FIRE BEHAVIOR,

CAUSES AND
CLASSIFICATION
 The behavior of fire maybe understood by
considering the principle of thermal balance and
thermal imbalance.
Thermal Balance refers to the rising movement or the
pattern of fire, the normal behavior when the pattern is
undisturbed. Thermal imbalance, on the other hand is
the abnormal movement of fire due to the interference
of foreign matter. Thermal imbalance often confuses
the fire investigator in determining the exact point
where the fire originated.
 Dangerous Behavior of Fire
Fire is so fatal when the following conditions occurred:
[Link] – it is the sudden and rapid (violent) burning of
heated gases in a confined area that occurs in the form of
explosion. This may occur because of improper ventilation. If a
room is not properly ventilated, highly flammable vapors
maybe accumulated such that when a door or window is
suddenly opened, the room violently sucks the oxygen from
the outside and simultaneously, a sudden combustion occur,
which may happen as an explosion (combustion explosion).
Dangerous Behavior of Fire
 Dangerous Behavior of Fire
Fire is so fatal when the following conditions occurred:
[Link] – it is the sudden ignition of accumulated radical
gases produced when there is incomplete combustion of fuels.
It is the sudden burning of free radicals, which is initiated by a
spark or flash produced when temperature rises until flash
point is reached.
When accumulated volume of radical gases suddenly burns,
there will be a very intense fire that is capable of causing
flames to jump at a certain distance in the form of fireball.
Fireballs can travel to a hundred yards with in a few seconds.
Dangerous Behavior of Fire
 Dangerous Behavior of Fire
Fire is so fatal when the following conditions occurred:

[Link] Fire – better known as dust explosion. This may

happen when the metal post that is completely covered with
dust is going to be hit by lightning. The dust particles covering
the metal burn simultaneously thus creating a violent chemical
reaction that produces a very bright flash followed by an
explosion.
 The Three Stages of Fire
1. Incipient Phase (Initial Stage) – under this stage, the following
characteristics are observed: normal room temperature, the temperature at
the base of the fire is 400-800°F, ceiling temperature is about 200°F, the
pyrolysis products are mostly water vapor and carbon dioxide, small
quantities of carbon monoxide and sulfides maybe present.
 The Three Stages of Fire
[Link] Burning Phase – it has the following characteristics: accelerated
pyrolysis process take place, development of convection current: formation
of thermal columns as heat rises, temperature is 800-1000 °F at the base of
fire, 1200-1600 °F at ceiling, pyrolytic decomposition moves upward on the
walls(crawling of the flame) leaving burnt patterns (fire fingerprints),
occurrence of flashover.
 The Three Stages of Fire
[Link] Phase – this stage has the following characteristics: oxygen
content drops to 13% or below causing the flame to vanish and heat to
develop in layers, products of incomplete combustion increase in volume,
particularly carbon monoxide with an ignition temperature of about 1125 °F,
ceiling temperature is 1000-1300 °F, heat and pressure in the room builds up,
building/room contains large quantities of superheated fuel under pressure
but little oxygen, when sufficient supply of oxygen is introduced, backdraft
occurs.
 Classification of Fires
Based on Cause
[Link] causes – such as;
• Spontaneous heating – the automatic chemical reaction that results to
spontaneous combustion due to auto-ignition of organic materials, the
gradual rising of heat in a confined space until ignition temperature is
reached.
• Lightning – a form of static electricity; a natural current with a great
magnitude, producing tremendous amperage and voltage. Lightning usually
strikes objects that are better electrical conductors than air. It can cause fire
directly or indirectly. Indirectly when it strikes telephone and other
transmission lines, causing an induced line surge. It can also cause flash fire
or dust explosion. When lightning strikes steel or metal rod covered with
dust, the dust will suddenly burn thus resulting to an explosion.
 Classification of Fires

Spontaneous heating LIGHTNING

 Classification of Fires
A lightning may be in the form of:
Hot Bolt – longer in duration; capable only of igniting combustible
materials.
Cold Bolt – shorter in duration, capable of splintering a property or
literally blowing apart an entire structure, produces electrical
current with tremendous amperage and very high temperature.

