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NOTES

Early in compartment fire heat release rate is governed by fuel (size, geometry, orientation, surface area/mass ratio etc.).

• Fuel Controlled

As a fire grows, the heat release rate is governed by ventilation (number, size, location of openings).

• Ventilation Controlled

Red solid line represents purely fuel controlled fire -

Incipient (slow rise),

Growth (more rapid rise),

Flashover (near vertical rise),

Fully developed (high steady state, horizontal on curve),

Decay (dropping HHR)

Dotted line represents a fire that becomes vent controlled during growth - reducing heat release rate - divergent path - one no new ventilation can lead to self extinguishment - other ventilation introduced (window failure, firefighting operations etc.) heat release rate rapidly increases.

Later scenario has potential for rapid fire development - discussed later.