IAAI Definitions Study Guide for CFI Exam
(Answered) 2025/2026. 106Q&A.
FIRE
A rapid oxidation process resulting in the evolution of light and heat.
Energy
The ability of matter to perform work by moving objects or transforming heat.
Entrainment
The process of air or gases being drawn into a fire plume.
Fire Effects
Observable or measurable changes in materials due to fire.
Fire Dynamics
The study of how chemistry, fire science, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer interact to influence fire
behavior.
Fire Patterns
Visible or measurable physical changes or shapes formed by fire effects.
Fire Spread
The movement of fire from one place to another.
Flame
A body or stream of gaseous material involved in the combustion process and emitting radiant
energy.
Flame Front
The leading edge of a propagating combustion reaction zone.
Explosion
The sudden conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy with the release of gases under
pressure.
Empirical Data
Factual data based on measurements or direct sensory experiments.
Drop Down
The spread of fire by the falling of burning materials.
Deflagration
The propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity less than the speed of sound.
, Current
The flow of an electrical charge.
Convection
Heat transfer by circulation within a medium like gas or liquid.
Conduction
Heat transfer to another object through direct contact.
Thermal Runaway
The instability that occurs when heat generation exceeds heat loss within a material.
Explosible
A material with a pressure ratio at ignition equal to or greater than 2.0 in any explosibility test.
Detonation
The propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity greater than the speed of sound.
Clean Burn
A distinct fire effect on noncombustible surfaces after burning off combustible layers.
BLEVE
Boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion.
Explosion Dynamics
The study of how chemistry, physics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer interact to influence
explosion behavior.
Explosive Material
Any material that can act as a fuel for an explosion.
Exposed Surface
The side of a structure or object directly exposed to fire.
Failure
Distortion, breakage, deterioration, or other fault that results in unsatisfactory performance.
Failure Analysis
A logical examination of an item to identify and analyze potential and real failures.
Finish Rating
The time in minutes for a stud or joist to reach a specific temperature rise in a protected
combustible assembly.
Fire Analysis
The process of determining the origin, cause, development, and responsibility of a fire or explosion.
(Answered) 2025/2026. 106Q&A.
FIRE
A rapid oxidation process resulting in the evolution of light and heat.
Energy
The ability of matter to perform work by moving objects or transforming heat.
Entrainment
The process of air or gases being drawn into a fire plume.
Fire Effects
Observable or measurable changes in materials due to fire.
Fire Dynamics
The study of how chemistry, fire science, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer interact to influence fire
behavior.
Fire Patterns
Visible or measurable physical changes or shapes formed by fire effects.
Fire Spread
The movement of fire from one place to another.
Flame
A body or stream of gaseous material involved in the combustion process and emitting radiant
energy.
Flame Front
The leading edge of a propagating combustion reaction zone.
Explosion
The sudden conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy with the release of gases under
pressure.
Empirical Data
Factual data based on measurements or direct sensory experiments.
Drop Down
The spread of fire by the falling of burning materials.
Deflagration
The propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity less than the speed of sound.
, Current
The flow of an electrical charge.
Convection
Heat transfer by circulation within a medium like gas or liquid.
Conduction
Heat transfer to another object through direct contact.
Thermal Runaway
The instability that occurs when heat generation exceeds heat loss within a material.
Explosible
A material with a pressure ratio at ignition equal to or greater than 2.0 in any explosibility test.
Detonation
The propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity greater than the speed of sound.
Clean Burn
A distinct fire effect on noncombustible surfaces after burning off combustible layers.
BLEVE
Boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion.
Explosion Dynamics
The study of how chemistry, physics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer interact to influence
explosion behavior.
Explosive Material
Any material that can act as a fuel for an explosion.
Exposed Surface
The side of a structure or object directly exposed to fire.
Failure
Distortion, breakage, deterioration, or other fault that results in unsatisfactory performance.
Failure Analysis
A logical examination of an item to identify and analyze potential and real failures.
Finish Rating
The time in minutes for a stud or joist to reach a specific temperature rise in a protected
combustible assembly.
Fire Analysis
The process of determining the origin, cause, development, and responsibility of a fire or explosion.
