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).
Fire Dynamics Calculations CFITrainer.net Module (available at CFITrainer.Net®)
(Recommended; login to CFITrainer.Net 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 |