What is the concept of the 'fire triangle'?

The concept of the 'fire triangle' is fundamental in understanding fire behavior and fire prevention. It comprises three essential elements required for a fire to ignite and sustain itself: heat, fuel, and oxygen.

Heat is the energy that raises the material to its ignition temperature, allowing combustion to occur. Fuel refers to any combustible material (solid, liquid, or gas) that can burn. Oxygen is typically sourced from the air, which contains about 21% oxygen and is crucial for the combustion process. When these three components come together in the right conditions, a fire can start and continue to burn.

Understanding the fire triangle is critical for airport firefighters, as their role involves not only extinguishing fires but also being proactive in preventing them by removing one or more elements of the triangle. For instance, cooling a fire with water removes heat, while smothering it can take away the oxygen, thereby extinguishing the fire. Each of the incorrect options relates to elements that may be involved in various types of fire-related phenomena but do not accurately represent the foundational elements of the fire triangle.