By Krishna A.

Rathod

chemistry of fire

Definition

It is a chemical chain
reaction which takes place with
the evolution of heat and light.

Fire Behaviour

Effective fire control and extinguishment

requires a basic understanding of the
chemical and physical nature of
fire. This includes information
describing sources of heat energy,
composition and characteristics of fuels,
and environmental conditions necessary
to sustain the combustion process.

Essentials of Fire

Fuel

FIRE

Oxygen

Heat
5

Combustion

Combustion is the self-sustaining

process of rapid oxidation of a fuel being
reduced by an oxidizing agent along
with the evolution of heat and light.

Fuel
Fuel is the material or
substance being
oxidized or burned in
the combustion
process.
Combustion occurs
when fuel is in a
gaseous state.

Solids

Coal, Wood, Paper, Cloth, Wax, Grease,

Leather, Plastic, Sugar, Grain, Hay

Liquids

Gasoline, Kerosene, Turpentine, Alcohol,

Paint, Varnish, Olive oil, Lacquer

Gases

Natural Gas, Propane, CO, Butane,

Hydrogen, Acetylene,

OXYGEN SOURCE

HEAT SOURCES
To Reach Ignition Temp.

Approx. 16% Required

Normal air contains 21% of oxygen
Some Fuels contains its own oxygen
supply

Oxygen

Open Flame, the Sun,Hot Surface,

Sparks & Arcs, Friction, Chemical
Action, Elec. Energy & Gas
Compression

Heat
Fuel

GASES
Natural Gas,
Propane, CO,
Butane, Hydrogen,
Acetylene,

LIQUIDS
Gasoline, Kerosene,
Turpentine, Alcohol,
Paint, Varnish, Olive
oil, Lacquer

FIRE TRIANGLE

SOLIDS
Coal, Wood, Paper,
Cloth, Wax, Grease,
Leather, Plastic,
Sugar, Grain, Hay,

12

Fire Tetrahedron

13

Modes of spread of fire

Conduction
It occurs only in solids i.e.
metallic objects.

Convection
It occurs both in liquids &
gases

Radiation
It is neither conduction nor
convection. These are heated
rays emanating from the hot
object.
14

Heat
Highly Excited

Less Agitated

energy is passed

on
from one molecule to
the
next
The molecule vibrates
above its mean position
Pass on heat energy by
colliding with their
neighbors
The ability to conduct
heat varies between
materials.
15

When a liquid or gas heated,

it expands
It becomes less dense
The lighter fluid arises being
displaced by colder and
therefore denser fluid
In turn becomes heated and
so a circulation is set up
Heat energy is carried
throughout the fluid by
actual movements of
molecules.

16

It does not involved

any contact between
bodies
It is independent of
any material in the
intervening space
These are the heated
rays, travels in
straight line in all
directions with same
intensity
17

Principles of Fire Extinction

1. Starvation
Removal of un-burnt material from fire
area

18

Principles of Fire Extinction

2. Smothering
Cutting off the supply of oxygen from fire area

19

Principles of Fire Extinction

3. Cooling
Removal of heat from the burning material/fire
area

20

21