Fire protection
Four things are required to start a fire: inflammable material, fuel, oxygen (in the right mix) and an initial spark (caused by friction or flying sparks). To extinguish a fire, one of its vital factors must be withdrawn:
- Withdraw oxygen to extinguish the flame.
- Withdraw energy by cooling (with water) below ignition temperature.
- Withdraw fuel.
Insurance companies distinguish between functional fire (open fire or camp fire) and damaging fire. Damaging fire usually develops in three phases:
Phase 1: Initial flames or smouldering. The time a fire needs to get started depends on the amount of oxygen available.
Phase 2: A fire develops in one place, the concentration of gas increases.
Phase 3: Flash over. As the room temperature exceeds ignition temperature, the fire spreads in a burst.
