Fire Behavior and Combustion Science Flashcards
7 cards from real Fire Safety practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Fire Behavior and Combustion Science flashcards as text
What is a backdraft?
Answer: An explosive ignition caused when fresh oxygen is suddenly introduced to a superheated, oxygen-depleted fire
Backdraft occurs when a smoldering, oxygen-deficient fire is suddenly supplied with fresh air — often by opening a door — triggering a rapid, explosive ignition.
Which mechanism of heat transfer carries heat upward through the movement of hot gases and air?
Answer: Convection
Convection transfers heat through the physical movement of heated gases and air; hot gases rise due to buoyancy, spreading heat and fire to upper levels.
What is the flashpoint of a flammable liquid?
Answer: The lowest temperature at which its vapors will ignite momentarily when exposed to an ignition source
Flashpoint is the lowest temperature at which a flammable liquid produces sufficient vapor to ignite briefly when exposed to an external ignition source.
Which warning signs most strongly indicate a potential backdraft condition inside a structure?
Answer: Smoke being drawn inward, discolored (yellow/brown) windows, and little visible flame
Backdraft conditions are indicated by smoke being pulled back inside, stained windows from pyrolysis gases, and minimal visible flame — signs of a hot, oxygen-starved fire.
Heat transfer through direct physical contact between materials is called:
Answer: Conduction
Conduction transfers heat through direct contact between materials, such as a metal structural beam conducting heat from a fire to an adjacent uninvolved room.
What is 'rollover' (also called flameover) in fire development?
Answer: Flames rolling across the ceiling layer as unburned gases ignite before full flashover
Rollover occurs when unburned gases accumulating at the ceiling reach their ignition temperature and ignite, creating flames rolling across the ceiling — a warning sign that flashover is imminent.
Which factor most significantly controls the intensity and spread rate of a fire?
Answer: The availability of oxygen
Oxygen availability is the primary factor controlling combustion intensity; more oxygen allows faster, hotter burning while reduced oxygen slows or stops combustion.