Core Principle: The Fire Triangle & Tetrahedron

All fires depend on three (or four) elements:

• Fuel — Combustible materials like oil, wood, textiles, or cargo.
• Heat — Ignition from sparks, hot exhausts, electrical faults, or open flames.
• Oxygen — Abundant in ship air (21%).
• Chemical Chain Reaction — Sustains the fire once started.

Remove any element to stop the fire:

• Cool it (water lowers heat).
• Smother it (foam/CO₂ cuts oxygen).
• Starve it (remove fuel).
• Interrupt the chain (dry powder agents).

Understanding this is the first competence: Minimize the risk of fire.