Flashover
The near-simultaneous ignition of all exposed combustible surfaces in a compartment, occurring when the upper gas layer reaches approximately 600°C and radiative heat flux to the floor exceeds the critical ignition threshold. Destroys directional burn-pattern evidence of fire origin.
Explained in these topics
- Fire and Burn Pattern Interpretation
- Fire Chemistry, Pyrolysis and the Arson Investigation Framework
- Fire and Arson Investigation: Cause, Origin and Burn Patterns
- Fire Dynamics: Flashover, Backdraft and Ventilation-Controlled Burning
- Major Arson Casework: Station Nightclub, Grenfell, Uphaar, Kamala Mills