Table of Contents
Why are fires difficult to put out?
Many factors affect how a wildfire burns and how difficult it may be to control. The three sides of the fire behaviour triangle are weather, topography and fuels. To put out a fire, heat, fuel or oxygen must be removed. Putting dirt and water or retardant on fire removes the oxygen from the fuel.
Why dont fires stop as soon as they start?
Why can they spread so quickly? Once it’s started, a wildfire can spread due to the wind, being on a slope or because of fuel. “That’s because it’s pre-heating the fuel above it. So if a fire is going up a mountain it will go very fast.”
How does fire continue to burn once it has started?
The heat of the flame itself keeps the fuel at the ignition temperature, so it continues to burn as long as there is fuel and oxygen around it. The flame heats any surrounding fuel so it releases gases as well. When the flame ignites the gases, the fire spreads. On Earth, gravity determines how the flame burns.
When should you never attempt to put out a fire?
Never fight a fire: If the fire is spreading beyond the spot where it started. If you can’t fight the fire with your back to an escape exit. If the fire can block your only escape. If you don’t have adequate fire-fighting equipment.
What fire Cannot be put out by water?
APWs are designed for Class A (wood, paper, cloth) fires only. Never use water to extinguish flammable liquid fires. Water is extremely ineffective at extinguishing this type of fire, and you may, in fact, spread the fire if you try to use water on it. Never use water to extinguish an electrical fire.
What is the hardest fire to put out?
Class C fires
Class C fires are often one of the most difficult types of fire to actually extinguish – it is quite rare for a fire extinguisher to extinguish all the flames of a gas fire – making it incredibly important to try and avoid a Class C fire as far as possible.
Why can’t you use ocean water to put out fires?
Finally, saltwater corrodes the almost entirely metal-made fire fighting equipment that we use. That corrosion will lead to damage, constant repair, and could end up being the reason why fire isn’t extinguished fast enough. Using salt water to fight fires just isn’t worth all of the extra work that it would take.
How do fires start naturally?
Natural fires are generally started by lightning, with a very small percentage started by spontaneous combustion of dry fuel such as sawdust and leaves. On the other hand, human-caused fires can be due to any number of reasons. Some classifications include smoking, recreation, equipment, and miscellaneous.
What is Stage 1 of the 4 key stage of fire?
Stage One – Ignition (Incipient) The incipient stage is when it’s crucial to fight a fire because it is easiest to suppress it at this point, and it will cause the least damage. Fire suppression systems allow you to suppress the fire right after ignition without needing a person to be present.
What is the first thing you should do if you spot a fire?
What To Do If A Fire Starts
- Know how to safely operate a fire extinguisher.
- Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency phone number.
- Yell “Fire!” several times and go outside right away.
- If closed doors or handles are warm or smoke blocks your primary escape route, use your second way out.
Should you always attempt to fight a fire?
This is probably the most important decision you will face when a fire breaks out. If you are not trained in portable extinguisher use, the answer is easy: you should evacuate, and never attempt to fight a fire if you do not have extinguisher training.