xviPrefaceinvolves the trifecta ofignition,flame spread,and continuedburning.Eachoftheseelementsis explained interms ofsimpleideas andwith informationonpractical data and results. The student wili learn how combustion productsare generated in fire, why they can do harm, and how lack of air will affectthe results.Flamedynamics are explained in the open and in compartments.The stages of fire development in a room areexplained in terms of flashoverand ventilation-limited fires. In all cases, aspects of these subjects are giveninsimplebut sound mathematicalformulasthat allowestimations.Thestu-dent will learn theelementsoffire and howtoexpressthem inquantitativevalues in the same way measurements are used to describe how to build ahouse.Thefinalchapterdiscusses case studies related toperformance-basedfiresafetydesignand toreal fire investigation cases.Thematerial in thebookaims to illustrate the aspects ofthese cases.Application and agreement withhypothesis may not establish truth, but the examples are given to illustrateanapproachThis book is intended for several audiences. It has been used in curriculumfor studentsinfirefightingtolearnthebehavioroffire.Althoughsomehavefound the mathematics a distraction to learning, hopefully this new editionwill ease or eliminate that effect.It is essential thatfirefighters adopt scienceto guide theirpractices.Short courses to fire investigators havegiven theman additional set of tools to defend their conclusions. In addition,the use ofscience and its education can support their credentials in expert testimony.Whilethe book is intendedfor nonengineers,I have been told that thefirstedition has proved a ready reference for practicing fire protection engineersand to new engineers to the field.Hopefully,the second edition will be ofadded benefit.Finally,the average person canlearn about fire using this book.Indeed,Professor MarinodiMarzohas taught"WhyDo ThingsBurn?"anhonors seminar classfornonengineers attheUniversityof Maryland CollegePark since 2010,using this book.That course is a mix of lectures and hands-on student experimentstoreinforce learning.It cannotbeemphasized morestronglythat supportive experiments for thematerial in this book, safelyconducted,canenhanceand enliven thelearningprocess
xvi Preface involves the trifecta of ignition, flame spread, and continued burning. Each of these elements is explained in terms of simple ideas and with information on practical data and results. The student will learn how combustion products are generated in fire, why they can do harm, and how lack of air will affect the results. Flame dynamics are explained in the open and in compartments. The stages of fire development in a room are explained in terms of flashover and ventilation-limited fires. In all cases, aspects of these subjects are given in simple but sound mathematical formulas that allow estimations. The student will learn the elements of fire and how to express them in quantitative values in the same way measurements are used to describe how to build a house. The final chapter discusses case studies related to performance-based fire safety design and to real fire investigation cases. The material in the book aims to illustrate the aspects of these cases. Application and agreement with hypothesis may not establish truth, but the examples are given to illustrate an approach. This book is intended for several audiences. It has been used in curriculum for students in firefighting to learn the behavior of fire. Although some have found the mathematics a distraction to learning, hopefully this new edition will ease or eliminate that effect. It is essential that firefighters adopt science to guide their practices. Short courses to fire investigators have given them an additional set of tools to defend their conclusions. In addition, the use of science and its education can support their credentials in expert testimony. While the book is intended for nonengineers, I have been told that the first edition has proved a ready reference for practicing fire protection engineers and to new engineers to the field. Hopefully, the second edition will be of added benefit. Finally, the average person can learn about fire using this book. Indeed, Professor Marino diMarzo has taught “Why Do Things Burn?” an honors seminar class for nonengineers at the University of Maryland College Park since 2010, using this book. That course is a mix of lectures and handson student experiments to reinforce learning. It cannot be emphasized more strongly that supportive experiments for the material in this book, safely conducted, can enhance and enliven the learning process
AcknowledgmentsBefore the second edition was aborted at Cengage, reviewers had sent metheir comments. The unfinished form of the manuscript put an extra burdenon their task with corrupted text due to a poor conversion from the original.Their positive comments and constructive suggestions gave me encourage-ment to complete the final second edition. I am very grateful for their inputand have tried to meettheir suggestions.Thereviewers includethefollowing:Glenn P.CorbettAssociateProfessorof FireScienceJohnJayCollegeofCriminal Justice/CUNYTodd HainesPlanningChief/FireProtectionEngineerDallas/FortWorthInternationalAirport,NewYork,NewYorkGaryD.KistnerProgramCoordinator/DirectorofGraduateStudiesFireServiceManagementSouthernIllinoisUniversityCarbondaleCarbondale,IllinoisRobertJ.Schaal,IAAI-CFIConsultant/ForensicInvestigatorGulfCoastFire Investigation,Research,andEducationMandeville, LouisianaTomSitzLieutenantPainesvilleTwpFireDepartmentLakelandCommunityCollegeAuburnCareerCenterConcord,OhioJoel Journeay, M.A.FireProtection&AdministrationCalifornia State Universityxvii
xvii Acknowledgments Before the second edition was aborted at Cengage, reviewers had sent me their comments. The unfinished form of the manuscript put an extra burden on their task with corrupted text due to a poor conversion from the original. Their positive comments and constructive suggestions gave me encouragement to complete the final second edition. I am very grateful for their input and have tried to meet their suggestions. The reviewers include the following: Glenn P. Corbett Associate Professor of Fire Science John Jay College of Criminal Justice/CUNY Todd Haines Planning Chief/Fire Protection Engineer Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, New York, New York Gary D. Kistner Program Coordinator/Director of Graduate Studies Fire Service Management Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, Illinois Robert J. Schaal, IAAI-CFI Consultant/Forensic Investigator Gulf Coast Fire Investigation, Research, and Education Mandeville, Louisiana Tom Sitz Lieutenant Painesville Twp Fire Department Lakeland Community College Auburn Career Center Concord, Ohio Joel Journeay, M.A. Fire Protection & Administration California State University
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AcronymsAITAutoignition temperatureASTMAmericanSocietyofTestingand MaterialsBATFBureau of Alcohol,Tobacco,Firearms and ExplosivesBTUBritish thermal unitCDTCentral Daylight TimeCFDComputationalfluiddynamicsFLETCFederal LawEnforcement TrainingCenterFLIRForward-looking infraredGDPGross domesticproductLFLLowerflammablelimitNBSNationalBureauofStandardsNFPANational Fire Protection AssociationNISTNational Institutefor StandardsandTechnologyPMMAPolymethyl methacrylatePRCProductResearchCommitteePSPolystyrenePUPolyurethanePVCPolyvinyl chlorideRHRelative humidityRMVRespirationminutevolumeSIInternationalSystemofUnitsUFLUpperflammablelimitxix
xix Acronyms AIT Autoignition temperature ASTM American Society of Testing and Materials BATF Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives BTU British thermal unit CDT Central Daylight Time CFD Computational fluid dynamics FLETC Federal Law Enforcement Training Center FLIR Forward-looking infrared GDP Gross domestic product LFL Lower flammable limit NBS National Bureau of Standards NFPA National Fire Protection Association NIST National Institute for Standards and Technology PMMA Polymethyl methacrylate PRC Product Research Committee PS Polystyrene PU Polyurethane PVC Polyvinyl chloride RH Relative humidity RMV Respiration minute volume SI International System of Units UFL Upper flammable limit
Taylor&FrancisTaylor&Francis Grouphttp:/taylorandfrancis.com