Fire Spread & Precautions

FIRE SPREAD The rate of spread is in

chains per hour (ch/h) and
is defined as the speed with
which the fire is moving
away from the site of
origin. Wind, moisture, and
slope drive the fire. The
flaming zone, or fire head,
moves away from the origin
quickly with great intensity.
Fires can be
dangerous and
harmful, so it's
important to be
prepared.
 There are 6 ways in which a fire will commonly spread:
Direct Contact -Initially, this is how fires normally spread until the heat builds up.
CAUSES OF Fire will either travel along or through any combustible or flammable material it comes in contact with.
For example, a stack of cardboard boxes will enable a fire to quickly spread and build.
This is the process we use when we light a candle with a match. But it also how a candle can cause curtains to go up in flames.

FIRE SPREAD
Radiation- As a fire increases in intensity, it will give off more heat.
Heat can transfer through electromagnetic waves. This is what makes us feel hot when we stand outside in the sun.
From a fire, this can cause nearby objects to catch alight if enough radiated heat reaches it.
This is why you should never place combustible materials near a radiator or build a bonfire near a fence or shed.
Conduction-This is another way in which a fire can spread via heat transfer.
Any materials, such as metals, which can absorb and transfer heat are thermal conductors. An example of this is when your saucepan handle gets hot.
This allows a fire to spread through walls or steelwork.
And if there is a flammable material on the other side, it can heat up and cause a fire to spread into a neighbouring room or building.
Convection- When trying to escape a fire, you should always stay as low as possible. This is because hot gas and smoke rise
above any cold air.
Ceilings then trap and prevent it moving any higher, which then causes everything to build up.
Not only is this dangerous if breathed in, but this too can cause a fire to spread.
If enough heat, fuel and oxygen build up in this area, it will create its own fire away from the original.
Once this happens, the fire will quickly engulf a whole room in seconds.
Flashover-When convection has caused a hot layer of gas to establish, it will then begin to radiate the heat downwards.
The temperature in the room will continue to rise to around 500oC. Breathing in the air at this temperature will quickly scorch your lungs.
At these temperatures, any combustible materials in the room, such as furniture, will start to give off flammable gases.
A near-simultaneous ignition can then begin and change a ‘fire in a room’ to a ‘room on fire’.
Backdraught-A well-established fire has plenty of heat and fuel, but will often lack oxygen if there is no ventilation.
This causes the fire to begin to ‘die’ and fill a room of partially burnt particles in the form of soot.
But if a door opens or a window breaks, air will rush into the room. This can then re-ignite the fire, gases and soot with an explosive force.
This will send the fire out of the door or window and cause its spread.
It is for this reason then, that no-one should ever go back into a burning building. And if you ever suspect a fire on the other side of a door, don’t open it.
Instead, find an alternative means of exit.
What Are The 5 Different Classes Of Fire?
Fires can be categorized into 5 classes primarily based on the fuel source that the fire burns from. Not every fire is the
same, with different classes of fires requiring different extinguishing agents for effective extinguishment.
Class A – Ordinary Combustibles
Class A fires are generally the most common types of fires out of the different classes of fires. These fires occur when
ordinary combustible materials such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and plastics ignite.
The commonly found ordinary combustible materials that Class A fires use as fuel enables these types of fires to spread
and intensify rapidly.
Class A fires can be extinguished by cooling the combustible fuel to a temperature that is below ignition temperature
Class B – Flammable Liquids & Gases
Class B fires use flammable liquids and gases as a fuel source. These fires typically use petroleum greases, gasoline, tars,
oils, oil-based paints, solvents, lacquers, alcohols, and flammable gases as a fuel base.
Class B fires represent high-risk fire hazards in industries such as power generation facilities, mining sites, and oil and gas
worksites.
These types of fires can be extinguished by smothering or removing the oxygen supply from a fire.
Class C – Electrical Fires
Class C fires are electrical fires caused by electrical components and energized electrical equipment such as wiring,
controls, motors, machinery, and appliances. These types of fires are common in industries that make use of heavy
electrical equipment such as data centers and industrial manufacturing facilities
Electrical fires can be caused by short-circuiting machinery, overloaded electrical cables, or faulty wiring. Using water as an
extinguishing agent is very dangerous as water conducts electricity and can cause serious harm to nearby individuals.
Additionally, the use of water as an extinguishing agent often causes further costly damage to electrical equipment and
other critical assets.
Class D – Combustible Metals
Class D fires use combustible metallic substances as a fuel source.
Class D fires usually occur in the laboratory, industrial and manufacturing environments that use manufacturing processes
to cut, drill, or mill combustible metals. Most metal fires occur when the metal dust, flakes, and shavings generated during
the manufacturing process ignite and spread. Common extinguishing agents such as water are ineffective against
Class K – Grease/Cooking Fires
Class K fires use combustible cooking oils, fats, and grease as a fuel source. Spillages of cooking oils near the many heat
sources found in commercial kitchens often result in Class K fires. Cooking fires spread rapidly and can be very difficult to
manage. Wet chemical agents are the most effective extinguishing agent to use on Class K fires. Fire blankets can also be
used to smother cooking fires.
6 Tips to Prevent Fires from Happening in Your Home
There truly is no place like home. Your home is a place where you build your life and create beautiful memories
with your loved ones, which makes the thought of your home catching fire even more terrifying.
1. Never leave your kitchen unattended whilst cooking.
It only takes a few seconds for a fire to break out. If you need to leave the kitchen for any reason
whatsoever, make sure to either ask someone to watch the food for you or turn everything off altogether
until you’re back.
2. Inspect your heating sources.
House fires may very well be triggered if your home heating sources are not working properly. Be sure to
always clean out your air conditioning filters, keep your heaters away from anything that is flammable, and
have these things checked out by a professional once a year.
3. Store any flammable products correctly.
Household cleaners and items such as hair spray or shaving cream may be very hazardous if exposed to a
strong source of heat. Always store these safely in a cool area away from any heaters.
4. Maintain your wires.
Before you plug something into a socket, try to be courteous in ensuring that the wire hasn’t been torn or
chewed up (in case you have any pets running around). Damaged wires can be a detrimental fire hazard and
need replacing as soon as possible. Also, remember that wires do get hot when in use, so be sure to check your
wire placement and avoiding passing them under a carpet or anywhere that could potentially catch fire.
5. Be cautious with open flames.
We get it, it’s nice having some candles lit up around the house to create a romantic atmosphere, or perhaps
even getting the fireplace going to make your home feel even toastier on a cold winter evening. We aren’t going
to tell you to avoid candles and fireplaces altogether, however we do encourage you to practice with caution.
If you feel yourself dosing off, turn off all your candles beforehand, and if you have pets, keep these open
flames out of their reach as much as possible.
6. Keep a fire extinguisher or blanket around at all times!
Fire extinguishers and blankets will be your best defence in the event of a fire breaking out. Every family
member should know how to use a fire extinguisher, so in case something in your home does catch fire, it can
be put out as fast as possible. Fire blankets are also very useful for putting out small fires before they
become something larger and fiercer.
THANK YOU

NAME- DEVYANI BHATIA

2215991512