How Fast Can Fire Spread?
What Is Fire?
Fire is the result of a chemical reaction called oxidation. Oxidation is the combination of oxygen with another substance. In the case of a fire, the oxidation happens so quickly that light, heat, and sound are released.
A fire needs oxygen, heat and fuel to burn. These factors are frequently referred to as the “fire triangle.” The chemical reaction is the fourth element, which is the fire itself.
Fire Fuel
A fire can be fueled by many things, especially items in homes and businesses. Today’s furnishings are made primarily of synthetic materials which are highly combustible. Paints, cleaners, magazines, newspapers, paper, clothing, window treatments, wood moldings, and trim are all combustible. Some of the most flammable liquids commonly kept in the home include rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, aerosol cans, non-dairy creamer, and gasoline. Items like this make it easy for a fire to spread once started.
Open spaces also allow fires to spread quickly, particularly areas like the ductwork for central heating or air conditioning.
Fire Spread Rate
In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can become engulfed in flames.
These are the sobering statistics regarding house fires displayed by Ready.gov, the official website of the Department of Homeland Security. Ready.gov and The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA stress the importance of having an up-to-date fire escape plan, as well as working smoke alarms in homes and businesses. The NFPA also suggests installing fire sprinklers when building or remodeling homes. Sprinklers can be key in containing and even extinguishing a fire before the fire department arrives on scene.
Putting Out Fires
To put out a fire, you must remove one of the three elements of the fire triangle: oxygen, heat, or fuel. Fire extinguishers essentially put fires out by taking away one or more of these elements.
Because fire spreads so quickly, the NFPA says that the number one priority for people during a fire is to get out. Yes, fire extinguishers can put out a fire confined in a small area, but they have limitations and they will not work in every situation. Additionally, many civilians do not know how to operate a fire extinguisher properly.
You may think that filling a bucket full of water is a good way to douse the flames, but that will not always work. For example, the oxygen source for flammable liquids like oil, alcohol, gasoline, paint, or propane must be removed to put out a fire. A stream of water may spread the flaming material rather than neutralize it.
How to Prevent Fires
The best way to protect yourself and your family is to test your smoke detectors and fire alarms regularly and create a safety plan for your home and office. No matter where you are in a building, always know where the nearest exits are and how you can exit a multi-floor building safely. You should also always know where the areas of refuge are located in multi-story buildings.
Fires can occur suddenly and without warning, and they can spread incredibly quickly. Every second counts so plan at least two ways out.
FSS Technologies specializes in residential and small business fire alarms as part of your total security system solution, as well as the design and installation of complete life safety systems in large commercial properties.
Explore Our Other Blogs
Security Integrations with Avigilon Alta
Security systems and integrations For business owners and managers, security systems are a key tool in protecting your customers, property, and commercial operations. There are several components to consider when working to create the best security system for your business, and there’s never a one-size-fits-all solution. A helpful approach to finding the best fit for…
How Savance Workplace Can Work for You
Savance Workplace is one of the nation’s leaders in workforce management solutions, offering tools that help declutter your company’s processes and optimize your productivity. With a wide variety of fully customizable products branded for your business, Savance Workplace can help your organization take its efficiency to the next level. As a trusted partner of Savance…
How to Deter Burglars
While owning a home security system automatically decreases your chances of being burglarized, there are many common mistakes and oversights that can compromise its reliability. Here are the most important safety precautions you can take in conjunction with your security system to ensure your home is safe from thieves. Create the Illusion that Someone is…
What the POTS Line Phase-Out Means for Life Safety Systems
When businesses hear about the POTS line phase-out, they often think only of desk phones. In reality, traditional copper phone lines have supported a much wider range of building systems, including fire alarms, security systems, elevator phones, and more. As carriers continue moving away from copper infrastructure, those connections may become more expensive, less reliable,…
Fire Safety Procedures for the Workplace
The bad news—a fire breaks out in your workplace. The good news—you are ready because you have done your homework and prepared for the possibility of an emergency. Emergency Action Plan The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires most employers to have an emergency action plan for various scenarios, including fires in the workplace. There are…
The 3 Key Differences in Residential vs. Business Security Explained
What is the difference between a commercial and a residential security system? Commercial real estate is a property type that is only for business or retail purposes. Residential real estate is a property type specifically designed for living purposes, if it is four units or less– anything larger than that is considered a commercial property….
Local Alarm System vs. National Home Security Company
When looking for home security, you may find yourself stuck between local alarm companies and national home security. Find out why more and more people are turning to local home security companies. Knowledge One of the biggest advantages of using a local company is that they will be familiar with local safety concerns, any jurisdiction regulations…
DIY Home Security Cameras
DIY Security Systems Are the New Fad There are many pre-configured, DIY home security system kits on the market. They are sold under various brand names including Ring, Nest, SimpliSafe, and others. The basic idea of a DIY home security system is that you pay one low fee to purchase all of the equipment and…
How to Choose a Security Monitoring Company
A security monitoring company is one that specializes in monitoring your alarm system. If the system detects an issue, such as a fire, break-in, or another emergency, it notifies a response team at the central monitoring agency, and sometimes, it will even inform emergency responders such as police or firefighters. Most reputable monitoring companies can…
Most Common Causes of House Fires
A house fire can be a life-altering event that some may never fully recover from. The best way to protect your home and family from a fire is to educate yourself about the risks and how to prevent them. We all know the essential forms of prevention and protection, like smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, sprinklers,…