Back To Basics: The Fire Triangle

​Fire Safety Regulations can seem a bit daunting, as they can be rather strict and complex, with a lot at risk if not followed correctly. However, they are all based on the simple dynamics of the ‘Fire Triangle’. Let’s go back to basics to achieve a better understanding of fire safety regulations by looking at the fire triangle.
 
What is fire?
Fire is a chemical reaction. For the reaction to occur, three separate elements have to come together at the same time: fuel, heat and oxygen. Fuel is stored energy and when heated to an elevated temperature, rapid oxidisation occurs, which in turn produces more heat, thus beginning a continuous cycle.
 
What are the elements?
Oxygen:
Oxygen makes up 20% of the air we breathe, so there is constantly an ample supple readily available to start a fire, if a flammable material came into contact with enough heat.
 
Keeping the appropriate fire extinguishers near areas with a higher risk of fire is always handy. A fire would ‘starve’ if it was depraved of a sufficient supply of oxygen to keep it burning. So, foam and dry powder extinguishers and fire blankets would smother the flames and take away the oxygen element. Whereas a CO2 extinguisher would replace the O2 with CO2, again depriving the fire of it’s much needed oxygen.
 
Heat:
All flammable materials have something called a ‘flash point’. This is the lowest temperature at which they could ignite. It is very important that any flammable materials are stored at a temperature which is below that of their flash point. Isolating heat sources is another great way of safeguarding your environment. This involves keeping fuel sources away from radiators and out of direct sunlight. Water fire extinguishers play the part of cooling down the temperatures of fire and therefore removing the heat. Sprinkles also do the same job.
 
Fuel:
The first part of the chemical reaction that is fire, starts with fuel and heat. A fire will continue to burn if there is fuel to use up. Fuel can be solid, liquid or gas. Each category should be treated individually to ensure that their presence does not pose as a risk of fire.
 
Solids are the most common types of fuel and include everyday objects that surround you now. Such as; paper, card, clothing, fabrics, furniture and wood. These should all be kept from radiators, heaters and out of direct sunlight to reduce a risk of fire.
 
All flammable gasses should be stored and used correctly to reduce any risks of fire. Examples include; ensuring gas canisters are positioned upright on steady ground, in an approved storage cabinet that is equipped with sprinklers, stored away from exits/doors and stairways, kept at a temperature below their flash point and capping the canisters when not in use.
 
The same applies to flammable liquids such as; storing them in a separate room from other materials, dispense liquids over a tray and use small quantities if possible. All canisters should be checked regularly for any faults or dents and replaced immediately if any are found.
 
Wet chemical fire extinguishers work by applying a chemical additive to oils and fats, turning the surface into a non-combustible soap.
 
By understanding the basic principles of the fire triangle, you are ensuring that your home, property or business is best prepared to avoiding fires.
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[1] http://islandfireprotection.co.uk/go-back-to-basics-with-the-fire-triangle/
2 http://www.eurofireprotection.com/blog/what-is-the-fire-triangle/