Combustion and fire

In short: Fire arises when a combustible material, oxygen and enough heat come together (fire triangle). If one of the three is missing, the fire goes out.

In more detail: In combustion the fuel reacts with oxygen and releases energy as heat and light. Usually carbon dioxide and water vapour are produced.

In detail

• Extinguishing: Remove the fuel, smother the oxygen (fire blanket, lid) or cool (water).
• Grease fire: Never extinguish with water, otherwise a flash fire results. Put a lid on.
• Fire classes: A solids, B liquids, C gases, D metals, F cooking oils and fats.
• Smoke: Smoke gases are often more dangerous than the flames. Smoke alarms save lives.
• Behaviour: Stay calm, warn people, emergency call 112, use escape routes, no lift (aggregatzustaende).