10-503-195Fire Behavior and Combustion
Course Information
Description
This course explores the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread, and are controlled.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Analyze physical properties of the three states of matter
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    explain the characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases
    describe how changes in temperature and pressure affect states of matter
    identify states of matter in relation to fuel phases in fire behavior

  2. Assess the various components of fire
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    define the fire tetrahedron and its components (heat, fuel, oxygen, chemical reaction)
    differentiate between flaming and smoldering combustion
    identify the role of heat sources in initiating fire

  3. Explain the physical and chemical properties of fire
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    discuss the relationship between heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation) and fire spread
    explain oxidation and exothermic reactions in fire development
    explore concepts like ignition temperature, flashpoint, and flame point

  4. Describe the process of burning
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    outline the stages of fire development (ignition, growth, fully developed, decay)
    explain factors influencing fire progression, including ventilation and fuel type
    discuss the transition to flashover and backdraft phenomena

  5. Use terms and concepts associated with the chemistry and dynamics of fire
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    define key terms such as pyrolization, combustion, and flameover
    discuss the role of thermal layering and buoyancy in fire dynamics
    explain the concept of fire plumes and smoke movement

  6. Discuss various materials and their relationship to fires as fuel
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    differentiate between flammable and combustible materials
    explain how fuel load and configuration impact fire behavior
    discuss the impact of synthetic and natural materials on fire dynamics

  7. Describe other suppression agents and strategies
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    identify the five classes of fire and how each type can be extinguished
    identify suppression agents (e.g., foam, CO2, dry chemicals) and their uses
    explain the principles of interrupting the fire tetrahedron with suppression agents
    discuss the advantages and limitations of each suppression method

  8. Demonstrate how the characteristics of water can be used as a fire suppression agent
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    explain water’s cooling and smothering effects on fire
    discuss the role of specific heat and latent heat of vaporization in fire suppression
    identify challenges in using water, such as steam production and conductivity

  9. Compare other methods and techniques of fire extinguishment
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    differentiate between cooling, smothering, and chemical chain interruption techniques
    compare the effectiveness of various extinguishing agents for different fire classes
    discuss advancements in fire extinguishment technologies and strategies

  10. Analyze how controlling flowpath impacts fire behavior and firefighter safety
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral, Written, Graphic and/or Skill Assessment
    Criteria
    explain the concept of flowpath
    identify components in a structural environment that affect flowpath
    describe the concept of smoke reading