Lesson plan
Backdraft
A backdraft (North American English), backdraught (British English) or smoke explosion is the abrupt burning of superheated gases in a fire caused when oxygen rapidly enters a hot, oxygen-depleted environment; for example, when a window or door to an enclosed space is opened or broken. Backdrafts are typically seen as a blast of smoke and/or flame out of an opening of a building. Backdrafts present a serious threat to firefighters. There is some debate concerning whether backdrafts should be considered a type of flashover. . Escaping hydrogen is ignited, while the removal of the bottom cap allows air to enter. Eventually, the air mixes with the hydrogen inside the container, causing an explosion. A similar process occurs during a backdraft, with the introduction of oxygen and mixing with unburnt gases causing abrupt or even explosive combustion.
Article summary
A backdraft (North American English), backdraught (British English) or smoke explosion is the abrupt burning of superheated gases in a fire caused when oxygen rapidly enters a hot, oxygen-depleted environment; for example, when a window or door to an enclosed space is opened or broken. Backdrafts are typically seen as a blast of smoke and/or flame out of an opening of a building. Backdrafts present a serious threat to firefighters. There is some debate concerning whether backdrafts should be considered a type of flashover. . Escaping hydrogen is ignited, while the removal of the bottom cap allows air to enter. Eventually, the air mixes with the hydrogen inside the container, causing an explosion. A similar process occurs during a backdraft, with the introduction of oxygen and mixing with unburnt gases causing abrupt or even explosive combustion.
Key claims
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.