Fire

- exothermic reaction involving the oxidation of some substance (fuel)

resulting in the release of energy in the form of light and heat.
Fire Quadrangle
1. Fuel
2. Oxygen
3. Heat
4. Ignition energy
Triangles of Fire
1. Fuel
2. Oxygen
3. Heat
- removal of any of these results in the suppression of the
fire.
Some major products of combustion
1. water
2. carbon dioxide
3. carbon monoxide
4. oxides of sulfur
Definition of terms
1. Vapor Density - the density of the vapor relative to the density of air
and is calculated by dividing the molecular weight of the gas by that of
air.
2. Flash point - the lowest temperature at which
liquid fuel produces a flammable vapor.
3. Fire point/flame point - the lowest temperature at which
liquid fuel produces a flammable vapor in sufficient quantity

such that if a source of ignition is introduced, the vapor

will ignite and is usually a few degrees above the flash point
4. Ignition/auto-ignition temperature - the temperature at
which a fuel will ignite on its own with out any additional
source ignition.
5. Thermal inertia - the ease at which a material can be ignited.
6. Heat release rate - is a measure of the amount of energy a
specific type of fuel can contribute to the heat flux in a fire.
7. Heat transfer - the mechanism in which fire can spread from
its origin to other sources of fuel.
Methods of heat transfer
1. Conductive/conduction heat transfer - heat is transferred by direct
contact and the rate of transfer is dependent on factors such as the
thermal conductivity of the material and the temperature difference
between the cooler and warmer areas.
2. Convective/convection heat transfer - transfer of heat through physical
movement of materials and occurs only in liquids and gases. Hot gases
rise and spread heat to nearby ceilings and walls.
3. Radiative/radiation heat transfer - heat is transferred if the form of
electromagnetic energy directly from one object to another. ex. infrared
radiation from the sun.
8. Combustion - or burning - is the sequence of
exothermic chemical reaction between fuel and an oxidant
accompanied by the production of heat and conversion of
chemical species.The result of the heat can result in the
form of either glowing or flame.
Glowing combustion - occurs when solid fuels are not capable of
producing sufficient quantities of gas during pyrolysis to sustain a flame.
If access to the oxidant (air) is limited, glowing combustion may result.
Flaming combustion -commonly recognized type of fire and occurs with

gaseous fuel sources only. The color of the flame can give some
indication of the composition of the fuel.
Spontaneous combustion - the ignition of organic matter with out
apparent cause, typically through heat generated internally by rapid
oxidation.A process whereby a material self heats.
Explosive combustion - can occur when vapors, dust of gases,
premixed with appropriate amount of air are ignited.
Definition of Terms:
Arson - intentional or malicious destruction of property by fire.
Fire analysis - the process of determining the origin, cause and
responsibility as well as the failure analysis of fire or explosion.
Fire cause - the circumstances or agencies that bring a fuel and an
ignition source together with proper air or oxygen.
Fire spread - the movement of fire from one place to another.
Flash fire - a fire that spreads with extreme rapidity such as the one that
races over dust, over the surface of flammable liquids or through gases.
Fuel load - the total quantity of combustible contents of the building,
spaces or fire area, including interior finish and trim expressed in heat
units or the equivalent weight in wood.
Point of origin - the exact physical location where a heat source and fuel
comes in contact with each other and a fire begins.
Rekindle - a return to flaming combustion after incomplete
extinguishment of a fire reigning at some time after being put out.
Spalling - chipping or pitting of concrete or masonry surfaces.

Definition of terms - (RA no.9514)

Abatement - any act that would remove or neutralize fire hazard.
Administrator - any person who acts as agent of the owner and manages
the use of a building for him.
Blasting Agent - any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and oxidizer
used to set off explosives.
Cellulose nitrate or Nitro cellulose - a highly combustible and explosive
compound produced by the reaction of nitric acid with a cellulose
material.
Cellulose nitrate plastic (Pyroxylin) - any plastic substance,materials or
compound having cellulose nitrate as base.
Combustible/Flammable or Inflammable - Descriptive of materials that
are easily set on fire.
Combustible fiber - any readily ignitable and free burning fiber such as
cotton,oakum,rags,waste cloth,waste paper,kapok,hay,straw,Spanish
moss,excelsior,and other similar materials commonly used in commerce.
Combustible liquid - any liquid having a flash point at or above 37.8
degrees Celsius or 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Corrosive liquid - any liquid which causes fire when in contact with
organic matter or with certain chemicals.
Curtain board - a vertical panel of non-combustible or fire resistive
materials attached to and extending below the bottom chord of the roof
trusses, to divide the underside of the roof into separate compartments
so that heat and smoke will be directed upwards to a roof vent.

