| Witnessing a neighbor's house burn can be a | | | | Fire is caused by a chemical reaction involving |
| traumatic experience for you and your family. | | | | oxygen in the atmosphere and available sources |
| Witnessing your own house being consumed by | | | | of fuel in the surroundings. In order for fire to |
| fire is traumatic enough for you and your family. | | | | start, fuel such as gasoline or a piece of wood |
| Losing your own home to fire is as much | | | | must be heated until it reach a sufficient |
| emotionally distressing as losing a loved one. | | | | temperature otherwise known as the ignition |
| There have even been instances wherein fire | | | | temperature. The mere fact that a fuel is |
| victims have lost their homes along with their | | | | surrounded by oxygen will not suffice to start a |
| relatives to fire. Nothing could be more tragic than | | | | fire. The three elements should be present and |
| losing lives and properties to an unfortunate | | | | combined at the right measure to ignite a fire. |
| incident that could have been avoided. | | | | The triangle of fire reveals one fundamental truth |
| You do not have to be a fireman or Superman to | | | | about fire safety. Fire safety is actually about |
| arrest a possible conflagration. You can be a hero | | | | keeping ignition sources and fuel sources separate. |
| on your own league just by keeping in mind the | | | | This means keeping an eye on possible fuel and |
| triangle of fire. What is the triangle of fire or | | | | ignition sources around the house such as: |
| combustion triangle? It consists of the three | | | | - Overloaded electrical systems |
| secrets without which fire would not ignite. You | | | | - Fuel store areas with oxygen concentration |
| just have to eliminate one of the secrets to | | | | - Electrical distribution equipment |
| effectively put out a fire. | | | | - Smoking |
| The three elements of the fire triangle are the | | | | - Heating equipment |
| following. The mere presence of the three | | | | - Cooking equipment |
| elements is not enough to cause fire. These | | | | The threat of fires ravaging homes and offices |
| elements must be combined in the right mixture | | | | has prompted concerned government agencies |
| for a fire to ignite and burn. | | | | and private organization to implement measures |
| Fuel - Fire will not be able to continue burning in | | | | fire safety measures. These measures are either |
| the absence of enough fuel. Removing fuel form | | | | planned during the construction of a particular |
| the fire will eventually cause the fire to stop. | | | | building or adopted by owners of structures |
| Heat - Heat is a pre-requisite to successful | | | | already standing. |
| combustion without which fie cannot begin. | | | | There are also fire safety measures such as |
| Possible sources of heat should be identified and | | | | proper handling of fire extinguishers that are |
| eliminated to keep fire from igniting. | | | | taught to occupants of the building. Fire safety |
| Oxygen - Oxygen just like heat is a requirement | | | | equipment familiarization among household |
| in order to start a fire. Oxygen can be removed | | | | members in homes as well among employees in |
| by smothering the fire with aqueous foam or dry | | | | the workplace is another good step towards |
| chemicals. | | | | securing homes and offices against fire. |