Course Objectives

To provide a fundamental knowledge and understanding of fire development in the modern built environment.

 

Pre-requisites

Competent to wear SCBA, sound understanding of the chemistry and physics of fire as well as a fundamental understanding of firefighting operations.

 

Target Audience

This program is suitable for firefighters or fire engineers who would like to increase their knowledge of fire behavior in the modern built environment. Instructors will benefit by gaining insight into how simple and inexpensive small-scale models can be used to provide a practical demonstration of the concepts.

Training Method

The training is a mixture of classroom sessions with media rich presentations and small-scale demonstrations. The Instructors are all highly experienced fire officers with proven fire ground experience.

 

Certification

The students have 2 options. The first option is to simply attend the course with no assessments. All students will be issues with a certificate of attendance.

 

The second option is for those students that wish to gain credits towards internationally recognised Compartment Fire Behaviour Training Instructor (CFBTI) Qualifications.  All training and assessments are conducted in accordance with internationally recognised standards, such as NFPA 1403 (USA), The Guidance and Compliance Framework for Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (UK). The CFBTI Level 1 and 2 are accredited by the Institution of Fire Engineers as a Recognised Training Program.

 

Compartment Fire Behaviour Essentials (CFBE)

Course Introduction

Fire Science Essentials

The Application to the Modern Built Environment

Fire Development Fundamentals

Small Scale Demonstrations

Recognising the key fire behaviour indicators

Extinguishing Tools and Techniques

 

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

 

1. Understand the fundamental principles of combustion reactions and the factors influence the speed of reaction

1.1 Describe and explain the fire triangle and the role of chain carriers

1.2 Explain the ignition process in solids, liquids and gases

1.3 Explain complete combustion, incomplete combustion and passive agents

1.4 Describe flammable limits and the impact of variations in temperature and pressure.

1.5 Explain the chemistry of combustion in solids, liquids, gases, dusts and vapour phases

1.6 Explain how heat energy can be transferred via conduction, convection and radiation

1.7 Explain extinguishing principles in terms of actions that can disrupt the chemical reaction by removing one of more of the sides of the fire triangle

 

2. Understand how fire develops and spreads within compartments

2.1 Explain fire growth in terms of development phases, burning regimes, flashover, backdraft and fire gas ignition (smoke gas explosions)

2.2 Explain the factors which affect the development and spread of a compartment fire including geometry, linings, and fuel package location

2.3 Explain the impact of ventilation openings and the formation of bi-directional and uni-directional flow paths

2.4 Explain the impact of a Wind Driven fire on the heat release rate

2.5 Explain fire spread through multi compartment structures 

2.6 Explain the decay phase in terms of fuel or air depletion