Fire Terms
AFFF Foam
A fire fighting foam known as aqueous film forming foam Forms a layer of film between the fuel and the oxygen causing the fire to suffocate.
Air Pack
A Self Contained Breathing Apparatus.
Backdraft
Term applied to the explosion caused by the sudden inward rush of oxygen when all of the super-heated gases, in a room or structure, ignite at the same time.
Bleve
Acronym for Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. A BLEVY is usually very powerful and extremely dangerous
Boiling Point
The temperature of a substance when the vapor exceeds atmospheric pressure.
BTU
British Thermal Unit The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
Calorie
The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water, one degree Celsius.
Celsius
Metric unit of temperature measurement. 0 is the melting point of ice, 100 is the boiling point of water. At sea level.
Conflagration
A raging, destructive fire.
Convection
The movement of heat through heated liquid or gases. Movement of heat through the air.
Conduction
The transmission or conveying of something through a medium or passage, especially the transmission of electric charge or heat through a conducting medium without perceptible motion of the medium itself.
Drafting
The process of sucking in water from a lake, pond, stream or any other water source. Used when there are no hydrants available.
Extrication
The removal of a victim from a vehicle.
Fahrenheit
Unit of temperature measurement used in the United States. 32 is the melting point of ice, 212 is the boiling point of water.
Fireload
Flammable materials.
Fire Point
The temperature at which a liquid fuel will produce vapors sufficient to support continuous combustion once ignited.
Fire Tetrahedron
Modern extension to the fire triangle. In addition to oxygen, fuel, and heat there is self-sustained chemical reaction.
Flame Over
Also known as rollover. A condition where smoke and gases ignite and spread.
Flame Spread
The movement of the fire away from the ignition source.
Flammable or Explosive Limits
The percentage of a substance in the air that will burn once it is ignited.
Flashover
The phase between the growth stage and a fully developed fire when the radiant heat is so intense that all combustible materials in the room ignite.
Flash Point
The minimum temperature at which a liquid fuel gives off sufficient vapors to form an ignition mixture with the air near the surface.
Flash Point Substance Flash Point Intended Use Gasoline -45 degrees F. Fueling an engine ONLY Acetone 0 degrees F. Nail polish remover, Turpentine 95 degrees F. Paint thinner, brush cleaner Mineral spirits 104 degrees F. Paint thinner, brush cleaner Charcoal lighter 160 degrees F. Starter fluid for grills Some mineral-oil 160 degrees F. Multi-purpose remover /solvent products
Heat
The form of energy that raises temperature. Heat can be measured by the amount of work it does.
Hose Jacket
A metal fitting around a hose to temporarily repair a leak.
Ignition Temperature
The minimum temperature to which a fuel in air must be heated to start self- sustained combustion without a separate ignition source.
Incident Command System
Refers to the management of the fire scene by those in charge
Joker
The initial signal received from a box alarm.
Overhaul
The clean up phase after a fire.
Oxidation
The complex chemical reaction of organic materials with oxygen or other oxidizing agents resulting in the formation of more stable compounds.
Plenum
An air filled space in a structure, especially as part of a ventilation system, through which fire can spread quickly.
Pyrolysis
The release of combustible gases from an object due to heat action.
Radiation (Heat)
Emission and propagation and emission of energy in the form of rays or waves.
Rollover
An eruption of flames following the ignition of gas that has collected at the top of an enclosed space.
Surround and Drown
A technique where fire is fought completely from the outside
Thermal Patterns
The burn marks that fire investigators examine for clues as to how a fire started and burned.
Vapor Pressure
A measure of the tendency of a substance to evaporate.
Water Curtain
Water Sprayed between burning structures and nearby buildings to prevent the fire from spreading
Water Hammer
Potential damage caused by opening and closing nozzles and valves too quickly