IFE Level 3 Diploma in Fire Science and Fire Safety

IFE Level 3 Diploma in Fire Science and Fire Safety

Unit 1: Fire Engineering Science

Unit Reference Number: A/505/6005

Introduction
This unit focuses on fire engineering science and fire behaviour. The content of the unit has been
designed to reflect the critical technical knowledge that fire professionals need in order to understand
the behaviour of fire and the mechanics of firefighting equipment. This knowledge and understanding
will contribute to increased safety on the incident ground.

Learning Outcomes
Candidates who achieve this unit should be able to:

• Interpret data and carry out relevant calculations

• Understand and apply the scientific principles that underpin fire behaviour and the
management of fires

Unit Status
This is a mandatory unit for candidates who wish to achieve the Level 3 Diploma in Fire Science and
Fire Safety.

Fire Engineering Science Formulae

A list of Fire Engineering Science Formulae is provided at the end of this document. The formulae
have been taken from the Fire Engineering Science Formula Booklet which is available on the
Preparing for Examinations page of the IFE’s website.

A copy of this formula list will be provided for candidates taking the Level 3 Diploma Fire Engineering
Science examination along with the examination paper so candidates will have access to the list during
the examination. Please note that candidates will not be able to take their own copy of the formula
sheet into the examination but will be able to use the sheet provided by the IFE.

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Content

1. Analysis and Interpretation of Data

Assessment Objective Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

1.1 Extract and tabulate data Expression of data in the form of:
• Graphs including histograms, bar charts, pie charts
• Tables
1.2 Obtain values from data Identify/Calculate:
• Median
• Mean
• Norm values
1.3 Extend graphs • Project values from given data (extrapolate)
• Deduce values from missing data (interpolate)

2. Mechanics

Assessment Objective Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

2.1 Define and apply the SI system • Recognise and use SI units for calculation and
of units in terms of basic and expressing values
derived units
2.2 Describe and carry out • Describe and apply Newton’s laws of motion
calculations involving equations
of motion
2.3 Understand and solve • Use vector quantities to find resultant values
calculations involving vectors • Apply vector methods to force and motion problems
2.4 Calculate moments around a • Definition of “fulcrum”
fulcrum including the use of • Definition of “moment”
levers and parallel force • Methods of calculation
2.5 Carry out calculations involving • Definition of “centres of gravity”
centres of gravity and centres • Definition of “centres of buoyancy”
of buoyancy • Methods of calculation
2.6 Carry out calculations involving • Definition of stress strain
stress and strain • Understand and apply Hooke’s Law of elasticity
2.7 Carry out calculations involving • Understand and apply the definitions of:
work, power and efficiency o Work
o Power
o Efficiency
o Force
o Momentum
o Mass
o Weight
2.8 Describe and calculate friction • Definition of “friction”
force between two surfaces in • Methods of calculation
contact

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3. Hydraulics

Assessment Objective Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

3.1 Define and solve problems • Define the terms density, specific gravity and pressures
involving density, specific in fluids
gravity and pressures in fluids • Understand and apply the definitions of velocity,
acceleration and energy
• Demonstrate the relationship between the terms
• Methods of calculation
3.2 Understand and apply the • As an aid to flow
principle of atmospheric • As a means of measuring flow
pressure in pumping systems • Definition of “atmospheric pressure” and methods of
measuring it
3.3 Understand and apply the laws • Laws of friction
of friction to calculate energy • Methods of calculation
losses in piped water supplies • Operation of piped water supplies
3.4 Understand and explain the • Definition of water power
operation of pumps and carry • Definition of brake power
out calculations • Definition of efficiency
• Types of calculation required and methods of
calculation
3.5 Explain the relationship • Methods of calculating velocity, flow and quantity of
between velocity and discharge water in hose and pipelines of differing diameters
of water through hose of
differing diameters
3.6 Explain the purpose and • Purpose of nozzles and siphons
principles of design of siphons, • Design and operating principles of nozzles
branches and nozzles • Design and operating principles of siphons
• Methods of calculating discharge from a nozzle
3.7 Calculate the theoretical and • Methods of calculation
the effective height of a jet • Significance of difference in specific gravities between
different liquids

