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Questions and Answers
What is the primary reason why a piece of paper exposed to oxygen in the air does not burn?
What is the primary reason why a piece of paper exposed to oxygen in the air does not burn?
What is the most effective way to extinguish a fire involving an LPG tank flame at the nozzle of the valve?
What is the most effective way to extinguish a fire involving an LPG tank flame at the nozzle of the valve?
Which of the following is a example of removing fuel from a fire?
Which of the following is a example of removing fuel from a fire?
What is the percentage of oxygen in the air that is required for combustion to occur?
What is the percentage of oxygen in the air that is required for combustion to occur?
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What is the primary purpose of cutting fire lanes in forests?
What is the primary purpose of cutting fire lanes in forests?
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What is the consequence of having a substance with a low flashpoint?
What is the consequence of having a substance with a low flashpoint?
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What is the primary method of extinguishing a fire by reducing the concentration of oxygen?
What is the primary method of extinguishing a fire by reducing the concentration of oxygen?
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What is the term used to describe the process of covering a burning area with a non-combustible material to eliminate oxygen?
What is the term used to describe the process of covering a burning area with a non-combustible material to eliminate oxygen?
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What is the purpose of using water to extinguish a fire?
What is the purpose of using water to extinguish a fire?
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What is the principle behind using dry chemicals to extinguish a fire?
What is the principle behind using dry chemicals to extinguish a fire?
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What is the term used to describe the process of reducing the heat of a fire below the kindling point?
What is the term used to describe the process of reducing the heat of a fire below the kindling point?
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What is the primary method of preventing a fire from spreading?
What is the primary method of preventing a fire from spreading?
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What is the primary purpose of understanding the fire triangle?
What is the primary purpose of understanding the fire triangle?
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What is the primary difference between a flammable and combustible substance?
What is the primary difference between a flammable and combustible substance?
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What is the fourth element necessary for flame propagation in the Fire Tetrahedron?
What is the fourth element necessary for flame propagation in the Fire Tetrahedron?
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What is the purpose of identifying fuel sources in the workplace?
What is the purpose of identifying fuel sources in the workplace?
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What is the term for the lowest temperature at which fuel begins to give off flammable vapors?
What is the term for the lowest temperature at which fuel begins to give off flammable vapors?
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What is the primary method of fire extinguishment that targets the oxygen element of the fire triangle?
What is the primary method of fire extinguishment that targets the oxygen element of the fire triangle?
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Study Notes
Fire Basics
- A substance with a low flashpoint is more dangerous than one with a high flashpoint.
- Oxygen is necessary for fire to occur, making up 21% of the air we breathe, with nitrogen making up the remaining 78%.
- Heat is the third element required for fire to start, even if fuel and oxygen are present.
The Fire Triangle
- The fire triangle illustrates the three elements necessary for fire to start: Fuel, Oxygen, and Heat.
- Removing any one of these elements can extinguish a fire.
Extinguishing a Fire
- Removing Fuel: difficult and often dangerous, but possible by shutting off fuel supplies, pumping flammable liquids to an empty tank, creating fire lanes, or burning away fuel sources.
- Removing Oxygen: by smothering the fire with a non-combustible material, covering with foam, or discharging inert gases like carbon dioxide.
- Removing Heat: by reducing the heat below the kindling point or flashpoint, using water or foam as a common agent.
- Interrupting the Chain Reaction: by inhibiting the oxidation process and production of flammable vapors, using dry chemicals as an example.
Fire Safety and Classification
- Fire is a chemical reaction between a flammable material and oxygen, producing energy, light, smoke, and toxic gases.
- The Fire Tetrahedron includes four elements: Fuel, Oxygen, Heat, and the chemical reaction itself.
- Fuel: any material that will burn, including flammable and combustible substances.
- Flammable Substance: a substance with a flashpoint below 100°F (37.8°C) and vapor pressure not exceeding 20 psia at 100°F.
- Examples of flammable substances include gasoline, ether, acetone, and alcohol, each with their respective flashpoints.
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Description
Learn how to remove oxygen to extinguish fires by smothering the burning area or reducing oxygen concentration. Understand the methods to starve fires of oxygen, including covering with non-combustible materials, using foam, or inert gases.