This text covers the four forms of fire: diffusion flames, smoldering, spontaneous combustion, and premixed flames. Using a quantitative approach, the text introduces the scientific principles of fire behavior, with coverage of heat transfer, ignition, flame spread, fire plumes, and heat flux as a damage variable. Cases, examples, problems, selected color illustrations and review of mathematics help students in fire safety and investigation understand fire from a scientific point of view.
Acronyms
Nomenclature
Evolution of Fire Science
Learning Objectives
Introduction
What is Fire?
Natural Causes of Fire
Fire and War
Fire in the United States and Abroad
Fire Research
Visualization of Fire Phenomena
Scientific Language
Summary
Review Questions
Activities
References
Combustion in Natural Fires
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Fire and its Ingredients
Diffusion Flames
Premixed Flames
Smoldering
Spontaneous Combustion
Summary
Review Questions
Activities
References
Heat Transfer
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Definitions and Concepts
Forms of Heat Transfer
Heat Flux as an Indication of Damage
Heat Flux due to Smoke in Room Fires
Heat Flux from Flames
Review Questions
Activities
References
Ignition
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Piloted Ignition and Autoignition
Evaporation in Liquids
Liquid Fuels
Solid Fuels
Time for Flaming Ignition
Predicting the Ignition Time for Solid Fuels
Solid Properties for Piloted Ignition
Summary
Review Questions
Activities
References
Flame Spread
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Definitions
General Flame Spread Theory
Spread on Solid Surfaces
Spread through Porous Solid Arrays
Spread on Liquids
Spread through a Dwelling
Typical Fire Spread Rates
Standard Test Methods
Case Study: Fire Spread in a School Gymnasium
Summary
Review Questions
Activities
References
Burning Rate
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Definitions and Theory
Estimating Burning Rate Flux
Energy Release Rate Q
Estimating Energy Release Rate
Experimental Firepower (HRR) Results for Selected Items
Fire Growth Rate
Vehicle Fire Behavior
Extinction
Summary
Review Questions
Activities
References
Fire Plumes
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Buoyancy and Fluid Dynamics
Turbulent Fire Plumes and Jets
Buoyant Plumes
Flame Height
Fire Plume Temperatures
Flame Lengths for Other Configurations
Whirls and Balls
Summary
Review Questions
Activities
References
Combustion Products
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Scope of Combustion Products
Yields
Concentrations
Hazards
Summary
Review Questions
Activities
References
Compartment Fires
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Stages of Fire Development
Fire-Induced Flows
Compartment Flow Dynamics
Smoke Movement in a Building
Single Room Fire Analyses
Anatomy of Fire Growth
Summary
Review Questions
Activities
References
Design, Investigation, and Case Studies
Learning Objectives
Introduction
Fire Safety Design
Fire Investigation
Patterns
Computerized Fire Models
Appendix: Mathematics of Science
Glossary
Index
Biography
Dr. James Quintiere received his PhD from New York University in 1970, and is currently Professor Emeritus, Department of Fire Protection, at the University of Maryland in College Park. He has over thirty years of experience in fire research and teaching, and has written the popular textbook PRINCIPLES OF FIRE BEHAVIOR, and co-authored ENCLOSURE FIRE DYNAMICS with Bjorn Karlsson. He has investigated numerous fire disasters, including the Branch Davidian Compound fire in Waco, Texas, and the 1986 New Year’s Eve DuPont Plaza fire in Puerto Rico. His testimony during the civil trial on the Waco tragedy was pivotal to the jury’s conclusion that the fires were not the result of federal authorities’ actions. Dr. Quintiere is the author of more than 75 journal publications and reports, and is the past chair, International Association for Fire Safety Science. He is also the recipient of the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal (1976) and Silver Medal (1982).
"Principles of Fire Behavior is, by far, the best text on the subject for my students. While the material is difficult, my students complete the course having gained a deep, quantitative understanding of fire dynamics. They have the ability to communicate in the "language" of fire with other fire protection professionals - something that many of them would never have had the opportunity to achieve without studying this book."
— Glenn Corbett, John Jay College, CUNY, New York, New York, USA"Dr.Quintiere has done a great job in expanding and updating the 2nd Edition of the Principles of Fire Behavior book. In the last couple of years, the field of fire science and research has expanded the focus from the laboratory to the fire scene giving emergency responders a better understanding of today’s fires with the goal of minimizing losses and increasing safety. This book is an essential reference for engineers, architects and emergency responders in the field of fire and life safety."
— Todd Haines, Planning Chief/Fire Protection Engineer, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport; Adjunct Professor, Kaplan University; Principal Consultant, Critical Risk Group LLC, USA"This second edition by Prof. Quintiere provides a very thorough coverage of fire science with several enhancements over the first edition. This new edition will without a doubt become an important textbook both for students and practitioners of fire safety and process safety management. This book is particularly well documented and includes extensive historical examples. The scientific presentation of fire and combustion science is comprehensive."
— Jacques Dugué, TOTAL Refining & Chemicals
