Fire Prevention & Firefighting Fundamentals - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for mastering fire science and firefighting fundamentals for the BFP entrance exam.
Fire Tetrahedron & Fire Science
Common values
Value
21%
Symbol
O₂
Quantity
Oxygen in air
Important facts
- Remove any one element of fire tetrahedron to extinguish fire
- Air contains approximately 21% oxygen at standard conditions
- Fire requires continuous fuel supply to maintain combustion
- Chemical chain reaction sustains fire once started
Key definitions
Fire Tetrahedron
Example
Remove any one element and fire dies
Four elements needed for fire: fuel, heat, oxygen, and chemical chain reaction
Combustion
Example
Wood burning in campfire
Chemical reaction between fuel and oxygen producing heat and light
Ignition Temperature
Example
Paper ignites at 451°F
Minimum temperature at which a material will ignite and sustain combustion
Diagrams to know
- Fire tetrahedron diagram
- Heat transfer modes illustration
Fire Stages & Development
Important facts
- Early detection during incipient stage saves lives and property
- Growth stage is most critical for firefighter response time
- Fully developed stage poses highest risk to firefighters
- Decay stage risks backdraft if oxygen suddenly introduced
Key definitions
Incipient Stage
Example
Small trash can fire
Initial fire stage with limited fuel involvement, easily extinguished
Growth Stage
Example
Fire spreading from room to room
Fire spreads rapidly, heat builds, temperature rises
Fully Developed Stage
Example
House fully engulfed in flames
Maximum heat release, all available fuel burning
Decay Stage
Example
Smoldering remains after main fire
Fuel exhausted, heat decreases, risk of backdraft
Diagrams to know
- Fire development curve
- Temperature vs time graph
Heat Transfer Methods
Important facts
- Convection causes fire to spread upward naturally
- Conduction transfers heat through building materials
- Radiation can ignite materials at distance
- All three methods work simultaneously in fires
Key definitions
Conduction
Example
Metal beam conducting heat to adjacent room
Heat transfer through direct contact in solids
Convection
Example
Hot smoke rising through stairwell
Heat transfer through movement of hot gases and liquids
Radiation
Example
Heat from fire felt on face from distance
Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves without contact
Diagrams to know
- Heat transfer modes diagram
- Fire spread patterns
Fire Classifications & Extinguishers
Important facts
- NEVER use water on Class B, C, or D fires
- Water extinguisher only for Class A fires
- ABC powder works on Classes A, B, and C
- CO₂ extinguisher for Classes B and C
- Wet chemical for Class K kitchen fires
Key definitions
Class A Fire
Example
House fire, paper fire
Ordinary combustibles: wood, paper, cloth, rubber
Class B Fire
Example
Gas station fire, oil spill fire
Flammable liquids and gases: gasoline, oil, propane
Class C Fire
Example
Electrical panel fire, appliance fire
Energized electrical equipment
Class D Fire
Example
Industrial metal fire
Combustible metals: magnesium, sodium
Class K Fire
Example
Kitchen grease fire
Cooking oils and fats
Diagrams to know
- Fire classification chart
- Extinguisher selection guide
PASS Technique & Extinguisher Use
Important facts
- Pull the pin to activate extinguisher
- Aim at BASE of fire, not flames
- Squeeze handle to discharge
- Sweep side to side to cover fire area
- Stand 6-8 feet from fire
- Have escape route behind you
Key definitions
PASS Technique
Example
Standard fire extinguisher operation
Pull pin, Aim at base, Squeeze handle, Sweep side to side
Diagrams to know
- PASS technique steps
- Proper extinguisher stance
Fire Prevention & Common Causes
Important facts
- Faulty electrical wiring - #1 cause in Philippines
- Unattended cooking - #2 cause in Philippines
- Lit cigarettes - #3 cause in Philippines
- Install smoke detectors on every floor
- Plan two escape routes from every room
- Never overload electrical outlets
- Keep flammables away from heat sources
Key definitions
Fire Prevention
Example
Regular electrical inspections, proper storage
Proactive measures to eliminate fire hazards before ignition occurs
Diagrams to know
- Home fire safety checklist
- Escape route planning
Firefighting Hazards & PPE
Important facts
- Structural PPE: helmet, hood, coat, pants, gloves, boots, SCBA
- PASS device sounds alarm if firefighter motionless
- Toxic gases: CO, HCN, particulates
- Steam burns from water on hot surfaces
- Structural collapse from fire damage
- Never work alone on fireground
Key definitions
Backdraft
Example
Opening door to smoldering room
Violent reignition when oxygen introduced to oxygen-starved fire
Flashover
Example
Room temperature reaches 1000°F
Simultaneous ignition of all combustibles in room
SCBA
Example
Air tank and mask system
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus for respiratory protection
Diagrams to know
- Complete PPE ensemble
- Fire hazard recognition signs
Fire Apparatus & Equipment
Important facts
- Engine carries water, pump, hoses, nozzles
- Ladder truck has aerial ladder and rescue tools
- Rescue truck has specialized extrication equipment
- Brush trucks for wildland fires
- HazMat units for chemical emergencies
Key definitions
Engine (Pumper)
Example
Primary firefighting vehicle
Fire truck with water tank, pump, and hoses
Ladder Truck
Example
High-rise operations
Aerial apparatus for rescue and ventilation
Tanker
Example
Rural firefighting
Large water capacity truck for areas without hydrants
Diagrams to know
- Fire apparatus types
- Equipment layout diagrams
Must remember
- Fire tetrahedron: fuel, heat, oxygen, chemical chain reaction
- PASS technique: Pull, Aim at base, Squeeze, Sweep
- NEVER use water on Class B, C, or D fires
- Top 3 fire causes in PH: electrical, cooking, cigarettes
- Backdraft occurs when oxygen enters oxygen-starved fire
- Flashover is simultaneous ignition of all room contents
- Heat transfer: conduction (solids), convection (gases), radiation (waves)
- Complete structural PPE includes SCBA and PASS device
- Fire prevention better than firefighting
- Plan two escape routes from every room
Last minute tips
- Memorize fire class symbols and matching extinguishers - commonly tested
- Know the difference between backdraft and flashover - both are deadly
- Remember PASS acronym order - exam favorites are aim at BASE not flames
- Philippine fire causes are electrical #1, cooking #2, cigarettes #3
- Fire tetrahedron questions: remove ANY element stops fire
Comparison tables
Fire Classes vs Extinguisher Types
| Fire Class | Fuel Type | Extinguisher | Never Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A | Ordinary combustibles | Water, Foam, ABC powder | None specific |
| Class B | Flammable liquids/gases | Foam, CO₂, ABC powder | Water |
| Class C | Electrical equipment | CO₂, ABC powder | Water, Foam |
| Class D | Combustible metals | Special D powder | Water, CO₂ |
| Class K | Cooking oils/fats | Wet chemical | Water |
Fire Stages Comparison
| Stage | Characteristics | Danger Level | Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incipient | Small, limited fuel | Low | Easy suppression |
| Growth | Rapid spread, heat building | Medium | Critical response time |
| Fully Developed | Maximum heat release | High | Defensive operations |
| Decay | Fuel exhausted | Medium | Backdraft risk |
Diagrams
Fire Prevention & Firefighting Fundamentals Overview
Complete overview of all fire prevention and firefighting fundamentals topics
Fire Extinguisher Selection Process
Decision tree for selecting proper fire extinguisher and application technique
Fire Development Stages
State transitions showing how fires develop and the risks at each stage