Fire Progression Phenomena
Rapid Fire Progression Phenomena
Brian J. Rocker Jr.
American Military Institute
Abstract
Fire fighters are killed every year due to lack of knowledge on the job. This paper focuses on numerous studies that have been conducted on the lack of knowledge regarding enclosure fire behavior, to include: backdraft, flameover, and flashover. This paper, based off the National Fire Protection Association, (NFPA), attempts to combine the many definitions and “truths” floating around about these such phenomena, and clearly define them, and explain the process and possible indicators of these very likely events within an enclosure. With studies performed by scientists, such as (Dunn) and (Quintiere), this paper explains the lack of knowledge and training those within the fire service profession have today.
Keywords: backdraft; flameover; flashover
Rapid Fire Progression Phenomena
Many firefighters are killed in the line of duty everyday due to rapid fire progression phenomena. Statistics show that enclosure fires are the most dangerous to the fire community. A 2001 study proved that four out of every five fire deaths occurred in residential structure fires. (Cote 10-11) This study confirmed the fear that many in the fire profession do not understand thoroughly about the deadly killers: backdraft, flashover, and flameover. This paper discusses the need for achieving a higher knowledge of fire behavior, especially enclosure fire behavior. The purpose of this study is to make everyone aware about the current lack of training and education regarding these rapid fire progression phenomena. This paper not only provides a basis for each phenomena, making them easier to understand, but to provide solutions for helping fire safety personnel understand all the components involved in a rapid evolving enclosure fire. Backdraft has not been studied as much as the other rapid fire phenomena. A few studies however have been performed to aid in better understanding of the
Brian J. Rocker Jr.
American Military Institute
Abstract
Fire fighters are killed every year due to lack of knowledge on the job. This paper focuses on numerous studies that have been conducted on the lack of knowledge regarding enclosure fire behavior, to include: backdraft, flameover, and flashover. This paper, based off the National Fire Protection Association, (NFPA), attempts to combine the many definitions and “truths” floating around about these such phenomena, and clearly define them, and explain the process and possible indicators of these very likely events within an enclosure. With studies performed by scientists, such as (Dunn) and (Quintiere), this paper explains the lack of knowledge and training those within the fire service profession have today.
Keywords: backdraft; flameover; flashover
Rapid Fire Progression Phenomena
Many firefighters are killed in the line of duty everyday due to rapid fire progression phenomena. Statistics show that enclosure fires are the most dangerous to the fire community. A 2001 study proved that four out of every five fire deaths occurred in residential structure fires. (Cote 10-11) This study confirmed the fear that many in the fire profession do not understand thoroughly about the deadly killers: backdraft, flashover, and flameover. This paper discusses the need for achieving a higher knowledge of fire behavior, especially enclosure fire behavior. The purpose of this study is to make everyone aware about the current lack of training and education regarding these rapid fire progression phenomena. This paper not only provides a basis for each phenomena, making them easier to understand, but to provide solutions for helping fire safety personnel understand all the components involved in a rapid evolving enclosure fire. Backdraft has not been studied as much as the other rapid fire phenomena. A few studies however have been performed to aid in better understanding of the
References: Dunn, Vincent. “Flameover fires, Flashover fires, What is the Difference?” Fire Command and Control. New York, NY: 1-12. 2002. Fleischmann, C., Pagni, P. “Exploratory Backdraft Experiments.” Fire Technology 21. 1993. Grimwood, Paul, “FLASHOVER . a firefighter 's worst nightmare!,” www.firetactics.com, February, 2003. International Fire Service Training Association. Essentials of Fire Fighting. 4th ed. Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma: IFSTA, 2001. Quintiere, J. Principles of Fire Behavior, Albany N.Y.: Delmar, 1998.