FRSC112 Fire Behavior and Combustion
Department of Business, Innovation, and Legal Studies: Fire Science
- I. Course Number and Title
- FRSC112 Fire Behavior and Combustion
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- None
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
- This course aligns with Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) associate degree core curriculum requirements.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- This course is a study of the physical properties and chemical characteristics applicable to fire; it also discusses combustion, the principles of fire, heat measurement, heat transfer, and heat energy sources. Emphasis is on emergency situations and the most favorable methods of handling firefighting and control.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- Identify physical properties of the three states of matter;
- Categorize the components of fire;
- Explain the chemical and physical properties of fire;
- Describe and apply the process of burning;
- Define and use basic terms and concepts associated with the chemistry and dynamics of fire;
- Discuss the various materials and their relationship to fires as fuel;
- Demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of water as a fire suppression agent;
- Articulate other suppression agents and strategies; and
- Compare other methods and techniques of fire extinguishment.
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
- Introduction
- Matter and energy
- The atom and its parts
- Chemical symbols
- Molecules
- Energy and work
- Forms of energy
- Transformation of energy
- Laws of energy
- Units if Measurements
- International Systems (SI) of measurement
- English units of measurement
- Chemical Reactions
- Physical states of matter
- Compounds and mixtures
- Solutions and solvents
- Process of reactions
- Fire and the physical world
- Characteristics of fire
- Characteristics of solids
- Characteristics of liquids
- Characteristics of gases
- Heat and its Effects
- Production and measurement of heat
- Different kinds of heat
- Properties of Solid Materials
- Common combustible solids
- Plastic and polymers
- Combustible metals
- Combustible dust
- Common Flammable Liquids and Gases
- General properties of gas
- The gas laws
- Classification of gas
- Compressed gases
- Fire Behavior
- Stages of fire
- Fire phenomena
- Flashover
- Backdraft
- Rollover
- Flameover
- Fire Plumes
- Fire Extinguishment
- The combustion process
- The character of flame
- Fire extinguishment
- Extinguishing Agents
- Water
- Foams and wetting agents
- Inert gas extinguishing agents
- Halogenated extinguishing agents
- Dry chemical extinguishing agents
- Dry powder extinguishing agents
- Hazards by Classification Types
- Hazards of explosives
- Hazards of compressed and liquefied gases
- Hazards of flammable and combustible liquids
- Hazards of flammable solids
- Hazards of oxidizing agents
- Hazards of poisons
- Hazards of radioactive substances
- Hazards of corrosives
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Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Students satisfy the course learning goals via class discussions, written exams, assignments, papers, and/or performance based tasks and projects. -
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
See course syllabus
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Review/Approval Date 6/2016