Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 College Catalog 
    
2022-2023 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

FSC 120 - Fire Behavior and Combustion

3 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
3 lecture periods 0 lab periods

Introduction to the theories and fundamentals of fire behavior and combustion. Includes physical and chemical properties of fire, materials and their relationship to fire as fuel, and the use of water and other fire suppression agents and strategies.

Information: This class is in compliance with the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) model curriculum.
  button image Prior Learning and link to PLA webpage

Course Learning Outcomes
  1. Define the physical properties and states of matter and describe the impact the combustion process may have on each.
  2. Given various types of fuels, discuss the impacts of the combustion process on the material and hazards firefighters may encounter during suppression activities.
  3. Explain the physical characteristics of fire and how they impact the tactics and strategy of firefighting.
  4. Describe the process of burning and the effects of water and other suppression agents that have on fire, as well as the techniques and strategies of extinguishment.

Performance Objectives:
  1. Identify the fundamental theories of fire behavior and combustion.
  2. Define units of measurement.
  3. Identify physical properties of the physical states of matter.
  4. Categorize the components of fire.
  5. Define the different types of heat, production, and measurement.
  6. Discuss various materials and their relationship to fires as fuel.
  7. Identify common flammable liquids and general properties of gases.
  8. Define and use basic terms and concepts associated with the chemistry and dynamics of fire.
  9. Discuss the characteristics of flame and combustion.
  10. Differentiate the various types of extinguishing agents.
  11. Classify and compare hazards by type.
  12. Explain the physical and chemical properties of fire.
  13. Describe and apply the process of burning.
  14. Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of water as a fire suppression agent.
  15. Articulate other suppression agents and strategies.
  16. Compare other methods and techniques of fire extinguishment.

Outline:
  1. Introduction
    1. Matter and energy
    2. The atom and its parts
    3. Chemical symbols
    4. Molecules
    5. Energy and work
    6. Forms of energy
    7. Transformation of energy
    8. Laws of energy
  2. Units of Measurements
    1. International Systems (SI) of measurement
    2. English units of measurement
  3. Chemical Reactions
    1. Physical states of matter
    2. Compounds and mixtures
    3. Solutions and solvents
    4. Process of reactions
  4. Fire and the Physical World
    1. Characteristics of fire
    2. Characteristics of solids
    3. Characteristics of liquids
    4. Characteristics of gases
  5. Heat and its Effects
    1. Production and measurement of heat
    2. Different kinds of heat
  6. Properties of Solids Materials
    1. Common combustible solids
    2. Plastic and polymers
    3. Combustible metals
    4. Combustible dust
  7. Common Flammable Liquids and Gases
    1. General properties of gases
    2. The gas laws
    3. Classification of gases
    4. Compresses gasses
  8. Fire Behavior
    1. Stages of fire
    2. Fire phenomena
      1. Flashover
      2. Backdraft
      3. Rollover
      4. Flameover
    3. Fire plumes
  9. Fire Extinguishment
    1. Combustion process
    2. Characteristics of flame
    3. Fire extinguishment
  10. Extinguishing Agents
    1. Water
    2. Foams and wetting agents
    3. Inert gas extinguishing agents
    4. Halogenated extinguishing agents
    5. Dry chemical extinguishing agents
    6. Dry powder extinguishing agents
  11. Hazards by Classification Types
    1. Explosives
    2. Compressed and liquefied gases
    3. Flammable and combustible liquids
    4. Flammable solids
    5. Oxidizing agents
    6. Poisons
    7. Radioactive substances
    8. Corrosives