What is the term for a condition where a fire may reignite?

The term for a condition where a fire may reignite is referred to as thermal runaway. This phenomenon occurs when a material or substance reaches a critical temperature and, as it heats up, the process accelerates due to additional heat produced from the chemical reactions within the material itself. This can lead to the rekindling of a fire even after it appears to be extinguished.

Recognizing thermal runaway is crucial for flight attendants and other emergency responders because it indicates that even after efforts to suppress a fire, there remains a risk that it could reignite. Understanding this concept helps ensure proper safety protocols are followed.

Other terms in the set have distinct meanings. For instance, thermal expansion refers to the increase in volume of materials as they heat up, not directly related to fire reignition. Heat of combustion describes the energy released during the combustion of a substance, while flash point is the minimum temperature at which a liquid can form an ignitable mixture with air. These concepts are relevant in fire safety but do not specifically pertain to the potential for a fire to reignite like thermal runaway does.