What are the components of the fire triangle?

The fire triangle consists of three essential components: heat, fuel, and oxygen. Each of these elements plays a critical role in the ignition and sustenance of a fire.

Heat is the energy source that raises the material to its ignition temperature. Without heat, the fuel cannot ignite, which means fire cannot start or continue to burn.

Fuel refers to any combustible material that can burn, such as wood, paper, or gasoline. This material must be present for a fire to occur; it provides the necessary substance that will undergo combustion when supplied with enough heat and oxygen.

Oxygen is a vital component for the combustion process. Fire requires a minimum concentration of oxygen, typically around 16% in the atmosphere, to sustain the chemical reaction of burning. If the oxygen level drops below this point, combustion will extinguish.

Understanding the fire triangle is fundamental for firefighting and fire prevention, as it helps identify how to eliminate one of these components to extinguish a fire. By removing heat, fuel, or oxygen, fire can be controlled and extinguished effectively.