backdraft
Combustion's sudden reversal
A backdraft is an explosive surge of fire that occurs when oxygen suddenly enters a confined space where flames have depleted the air supply.
The superheated gases ignite violently when a door or window opens.
Firefighters are trained to recognize warning signs—bowing windows, smoke-stained glass, pulsing smoke—before entering burning buildings.
Sudden total combustion event
- rolloverVehicle flipping accident
- reignitionRenewed combustion
- autoignitionSpontaneous combustion from heat
- pyrolysisHeat-driven molecular breakdown
flashpoint · smoldering · combustion · ignition · inrush
Transferred thermal energy
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
- conductionHeat transfer through contact
- temperatureMeasured heat intensity
thermal · smoke · buoyancy · stratification · infrared · BTU · enthalpy
Circulation of fresh air
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- overhaulComplete systematic repair
- firebreakCleared barrier against flames
- fire-suppressionPutting out active flames
PPE · SCBA · search-and-rescue · knockdown · cooling · venting · size-up · flashpoint
Emergency blaze responder
- trappedUnable to escape
- explosionViolent burst of energy
- blastSudden forceful burst
- overpressurePressure exceeding ambient levels
fireball · sudden · deadly · rescue · fatality · disorientation · burns · asphyxiation
flashover
Sudden total combustion event
- rolloverVehicle flipping accident
- reignitionRenewed combustion
- autoignitionSpontaneous combustion from heat
pyrolysis · flashpoint · smoldering · combustion · ignition · inrush
heat
Transferred thermal energy
- convectionHeat transfer via motion
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
- conductionHeat transfer through contact
temperature · thermal · smoke · buoyancy · stratification · infrared · BTU · enthalpy
ventilation
Circulation of fresh air
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- overhaulComplete systematic repair
- firebreakCleared barrier against flames
fire-suppression · PPE · SCBA · search-and-rescue · knockdown · cooling · venting · size-up · flashpoint
firefighter
Emergency blaze responder
overpressure · fireball · sudden · deadly · rescue · fatality · disorientation · burns · asphyxiation · toxicity
- fireflame, blaze, flames, inferno, embers
- Airflowairflow, air flow, air circulation, air current, air vent
- combustionburning, flames, fire triangle, ignition source, oxygen
- Explosionsexplosion, blast, detonation, boom, bang
- fire sciencefire behavior, fire spread, ignition, combustion, flames
- firefightingfire station, fire truck, fire engine, firefighter, firefighters
backdraftupdraft
Upward air movement
natural draft · outflow · exhaust · ventilation · downdraft