Learning Objectives
- Understand fire as both useful and dangerous
- Learn about the fire triangle and how fire works
- Know about fire safety and types of fires
- Understand the history of fire discovery
Key Concepts
Discovery of Fire
Early humans discovered fire accidentally - possibly from lightning strikes or rubbing stones. Discovery of fire was a turning point in human civilization. It provided warmth, protection from wild animals, and ability to cook food.
Fire Triangle
Three things needed to make fire (Fire Triangle):
- Fuel: Material that burns (wood, paper, coal, gas)
- Oxygen: From air (supports burning)
- Heat: Enough heat to reach ignition temperature
Remove any one element and fire goes out. This is the principle behind fire-fighting.
Fire as a Friend
- Cooking food
- Keeping warm in cold weather
- Generating electricity in thermal power plants
- Running engines and vehicles
- Industrial processes (smelting metals, making glass)
- Lighting (historically, candles and oil lamps)
Fire as a Foe
- Forest fires destroy vegetation and wildlife
- House fires cause property damage and death
- Industrial fires and explosions
- Burns and injuries
Types of Fire and Extinguishing
- Wood/paper fire: Use water (cools and cuts off oxygen)
- Oil/petrol fire: NEVER use water (oil floats, fire spreads). Use foam, CO₂ extinguisher, or sand/soil.
- Electrical fire: NEVER use water (risk of electrocution). Cut power supply first, then use CO₂ extinguisher.
Fire Safety
- Install fire alarms and keep fire extinguishers handy
- Know escape routes in buildings
- If clothes catch fire: Stop, Drop, and Roll
- Crawl low under smoke (smoke rises)
- Never play with matches or lighters
Important Terms
- Fire triangle: Fuel + Oxygen + Heat
- Ignition temperature: Minimum temperature to start burning
- Combustion: Process of burning
- Extinguisher: Device to put out fire
Quick Revision
- Fire Triangle: Fuel + Oxygen + Heat (remove one = no fire)
- Friend: cooking, warmth, electricity, engines
- Foe: forest fires, house fires, burns
- Oil fire → NO water, use CO₂/sand
- Electrical fire → cut power first, use CO₂
- If clothes catch fire → Stop, Drop, Roll