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DRAFT Comprehensive Fire Service Study MEDINA, MINNESOTA <br /> <br />Matrix Consulting Group Page 38 <br />fire is dependent on many factors including fuel loads, the types of materials, and the <br />area involved to name a few items. There is one point, “flashover”, that is identifiable and <br />serves as a benchmark for the response of resources. <br /> <br />The following chart illustrates the traditional “flashover” curve for interior structure fires. <br />The point in time represented by the occurrence of “flashover” is critical because it defines <br />when all the contents of a room become involved in the fire. Once this occurs, the space <br />becomes untenable for firefighters and un -survivable for any occupants. With the rapid <br />expansion of the fire, there is additional risk to other areas of the structure and potentially <br />to any structures or wildland areas surrounding the original location of the fire. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Note that this illustration depicts a fire from the moment of inception – not from the <br />moment that a fire is detected or reported. This demonstrates the importance of early <br />detection and fast reporting as well as rapid dispatch of responding units. This also shows <br />the critical need for a rapid (and sufficiently staffed) initial response – by quickly initiating <br />the attack on a fire, “flashover” can be averted. <br /> <br />It should be noted that not every fire will reach flashover – and that not every fire will “wait” <br />for the 8-minute mark to reach flashover. In fact, research conducted in 2010 by the <br />Underwriter Laboratories determined the increased use of synthetic materials in the home <br />has created faster flashover times to le ss than 4 minutes in some of their tests. Modern