What It Takes to Light a Fire
Fire is a very rapid chemical reaction between oxygen and a combustible material, which results in the release of heat, light, flames, and smoke.
The Fire Triangle
For a reaction that creates a fire, the following three elements, which are represented by the three sides of the Fire Triangle, must be present at the same time:
- oxygen to sustain combustion,
- heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature, and
- some sort of fuel or combustible material.
The Fire Tetrahedron
The Fire Tetrahedron adds a fourth component - the uninhibited chain reaction - to the fire triangle. This model more accurately describes the fire as a chain reaction process. The chain reaction acts as a feedback loop mechanism of heat to produce the gaseous fuel used in the flame. This feedback provides the heat necessary to maintain the fire. The fuel, oxygen and heat join together in a sustained chemical reaction. The video below summarizes the Fire Tetrahedron model.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-2. Which of the following is a component of the Fire Triangle?
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