Chapter 2: Fire Types and Combustion Products

The chemical composition and yields of toxic substances in fires and the development of fire hazards vary considerably under the differing decomposition conditions in different types of fires. It is possible to classify fires into a range of basic types or stages depending upon the combustion conditions and the setting in which they are burning (the fire scenario). This chapter describes the different types of fire scenarios, how they vary in terms of burning rates, yields of toxic products, fire development and fire effluent dispersal. The effects of these parameters on the development of different fire hazard scenarios are described. Challenges in creating representative fire scenarios experimentally and in sampling, analysis and characterisation of combustion products are discussed.