds and the amount of fire it will
extinguish.

Class B Extinguisher should be used on fire involving flammable liquid, such as grease, gasoline, oil, etc. the
numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher states the approximate number of square feet of a flammable liquid
fire that a non-expert person can expect to extinguish.

Class C Extinguishers are suitable for use on electrical energized fires. This class of fire extinguisher does not
have a numerical rating. The presence of the letter “C” indicates that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive.

Class D Extinguisher is designed for use on flammable metal and are often specific for the type of metal in
question. There is no picture designator for Class D extinguishers. These extinguishers generally have no rating nor are
they given a multi-purpose rating for use on other type or metal fires.

Spontaneous Heating
Spontaneous heating and spontaneous ignition start as a result of a chemical reaction within the material a
reaction independent of any outside source of heat. Spontaneous heating begins a cycle of oxidation that build up heat
very slowly in its first stage. The condition that builds up temperature high enough to cause ignition is called
spontaneous heating.

Propagation of Fire
Propagation of fire simply means the spread of fire. As a substances burns, fire propagation will be increased
by the transmission of heat by nearby materials. This condition causes additional vapor to be released thereby
spreading the fires.

Types of Heat Transmission

1. Conduction – it is the transmission of the heat through an object/ medium or conductor, such as pipe, metal,
hot-air duct, wire, or even wall.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

2. Radiation- the transmission through the discharge and spread of heat from a heated or burning source. This
radiation takes place through the air or through space that cause another flammable of object to ignite.
3. Convection- it is transmission of heat by the moving current of liquid or gas. When these gases or liquid are
heated, they start to move within themselves; and by their free motion, circulation starts.
4. Flame Contact- heat may be conduct from one body to another by direct flame contact. Fire spread along or
through burning materials by flame contact. When material is heated to the point where flammable vapor are
released, the vapors may be ignited. Any other flammable material may be heated to its ignition temperature
by direct contact with the flame or burning vapors.

Intensity of Fire
Intensity of fire means simply “how hot the fire is burning” some type of fuel naturally burn hotter (more
intensity) than others. For example, a gasoline fire burns hotter that a wood fire, while an acetylene flame is hotter than
a gasoline flame.

Factors to determine the intensity of fire

1. Type of fuel
2. Percentage of oxygen present

Explosive Limits
The term “explosive limits” means the amount (expressed in percent) of fuel vapor that can be mixed with air
to form an explosive or flammable mixture. If less that this amount is used, the mixture will burn. This is known as
“lean” to burn. If more than this amount is used, the mixture is called too “rich” and will not burn.

The minimum (lower) and maximum (upper) limits of the proportion of vapor-to-air in which the mixture will
ignite or explode are known as the lower and upper explosive limits.

Magnitude of Fire
The magnitude of fire means the size of a fire, and it is governed by the surface area of fuel exposed to the air
the magnitude of fire is not always determined by the amount of fuel involved but more often buy the amount of
fuel exposed to the air.

IV. Learning Assessment

Answer the following questions:

1. Explain each theory of combustion?

2. What the difference between fire triangle, fire tetrahedron, and life cycle of fire?
3. What are the terms in the fire triangle theory? Define each.

Scoring Guide:

Each answer shall be evaluated using these criteria:

Content 10 pts.
Organization of ideas 5 pts.
Language facility 5 pts.
Total score: 20 pts.

V. Enrichment Activities/Outputs
1. Theories of combustion
Instruction:
• Explain the three theories of combustion and how to extinguish fire?
• Use 1 whole yellow pad paper
• Deadline of submission on

Scoring Guide:
Impact of the content---------------- 30 %
Relevance to the topic ------------- 40 %
Neatness and Creativity ------------ 30 %
Total: 100%

VI. References
Bustria, L. (2013). Fire behavior and arson investigation. Manila Philippines: Wiseman’s books trading, Inc.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE
VICTORINO SALCEDO CAMPUS
Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783

----End of Module 1, Lesson 1----

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