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Blasts are fast-moving fires caused by heated materials igniting cold ones, different from burns and detonations. Deflagration can cause explosions, and firefighters must accurately put out fires to prevent hot spots. Consumers and researchers should be aware of explosion risks from hot materials.
A blast is a hot, fast-moving fire that moves when heated materials ignite cold ones. This distinguishes it from burn, a slower rate of diffusion, and from detonation, an even faster fire that can also create a shock wave and cause additional damage. Fire safety professionals differentiate between these types of fires because they must be handled differently. Likewise, scientists and researchers working with flammable materials need to be aware of the risks of combustion, deflagration and detonation.
An example of a deflagration can be seen when a panicked cook throws water on a grease fire. Instead of going out, the fire spreads explosively as the water heats up, creating steam that carries the heated oil particles to nearby materials. These particles ignite previously cold materials and cause them to spread. The more water the cook adds, the worse the problem will get.
Blasts can be difficult for firefighters to handle because they move so quickly and can also be unpredictable. It is possible for a fire to resume abruptly after crews think the fire is out because the heated material smoldering underneath can ignite again, and can also cause nearby materials to ignite due to the extreme heat. This is one reason why firefighters very accurately put out fires, even after they appear to be out, and will remain at the fire site to confirm that all hot spots have been eliminated.
It is possible to create an explosion through a deflagration. The rapid rise in temperature can create a pressure differential heating the gases and other materials in the area, and this can explode explosively without proper ventilation. The firing mechanism of a handgun is one example; the gunpowder ignites through deflagration to explode and propel the projectile out with a sudden pressure spike within the gun barrel. If the bullet jams, the barrel itself can explode to relieve the pressure.
Consumers should be aware of the risk of explosion when working with hot materials. Even without an open flame, it is possible for a fire to start through heat transfer and may be difficult to control. This can be especially important when camping and using outdoor fires, as hot coals can catch fire and cause a fire even after people think their fires are out. Similarly, researchers in laboratory environments must carefully control temperatures and materials to limit the possibility of explosions or create them, depending on what they intend to do.
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