Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

1.0 Fire Science Chemistry Overview

Instructional Goal: The goal is for the individual to gain an understanding of chemical properties, laws of chemistry, terminology, and chemical interaction and reaction. The individual shall gain an understanding of the practical application of chemistry as it relates to the fire service.

Objectives:

1.1 The individual shall describe the properties of common solid combustibles relative to fire science.

1.2 The individual shall explain the following basic fire extinguishment methods:

1.2.1 Cooling

1.2.2 Oxygen Dilution

1.2.3 Fuel Removal

1.2.4 Chemical Flame Inhibition

1.3 The individual shall describe the four fire classifications.

1.4 The individual shall explain how the following extinguishing agents work:

1.4.1 Water

1.4.2 Foams

1.4.3 Dual Action Agents

1.4.4 Combustible Metal Agents

1.4.5 Halons

1.4.6 Carbon Dioxide

1.4.7 Dry Chemical

1.5 The individual shall explain the physical properties of flammable liquids and combustible liquids.

1.6 The individual explain burning characteristics of liquids.

1.7 The individual shall describe the basic classification of gases by chemical or physical properties. (i.e. toxic, flammable, reactive, cryogenic, liquefied, pressurized)

2.0 Fire Science Chemistry Specifics

Instructional Goal: The goal is for the individual to gain an understanding of specific chemical properties, laws, terminology, and chemical interaction and reaction. The individual shall gain an understanding of specific applications.

Objectives:

2.1 The individual shall describe the combustion process as a chemical equation.

2.2 The individual shall define the term "Chemical Reaction".

2.3 The individual shall define elements, mixtures and compounds.

2.4 The individual shall describe the properties of the following elements:

2.4.1 Hydrogen

2.4.2 Oxygen

2.4.3 Carbon

2.5 The individual shall define hydrocarbon and list five common examples.

2.6 The individual shall define carbohydrate and list three common examples.

2.7 The individual shall describe a chemical equation and list one example.

2.8 The individual shall describe the law of heat flow.

2.9 The individual shall describe the law of specific heat.

2.10 The individual shall describe the latent heat of vaporization.

This course will be presented in lecture format. Students will study terminology, concepts, and laws of chemistry. Classroom demonstration of principles and applications will be fire service related. Specific chemical characteristics, compounds," elements and equations will be studied.

The instructor will discuss evaluation procedures based upon the course syllabus issued to the students.