Fire science
How fire works
The chemistry, the physics and the behaviour — explained in plain language, with every claim sourced.
Cool it
Heat
The energy that raises fuel to its ignition temperature. Remove it — by cooling with water — and the fire stops.
In a real fire, get out first and call your local emergency number.
Fire science · Explainer
How a room fire grows
A compartment fire typically moves through four stages. The window for escape and for using an extinguisher is in the first two — once flashover happens, the room is no longer survivable.
- Incipient — ignition; small, often smouldering.
- Growth — flames spread; hot smoke layer builds.
- Fully developed — after flashover; all fuel burning.
- Decay — fuel or oxygen runs out.
Explainers
More topics coming soon
The fire tetrahedron
Heat, fuel, oxygen and the chain reaction — remove one and fire stops.
Coming soonHeat transfer
How conduction, convection and radiation spread fire through a building.
Coming soonSmoke behaviour
Why smoke kills before flames — and how it moves through a structure.
Coming soonFlashover vs backdraft
Two dangerous phenomena that change a fire in seconds.
Coming soon