Phases of Fire
1) Ignition Phase – is the starting point when the four parts of the fire tetrahedron are present and the fuel is heated to its ignition temperature, ignition occurs
2) Growth phase – additional fuel becomes involved in the fire wherein thermal layering begins and continues as long as there is enough oxygen available and the fuel source is maintained
3) Fully developed phase – the fire has progressed beyond flashover (point between the growth phase and the fully developed phase) wherein all combustibles have ignited and heat is being produced at the maximum rate
4) Decay phase – is the final phase in which the fire is running out of fuel, so rate of combustion is slowing down but the atmosphere remains hot and heat energy is still being released