What is a characteristic of under-ventilated combustion?

Under-ventilated combustion occurs when there is an inadequate supply of oxygen for the combustion process. In this scenario, the fire struggles to burn efficiently, resulting in incomplete combustion. This incomplete process produces a higher concentration of carbon monoxide (CO), a toxic gas, as a byproduct. The production of CO increases significantly compared to well-ventilated conditions because the fire cannot fully oxidize the fuel.

In contrast, by providing an excess of oxygen, over-ventilated combustion may result in more complete combustion, leading to less CO formation. Thus, the connection between under-ventilated conditions and elevated levels of carbon monoxide is vital for understanding fire behavior.

Other characteristics of under-ventilated combustion include a tendency to produce more soot since incomplete combustion leads to the creation of particulate matter. The fire might also experience limited spread or generate less heat compared to well-ventilated fires, but these characteristics do not align with the primary feature of increased carbon monoxide production. This understanding is crucial for fire safety and mitigation strategies during firefighting operations.