Fire can be an incredible tool as well as a hazard.Most things around us can burn, and if the right conditions occur, they can turn our surroundings into a pile of ashes. Hence, understanding the chemistry behind fires is key to stopping them.Fires are primarily of two types. As long as you have them under control, as in a candle or gas stove, they are called controlled fires. However, as soon as they go beyond your control, they are called uncontrolled fires. While controlled fires are useful for humankind, uncontrolled fires can wreak havoc.The most important information required when it comes to extinguishing fires or at least being ready for them is regarding the fire triangle. The fire triangle is a symbolic triangle that shows us the elements required for a flame to form. Heat, fuel, and oxygen are the main components of fire.Fuels are the things that burn to release heat and fumes. Oxygen reacts with fuel to create fire, and heat is required to ignite the reaction in the first place. Removing any of the three elements is sufficient to kill a fire. More recently, however, the primary model was rectified in order to make it into a fire tetrahedron, adding another element, which is a chemical reaction. Keep reading to know more facts about the fire triangle and how not to ignite it!What is a fire triangle?The fire triangle is a basic model which tells us about the combustion process and the elements which are required for a fire. Fire is caused due to the presence of three things. There has to be heat, oxygen, and fuel. In the presence of heat, the fuel and oxygen molecules get energy, which is transferred around to form a chain reaction.When the ignition temperature is reached, that is, when the substance is heated enough to ignite or catch fire, the reaction is complete. As long as all the three elements of the fire triangle are available, an exothermic reaction continues. Hence, if you want to put out a fire, the first thing to do is to stop the supply of any of these three elements.Our surroundings are filled with combustible material. Hence, knowledge of the combustion triangle is necessary for learning proper fire safety. The combustion reaction is an exothermic one. This means that, through the combustion reaction, oxygen reacts with fuel in the presence of heat to produce carbon dioxide and heat.The ignition source, that is the object which supplies the initial energy for each oxygen and fuel molecule to start gaining energy, can be anything starting from a heated metal surface or an overheated kitchen utensil. The three components of the fire triangle form a chain reaction since, once enough heat is generated for ignition, the reaction feeds itself and keeps running while there is ample availability of fuel and oxygen.Fire needs oxygen to sustain itself since the combustion process is essentially oxidation. Oxidation is the same process through which food is broken down in our body. However, the same chemical chain reaction is different in the case of fire and metabolic processes, since in the case of a fire, the reaction is rapid and often very dangerous.One thing to note is that recently a fourth element was added to the triangle, making it a tetrahedron or a pyramid. The basic indication made through the pyramid is that now, instead of having to remove one of three elements, we have to find a way of tackling one of four.The fourth element is a chemical chain reaction. There are some experiments underway that show us a way of tackling rapid oxidation through controlling one of the essential elements, which is the chain reaction. We will be talking more about the experiments in a while. The fourth elements make the triangle a fire diamond.The Significance Of The Fire TriangleThe significance of the fire triangle or fire tetrahedron is paramount when fire safety is concerned. One of the most important factors that come into play when trying to bring a certain dangerous phenomenon under control is understanding its mechanics, or in this case, its chemistry.Fire extinguishers and fire blankets work in a way that ensures that one or more of the elements supporting the fire are brought under control, and the chemical chain reaction is cut off. The fact that skilled firefighters use the basic principles suggested by the fire triangle and fire tetrahedron is a testament to its efficacy and merit.Different materials may cause a fire. As we know, many things such as paper and wood burn very easily and can act as fuel. Flammable materials, such as clothes, also catch fire when sufficient heat is provided. They then act as burning fuel and release heat and fumes. Oxygen acts as the oxidizing agent and reacts with the fuel source at the ignition point to produce heat and release carbon dioxide into the ambient air.With proper knowledge of how things burn and which objects around the house can turn into ignition sources, we can be truly careful and also quick to action in case of an emergency.Elements Of The Fire TriangleThe fire triangle has three elements, while the fire tetrahedron has four elements. The four elements in a fire tetrahedron are a chemical chain reaction, oxygen, fuel or combustible materials, and heat. The three components of a fire triangle are heat, fuel, and oxygen. In order to sustain combustion, all of the three components of a fire triangle are required.If the oxidizing agent, heat or fuel are removed, the chain reaction is stopped. On the other hand, some elements and compounds can be used in order to completely break a chemical chain reaction. Halon extinguishers use an inert gas barrier in order to break the fire tetrahedron, thereby stopping the fire.The heat source can also be removed or quietened by using water as an extinguisher. The combustion triangle is broken when there is not enough heat to sustain the reactions between the fuel and oxygen. Fuel sources often release a lot of heat, which is hazardous. Pouring water over a fuel surface not only brings down the temperature but also immediately breaks the reaction.Fire blankets help in cutting out the oxygen reaching the fuel. The oxygen supply can also be cut off by pouring substances such as sand and dirt onto it. When there is no oxygen, combustion stops since there is no oxidizing agent.Fire extinguishers, on the other hand, also help in cutting off the oxygen supply to the fuel. Spraying a layer of foam that exists within fire extinguishers over the surface of the fuel helps in creating a barrier. When the fuel is no longer in contact with oxygen, combustion stops.Flammable materials are to be handled with care since they are a fire hazard. Fires claim many lives throughout the world, and hence, knowing how to tackle them is essential in making sure that we know a way out of sticky or, in this case, scorching situations.Since combustion reactions are exothermic in nature and feed themselves, the cutting off of one or more elements of the combustion triangle is important. It is also important to install fire alarms in houses and other buildings so that help can reach people in need in time.
Fire can be an incredible tool as well as a hazard.
