Undergraduate Certificate in Fire Science

This course explores the theories and fundamentals of how and why fires start, spread, and are controlled. The student can expect to identify physical properties of the three states of matter; categorize the components of fire; recall the physical and chemical properties of fire; describe and apply the process of burning; define and use basic terms and concepts associated with the chemistry and dynamics of fire; discuss the various materials and their relationship to fires as fuel; demonstrate knowledge of the characteristics of water as a fire suppression agent; articulate other suppression agents and strategies; and compare other methods and techniques of fire extinguishments.

This course provides fundamental information regarding the history and philosophy of fire prevention, organization and operation of a fire prevention bureau, use of fire codes, identification and correction of fire hazards, and the relationships of fire prevention with built-in fire protection systems, fire investigations, and fire and life safety education. Students can expect to define the national fire problem and its main issues; recognize the need for fire prevention as part of the overall mix of fire protection; recognize the need for fire prevention organizations, review minimum professional qualifications at state and national levels for fire inspectors, investigators, and public educators; define the elements of a plan review program; identify the laws, rules, codes, and other regulations regarding fire prevention; and discuss training, media, and public education programs for fire prevention.

This course addresses the study of suppression systems and their critical components as well as their application to selected fire protection problems. It will cover the duties, responsibilities and ethical aspects of the Fire Protection Engineer with focus on contract drawings and their relationship to contract specifications, and an actual survey of a large building. It will include the philosophy, history and fundamentals of public and private fire protection, and relations with other disciplines including architecture and the building industry, and will extend to the application of hydraulic theory to a range of design considerations.

This course is an overview of fire protection and its related fields. It also covers the philosophy and history of fire protection/service, fire loss analysis, organization and function of public and private fire protection services, fire departments as part of local government, laws and regulations affecting the fire service, fire service nomenclature, specific fire protection functions, basic fire chemistry and physics, introduction to fire protection systems, and introduction to fire strategy and tactics. Students can expect to describe and discuss components of the history and philosophy of the modern fire service; analyze the basic components of fire as a chemical reaction, examine the major fire phases, and examine the main factors that influence fire spread and behavior; list and describe major emergency response services and illustrate how they interrelate; synthesize roles of national, state, and local support organizations in fire and emergency services; describe the scope of fire and emergency services organization; describe the common fire facilities, equipment, and apparatus; analyze management concepts for emergency situations; and explain fire prevention including code enforcement, public information, and public and private fire protection systems.

This course is a study in building construction components that relate to fire and life safety, to include a major focus on fire fighter safety. The elements of construction and design of structures are shown to be key factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations, and operating in emergencies. The student can expect to demonstrate an understanding of building construction as it relates to firefighter safety, building codes, fire prevention, code inspection, and firefighting strategy and tactics; classify major types of building construction; analyze the hazards and tactical considerations associated with the various types of building construction; explain the different loads and stresses that are placed on a building and their interrelationships; identify the principle structural components of buildings and demonstrate an understanding of each function; differentiate between fire resistance and flame spread, and describe the testing procedures used to establish ratings for each; classify occupancy designations of the building code; and identify the indicators of potential structural failure as they relate to firefighting safety.

This course is a theoretical study to understand the principles of the use of water in fire protection and to apply hydraulic principles to analyze and solve water supply problems. The student can expect to apply the application of math and physics to the movement of water in fire suppression activities; comprehend the design principles of fire service pumping apparatus; analyze the community fire flow demand criteria; and demonstrate understanding of hydraulics, water characteristics, fluid pressure, hydrokinetics, Bernoulli’s formula, nozzle reaction, friction loss in water conductors, nozzle pressure equation, water distribution systems, Hazen-Williams equation, fire flow tests, determination of required fire flow, fire service pump design and testing, friction loss calculations, engine and nozzle pressure, Underwriter’s formula, parallel lines, Wyed lines, aerial stream calculations, relay pumping, mobile water supply, fire streams, four hydraulic laws of friction loss, and fire fighting foams and foam systems.