Combustion Source Selector

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Byproducts Table

Select a material to view its byproducts

Name	Formula	Toxicity	Visibility Impact	Flammability	Comparison

Name	Formula	Toxicity	Visibility Impact	Flammability	Comparison

Name	Formula	Toxicity	Visibility Impact	Flammability	Comparison

Toxicity Profiles

Select a material to view its toxicity profile

Acute Toxicity

Measures immediate health effects from short-term exposure

0/100

Irritation Potential

Indicates severity of respiratory and ocular irritation

0/100

Lethal Concentration Range

Concentration range that may be lethal with sufficient exposure time

Minimum 0 ppm

Maximum 0 ppm

FED calculations show cumulative toxic effects based on concentration and exposure time

Combustion Conditions

Select a material to adjust combustion conditions

Ventilation Affects oxygen availability and combustion efficiency

Well-ventilated

Combustion Flaming is higher temperature with more complete oxidation

Flaming

Current Conditions:

Material:

Ventilation: Well-ventilated

Combustion: Flaming

Values below show production multipliers for each byproduct under these conditions

Byproduct	Production Multiplier	Effect
Carbon Monoxide (CO)	×1.0	Baseline production
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)	×1.0	Baseline production
Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN)	×1.0	Baseline production
Hydrogen Chloride (HCl)	×1.0	Baseline production
Acrolein	×1.0	Baseline production
Formaldehyde	×1.0	Baseline production
Soot/PAHs	×1.0	Baseline production

Key Insight:

Well-ventilated conditions typically produce more carbon dioxide due to more complete combustion.

Flaming combustion generally produces more heat and can lead to faster fire spread.

Health Risk Simulator

Select a material to simulate health risks

Room Size 30 m³

Length (m)

Width (m)

Height (m)

Ventilation Rate (Air changes per hour) 1.0 ACH

Time Elapsed 5 minutes

Simulation Parameters:

Material:

Ventilation Condition: Well-ventilated

Combustion Type: Flaming

Room Size: 30 m³ (5m × 3m × 2m)

Ventilation Rate: 1.0 air changes per hour

Time Elapsed: 5 minutes

Click "Run Simulation" to see results

Byproduct	Concentration	IDLH Value*
Carbon Monoxide (CO)	0 ppm	1,200 ppm
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)	0 ppm	40,000 ppm
Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN)	0 ppm	50 ppm
Hydrogen Chloride (HCl)	0 ppm	50 ppm
Acrolein	0 ppm	2 ppm
Formaldehyde	0 ppm	20 ppm
Soot/PAHs	0 mg/m³	N/A

*IDLH = Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (NIOSH reference values)

Occupant Risk Level

Low

Minimal health effects expected. Short-term exposure may cause mild irritation.

Firefighter Risk Level

Low

Minimal health effects expected. Short-term exposure may cause mild irritation.

Important Notes:

This simulation provides educational estimates only and should not be used for actual emergency planning.
Firefighter risk assumes proper PPE but acknowledges potential for breakthrough or exposure during operations.
Actual conditions may vary significantly based on specific materials, fire dynamics, and building characteristics.

Animations and Diagrams

Select a material to view animations and diagrams

Chemical Reaction Pathways

Visualizing how materials break down during combustion

Complete Combustion

Material

+

O₂ (Oxygen)

↓

CO₂ + H₂O + Heat

Incomplete Combustion

Material

+

O₂ (Limited Oxygen)

↓

CO + C (Soot) + H₂O + Heat

Key Byproducts from

Chemical Reaction Insights:

Complete combustion requires sufficient oxygen and produces mainly CO₂ and water
Incomplete combustion occurs in oxygen-limited environments and produces CO and soot
Current ventilation conditions affect combustion completeness
Material produces unique toxic byproducts

Smoke Layering and Visibility Loss

Visualizing how smoke affects visibility in enclosed spaces

Smoke Layer Visualization

Good Ventilation

Visibility Impact

0% reduction

Smoke Density

Low

Layering Speed

Gradual

Smoke Layering Insights:

Hot smoke rises and forms a layer at the ceiling that descends over time
Visibility decreases rapidly as smoke layer descends
Ventilation affects smoke accumulation rate
Combustion type affects smoke production
Staying low improves visibility and reduces exposure to heat and toxic gases

Particulate Travel and Deposition

Visualizing how particulates travel through air and deposit on surfaces

Particulate Travel Visualization

Material Particulates

Large Particles (>10μm)

Settle quickly, deposit close to fire source

Medium Particles (2.5-10μm)

Travel further, deposit throughout space

Fine Particles (<2.5μm)

Stay suspended, can be inhaled deeply

Particulate Composition from

45% Soot

30% PAHs

25% Other

Particulate Travel Insights:

Particulates vary in size from visible soot to microscopic particles
Smaller particles (PM2.5) pose greater health risks as they penetrate deeper into lungs
Combustion type affects particle size distribution
Particulates can carry adsorbed toxic chemicals like PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons)
Deposition on surfaces creates contamination that can lead to secondary exposure

Code References & Best Practices

NFPA Codes Related to Fire Byproducts

The Fire Code establishes minimum requirements for fire prevention and protection systems to safeguard life, property, and public welfare from the hazards of fire and explosion.