4. Electricity

Assessment Objective Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

4.1 Understand the theory of • Define the terms “electron” and “current”
electrical current flowing in a • Describe electric current as a flow of electrons
circuit and apply this • Describe how electrical energy is generated and
distributed
• Describe the characteristics of alternating and direct
current
• Define the following: Volts, Amperes, Ohms, Watts,
Joules
• Methods of calculating current, power, voltage, energy
and resistance

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4.2 Describe the operation and • Principles of operation of a transformer

characteristics of a step-up and • Methods of calculation
step-down transformer
4.3 Explain and use Ohm’s Law • Principles of Ohm’s Law
• Use Ohm’s Law to solve problems
• Calculate the relationship between resistance, current
and voltage in simple parallel and series circuits
4.4 Explain the magnetic and • Show how these phenomena are applied in:
chemical effects of electrical a) Electric motors
currents b) Primary and secondary electric cells
4.5 Describe the function and Types to include:
method of operation of circuit • Residual Current Device (RCD)
protective devices • Miniature circuit breakers (MCB)
• Fuses
4.6 Define and solve problems • Temperature
involving resistance variation • Resistivity
• Methods of calculation
4.7 Apply the concept of power to • Power formula
electrical circuits • Methods of calculation

5. Heat and Energy

Assessment Objective Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

5.1 Explain and apply the principles • Methods of heat transfer
of heat transfer • Definition of:
o Absolute zero
o Specific heat capacity
o Latent heat
o Thermal capacity of a body
• Methods of calculation
5.2 Calculate linear, superficial and • Definition of linear, superficial and volumetric
volumetric expansion using the expansion
relevant coefficients • Understand and use coefficients
5.3 Apply the Gas Laws to Define and use Gas Laws:
calculations involving changing • Boyle’s Law
conditions of heat • Charles’s Law
• Law of Pressures (also known as Gay-Lusacc’s Law)
• Combined Gas Law
5.4 Explain the principles of the • Wavelength and intensity
electromagnetic spectrum • Effect on materials
• Effect on the human body

6. Radioactivity

Assessment Objective Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

6.1 Describe the principle of • Explain the terms:
radioactivity o Radioactivity

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o Radiation
• Define the terms “decay” and “half life”
6.2 Describe the biological effects • Explain the construction and properties of alpha and
of radiation and precautions to beta particles and gamma radiation and compare their
be adopted for safety from the penetrating powers
effects of radiation • Effects on cells
• Methods of contamination
• Principles of protection from ionising radiation

7. Chemistry

Assessment Objective Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

7.1 Describe the construction of an • Definition of “reactivity”
atom and show how the • Components of an atom – protons, neutrons, electrons,
electron shell configuration has shell
an effect on reactivity
7.2 Demonstrate an understanding • Structure of the Periodic Table of Elements
of the classifications of the • Classification of elements into Metals and Non-metals
chemical elements and the • Properties of elements:
main hazards associated with o Reaction to heat
each grouping o Reaction to electricity
o Physical form in different situations
o Reaction with oxygen
o Reactivity
• Explain the concept of valency and the relevance of the
periodic classification of the elements
7.3 Understand and use chemical • Balance simple chemical equations and define
equations stoichiometric conditions
• Calculate relative molecular masses and vapour
densities from given relative atomic masses
• Use “balanced” chemical reactions for the calculation
of the masses and the volumes of reactants in chemical
reactions
7.4 Explain the main properties, • Acids (inorganic and organic)
reactions and hazards of • Bases and Alkalis
specified elements, compounds • Ammonia
and groups • Calcium Oxide
• Ammonium hydroxide
• Carbon monoxide
• Carbon dioxide
• Chlorine
• Hydrogen
• Oxygen
• Sodium
• Sulphur
• Phosgene
7.5 Explain the properties of • Composition of hydrocarbons - hydrogen and carbon
hydrocarbons
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• Structure and main properties of the first four

