When some materials get ignited, the material catches fire and spreads. If there are opening in walls and floors the fire spreads to more area. If there are no openings, the temperature of the structure is increased by fire. In buildings, staircases and lift shaft act as flues for fire and increases the possibility of spreading of fire.
There are natural and man-made causes for fire to occur. They may be caused due to faulty workmanship in electrical wiring, leakages in heating and cooking equipment, flammable liquids, careless throwing of cigarette bits and matches, lightening, spontaneous combustion, etc.
The fire spreads over different materials and produces different gases of which some are poisonous. The gases produced are carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen dioxide, etc. Thus to protect the goods and activities within a building or structure and of adjacent buildings fire-protection has to be resorted to. Fire resistance of a material is the time during which a structure fulfils its function with reference to safety when a fire prevents with a particular intensity.
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