What does the 'fire triangle' represent in fire science?

The 'fire triangle' is a fundamental concept in fire science that illustrates the three essential elements needed for a fire to ignite and sustain itself. These elements are heat, fuel, and oxygen. Each component plays a critical role in the fire's combustion process:

• Heat is the energy source that raises the fuel to its ignition temperature.
• Fuel refers to any combustible material that can burn, providing the substance that will be consumed by the fire.
• Oxygen is necessary for combustion, as it reacts with the fuel to produce flames.

Understanding the fire triangle is crucial for both fire prevention and firefighting. By removing any one of these elements—through cooling the fire (removing heat), starving it of combustible materials (removing fuel), or displacing oxygen (removing oxygen)—the fire can be extinguished. This makes the fire triangle an essential tool for firefighters when assessing a fire and determining the most effective extinguishing method.