Level of Understanding: This curriculum is designed at the Knowledge/Comprehension Level
Method of Instruction: Directed, Self-Paced/Self-Study Learning Model
Credit Hours: 15 hours of Training (1.5 credit hour equivalent)
Purpose: This learning curriculum is designed to serve as a primer level course, introducing students to the fundamental concepts of fire dynamics including developing a base-level understanding of heat transfer principles; fire dynamic terminology and evaluation tools; and basic algebra and scientific notation. This course will serve as a prerequisite to Fire Dynamics TIER 2: Fire Dynamics Practice and Theory.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this module the students will be able to:
- Define and describe the primary mechanisms of heat transfer
- Define and describe relevant fire dynamics terms
- Identify relevant fire dynamics evaluation tools including equations, calculators and models
- Recognize basic algebraic equations and identify solutions
- Recognize and explain scientific notation
- Recognize and identify the variables in fire dynamics equations
- Translate standard English units in to metric equivalents
Learning Materials:
NFPA (2014) NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations, 2014 Edition, Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association (required)
Specifically Chapters 3 and 5.
Quintiere, James (1997), Principles of Fire Behavior, Albany, NY: Delmar Publishing,
(Required) Specifically Chapters 1, 2, 3 and Glossary.
Draft of Algebra Chapter to be included in Quintiere, James, Principles of Fire Behavior, 2nd Edition
(Required).
DeHaan, John D. (2011), Kirk’s Fire Investigation, 7th Edition, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall
(Recommended)
Specifically Chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Icove, D and DeHaan, J.D. (2009), Forensic Fire Scene Reconstruction, 2nd Edition, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall
(Recommended)
Specifically Chapter 2.
Instructions:
Students will be required to read the identified learning material and will be required to successfully challenge a comprehensive written examination. Knowledge of the use of a scientific calculator is recommended and use of a calculator is allowed during testing. A passing score of 75% on the comprehensive written examination is required to receive credit for this program.
List of Relevant Terms:
| Absolute Temperature |
Energy Release Rate |
Over Ventilated |
| Adiabatic Flame Temperature |
Entrainment |
Piloted ignition |
| Ambient |
Fire |
Plume |
| Auto ignition |
Fire Plume |
Pool fires |
| Auto ignition Temperature |
Fire Triangle |
Premixed flame |
| Black Body |
Flame Height |
Pyrolysis |
| Burning Rate |
Flame Spread |
Radiation |
| Calorie |
Flashover |
Rankine |
| Ceiling Jet |
Flux |
Smoke |
| Ceiling Layer |
Fuel |
Smoldering |
| Charring |
Fuel-limited |
Soot |
| Coefficient |
Fully developed |
Specific Heat |
| Combustion |
Heat |
Spontaneous Combustion |
| Conduction |
Heat Flux |
Stoichiometric |
| Configuration Factor |
Heat of Combustion |
Temperature |
| Convection |
Heat of Gasification |
Thermal Conductivity |
| Convective Heat Transfer |
Heat Transfer |
Thermal Inertia |
| Critical Heat Flux |
Ignition Temperature |
Thermodynamics |
| Density |
International System of Units |
Turbulent |
| Diffusion |
Kelvin |
Underventilated |
| Emissivity |
Laminar |
Vapor |
| Energy |
Mass Loss Rate |
Ventilation factor |
| |
Neutral Plane |
Ventilation-limited/Ventilation Controlled |