Relevant sections:

Chapter 5: Fire Service Features
Chapter 13: Fire Protection Systems
Chapter 60: Hazardous Materials

The Life Safety Code addresses construction, protection, and occupancy features necessary to minimize danger to life from fire, smoke, fumes, or panic.

Relevant sections:

Chapter 7: Means of Egress
Chapter 8: Features of Fire Protection
Chapter 9: Building Service and Fire Protection Equipment

This guide provides methodology for investigating fire and explosion incidents, including analysis of fire byproducts and their effects.

Relevant sections:

Chapter 5: Basic Fire Science
Chapter 6: Fire Patterns
Chapter 17: Fire-Related Human Behavior
Chapter 24: Fire Deaths and Injuries

OSHA Standards Related to Fire Byproducts

This standard covers the general requirements for fire protection in the workplace.

Key provisions:

Employer responsibilities for fire protection
Fire detection systems
Fire suppression equipment
Employee alarm systems

This standard covers respiratory protection requirements for workers exposed to hazardous atmospheres, including those containing fire byproducts.

Key provisions:

Selection of appropriate respirators
Medical evaluations
Fit testing procedures
Use, maintenance, and care of respirators
Training and program evaluation

Fire Prevention Best Practices

Material Selection and Storage

Choose fire-resistant materials when possible
Store flammable materials in proper containers
Limit quantities of combustible materials
Consider fire performance when selecting building materials

Building Design Considerations

Compartmentalize spaces to limit fire spread
Design adequate ventilation systems
Ensure proper fire separation
Install smoke barriers and fire-rated assemblies
Design clear and accessible egress routes

Detection and Suppression Systems

Install appropriate fire detection systems
Maintain automatic sprinkler systems
Consider specialized suppression systems
Ensure regular testing and maintenance

Occupant Safety Best Practices

Emergency Planning

Develop and practice fire evacuation plans
Designate assembly areas away from the building
Establish procedures for accounting for occupants
Create specific plans for occupants with disabilities
Coordinate with local fire departments

Training and Education

Train on fire alarm recognition and response
Educate about dangers of smoke inhalation
Teach proper use of fire extinguishers
Conduct regular fire drills
Provide information about exit paths

During a Fire Emergency

Stay low to avoid smoke and toxic gases
Feel doors before opening
Close doors to slow fire spread
Use stairs, never elevators
If trapped, seal door cracks with wet cloth
Signal for help from windows if needed

Firefighter Safety Best Practices

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Always wear full PPE including SCBA
Ensure proper fit and seal of SCBA masks
Maintain and inspect PPE regularly
Decontaminate PPE after exposure
Replace damaged equipment immediately

Operational Considerations

Conduct thorough size-up
Monitor for flashover and backdraft
Maintain situational awareness
Use thermal imaging cameras
Implement proper ventilation techniques
Establish two-way communications

Health Monitoring and Rehabilitation

Establish rehabilitation areas
Monitor vital signs and hydration
Implement work/rest cycles
Conduct medical monitoring
Follow decontamination procedures
Participate in health monitoring programs

Combustion Source Selector

Byproducts Table

Toxicity Profiles

Acute Toxicity

Irritation Potential

Lethal Concentration Range

Combustion Conditions

Current Conditions:

Key Insight:

Health Risk Simulator

Simulation Parameters:

Occupant Risk Level

Firefighter Risk Level

Important Notes:

Animations and Diagrams

Chemical Reaction Pathways

Complete Combustion

Incomplete Combustion

Key Byproducts from

Chemical Reaction Insights:

Smoke Layering and Visibility Loss

Visibility Impact

Smoke Density

Layering Speed

Smoke Layering Insights:

Particulate Travel and Deposition

Large Particles (>10μm)

Medium Particles (2.5-10μm)

Fine Particles (<2.5μm)

Particulate Composition from

Particulate Travel Insights:

Code References & Best Practices

NFPA Codes Related to Fire Byproducts

NFPA 1: Fire Code

NFPA 101: Life Safety Code

NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations

OSHA Standards Related to Fire Byproducts

OSHA 1910.155: Fire Protection

OSHA 1910.134: Respiratory Protection

Fire Prevention Best Practices

Material Selection and Storage

Building Design Considerations

Detection and Suppression Systems

Occupant Safety Best Practices

Emergency Planning

Training and Education

During a Fire Emergency

Firefighter Safety Best Practices

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Operational Considerations

Health Monitoring and Rehabilitation