What is a major contributor to flashover?

A major contributor to flashover is radiation in combination with convection. In fire dynamics, flashover occurs when the temperature in the room becomes so high that all combustible materials ignite simultaneously.

Radiation plays a crucial role in raising the temperature of surrounding materials through the emission of heat from the flames and hot surfaces. As the fire burns, it gives off radiant heat, which can preheat adjacent combustible objects. At the same time, convection currents circulate hot air throughout the environment, transferring heat to surfaces and further increasing the risk of flashover.

While convection and conduction are also mechanisms of heat transfer, the combination of radiation and convection specifically creates the rapid increase in temperature and heat accumulation that leads to flashover conditions. Therefore, this combination is particularly critical in understanding how flashover occurs in a fire scenario.