COMPANYNAME SOLAS TRAINING MANUAL PART B – Section 1 Theory of Fire / Explosion
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GENERAL
This section is dealing with fire/explosion theory the knowledge of which is considered useful for seafarers, in order to make them able to take all necessary preventing and fighting measures and above of all to protect their own lives and the ship. 1.1.
EVAPORATION
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COMBUSTION
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Is the process during which a substance or mixture turns from the liquid state into the gaseous state (vapour). This change needs energy consumption. So, for evaporation heat is necessary.
Is the reaction of a combustible (inflammable) substance or mixture with oxygen under development of fire and heat. Consequently, it is an exothermic reaction whereby the inflammable substance combines with oxygen and other substances are generated.
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The combustion takes place on the interface of the inflammable substance and air, mostly in the form of a flame. For maintaining the combustion a certain relation between inflammable substance and oxygen is required. The quantity of energy or heat, which is set free, varies. To start combustion, the inflammable substance must be ignited. For this purpose a certain temperature is necessary (minimum ignition or combustion temperature) as well as sufficient energy. The three elements involved (fuel, heat and oxygen) are often shown as the three sides of a triangle. These three components are inter-dependent on each other and therefore if any one of the components is removed combustion cannot take place. THE FIRE TRIANGLE
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The fuel for a fire can be in the form of flammable solids, liquids or gases. Liquid fuels burn more intensely than solid fuels because they are more easily vaporised. The vapour from a liquid fuel is also heavier than air. It is extremely dangerous because it will seek low places, dissipate slowly and travel to distant sources of ignition. Flammable gases are already in the vapour state required for combustion or explosion. All they require for ignition is intermixing with oxygen and a source of heat. Air contains the oxygen necessary for burning, and ignition heat is present in many forms aboard vessels, including flame, spark, friction and spontaneous or internal combustion.
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