What are the three elements of the fire triangle?

The three essential elements of the fire triangle are fuel, heat, and oxygen. Each of these components plays a critical role in the combustion process that creates fire.

Fuel refers to any combustible material, which can be solids, liquids, or gases. This can include items like wood, paper, gasoline, or even natural gas. Without fuel, a fire cannot ignite or sustain itself.

Heat is the energy that raises the temperature of the fuel to its ignition point, initiating combustion. This can be provided by various sources such as sparks, flames, electrical arcs, or even friction.

Oxygen is necessary because it is a reactive gas that supports the chemical reactions occurring during combustion. Air typically contains about 21% oxygen, which is sufficient for most fires to burn. Reducing oxygen levels can extinguish fires, which is a principle utilized in fire safety protocols.

The interaction of these three elements is what allows fire to start and continue burning. Removing any one of these elements effectively stops the fire, highlighting their interconnectedness in fire dynamics.