What is the fire triangle?

Often a tool used to help teach children about fire, the fire triangle can still be useful in everyday life. It simply highlights how fire is ignited and how it can spread.

The fire triangle highlights fire’s 3 main elements in a simple and clear way to help raise awareness to the layperson. Even this basic understanding can help save lives!

 

 

Why is the fire triangle important?

Sometimes referred to as the combustion triangle, here we will explain what it is and why it is important. The fire triangle consists of the 3 elements that must be present to ignite a fire. These elements are Fuel, Heat and Oxygen.

Fuel: 

A fire can’t ignite without a material that enables the fire to burn and continue burning. This ‘material’ includes anything that is combustible. They are all around you, you just may not see them in this context. Wood, paper, oil and fabrics are all sources of fuel. 

While some of the above materials will burn more quickly than others, the spread of fire is relatively effortless in homes and businesses. 

Heat:

The second element needed for fire to ignite is heat. As well as this, heat is also an element that helps fire to burn. Where there is a burning fire, heat only intensifies and must be cooled down by using water or foam to suffocate the flames.

Oxygen: 

Only a small amount of oxygen is required to ignite a fire, therefore in the complete absence of it, the fire will not ignite. If the other two elements are present in an oxygenated environment then a fire will start. A fire needs the air to contain only 16% of oxygen, therefore with the earth 21% in a typical environment this 3rd element is readily available.

 

How do fire extinguishers combat the fire triangle?

Fire extinguishers work by eliminating one of the elements in the triangle. However, each  fire extinguisher is different and helps combat a different type of fire. Therefore it is important you have all necessary types of fire extinguisher on your premises.

It is also important that you know which type of extinguisher relates to which type of fire. If used incorrectly, a fire can spread even more. You can read more about fire extinguishers here.

 

How to remove an element from the fire triangle.

To prevent ignition in the first place, these three elements should not be in the same location. You should remove one of the elements depending on the circumstances. Here we discuss safe ways to remove each of the elements.

How to remove fuel

Nowadays many fire-resistant materials exist that you can use across your home or business. This could prevent fire igniting or at least slow the spread. Typical items include office furniture or building materials.

How to remove heat

Using water or a fire extinguisher is the easiest way to remove heat. A water fire extinguisher is often used to cool down the area, however, this type of extinguisher should never be used on electrical equipment or cooking fires. If you are facing either of these fires it is advisable to remove a different element.

How to remove oxygen

Oxygen is a key element in sustaining a fire once lit. It can be removed in many ways. For example: a fire blanket or foam fire extinguishers can be used to block the supply. Alternatively fire doors minimise the amount of oxygen reaching a fire. You can read more about fire doors here.

 

We hope this gives you a better understanding of the fire triangle and its key elements that allow fire to ignite and to spread.