What does the fire triangle represent in fire safety?

The fire triangle represents the three essential components that must be present for a fire to ignite and sustain combustion: heat, fuel, and oxygen.

Heat is required to raise the material to its ignition temperature, which enables the fuel to burn. Fuel refers to any combustible material, such as wood, paper, or synthetic substances, that can be consumed by fire. Oxygen is a key element that supports combustion; without an adequate supply of oxygen, a fire cannot continue burning.

Understanding the fire triangle is crucial in fire safety because it helps individuals to identify how to prevent fires. By removing one of these components, such as eliminating fuel or reducing temperatures through cooling, it is possible to extinguish a fire or prevent it from starting. This fundamental concept is widely used in fire prevention strategies and safety training.