Quiz 02 - Ch 5 & 6 (Bldg Cons. for Fire Prot)

Incipient

The initial stage of a fire after ignition, usually involving a single or small number of combustibles

Free burning

The secondary stage of a fire in which it spreads to adjacent combustible materials

Flashover

A transition stage in which exposed surfaces within the compartment ignite simultaneously and fire spreads throughout the compartment. _____ results in full room involvement

Smoldering/decay

A stage in which glowing combustion takes place, without flame. A fire may be forced into the ____ stage when key components of the fire tetrahedron are in short supply, such as when the oxygen supply is limited

What are the four stages of fire development?

1. Incipient

2. Free burning

3. Flashover

4. Smoldering/decay

Entrained air

Air that is being fed into the fire, typically lower to the ground

Bidirectional flow

The movement of cooler air (oxygen) into the room and hot gases leaving the room from the ceiling layer

Fire plume

The column of flames

Entrainment

Fresh air drawn into the fire from the doorway

Thermal runaway

A dangerous reaction where a lithium-ion battery overheats uncontrollably

Autoexposure

The vertical spread of fire on the exterior of a multistory building, from one floor to the floor(s) above via convection and radiation

Smoke explosion

Trapped unburned products of combustion mixed with sufficient oxygen explode when an ignition source is present

Fire walls

Wall with a fire-resistive rating and structural stability that separates buildings or subdivides a building to prevent the spread of fire; fire walls are typically 2- to 4- hour rated and are used to create “separate buildings” within an overall structure

Fire partitions

A fire-rated assembly that subdivides a building to prevent the spread of fire, such as between dwelling units in a multiple-unit dwelling; typically 1-hr rated and is used to create fire-resistive corridors and to separate tenant spaces in covered mall buildings

Inherent fire resistance

The resistance of a structural member to collapse by fire because of the nature of its material or assembly

Fire resistance ratings

Are concerned with the length of time a particular building assembly will continue to perform its structural and/or barrier function in the face of an assault by a standard fire test

Flame spread ratings

Are concerned with the rate at which fire spreads over the surface of a material, the smoke it develops, and the fuel it contributes to a fire

Steiner Tunnel Test

Evaluates the surface burning characteristics of building materials, also known as ASTM E-84 and UL 723

ASTM E-108 (UL790), Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings

A test to assess resistance of the roof to an external fire, the fire spread of a roofing surface itself, and the propensity of roofing to generate more burning brands

ASTM E-119

Standard test method used to evaluate the fire-resistance duration, structural integrity, and load-bearing capacity of building construction assemblies like walls, floors, roofs, and columns

Fire barriers

Are typically 1- to 2-hour fire resistance-rated and used to enclosed shafts, exit stairwells, exit passageways, and horizontal exits, and to separate spaces from certain hazardous areas.

Fire resistance of columns

Concerned with resisting collapse

Fire resistance of floors AND walls

Concerned with resistance of passage of fire and collapse

Fire resistance of doors

Concerned with passage of fire

Radiant Panel Test (ASTM E-162)

A standard test method that measures and compares the surface flammability of materials using a radiant heat energy source