How Fire Works

Fire TriangleFire is a chemical chain reaction that gives of heat, light and flame. Fire requires three things - Heat, Oxygen and Fuel - to start and continue to burn.

The image to the left is called the Fire Triangle and represents the combustion process and the required elements.

Only when all three elements are present, can combustion (fire) take place.

 

Heater and Burning Shirt - Animation

For example, if you leave clothes drying in front of a heater, they may catch fire.

The heat at which something will begin to burn is known as the ignition temperature.

The heater provides the HEAT, the clothes provides the FUEL and OXYGEN is present in the atmosphere that we breathe.
 
To stop a fire you must break the triangle.

Burning Tree - Animation

By applying water on this burning tree, the temperature of the fuel is
reduced to below the trees ignition temperature and the fire,
or chemical chain reaction, will stop.

 

Home