Cryogenic - descriptive of any material which by its nature or as a result

of its reaction with other elements produces a rapid drop in temperature
of the immediate surroundings.
Damper - a normally open device installed inside an air duct system
which automatically closes to restrict the passage of smoke or fire.
Distillation - the process of first raising the temperature to separate the
more volatile from the less volatile parts and then cooling and
condensing the resulting vapor so as to produce as nearly purified
substance.
Duct system - a continuous passageway for the transmission of air.
Dust - a finely powdered substance which when mixed with air in the
proper proportion and ignited will cause an explosion.
Electrical arc - an extremely hot luminous bridge formed by passage of
an electric current across a space between two conductors or terminals
due to the incandescence of the conducting vapor.
Ember - a hot piece or lump that remains after a material has partially
burned and is still oxidizing without the manifestation of flames.
Finishes - materials used as final coating of a surface for ornamental or
protective purposes.
Fire - the active principle of burning characterized by the heat and light of
combustion.
Fire Trap - a building unsafe in case of fire because it will burn easily or
because it lacks adequate exits or fire escapes.

Fire Alarm - any visual or audible signal produced by a device or system

to warn the occupants of the building or the fighting element of the
presence or danger of fire to enable them to undertake immediate action
to save life and property and to suppress the fire.
Fire door - a fire restrictive door prescribed for openings in fire separation
walls or partitions.
Fire Hazard - any condition or act which increases or may cause an
increase in the probability of the occurrence of fire or which may
obstruct,delay,hinder or interfere with firefighting operations and the
safeguarding of life and property.
Fire Lane - the portion of a roadway or public way that should be kept
opened and unobstructed at all times for the expedient operations of
firefighting units.
Fire Protective and Fire Safety Device - any device intended for the
protection of buildings or persons to include but not limited to built in
protection system such as sprinklers and other automatic extinguishing
system,detectors for heat,smoke and combustion products and other
warning system components,personal protective equipment such as fire
blankets,helmets,fire suits,globes and other garments that may be put on
or worn by persons to protect themselves during fire.
Fire Safety Constructions - refers to design and installations of
walls,barriers,doors,windows,vents,means of egress etc. integral to and
incorporated into a building or structure in order to minimize danger to
life,from smoke,fire,fumes or panic before the building is evacuated.
Flash Point - the minimum temperature at which any material gives off
vapor in sufficient concentration to form an ignitable mixture with air.

Forcing - a process where a piece of metal is heated prior to changing its

shape or dimensions.
Fulminate - a kind of stable explosive compound which explodes by
percussion.
Hazardous operation/process - any act of manufacturing, fabrication,
conversion etc., or produces materials which are likely to cause fires or
explosions.
Horizontal exit - passage way from one building to another or through or
around a wall in approximately the same floor level.
Hose Box - a box or cabinet where fire hoses, valves and other
equipment are stored and arranged for firefighting.
Hose Reel - a cylindrical device turning on an axis around which a fire
hose is connected.\.
Hypergolic fuel - a rocket or liquid propellant which consist of
combinations of fuels and oxidizers which ignite simultaneously on
contact with each other.
Industrial Baking and Drying - the industrial process of subjecting
materials to heat for the purpose of removing solvents or moisture from
the same and,or to fuse certain chemical salts to form a uniform glazing
the surface of materials being treated.
Jumper - a piece of metal or an electrical conductor used to bypass a
safety device in an electrical system.
Occupancy - the purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used
or intended to be used.

Occupant - any person actually occupying and using a building or

portions thereof by virtue of a lease contract with the owner or
administrator or by permission or sufferance of the latter.
Organic Peroxide - a strong oxidizing organic compound which release
oxygen readily. It causes fire
when in contact with combustible materials especially under conditions
of high temperature.
Overloading - the use of one or more electrical appliances or devices
which draw or consume electrical current beyond the designed capacity
of the existing electrical system.
Owner - the person who holds the legal right of possession or title to a
building or real property.
Oxidizing Material - a material that readily yields oxygen in quantities
sufficient to stimulate or support combustion.
Pressurized or Forced Draft Burning Equipment - type or burner where
the fuel is subjected to pressure prior to discharge into the combustion
chamber and /or which includes fans or other provisions for the
introduction of air above normal atmosphere pressure into the same
combustion chamber.
Public Assembly Building - any building or structure where 50 0r more
people congregate, gather or assemble for any purpose.
Public Way - any street, alley or other strip of land unobstructed from the
ground to the sky, dedicated for public use.
Pyrophoric - descriptive of any substance that ignites spontaneously
when exposed to air.

