Fire Behavior Terminology

What is combustion according to NFPA® 921?

• A physical process that changes a liquid into a gaseous state.

• A chemical process of oxidation that occurs at a rate fast enough to produce heat and usually light in the form of either a glow or flame.

• A chemical reaction that absorbs thermal energy or heat.

• A rapid oxidation process resulting in the evolution of light and heat at varying intensities.

What is the primary difference between fire and combustion as defined by NFPA® 921?

• Fire is a form of energy, while combustion is a chemical process.

• Fire is a rapid oxidation process, while combustion is a slower chemical reaction.

• Fire is a chemical reaction resulting in light and heat, while combustion is a form of energy.

• Fire is a rapid oxidation process resulting in light and heat, while combustion is a chemical process that may or may not produce light.

According to NFPA® 921, what is heat?

• A material that will maintain combustion under specific environmental conditions.

• A form of energy characterized by vibration of molecules and capable of initiating and supporting chemical changes and changes of state.

• The energy possessed by a body because of its motion.

• A chemical process that occurs when a substance combines with an oxidizer.

What is the measure of a material's ability to transfer heat energy to other objects, as mentioned in NFPA® 921?

• Potential Energy

• Kinetic Energy

• Temperature

• Joules

What is the role of an oxidizer in the context of combustion?

• It is a material that readily yields oxygen or other oxidizing gas, or that readily reacts to promote or initiate combustion.

• It is a material that will maintain combustion under specific environmental conditions.

• It is the energy possessed by a body because of its motion.

• It is a chemical reaction that releases thermal energy or heat.

What is the definition of matter as provided by NFPA® 921?

• Anything that occupies space and has mass.

• A chemical process that occurs when a substance combines with an oxidizer.

• Stored energy possessed by an object that can be released in the future to perform work once released.

• The energy possessed by a body because of its motion.

What is oxidation?

• A chemical reaction that absorbs thermal energy or heat.

• A physical process that changes a liquid into a gaseous state.

• A chemical process that occurs when a substance combines with an oxidizer such as oxygen in the air.

• The chemical decomposition of a solid material by heating.

How many Joules are required to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree Celsius?

• 1 Joule

• 4.2 Joules

• 10 Joules

• 100 Joules

What is the process of initiating self-sustained combustion called?

• Autoignition

• Piloted Ignition

• Ignition

• Flame

What is Piloted Ignition?

• Combustion initiated by heat without a spark or flame

• The lowest temperature at which a material ignites

• A visible, luminous body of a burning gas

• Combustion that occurs when a fuel and oxygen mixture encounters an external heat source