Fire Triangle: What’s That? And Why Is It Important to Know?

Fire Triangle – Understanding the fire triangle theory is not just important for firefighters, but for everyone! 

Understanding this theory can help us be better prepared to prevent fires and reduce their damage.

The fire triangle theory explains how fire starts, how it works, and what keeps it burning.

With this knowledge, we can take the right steps to face and tackle the dreaded fire situation. 

So, let’s explore together how this theory can be the key to our safety! Make sure you read all the way through to get all the important information you need!

Who Invented the Fire Triangle Theory?

The fire triangle theory is a fundamental concept in understanding how fires start and how to extinguish them.

This theory explains that there are three important elements that can start and sustain a fire: fuel, heat and oxygen.

The originator of this fire-forming theory is a scientist named Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner who was born on December 13, 1780, in Hof, Bayern, Germany. 

Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner was a German chemist best known for his contributions to the development of chemical theory in the early 19th century.

Döbereiner is famous for his law of triads (groups of three elements with similar chemical properties), which he introduced to the public in the early 1820s.

This theory explains that the atomic weight of the middle element in a triad is the average of the atomic weights of the other two elements.

In addition, in 1829, Döbereiner developed the concept of the fire triangle theory which became an important foundation of fire science and firefighting techniques. 

An understanding of this fire-forming theory is essential in fire-fighting strategies, because by removing one of the elements the fire can be extinguished.

Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner’s works have made important contributions to chemistry and fire science. 

Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner died on March 24, 1849 in Jena and is remembered today as a historical figure in chemistry and fire theory.

What is the Fire Triangle Theory?

Understanding Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner’s fire triangle theory is very important, because it will be the key factor in dealing with fires.

So, what are the factors behind the formation of fire? Check out the explanation below!

• Fuel: which can be a solid like wood or paper, a liquid like oil or gasoline, or a gas like propane.
• Heat Source: which the fire needs to start the combustion reaction such as a match, friction, electric spark, or other heat source. This heat must be sufficient enough to raise the temperature of the fuel to the flash point, where it begins to emit flammable vapors.
• Oxygen: most fires require at least 16% of oxygen to continue burning, as oxygen supports the chemical reactions that allow the fire to continue burning.

In addition to these three main factors, the fire triangle theory also includes chemical chain reactions in a more complex model. 

These describe a continuous series of chemical reactions that allow the fire to continue as long as the other three factors remain available.

Understanding these fire-forming factors is important in fire prevention as well as fire suppression efforts. 

By removing one of the factors (such as giving water to remove heat, or using a fire extinguisher to remove oxygen), the fire can be extinguished.

Also Read: “Smoke Management System in Indonesia“

Why Is It Important to Understand the Fire Triangle?

1. Fire Prevention

By knowing the three fire-forming elements based on the fire triangle theory, you can take preventive measures to avoid fires.

For example, store fuel away from heat sources or ensure proper ventilation to reduce oxygen concentration.

2. Effective Fire Fighting Strategies

Understanding these fire-forming theories can help you determine the best strategy to extinguish a raging fire. 

For example, if you can’t remove the fuel, then reducing heat or oxygen could be a solution.

3. Investigating Fire Source in Case of Fire

In fire investigation, understanding the fire triangle theory can help you determine how fires start and develop.

This is of course very important for determining appropriate and effective preventive measures against future fire hazards.

Also Read: “Rules For Installing Smoke Detectors in Indonesia“

How to Extinguish Fire According to Fire Triangle Theory?

Extinguishing techniques according to fire formation theory can be divided into 3 main categories: cooling, smothering, and starvation.

Each of these techniques targets one of the elements and has its own characteristics and targeting, want to know more? Be sure to check out the explanation below!

1. Cooling

• Objective:  Remove the heat element from the fire-forming element.
• How it Works: Cooling lowers the temperature of the burning material to below the flash point. When you spray the media onto the fire, it absorbs the heat from the fire and vaporizes, thus lowering the temperature and eventually extinguishing the fire.
• Usage: This technique is often used to extinguish solid material fires such as wood, paper, or fabric.

2. Smothering

• Objective:  Remove the oxygen element from the fire-forming theory element.
• How it Works: Smothering will limit the oxygen supply to the fire by covering the fire or isolating non-combustible materials. Such as sand or foam, gas that is not carbon dioxide (CO2) or Halon gas (in specialized fire extinguishers).
• Usage: This technique is effective for flammable liquid fires (class B) and electrical fires (class C).

3. Starvation

• Objective: Eliminate the fuel element of the fire triangle theory.
• How it Works: Starvation removes or reduces the fuel available to the fire by removing fuel. Such as removing unburned wood from the fire area, or emptying fuel tanks.
• Usage: This technique is effective on large fires, such as forest fires or industrial fires. Where cutting fire lines or emptying fuel tanks to control the spread of fire.!

there you have it! the thorough explanation about fire triangle that we’ve prepared thoroughly just for you!