SPRING 2008
FIRT 2319
CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
SYLLABUS FOR FIRT 2319
FIRE SERVICES CHEMISTRY II
Semester Hours Credit: 3
INSTRUCTOR: _________________
OFFICE HOURS: _______________
I. INTRODUCTION
A. This study of chemistry can make a worthwhile contribution to the education of any
student. Chemistry is a legitimate part of a cultural education, since it is concerned
with fundamental concepts about our environment and with the applications of these
concepts in controlling our environment.
B. One must know something of science to read modern newspapers and magazines with
full understanding. The extent to which chemistry has a bearing upon our daily lives
has become so great that technical topics are items of ordinary conversation.
Chemistry is constantly providing us with a supply of new things for better living, for
a longer and healthier life, and for an increased leisure in which to enjoy life.
Chemistry is also playing an important role in the exploration of space. Thus, it
becomes evident that knowledge of chemistry is a useful possession of any intelligent,
well-informed member of society.
C. Fire, of any sort, is simply a violent chemical reaction. A clear understanding of the
effect that chemicals have on the fire reaction is essential in the proper selection of
extinguishing agents and methods. This requires knowledge of chemistry, which is
also necessary in order to understand the possible physiological dangers of smoke and
burning chemicals.
II. LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, Fire Service Chemistry II, the student will be
able to:
A. Describe common chemical compounds as they are related to the fire service.
B. Discuss the effective selection of extinguishing agents for different chemical
compounds.
C. Select the appropriate method of application of extinguishing agents.
D. Discuss the problems of organic compounds with regard to combustion and health.
E. Generally explain the health hazard of fire and combustion products.
F. Explain the basic causes and hazards of radioactivity.
G. Discuss the physical and chemical properties of certain specific elements.
H. Discuss measurement, sources, and effects of heat.
I. Discuss the properties of certain flammable solids, liquids, and gases as well as the
chemical problems involved with extinguishing such materials.
J. Discuss the basic chemical processes occurring in a flame.
III. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
The instructional materials identified for this course are viewable through
www.ctcd.edu/books
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
A. The student is expected to spend a minimum of two hours outside of class for each hours
and a half in class. Outside work should include reading assigned material,
answering questions and working problems in the text (whether assigned or not),
reviewing lecture notes, and correcting errors made in past work.
B. The student is expected to take adequate lecture notes and to review them as soon as
possible after they are taken. Do not attempt to write every word. Use key phrases
and a logical method of organization.
C. The student should bring his textbook and all other necessary materials to each class
meeting.
D. A student who, on his own initiative, completes extra work in the course will be properly
rewarded. This work must first be discussed with the instructor and may not be
attempted if the student is not devoting sufficient time to his required work.
E. Students with grades of “D” or less should consult with the instructor voluntarily to
ascertain the reason for this low course average. This conference should come as
soon as possible after the grade reaches this danger point in order that the student
can correct his problem before it is too late.
V. EXAMINATIONS
There will be four one-hour exams given at the times indicated in the course outline.
There will also be a final examination. The final examination will be comprehensive.
No make-up exams will be given for any reason. The lowest grade of the four one-hour
exams will be dropped automatically and the three highest will be used to determine the
overall average.
VI. SEMESTER GRADE COMPUTATION
Periodic Examinations 600 points
Final Examination 400 points
*Incentive Points added
* Incentive points are earned by completing special projects. Up to 50 points per project,
depending on the type of project, and 100 points maximum per course can be earned.
Contact your instructor for further information.
POINT-TO-GRADE-RATIO
A = 900-1000
B = 800-899
C = 700-799
D = 600-699
F = 0 -599
VII. NOTES AND ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FROM COURSE INSTRUCTOR
A. Withdrawal from Course: It is the student's responsibility to officially drop a class if
circumstances prevent attendance. Any student who desires to, or must, officially
withdraw from a course after the first scheduled class meeting must file an
Application for Withdrawal or an Application for Refund. The withdrawal form
must be signed by the student.
Application for Withdrawal will be accepted at any time prior to Friday of the
12th week of classes during the 16 week fall and spring semesters. The deadline
for sessions of other lengths is as follows.
11 week session Friday of the 8th week
8 week session Friday of the 6th week
5 ½ week session Friday of the 4th week
The equivalent date (75% of the semester) will be used for sessions of other
lengths. The specific last day to withdraw is published each semester in the
Schedule Bulletin.
Students who officially withdraw will be awarded the grade of "W", provided the
student's attendance and academic performance are satisfactory at the time of
official withdrawal. Students must file a withdrawal application with the college
before they may be considered for withdrawal.
A student may not withdraw from a class for which the instructor has previously
issued the student a grade of "F" or "FN" for nonattendance.
