Chabot College
September 1999
Course Outline for Fire Service Technology 53
FIRE BEHAVIOR AND COMBUSTION
Catalog Description:
53 – Fire Behavior and Combustion
3 units
Theory and fundamentals of why fires start, spread, and are controlled. An in depth study of fire
chemistry and physics fire characteristics of materials, extinguishing agents, and fire control
techniques. 3 hours.
Prerequisite Skills: None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1.
describe the basic laws differentiating matter and energy;
2.
explain basic terminology, definitions, and terms associated with basic fire chemistry;
3.
identify some of the basic chemical symbols used in chemical formula writing;
4.
explain the importance of the 3 physical properties of these physical states of matter;
5.
identify how physical forces caused by fire can affect the changes in the physical states of
matter;
6.
identify the Department of Transportation warning placards and label system;
7.
describe the Department of Transportation Hazard Class System;
8.
identify various methods and techniques to the theory of fire extinguishment based on
development of the flame plume;
9.
list various types and mediums of extinguishing agents.
10.
compare and contrast flashover and backdraft in a compartment fire.
Course Content:
1.
Fire chemistry and physics introduction
a.
matter and energy
b.
the atom and its parts
c.
chemical symbols
d.
molecules
e.
energy and work
f.
forms of energy
h.
transformation of energy
i.
laws of energy
2.
Units of measurement
a.
international units of measurement
b.
English units of measurement
Chemical reactions
a.
physical states of matter
b.
compounds and mixtures
c.
solutions and solvents
d.
process of reactions
3.
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Fire Service Technology 53, Page 2
September 1999
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Fire and the physical world
a.
characteristics of fire
b.
characteristics of solids
c.
characteristics of liquids
d.
characteristics of gases
Heat and its effects
a.
production and measurement of heat
b.
different kinds of heat
c.
methods of heat transfer
d.
sources of heat
Properties of solid materials
a.
common combustibles
b.
plastics and polygons
c.
combustible metals
d.
combustible dusts
Common flammable liquids and gases
a.
fire characteristics
b.
general properties of gases
c.
the gas laws
d.
classification of gases
e.
compressed gases
Hazards of chemicals
a.
hazards of explosives
b.
hazards of compressed gases
c.
hazards of flammable liquids
d.
hazards of flammable solids
e.
hazards of oxidizing agents
f.
hazards of poisons
g.
hazards of radioactive substances
h.
hazards of corrosives
Burning rate
a.
factors
b.
formulas
c.
heat
d.
energy release signatures
Fire Plumes
a.
calculate flame height
b.
estimate temperature above fire
c.
behavior of flame plumes
d.
buoyancy
Combustion products
a.
nature and level
b.
yield smoke
c.
hazards
Compartment fires
a.
fire development
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Fire Service Technology 53, Page 3
September 1999
13.
14.
b.
flashover
c.
fully developed fires
d.
ventilation factors
e.
fire induced flows
f.
computation
Analytical applications
a.
fire safety
b.
fire investigation
Fire modeling
Methods of Presentation:
Lecture and discussion; videos, slides, and transparencies; student presentations
Special assignments:
1.
Student presentation of common flammable liquid or gas
2.
Essay regarding heat and its effects
3.
Group presentation of fire and the physical world
Methods of evaluating student progress:
Class attendance and participation; weekly quizzes; mid-term project with individual
presentations; final examination
Textbook(s) (Typical):
1.
2.
3.
4.
Principles of Fire Behavior, James Quintiere, Delmar Publishers, ISBNO-8273-7730-0,
1998
The Chemical History of a Candle, Michael Faraday, Cherokee Publishing Company,
Atlanta Georgia, ISBN 0-87797-209-5, 1998
Principles of Fire Prevention Chemistry, Raymond Firedman Handouts, 1998
Essentials of Firefighting, 4th edition, International Fire Service Training Association,
Fire Protection Publications, 1998
Special Student Materials: None
Revised 12/99