Refining - a process where impurities and,or deleterious materials are

removed from a mixture in order to produce a pure element of
compound. It shall also refer to partial distillation and electrolysis.
Self Closing Doors - automatic closing doors that are designed to confine
smoke and heat and delay the spread o fire.
Smelting - melting or fusing of metallic ores or compounds so as to
separate impurities from pure metals.
Sprinkler System - an integrated network of hydraulically designed piping
installed in a building, structure or area with outlets arranged in a
systematic pattern which automatically discharges water when activated
by heat or combustion products from a fire.
Standpipe System - a system of vertical pipes in a building to which fire
hoses can be attached on each floor, including a system by which water
is made available to the outlet as needed.
Vestibule - a passage hall or ante chamber between the outer doors and
the interior parts of a house or building.
Vertical Shaft - a enclosed vertical space of passage that extends from
floor to floor as well as from the base to the top of the building.
RA no.9514 - Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 (Dec. 19,
2008).
PD. 1185 - known as the fire code of the Philippines, was enacted into
law 1977, repealed by RA no. 9514.
RA no. 9263 - Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management
and Penology Professionalization Act of 2004.
BFP Powers/Functions

1. Preventions and suppression of all destructive

fires on
a. buildings
b. houses
c. other structure
d. forest
e. land transportation vehicles
f. ships/vessels
g. petroleum industry installations
h. plane crashes and similar incidents
2. Enforcement of the Fire Code of the Philippines
3. Investigate all causes of fire
4. File proper complaints with the prosecutors office
note: Vessel/Ship must be docked at piers or wharves or anchored in
major seaport.
BFP Organization
Headed by a Chief who shall be assisted by a Deputy Chief. It shall
composed of a Provincial, District, City and Municipal stations.
In large provinces, district offices may be established to be headed by a
district fire marshall.
In large cities and municipalities, district offices may be established with
subordinate fire stations headed by a district fire marshall.
There shall be at least one fire station in every provincial, capital, city
and municipality.
The local government unit shall provide the site of the fire station.
BFP Key Positions
The Chief of the Fire Bureau - rank is Director.
The Deputy Chief of the Fire Bureau - rank is Chief Superintendent.
Assistant Regional Director for Fire Protection - rank is Senior
Superintendent.

 District Fire Marshall of NCR District Offices - rank is Senior

Superintendent.
Provincial Fire Marshall - rank is Superintendent.
District Fire Marshall of Province - rank is Chief Inspector.
Chief of City/Municipal Fire Station - rank is Senior Inspector.
Key Positions - Qualifications
1. Municipal Fire Marshal - should have the rank of
Senior Inspector.
a. Must have finished at least 2nd year Bachelor of
Laws or earned at least 12 units in a masters
degree program in public administration,
management, engineering, public safety,
criminology or other related discipline.
b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training of career courses for such position as
may be established by the fire bureau.
2. City Fire Marshal - should have the rank of Chief
Inspector.
a. Must have finished at least 2nd year Bachelor of
Laws or earned at least 24 units in a masters
degree program in public administration,
management, engineering, public safety,
criminology or other related disciplines.
b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training or career courses for such position as
may be established by the fire bureau.
3. District Fire Marshal/Provincial Fire Marshal/
Assistant Regional Director for Administration/
Assistant Regional Director for Operations/
Chief of Directorial Staff - should have the rank of

Superintendent.
a. Must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a
holder of a Masters degree in public
administration, management, engineering,
public safety, criminology, or other related
disciplines.
b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training or career courses for such position as
may be established by the fire bureau.
4. District Fire marshal for the NCR/Regional
Director for Fire Protection/Director of the
Directorate of the National Headquarters Office should have at least the rank of Senior
Superintendent.
a. Must be a graduate of Bachelor of Laws or a
holder of masters degree in public administration,
management, engineering, public safety,
criminology, or other related disciplines.
b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training or career course for such position as may
be established by the fire bureau.
5. Deputy Chief for Administration and
Deputy Chief for Operation of the Fire Bureau should have the rank of Chief superintendent.
a. Must be a member of the Philippine Bar or must
be a holder of a masters degree in public
administration, management, engineering,
public safety, criminology or other related
disciplines.
b. Must have satisfactory passed the necessary
training or career courses as may be established

by the fire bureau.

6. Chief of the Fire Bureau - should have the rank
of Director.
a. Must be a member of the Philippine Bar or a
masters degree in public administration,
management, engineering, public safety,
criminology or other related discipline.
b. Must satisfactory passed the necessary
the training or career courses for such position
as may be established by the fire bureau.
Remember the following:
1. Fire - Combustion or burning in which substances combine
chemically with oxygen from the air and typically give out bright
light,heat and smoke.
2. Flame - A hot glowing body of ignited gas that is generated by
something on fire.
3. Conflagration - An extensive fire that destroys a great deal of
land or property.
4. Burning - Means on fire or very hot or bright.
5. Combustion - The rapid chemical combination of a substance with
oxygen involving the production of heat and light.
6. Heat - The quality of being hot or high temperature at which fuel
will continue to burn for at least 5 seconds after ignition by an
open flame.
7. Light - The natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things
visible.

8. Plasma - Is one of the 4 fundamental states of matter, the other

being solid,liquid and gas.
9. Flash point - The lowest temperature a which the vapor of a
combustible liquid can be ignited in air.
10.Fire point - Is the temperature at which fuel will continue to burn
for at least five seconds after ignition by an open flame.