B. An Administrative Withdrawal: An administrative withdrawal may be initiated when
the student fails to meet College attendance requirements. The instructor will
assign the appropriate grade on the Administrative Withdrawal Form for
submission to the registrar.
C. An Incomplete Grade: The College catalog states, "An incomplete grade may be
given in those cases where the student has completed the majority of the course
work but, because of personal illness, death in the immediate family, or military
orders, the student is unable to complete the requirements for a course..." Prior
approval from the instructor is required before the grade of "I" is recorded. A
student who merely fails to show for the final examination will receive a zero for
the final and an "F" for the course.
D. Cellular Phones and Beepers: Cellular phones and beepers will be turned off while
student is in the classroom or laboratory.
E. Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA): Disability Support Services provides services
to students who have appropriate documentation of a disability. Students
requiring accommodations for class are responsible for contacting the Office of
Disability Support Services (DSS) located on the central campus. This service is
available to all students, regardless of location. Explore the website at
www.ctcd.edu/disability-support
for further information. Reasonable
accommodations will be given in accordance with the federal and state laws
through the DSS office.
VIII. COURSE OUTLINE
A. Units One and Two:
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a. Discuss differences between organic and inorganic compounds.
b. Identify and distinguish between saturated and unsaturated
compounds.
c. Define and identify isomers.
d. Identify functional groups in organic compounds.
e. Identify various types of hydrocarbons and classify as aliphatic or
aromatic.
f. Describe the physical properties of hydrocarbons.
g. Interpret, in a general manner, the names of alkanes, cycloalkanes, and
alkyl groups.
h. Describe the types of chemical reactions to alkanes.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Student homework study
c. Text assignment: Chapter 11 - Holum
3. Unit Outline:
a. Organic and Inorganic Compounds
b. Structural Features of Organic Compounds
c. Isomerism
d. Functional Groups
e. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes
f. Chemical Properties of Alkanes
B. Units Three and Four:
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a. Describe the physical properties of alkenes.
b. Interpret, in a general manner, the names of different alkenes.
c. Define and identify geometric isomers in both acyclic and cyclic compounds
d. Identify the various types of addition reactions that occur with alkenes.
e. Define Markovnikov’s Rule and apply it to chemical reactions of alkenes.
f. Describe the effects of oxidizing agents on unsaturated compounds such as
alkenes.
g. Generally describe polymers.
h. Describe the benzene ring and the types of reactions that occur with
aromatic compounds.
i. Identify derivatives of benzene.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Student homework/study
c. Text assignment: Chapter 12 - Holum
3. Unit Outline:
a. Naming Alkenes
b. Geometric Isomers
c. Addition Reactions of the Double Bond
d. The Benzene Ring and Aromatic Properties
e. Derivatives of Benzene
f. Naming Compounds of Benzene
C. Units Five and Six:
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a. Identify a compound as an alcohol and identify classes of alcohols.
b. Interpret, in a general manner, the names of alcohols.
c. Describe the physical properties of alcohols.
d. Write chemical equations for the reactions of alcohols.
e. Describe the chemical properties of phenols.
f. Describe ethers.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Student homework/study
c. Text assignment: Chapter 13 - Holum
3. Unit Outline:
a. Types and Names of Alcohols
b. Physical Properties of Alcohols
c. Chemical Properties of Alcohols
d. Phenols
e. Ethers
f. Thioalcohols and Disulfides
D. Unit Seven:
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a. Define radioactive decay, transmutation, and radionuclide.
b. Identify and describe the three types of nuclear radiation.
c. Write and complete nuclear equations.
d. Explain the concept of half-life.
e. Describe and explain a radioactive disintegration series.
f. Describe the health effects of radiation.
g. Discuss methods of protection from radiation.
h. Explain the various units used in measuring radiation.
i. Discuss synthetic radionuclides.
j. List and discuss some medical applications of radiation.
k. Discuss nuclear fission and nuclear reactors.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Student homework/study
c. Text assignment: Chapter 10 - Holum
3. Unit Outline:
a. Atomic Radiation
b. Ionizing Radiation—Dangers and Precautions
c. Units to Describe and Measure Radiation
d. Synthetic Radionuclides
e. Radiation Technology in Medicine
f. Atomic Energy and Radionuclides
E. Unit Eight: The Process of Heat Transfer
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a. Identify the Types of Heat Transfer
b. Calculate the rate of heat transfer
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Student homework/study
c. Text assignment: Tuve Chapter 5
d. Prepare for and take the Mid-Term Exam
3.
Unit Outline:
a. Definition of heat transfer
b. Modes of heat transfer
1. Conduction
2. Radiation
3.. Convection
c. Calculation of rate of heat conduction
d. Convective heat transfer
e. Radiative heat transfer
F. Unit Nine: The Combustion Process
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a. Define combustion
b. Differentiate between flaming and non-flaming combustion
c. Describe the process of combustion, from initiation to termination.
