What is the fire point of a substance?

The fire point of a substance is the temperature at which it not only ignites but also sustains combustion for a prolonged period. At this temperature, the material can continue to burn steadily without the need for an external ignition source.

This differs from the ignition point, which refers to the moment something catches fire, and from the flash point, which is the lowest temperature at which enough vapor is released to ignite momentarily. Understanding the fire point is crucial for fire safety, as it indicates the conditions under which a substance will actively support a flame after being ignited.

In the context of fire response and prevention, knowing the fire point of materials can help firefighters understand which substances might pose a risk in a fire scenario and how to handle them safely.