By DOUG BAILEY
Fire is a complex phenomenon that requires advanced degrees in chemistry, physics, and engineering to fully understand. Nevertheless, it is important for all firefighters not only to understand the basic principles of fire and heat transfer but also to be reminded periodically of how these principles relate to their line-of-duty responsibilities and their personal safety.
Fires result when fuel, oxygen, and heat come together. When ignition occurs and combustion begins, heat is generated. Smoke, flame, and the release of gases are also products of combustion and are the physical signs that a potentially deadly situation is at hand. As temperatures rise, heat is transferred to the surroundings according to the Laws of Thermodynamics. The second law states that heat will move from hot regions to cooler regions.
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