What is Flashover?

Flashover is something firefighters firefighters, but they know they have to plan. In principle, Flashover is a cataclysmatic escalating fire in a confined space, which is due to the fact that the heat radiating from the ceiling ignites not only the flammable material below, but also airy gases released by this material. When this happens, the whole area is filled with a flame from the ceiling to the floor and temperatures reach up to 1,000 degrees Celsius (1832 degrees Fahrenheit). The best scenario for firefighters who escaped the flexover is somewhere about 17 seconds. Although it is still unclear exactly what happened, the gases relaxed with hundreds of plastic sofas apparently flashing and nine firefighters either burned to death, or were crushed by a burnt ceiling as it collapsed.

It was no more dangerous for Flashover than such a factory. The chemical composition of most plastics causes them to decompose at high temperatures and release the gases. Modern use of plastic in almost all areas of home furniture and decoration - furniture, carpet, bedding, colors -Exponentially increased the potential of Flashover. The point in which volatile gases begin to release from plastic material is called "pyrolysis" and Flashover often occurs in minutes.

Flashover is governed by two other factors. It is more likely that if another oxygen source is presented - for example, an open door -. It also occurs only in the contained space with ceiling and walls, because the gases must not distract.

Ironically, the firefighting facility improved the firefighters more vulnerable to Flashover, because it allow them to further into work fire. Starting with some breakthrough studies of scientists in Hong Kong, there is a serious effort to come up with synthetic materials less likely to contribute to flash conditions.