The Fire Triangle in Fire-fighting and Fire Prevention

Understanding the Fire Triangle

A fire requires three basic elements to ignite and sustain combustion. These three elements are often referred to as the Fire Triangle, consisting of fuel, oxygen, and heat.
Fuel is any combustible material that can burn. It could be a gas, liquid, or solid. Examples include wood, petrol, and propane.
Oxygen is necessary for combustion to occur. In most cases, fire uses the oxygen present in the air (about 21%).
Heat provides the energy necessary to increase the temperature of the fuel to a point where flammable vapours are given off, which can ignite in the presence of oxygen.

Fire safety and prevention methods are often based on the Fire Triangle. The idea is simple: remove one or more of the three components of the fire triangle to extinguish the fire or prevent one from starting.
Removing the fuel source: Ensuring that flammable materials are appropriately stored and rubbish is not left lying around can prevent a fire from starting or stop an existing fire from spreading.
Excluding oxygen: One effective method of fire-fighting is to smother the fire, thus excluding the air (oxygen) it needs. This can be accomplished using a fire blanket, closing doors and windows, or using extinguishers that displace or dilute the oxygen in the air.
Removing heat: Using water is the most common method for reducing the heat of a fire. The water absorbs heat as it turns to steam, lowering the temperature of the fire.

In fire-fighting, understanding the Fire Triangle is crucial. It guides the fire-fighter in deciding the best method to extinguish the fire.
Knowledge of the Fire Triangle also guides the design of fire-fighting equipment. Fire extinguishers, for example, commonly work by removing one or more of the elements of the Fire Triangle.
Carbon dioxide extinguishers remove oxygen, while water and foam extinguishers reduce the heat. Also dry powder extinguishers work on both oxygen and heat.

Understanding the Fire Triangle can also help in everyday fire safety. By ensuring that fuel, heat, and oxygen do not come together in a risky manner, the likelihood of a fire can be reduced.
Regularly testing smoke alarms, safe cooking practises, proper handling and storage of flammable liquids, and ensuring electrical devices are properly maintained are all ways of preventing fires at home and in the workplace.