Fire

Fire or combustion is a violent exothermal chemical reaction called oxydoreduction. When the combustion is intense, it leads to a flame or an explosion.

The chemical reaction of combustion is only possible when 3 elements are combined: a combustible, an oxidizer, and a sufficient amount of energy. We usually draw this association with the symbolic fire triangle as seen above. In the same way, as we remove one of the 3 elements from the triangle, combustion stops.

Fire classes

Combustible can be:

• Solid forming embers (class A fire) (wood, paper, carton, textile, PVC, …)

• Liquid of liquefying solid (class B fire) (benzin, gasoline, oil, …)

• Gas (classe C fire) (butane, propane, methane, dihydrogen, …)

• Metal (classe D fire) (iron, aluminum, sodium, magnesium, …)

• Fat or grease (class F fire) (cooking oil,…)

1 - Combustive agent

2 - Fire extinction

3 - Chemistry of combustion