members of the alkane family
o Methane, ethane, propane and butane
o Properties – density, boiling point and melting
point
• Structure of simple unsaturated hydrocarbons (alkenes
and alkynes)
• Structure and properties of aromatic compounds
• Structure and properties of alcohols, aldehydes and
ketones
7.6 Define the terms flashpoint, fire • Definition of “flashpoint”
point and spontaneous ignition • Definition of “fire point”
temperatures • Definition of “spontaneous ignition temperatures”
7.7 Apply the principles of • Principles involved in the extinction of fire by:
chemistry to the extinction of o Smothering
fire o Cooling
o Oxygen starvation
• Understand that a combustion is a type of chemical
reaction
• The principle and components of the fire tetrahedron
and the inhibition of combustion chains involving a free
radical mechanism
• Principle of free radicals
7.8 Explain the properties of • Oxygen
oxidising agents • Halogens
• Inorganic and organic oxidising agents
• Peroxide
7.9 Explain the properties of • Define “monomer” and “polymer”
polymers • Explain the polymerisation process
• Thermosetting and thermoplastic materials
• Fire hazards

8. Principles of Heat and Combustion Sensitive Detection Devices

Assessment Objective Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

8.1 Explain the operating principles • Types of device:
of heat and combustion o Ionisation detectors
sensitive detection devices o Optical detectors
o Heat detectors
o Combustion detectors
o Radiation detectors
o Flame detectors
• Use and effectiveness of the detectors listed above
according to the risk to be covered and their reliability
8.2 Explain and apply the principles • Explain the use of thermocouples
of thermocouples and • Explain the use of thermistors
thermistors

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 IFE Level 3 Diploma in Fire Science and Fire Safety

L3D1 - Fire Engineering Science Formula Sheet

=  +   +
1
=   =  +  
2 2
1

 =  + 2  =
 −    =×
2

 =   −  = 0 − =0

×  ! ! "#

=  =
! ! "#


$ =  1
$ =  % = 

2

 = &'
= (2&'  = )&'

' 9000, 2
= * = , =   √
10 - 3
100, $
$ = = × 100  = 0.157 
60 1
)
5 = 6  = 65 =

1 1 1 1
7 = 8 +  + 9 = + + : = ; 1 + <
7 8  9
∆> ; 1 + <; ?*
= =
 × ∆ : 1 + <; *@ABC

,DEF =  × ∝ × ∆H IDEF = I × 2 ∝ × ∆H 5DEF = 5 × 3 ∝ × ∆H

58 5 8 
8 × 58 =  × 5 = =
H8 H H8 H
8 58  5
= 5 = H
H8 H

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 IFE Level 3 Diploma in Fire Science and Fire Safety

KL M KL M
I = J#  or I = I = J#  x depth or I= x depth
N N

3
J 4J#3 #  P ×
# ℎ&ℎ
I= or I = I=
6 3 3

2
 + P  =   R=
3
× # # × 
#& !ℎ

1
5 = J#  ℎ
K = °C + 273 °C = K – 273 3

I = J#
4 I = 4J# 
5 = J# 9
3
5 = J#  ℎ I = 2J#ℎ 1
I =  + P ℎ
2

8
I = P sin R (m2)


 P 
= =
sin I sin 1 sin R

 = P  +   − 2P cos I

5 = #  #  −   × &ℎ

ZFF
X = ℎ! × cos Y or sin Y =
[\F
BL]
!! = ℎ! × sin Y or cos Y =
[\F
ZFF
!! = X × tan Y or tan Y =
BL]

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Date Issued: 06 August 2018