Fire is the process of burning.

It is in fact a chemical reaction initiated by presence of heat

energy in which a substance combines with oxygen in the air and the process is
accompanied by emission of energy in the form of heat, light and sound. Therefore, three
elements are essential for combustion i.e.
• A combustible matter i.e fuel
• Oxygen to sustain combustion.
• Source of heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature, Spark flame etc.
Fires can be extinguished by Breaking the Fire Triangle. Essentially, fire extinguishers put
out the fire by taking away one or more elements of the fire triangle.

When you cut off the heat, it is called cooling When you
cut off the fuel supply, it is called starving
When you cut off the oxygen, it is called smothering
When you attack the fire at the ionic level, it is called
inhibition

CAUSES OF FIRE
1. Carelessness and accidents
Lack of attention when cooking; careless placement of items near the stove.
Inattentive use of candles.
Accidents involving gas, propane and solvents.

2. Electrical equipment
Short circuits
overloaded systems and fuses
Loose connections, frayed cords; improper use of extension cords.

3. Smoking or fire lighting material

Cigarettes (especially falling asleep while smoking or not properly extinguishing
cigarettes).
Children playing with matches or lighters.

4. Flammable Liquids:
Store all flammable liquids such as petrol, kerosene, methylated spirits away from heat.
Always check the label before use and storage.
Use extreme care when pouring.
REASONS FOR LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO FIRE
Smoke inhalation is the primary cause of death for victims of fire.
Death may be due to the effects of breathing the products of fire/ burning, principally
carbon monoxide, but also cyanide and many other toxic by-products of combustion.
In order to burn, fire requires oxygen and consumes much of the available oxygen
individuals need to breathe and remain conscious.
Once oxygen levels drop to half the normal amount, movement toward exits becomes
difficult or impossible.
When burning, the synthetic material produce extremely dangerous substances that are
released into the air.
These toxic gases may replace the oxygen and be inhaled by victims struggling to find their
way out of the burning structure.
A fully-developed indoor fire can reach or exceed temperatures of 1100 degrees
Fahrenheit. Even one breath of this very hot air can be lethal.
Development of Fire
There are 4 stages of development of fire. These stages are incipient, growth, fully
developed, and decay.
Incipient – This first stage begins when heat, oxygen and a fuel source combine and have
a chemical reaction resulting in fire. This is also known as “ignition” and is usually
represented by a very small fire which often (and hopefully) goes out on its own, before
the following stages are reached. Recognizing a fire in this stage provides your best chance
at suppression or escape.
Growth – The growth stage is where the structures fire load and oxygen are used as fuel
for the fire. There are numerous factors affecting the growth stage including where the fire
started, what combustibles are near it, ceiling height and the potential for “thermal
layering”. It is during this shortest of the 4 stages when a deadly “flashover” can occur;
potentially trapping, injuring or killing firefighters .
Fully Developed – When the growth stage has reached its max and all combustible
materials have been ignited, a fire is considered fully developed. This is the hottest phase
of a fire and the most dangerous for anybody trapped within.
Decay – Usually the longest stage of a fire, the decay stage is characterized a significant
decrease in oxygen or fuel, putting an end to the fire. Two common dangers during this
stage are first – the existence of non-flaming combustibles, which can potentially start a
new fire if not fully extinguished. Second, there is the danger of a backdraft when
oxygen is reintroduced to a volatile, confined space.
Different Classes of Fires
The 5 main classes of fires are categorized by what caused the fire or what the fire uses as
fuel, and are as follows:

Class A: solid materials such as wood or paper, fabric, and some plastics
Class B: liquids or gas such as alcohol, ether, gasoline, or grease
Class C: electrical failure from appliances, electronic equipment, and wiring
Class D: metallic substances such as sodium, titanium, zirconium, or magnesium
Class K: grease or oil fires specifically from cooking

There are different Types of Fire Extinguishers for different Types of Fire.
WATER CO2: These are specially designed for tackling Class A fires (wood, paper,
straw, textiles, coal etc.) They fight the fire by cooling, smothering and starving in
combination.
FOAM (AFFF): These are ideally suited where class A & B fires
Aqueous Film Forming Foam or AFFF is particularly suited to fight liquid spill fires such
as petrol, oil, fats, paints etc. It works by forming a film on the liquid hence smothering
and cooling the fire.
DRY CHEMICAL POWDER (ABC, BC, D) These are multipurpose fire extinguishers
suited for all three types of fires ie A, B & C .
They are also suited for D class of fire when filled with special powder.
They fight the fire by smothering, starving and inhibition.
GAS (CO2, CLEAN AGENT): These are suitable for class B & C Class of Fire
involving flammable liquids for electrical equipment. They cool and starve the fire.
The National Building Code of India (NBC) is a comprehensive building code, providing
guidelines for regulating building construction activities across the country. The building
code mainly contains administrative regulations, development control rules, and general
building requirements; fire safety requirements; stipulations regarding materials,
structural design, and construction (including safety); building and plumbing services;
approach to sustainability; and asset and facility management.
According to NBC Buildings are classified according to use or the character of
occupancy in one of the following groups:
Group A-Residential Buildings - lodging or rooming houses, private dwellings,
apartments, dormitories, hotels.
Group B-Educational Buildings - schools up to senior secondary level, all other
schools, training institutes.
Group C-Institutional Buildings -Hospitals and sanatoria, Custodial Institutions, Penal
and Mental Institutions
Group D-Assembly Buildings - mixed occupancy such as shopping, theatre,
auditoriums, restaurants.
Group E-Business Buildings – offices, banks, professional establishments, laboratories,
libraries, computer institutions, telephone exchanges, broadcasting stations and TV
Stations.
Group F-Mercantile Buildings- shops, stores, departments markets, underground
shopping centres, storage and service facilities.
Group H-Storage Buildings- Storage of Goods, wares and merchandise.
Group G-Industrial Buildings- low hazard, moderate hazard, high hazard.
Group J-Hazardous Buildings- Storage of Gases, Flammable Liquids, Liquefiable
Gases, explosive materials, artificial flowers, synthetic leather, ammunition, explosives
and fireworks.
The National Building Code of India broadly covers the following areas:
This covers aspects of fire prevention pertaining to the design and construction of
buildings. This covers life safety provisions in the event of fire.
Covers significant appurtenances (accessories) and their related components and
guidelines for selecting the correct type of equipment and installations meant for fire
protection of the building, depending upon the classifications and type of building.
The code specifies the demarcation of fire zones, restrictions on construction of buildings
in each fire zone, classification of buildings based on occupancy, types of building
construction according to the fire resistance of the structural and non-structural components
and other restrictions.

Fire protection system

Fire protection includes procedures for preventing, detecting and extinguishing fire. Fire
protection systems is essential for effective management of a fire scene. Fire Protection
Systems focuses on the operational characteristics and abilities of different types of
systems and equipment that are used during fire department operations to access a water
source, apply a suppression agent to control a particular type of fire, provide information
concerning the location of a fire, and more.

Passive fire protection - includes compartmentalization of the overall building through

the use of fire-resistance rated walls and floors.
the installation of firewalls and fire rated floor assemblies to form fire compartments
intended to limit the spread of fire, high temperatures, and smoke.
 Fire rated walls
 Fire rated floors
 Fire rated separation
• Active fire protection – includes manual or automatic fire detection and fire
suppression.
 Smoke detectors
 Sprinklers
 Fire alarms