FLASHOVER AND BACKDRAFT: A PRIMER.

This article focuses on flashover which is define as the sudden involvement of a room or an area in flames from floor to ceiling caused by thermal radiation feedback. Thermal radiation feedback is the energy of the fire being radiated back to the contents of the room from the walls, floor, and ceiling. This radiation of energy to the contents of the room will raise all the contents to their ignition temperature. Another important concept to understand is the physics of the flashover. Several factors will affect whether or not a room will flash over. The size of the room, the combustible contents, the air supply, and the insulation of the room all combine to determine a room's flashover potential.