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Student homework/study
c. Text assignment: Tuve Chapter 7
3: Unit Outline:
a. Combustion defined
b. Difference between flaming and non-flaming combustion
c. The combustion process
1. Origination
2. Spread
3. Termination
G. Unit Ten: Fire Characteristics of Gases
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a. Describe the various types of flames
b. Describe the methods of ignition of gases
c. Explain the difference between deflagration and detonation
d. Discuss the chemical mechanisms of combustion
e. List specific hazardous gases and their properties
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Student homework/study
c. Text assignment: Tuve Chapter 8
3
Unit Outline:
a. Types of gaseous flames
1. Premixed
2. Diffusion
3. Laminar
4. Turbulent
5. Stationary
6. Propagating
b. The ignition process of gases
c. Flammability limits of premixed flames
d. Deflagration versus Detonation
e. Chemical mechanisms of combustion
f. Radiation from flames
g. Specific Hazardous gases
1. Hydrogen
2. Acetylene
3. Methane
4. Ethylene
5. Ammonia
H. Unit Eleven: Fire Characteristics of Liquid Combustibles
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a. List the 5 categories of liquid fires
b. Define flash point and fire point
c. Discuss the different classifications of flammable liquids
d. Discuss burning rates and spread rates
d. Define boilover
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Student homework/study
c. Text assignment: Tuve Chapter Nine
3.
Unit Outline:
a. The 5 categories of liquid fires:
1. Pool
2. Flowing
3. Spray
4. Film
5. Confined liquid
b. Flash Point and Fire Point
c. Classes of Flammable/Combustible Liquids
d. Burning rates of liquid pools
e. Flame spread rates over liquid surfaces
f. Boilover
I. Unit Twelve: Fire Characteristics of Solid Combustibles
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a. Describe the process by which solids can be burned
b. Define heat of gasification
c. Discuss flame-spread and burning rates of solids
d. List the common cellulose-based solids, and their characteristics
e. Define polymer
f. Discuss the use of fire retardants
g. Discuss the use of composite materials in today’s life
h. Describe the flammability of certain metals
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Student homework/study
c. Text assignment: Tuve Chapter 10
3.
Unit Outline:
a. Gasification, Ignition, Charring, and Melting
b. Flammability rates
c. Flame-spread rates
d. Burning rates
e. Cellulose-based and other natural materials
f. Synthetic polymers
1. Addition polymers
2. Condensation polymers
g. Fire retardants
h. Composite materials
i. Combustibility of metals
1. Magnesium
2. Aluminum
3. Iron/steel
4. Titanium
5. Alkali metals
6. Others
J. Unit Thirteen: The Products of Combustion
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a. Define products of combustion
b. Describe the process of measuring particulates
c. Discuss the toxicity of fire products
d. Identify the possibility of non-thermal damage
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Student homework/study
c. Text assignment: Tuve Chapter 11
3. Unit Outline:
a. Smoke as a by-produce of combustion
b. Measurement of smoke particulates
c. Quantity of smoke produced
d. Visibility
e. Smoke Detectors
f. Toxicity of fire products
1. Carbon Monoxide
2. Carbon Dioxide
3. Hydrogen Cyanide
4. Hydrogen Chloride
5. Other Toxins
6. Oxygen deficiency
7. Mixtures of gases and particulates
8. Dilution of smoke/by-products
g. Nonthermal damage from fires
K. Unit Fourteen: The Movement of Fire Gases
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a. Discuss the movement of fire gases in different areas
b. Describe the fire plume
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Student homework/study
c. Text assignment: Tuve Chapter 12
3. Unit Outline:
a. Heights of diffusion flames
b. The fire plume
1. In the open
2. Under a ceiling
c. Filling areas with smoke
d. Smoke movement in buildings
L. Unit Fifteen: Special Fire Situations
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a. Define special fire situations
b. Discuss the dangers of these situations
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom lecture/discussion
b. Student homework/study
c. Text assignment: Tuve Chapter 15
3. Unit Outline:
a. Spontaneous ignition
b. Exothermic reactions
1. Energy from decomposition
2. Energy from polymerization
3. Energy from intramolecular oxidation reduction
4. Energy from oxidizer in contact with reducing agent
5. Special cases
c. Fires in abnormal environments
1. Oxygen-enriched atmospheres
2. Nonatmospheric pressure environments
3. Microgravity environments
M. Unit Sixteen: Review and Final Exam
1. Unit Objectives: Upon successful completion of this unit, the student will be
able to:
a. Discuss Industrial Fire Protection procedures
b. Pass the Final Exam
2. Learning Activities:
a. Classroom Review
b. Administration of Final Exam
3. Unit Outline:
a. Review of Material covered
b. Take Final Exam