• Radiation of Sunlight – when sunlight hits a concave mirror,

concentrating the light on a combustible material thereby igniting it.
 Classification of Fires
Based on Cause
[Link] Causes – such as;
•Electrical accidents in the form of:
Short Circuit – unusual or accidental connections between two points at
different potentials (charge) in an electrical circuit of relatively low
resistance.
Arcing – the production of sustained luminous electrical discharge
between separated electrodes; an electric hazard that results when
electrical current crosses the gap between 2 electrical conductors.
Sparking – production of incandescent particles when two different
potentials (charged conductors) come in contact; occurs during short
circuits or welding operations.
 Classification of Fires
Based on Cause
[Link] Causes – such as;
•Electrical accidents in the form of:
Induced Current – induced line surge – increased electrical energy flow or
power voltage; induced current; sudden increase of electrical current
resulting to the burning of insulating materials, explosion of the fuse box,
or burning of electrical appliances.
Over heating of electrical appliances – the increase or rising of amperage
while electric current is flowing in a transmission line resulting to the
damage or destruction of insulating materials, maybe gradual or rapid,
internal or external.
 Classification of Fires
Based on Cause
[Link] Causes – such as;
•Electrical accidents in the form of:

•Purely accidental causes

•Negligence and other forms of human error
Classification of Fires

Sparking
Arcing

Over heating of electrical

appliances
 Classification of Fires
Based on Cause
3. Intentional causes (Incendiary)
If in the burned property, there are preparations or traces of
accelerant, plants and trailers, then the cause of fire is intentional.
Accelerant – highly flammable chemicals that are used to facilitate
flame propagation.
Plant – the preparation and or gathering of combustible materials
needed to start a fire.
Trailer – the preparation of flammable substances in order to spread
the fire.
 Classification of Fires
Based on Burning Fuel (the classes of fire)
1. Class A Fire – Ordinary fires; they are the types of fire resulting
from the burning wood, paper, textiles, rubber and other
carbonaceous materials. In short, this is the type of fire caused by
ordinary combustible materials.
2. Class B Fire – Liquid fires; they are caused by flammable and or
combustible liquids such as kerosene, gasoline, benzene, oil
products, alcohol and other hydrocarbon deviations.
3. Class C Fire – Electrical fires; they are fires that starts in live
electrical wires, equipment, motors, electrical appliances and
telephone switchboards
 Classification of Fires
Based on Burning Fuel (the classes of fire)
4. Class D Fire – Metallic fires; fires that result from the combustion
of certain metals in finely divided forms. These combustible metals
include magnesium, potassium, powdered calcium, zinc, sodium,
and titanium.
FIRE FIGTHING OPERATIONS
AND EXTINGUISHMENT
 Fire fighting is an activity intended to save lives and property. It
is one of the most important emergency services in a community.
Fire fighters battle fires that break out in homes, factories, office
buildings, shops, and other places. Fire fighters risk their lives to
save people and protect property from fires.

The people who work as fire fighters also help others who are
involved in many kinds of emergencies besides [Link] example,
fire fighters rescue people who may be trapped in cars or vehicles
after an accident. They aid victims of such disasters as typhoons,
floods, landslides, and earthquakes.
 The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)
Republic Act # 6975, the DILG Act of 1990 (Chapter 4,
Section 53-59) created the Bureau of Fire Protection
(BFP) to be responsible for the prevention and
suppression of all destructive fires and to enforce the
laws on fire.
 The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)
Fire Protection is the descriptive term referring to the
various methods used by the bureau to stop,
extinguish and control destructive fire for eventual
prevention of loss of life and property. It has the
following objectives: To prevent destructive fire from
starting, To extinguish (stop or put out) on going
destructive fire, To confine a destructive fire at the
place where it began, To prevent loss of life and
property when fire starts.
 The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)
Fire Prevention and Suppression refers to the
various safety measures utilized to stop harmful or
destructive fires from starting.
The laws related with the fire prevention and fire
protection in the Philippine setting includes PD #
1185, Fire Code of the Philippine (26 August 1977), PD
# 1096, Building Code of the Philippine (19 February
1977).
 The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)
The Bureau of Fire Protection is composed of well-
trained fire fighters. In fighting fires, they bring with
them ladders and pumps. Additional specialist
vehicles can provide turntable ladders, hydraulic
platforms, extra water, foam, and specialist
appliances for hazardous incidents.
Factor Affecting Fire Protection and Control
Fire protection and control is affected by the
accumulation of fire hazards in a building or area.
Fire Hazard is any condition or act that increases or
may cause increase in the probability that fire will
occur or which may obstruct, delay, hinder or
interfere with fire fighting operations and the
safeguarding of life and property.
 Conditions of Fire Hazards
1. Existence of dangerous or unlawful amount of
combustible or explosives in the building not
designed to store such materials.
2. Defective or improperly installed facilities/
equipment.
3. Lack of adequate exit facilities.
4. Obstruction at fire escapes or other designated
opening for fire fighters.
 Conditions of Fire Hazards
5. Dangerous accumulation of rubbish waste and
other highly combustible materials.
6. Accumulation of dust in ventilation system or
of grease in the kitchen.
7. Building under repair
8. Very old building or building is primarily made
of combustible materials
THANK YOU!!!