The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Fire control is governed by the principle of the "Fire Triangle," which establishes that combustion requires three simultaneous components: fuel, air (oxygen), and heat. Extinguishing a fire involves disrupting this combination by removing at least one of these essential elements.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: Fire suppression techniques are designed to eliminate one or more of the three requirements for combustion. This can be achieved by removing the combustible material (fuel), cutting off the oxygen supply (air), or lowering the temperature (heat).
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: It is not practically feasible to remove the fuel in all fire accidents. For instance, if a building or heavy infrastructure catches fire, the structure itself serves as the fuel and cannot be immediately removed from the site. In such cases, fire fighting focuses on cutting off the air supply or cooling the material.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Water is an effective extinguishing agent for ordinary fires because it absorbs a significant amount of heat. This cooling effect brings the temperature of the combustible material below its ignition temperature, thereby stopping the combustion process. Additionally, the water vapor produced can help smother the fire by displacing oxygen.
Key Takeaway:
To extinguish a fire, one must break the Fire Triangle by either starving the fire of fuel, smothering it to cut off oxygen, or cooling it below the ignition temperature.