What is Fire and how it works?-Fire Hazard

Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion (exothermic), releasing heat, light and various other substances.

Basic Principle:

Fire triangle

For a fire to start or an explosion to occur, there are three elements that have to be present to a complete a Fire triangle:

1) Oxygen - This exists in surrounding air (21%)
2) Fuel - This may be in form of solid, liquid or gas
3) Heat - Acts as a source of ignition (minimum temperature to start a fire)

When oxygen mixes with fuel and there's a spark or other sources of ignition, a fire will start.

Following are the sources of each element:

Sources of fuel:  flammable liquids (such as petrol, kerosin oil, paint, adhesives, solvents), wood, paper, card plastic, foam, rubber flammable gases and dusts such as saw dust.

Sources of heat: naked flames, cigarettes and matches, hot processes (grinding,cooking), heaters, lighting equipment and friction.

Sources of oxygen: air in atmosphere (8-16% is required for combustion), oxidizing materials (bleaches) and oxygen stored in cylinders.

Removing any one of these elements will prevent or put out a fire.
Workplaces fires may cause many people to suffer from burns each year and some prove fatal. Fires injure and kill people through:

> heat and flames
> smoke, which suffocate or poison them
> or by collapse of structure, buildings.

How to Extinguish a Fire ?

From fire triangle we know that all three elements have to be present in order to start or continue a fire.
So, fire hazard can be controlled in three ways;
1) Starvation - ending of fuel
2) Smothering - cutting off oxygen supply
3) Cooling - reducing the temperature

 Hope you've find this useful. Keep tuned for further information about fire hazards! spread the knowledge.