science of fire, told like a story

Unlock the mysteries of fire with "The Science of Fire," an illuminating e-book by Naeseok Park, a Korean fire protection professional engineer known as "Gaswater". Drawing on his unique background in history and psychology, Park simplifies complex fire engineering principles to an "elementary school level". This book is a must-read for newcomers to fire protection or anyone seeking a deeper theoretical understanding, as it explains the world's scientific principles through the lens of fire, much like Michael Faraday illuminated science with a single candle.
"The Science of Fire" adopts Sun Tzu's "Art of War" philosophy: to fight fire and win, you must first thoroughly know your enemy. This comprehensive guide covers:
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Fire Basics & Extinguishment: Explores the "three elements of combustion"-fuel, oxygen, and heat-and the crucial difference between heat and temperature. It details primary extinguishing methods: fuel removal, smothering, and cooling.
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The Power of Water: Unveils water's effectiveness through "sensible heat" and "heat of vaporization" for cooling, and its "smothering" effect as it expands into vapor. It also addresses water's weaknesses like surface tension and freezing.
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Fire Growth & Heat Transfer: Explains fire spread via conduction, convection, and radiation. Key concepts include "thermal conductivity," "specific heat," "Ceiling Jet Flow," "Flashover," "Fuel-dominated" vs. "Ventilation-dominated" fires, and "Backdraft".
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The Dangers of Smoke: Highlights why smoke causes 60% of casualties, detailing toxic substances like carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide, and its impact on oxygen and visibility. It covers smoke spread via "Stack Effect" and "Piston Effect," and introduces "pressurization smoke control" for safe evacuation.
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Fire Extinguishing Systems: Delves into "sprinkler systems" (open, closed, wet, dry, pre-action types) and "fire hydrants," explaining their operation through fluid dynamics principles like "pressure energy," "kinetic energy," "potential energy," and the "Venturi Effect".
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Fire Classification & Special Solutions: Categorizes fires (A, B, C, D, K) and describes specialized agents and systems for each, such as foam for oil fires and various gases for electrical fires, touching upon mechanisms like the "Joule-Thomson effect".
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Fire Detection & Response: Details "fire detectors" (heat, smoke, flame, gas) and their scientific principles (bimetals, thermistors, photoelectric effect, Seebeck effect). It emphasizes rapid notification, "prioritized alerting," and reducing "false alarms" with "Fourth Industrial Revolution" technologies like IoT and AI.
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Real-World Fire Cases: Concludes with analyses of incidents like the Mont Blanc tunnel fire, wildfires, industrial explosions, tank fires (including "Boil over" and "BLEVE"), and high-rise building fires, illustrating practical applications of fire science.
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"The Science of Fire" is more than just a textbook; it's an invitation to understand the world through the lens of fire, inspiring readers to become "great commanders" in protecting lives and property, and to imagine creating even better technologies for a safer future. Prepare for an enjoyable and rewarding reading experience that promises to deepen your appreciation for both fire science and engineering.