FIRE THEORY

Burning is a chemical event. The chemical change of a matter which is heated up to certain degree by combining with oxygen is called “burning”, and “fire” is called the burning event that we could not control.

Three factors should combine in order to trigger a fire;: 1- Combustible 2- Oxygen (air) 3- Heat These three factors are represented by the three edges of a triangle. This is called Fire Triangle. The combining together of three cited factors causes “fire”. The burning event is ended by removing one of these three factors form the environment. Combustible, as the first element, can always exist in any environment.

The second element, oxygen; there is always adequate amount of air for a fire in compliant atmosphere condition. The percentage of oxygen in the air is 21%. The minimum required oxygen rate for a fire fluctuates between 14% and 18% according to the fire type and the feature of the combustible.

The third element, heat; it is the effect causing an increase in a matter’s heat level and not found in anywhere but in some special conditions. The heat existed on the earth is under our control. In case of exceeding beyond our control of heat, fire is caused by combining with other factors.

Combustibles and Fire Types

	Class A Fire: Fires with organic origin, and fires by matters leaving ashes after burning. Wood, coal, paper, textiles, and other ordinary combustibles etc… International letter code……………………. A Class A fires are extinguished by fighting with matters creating cooling effect.
	Class B Fire: Fires of liquid combustibles (fuels). Flammable liquids, oils, solvents, paint, grease, glues, alcohol, paraffin, acetone,  asphalt etc…International letter code……………………. B Class B fires are extinguished by cutting the contact of oxygen with the combustible.
	Class C Fire: Fires of combustible gases and liquidated combustible gases. Naturally produced gases, methane, hydrogen, acetylene,  LPG, propane, natural gas etc… International letter code……………………. C Class C fires are extinguished by cutting the source of the fire and by cooling process.
	Class D Fire: Fires of light metals. Titanium, uranium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, aluminum, magnesium etc… International letter code……………………. D Class D fires are extinguished by dry powder extinguishers manufactured for exclusive purposes.

Using of an Extinguisher
 

Wrong		Right
Standing against the wind		Standing according to the wind direction
Intervention from top and back to a fire		Intervention to the cause, namely the deep part by hatching in front.
Intervention dropping combustible and explosive from down		Intervention with the dropping or leakage point, namely upstairs.
Using extinguisher one by one.		Using extinguisher together form different points at the same time.
Leaving the fire area		Do not leave fire area unless you are sure that the fire is extinguished.
Putting a used extinguisher with the new ones together.		Separating the used extinguisher and have them re-filled and serviced.